Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Calling the gamer geeks!

So since today is a crappy day weather wise, it's been brought to my attention that it's a good day for me to buy us a GameCube.

Does it have a digital out? And if so, is there a TOSlink option or coaxial only?

Looking to spend as little time in Future Shop as possible. I may bring a stungun.

Bren R.

Can't answer your question, as Roger is the gamer geek in our household. I can't tell you how many times he's suggested that we get a gamecube. I always respond with "how often do you use your PS2?" The answer is about 5x per year. He's a PC gamer. Spends countless hours sitting there slaying monsters in World of Warcraft. I tried playing. It was pretty cool, but it just doesn't hold my attention like it does him. I get bored after playing for just a few weeks usually. He hours a day forever. The only thing that stops him from playing one of those MMORPG's is when the next one comes out.

Lonely at home,

Game Widower

Nope...No digital audio out...

It does have a "digital out" which supplies Component output if your TV handles it...outputs progressive via some gamepad presses.

Audio is Stereo...claims to be PLII and sounds pretty good via PLII on my Sherwood...

Unless there is something I have missed.

Cool system nonetheless...

WhatFurrer

I haven't owned a console since the failed Christmas present of a SNES from my brother.

"It's... a Super Nintendo..."
'Yeah'
"Uh... thanks"

Bren R.

Sadly, no digital out. There are some dolby logic games (like RE4) but no digital. Still sounds fine on my Axioms though!

There is a component cable available, but my understanding is that the newer runs of GC's don't have that port anymore. The component cable is hard to come by, I got mine on nintendo.com. W/ component, it looks GREAT on my plasma.

Granted, the game library isn't as big as PS2 or the XBOX, but where else are you going to find the Mario franchise?

My personal GC favs are (no particular order)
1) Pikmin 1 and 2
2) Resident Evil 0, 1 and 4
3) Zelda the Wind Waker
4) Eternal Darkness (fantastic concept IMHO)
5) Mario Kart

Go here if for some GC specific info:

Cube Your Enthusiasm

I'm not knocking the Cube. I've not played it so I have no experience. But, are you wedded to it? What about the PS2? Or Xbox? Both have toslink outs (and I have them hooked to my reciever that way). Generally I recommend people look to see which one has the most games they want to play and chose that console (PS2, G-cube, Xbox). Oh, and M$ is going to 'reveal' their xbox2 (i think it's called the 360) on May 13. Not sure when one could buy it, but that will certainly effect prices for the current xbox and PS2.

jr

Oh-oh.... now this looks like a battle's a-brewin'...

I'm not sold on getting a console - between the two of us, we've got about an hour a week of free time.

Thanks for the input guys.

Bren R.

yeah...I think PS3 isn't all that far away either. My boss's son has had it for awhile as a demo. I've heard it's like watching a movie...the graphics are that good.

Hehe. I'm not trying to fling any poo. The g-cube has a couple games i'd love to play (zelda/metroid), but I've become too mature (damnit) to get a console to play only 2 games.

The best advice I have heard (and given) about the consoles is "Get the one that has the most games you like to play, and tell the fanboys to shove off."

jr

I have a 'cube, and I'm pretty pleased with it. Everyone above is right - PLII for audio, component pro-scan (480p) for video (provided, of course, the game itself supports pro-scan - most do, a few don't).

All three systems have great games. But if you play infrequently and are largely interested in a nostalgic experience with the kinds of games you recall from the SNES days, I think a Gamecube is a good choice. Mario, Zelda, Metroid, et al. Plus it gets the sports games from EA, etc.

I maybe game 5-10 hours a week these days, and as a result, this is the system that gets the most use out of me as a result. I think if you were really going to put in some serious time - with role playing games and/or long online gaming campaigns, I would suggest looking at the PS2 or Xbox.

I have all three. But given my time constraints, I tend to play games that I can just pick up and play for a while. I've just found that the 'cube meets MY PERSONAL preferences on that score the best.

As always, your milage may vary.