The Bluffer's Guide To GameCube
There are alot of people out in the world who think I know everything on and to do with GameCube. But some may not even know the simple answers to even questions like What’s the GameCube’s main colour? So get ready for the Guide to Everything You Wanted To Know About The GameCube, But Were to Afraid to Ask!
What are the primary differences between a PAL GameCube (AUS, NZ etc.) and an NTSC (US, JAP etc.) one?
Not that much, but the only major or real difference is that the Digital AV Out on the NTSC GameCube has been removed from the PAL GameCube. Those of you who are very technical will notice the difference is specifications between the PAL and NTSC console. In the past all PAL consoles has to run 17.5% slower than NTSC consoles and also feature boarders around the screen when running games/software. However, advances in technology - along with the introduction of the PAL 60hz mode will negate partially all of the speed difference with the next-generation consoles.
What’s the deal with the PAL 60hz mode? Will it work with all games?
Nintendo hasn’t released much information regarding this new inclusion for the PAL GameCube, but what we do know is that activating the 60hz mode will make whatever PAL game your playing run as fast and as smooth as its NTSC counterpart. Doing this is as simple as holding down the B button when you turn the console on to boot up a game. However, the games have to be specifically encoded with this feature before it will work therefore not all games will be able to use the 60hz mode feature though some games such as Luigi’s Mansion will be able to support this feature.
So what ways can I connect the console to my television?
This depends on what type of television you are using. If your television is about 4/3 years old or less you should have a SCART socket on the back which is a long, thin connector like a computer connector. The GameCube comes with a basic audio/video cable and a SCART connector so you should be sorted, although you may want to invest in a RGB SCART cable for higher quality picture. Those of you with more fancy televisions like mine might want to get an S-Video cable; it provides crystal sharp picture that’s highly recommended among hardcore gamers. If you’re stuck with an really old or bog-standard television though, a basic RF Aerial adapter will be available also. Though if you have any of these from your Nintendo 64 just instantly plug that one in as it has exactly the same plug-in so you won’t find all of those Nintendo 64 parts going to the corner of the room.
What type of discs does the GameCube use? Aren’t they just DVD disks?
Well no they aren’t DVD disks but if you want a detailed answer I suggest you check it out yourself. The disks GameCube uses are three-inch optical proprietary disks, holding approx. 1.5 gigabytes of storage/data each. These were designed for the GameCube and GameCube only so Nintendo wouldn’t lose profits from burnt disks. Though this does mean that the GameCube does not recognise or even able to play a DVD or CD which really isn’t any lose when you notice that the GameCube was onyl made for games!
So why did Nintendo decide not to support DVDs or CDs at all?
Well do you want to pay more for a machine that was made to play games? Thought not. The only GameCube/Home Entertainment Unit is the Panasonic Q which is only available in Japan though NOTE if you do import one be careful because it does not support most outside of Japan accessories and games! Oh, and I forgot to mention that if you do import you better know Kanakan (well I think that’s it because it’s not Hiragana) because the remote control is written in that though the console is in English, weird! But as I said before the system is never going to be released outside of Japan unless Nintendo changes their mind and notices that they can make a profit but Panasonic has to agree too…
What sort of memory cards does the GameCube use to store data?
The memory cards used by the GameCube are basically the same as any other consoles though Nintendo have done their memory cards in a different memory system. Instead of using MBs and GBs they are using Blocks. The basic memory card which is available now everywhere around the world is the Memory Card 59 though their is a more expensive alternative if you wait it out… The Memory Card 251 which I suggest you buy instead if your still deciding is four times bigger and is out in the Us already and will be hitting other places around the world soon. Though as a NOTE those of you who have NTSC memory cards with a PAL console will have to reformat their memory card to the PAL format so the PAL GamCube can register the saved game data.
Is the GameCube Internet ready once I’ve plugged it into my television?
The GameCube will not be instally ready for you to connect online as currently this is impossible as Nintendo don’t even have plans released (July 2002) for the Cube. What we do know is that there are Nintendo GameCube Broadband and Modem adapters that will be released in the near future and yes, they do currently exist. But still we are not sure of what is taking so long and why the delay is going on and on and on because the excuse “there isn’t a big enough market out there” just doesn’t wash with us. Still the opportunity is available it’s just a matter of when Nintendo are going to take the advantage of this feature.
Does the GameCube have an expansion port like the Nintendo 64?
Yes, indeed, as well as the serial ports, there is also an high speed port on the bottom. So far, Nintendo hasn’t released any plans for what the port is for so your going to have to sit tight. But if you read on you will find out on one use that this port will be used for.
Is there ever going to be a GameCube hard drive?
This is quite possible as we do know that IBM have been in development with this and have created a credit card sized hard drive that can be fitted into the high speed port of the console, though currently there are no details on this feature including if and when it’s going to be released.
Does the GameCube support Dolby Pro Logic 5.1?
Unfortunatly no it doesn’t, however is can support regular Dolby Pro Logic as opposed to the digital type, but this will only be available if the code for this feature is written into the game like Star Wars: Rogue Leader. At some point in the future the GameCube might be able to support Dolby Digital but as PAL GameCube’s don’t have the digital output they won’t get the same benefit.