Is a Game Cube worth it?

[Scurvy]

My nine year old LOVES our Gamecube. We have a PS2 and and XBox as well, but he only rarely plays the PS2 and never plays the XBox.

The Gamecube is absolutely the most child friendly of the bunch, and the most affordable as well. I play the Gamecube more than the others also. I agree about Animal Crossing - it is completely addictive! The Mario games are also great, and my son loves the Pokemon games. There are also several Disney sports games but you'd probably find those in used game stores. Muppet Party Cruise is also great - it's like a Mario Party game but it features the muppets.

 

[angel's momma]

But, that said, I'm thinking of buying a PS2 just so I can play Katamari Damacy.

Ah, another totally addicting game - one of the weirdest I've ever seen but you just have to keep playing. DH tells me there's a sequel out now too.

 

[sk!mom]

My DS20 would say- Buy IT! He has been faithful to Nintendo since he was 6 and got his first game system. He has tried the others but sticks with Nintendo. He is already saving for the Revolution.

If you are only willing to pay around $100, then Nintendo is probably your only option.

 

[Brier Rose]

My DS dearly loves his PS2, but he is BEGGING for a Game Cube! There are a few games that he really wants that are only for Game Cube, so we're getting him one for his birthday next week.

 

[undertheradar]

Be sure to consider the added cost of memory cards that the XBox does not require. We have Ps2, XBox, GC, PSP, GBs and XBox gets the most use.

 

[jay-nee]

My DS15 and DD11 love our GC!

They love Donkey Konga, Tales of Symphonia, Legend of Zelda, Super Smash Bros, Animal Crossing, and any Sonic game.

I love the fact that most GC games are quality games, but do your homework and check the rating for your kid to make sure it is age appropriate. We buy most of our games at Gamestop and the salesfolks are always in the know about what kind of game it really is. Plus, we read Nintendo Power each month cover to cover. It helps us choose games that would appeal to our family.

Good luck. But, here's a bit of advice... LIMIT the time your child spends in front of it, it is habit forming.

My kids can not play on school days ever. They can play 1 1/2 hrs on Friday , Saturday, and Sunday (after chores and homework are done). Same on holidays and school vacations.

If they want to play together, they can get 1 hour together, but it takes 1/2 hour off of their individual time. Total 2 hours max on any given day, but it encourages them to play together. Hey, whatever works, right? If I hear fighting, off it goes. Time lost. It only takes a couple of times of this happening before it clicks. Hmmm, encourage teamwork whenever possible...

Enjoy! Happy Saturday!

 

[HERSEY]

My son age 11 has the gamecube and the attachment so he can play gameboy games on the system. He says he doesn't want any other game system.

 

[Cindy B]

I don't really know.

See, we were given a Gamecube by a family member, and we also won an Xbox. Since we didn't technically pay for either of them I will give you the merits of each.

Gamecube: It actually sat in the room and collected dust for the past two years. The kids won the Xbox first, so for my son (10 almost 11) his loyalty was to the Xbox. Just recently, over the summer, the GC is getting more play. For a while, my son considered it boring and babyish. My 8 year old daughter enjoys GC more than Xbox, whereas my son enjoys Xbox more.

Personally, I think the graphics and quality of games are better for Xbox than with GC. I have a hard time (and dont) spend $50 for a new gamecube game. The graphics are very 80s style with poor animation. However, I can justify paying $50 for a new Xbox game since the graphics are incredible, and the design of the game is so much better.

There are more kid friendly games for GC though. However, that also shows that they may outgrow them quicker as well. Best Buy has a wonderful selection of games (the best store I have gone to), but there is still very few Gamecube games versus Xbox games. I find that the platinum section of games (I think they are called greatest hits for Gamecube) have the best kid friendly games.

My kids find some of the GC games very faddish or babyish. The GC games tend to tie in current at the time movies which make it look dated later. For example, they had the Charlie and the Chocoalate factory game out for GC. My kids weren't interested in that movie. They also have anime games fo GC, which they are also not interested in.

My son will play the GC games that we have, but he always asks for new Xbox games.

 

[flamom]

i purchased the game cube for my youngest child last year who is 7 and he loves it.the games are aimed for younger ones like mario,but there are also games for teenagers too,so my teenager plays it sometimes also.Also at christmas time they have the game cube bundle where you get a game with the system for 100.00 which was much better for my budget then the price of Xbox.so for a young child i think the gamecube is best.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

We have Play Station 2 and Game Cube and my kids (DD 10 & DS 8) definitely play Game Cube more. In fact, I really have to watch my DS, it's almost as if he's addicted to Game Cube.

 

[MrsPete]

My kids have Gamecube. Overall, it's not the best video game system out there, but it's the best choice for us. Its strengths:

The biggie for us: Your gameboy games can be played on Gamecube (with an adaptor disk). Since these games are expensive, it's nice that the kids can play them in the house OR on gameboys in the car, etc.

The games designed for Gamecube tend to be age-appropriate for elementary kids; whereas, the other systems (Playstation, etc.) offer the more violent, shoot-em-up type games.

Gamecube is kid-friendly. It's easy to change the games, and the machine itself is sturdy.

It's less expensive than the competition. I wouldn't even try to buy a game system "for the long run" because something better will be available in 2-3 years when your child has outgrown Gamecube.

 

[CdnMom2]

These were our first systems we bought. We were adament we'd never buy one for our family (4DDs). A couple GameBoys creeped into the house, but were only played when we traveled & we only have a few games.

We bought our PS2 along with DanceDanceRevolution stuff and the kids have loved it. It also became our basement DVD player. We took it on the road for a long car trip. Another new treat for our kids as we bought Kingdom Hearts also (as recommended by helpful Dis-ers)

Later we got a GameCube & the Donkey Konga & bongos. LOTS of fun. It was much cheaper as you mentioned. But I'm tickled at the cuteness of it. It's sturdy, very portable, takes up little space at home. I can see a kid could just easily take it over to a friends/Grandma's to share the play. Also our kids are now seeing all those Mario & other Nintendo games for the first time. So that has really increased it's play value for us. I will be looking around for this connector for GameCube & GameBoy this Xmas -- any tips out there Dis-ers?

We love them both as you can't get the DanceDance set-up for GameCube, I believe. We also got Karaoke Revolution for PS2. All the gear added up, but the kids worked & paid for some, were gifted some by others and we've had several great birthday parties & sleep-overs here with those games. And again, it's our 2nd DVD player too.

 

[DisneyObsessive]

Actually Revolution will probably be coming out before the PS3. I'm guessing a Revolution release in late spring or early summer 06. There are more and more news reports saying that the PS3 will be pushed back to Christmas 06.

huh, the last i heard was revolution was pushed to fall 2006.

I guess time will tell.

 

[cruisnfamily]

We love them both as you can't get the DanceDance set-up for GameCube, I believe.

Yes you can! Finally! There is a Mario DDR game coming out at the end of this month or beginning of next month for gamecube. I've already pre-ordered at ToysRus for DD for Christmas!

 

[musicmama]

DD bought herself a pre-played Gamecube and 3 games with birthday $ and by trading in an old GameBoy color and some games 2 years ago. She was 10 then and DH and I wouldn't agree with PS2 because of cost and what we considered inappropriate games (we still aren't won over). Also, she already had a GameBoy and loved the Mario and Pokemon games, which are proprietary to Nintendo. The pre-played system was about $80 then, saw it last night in EBGames for $60. It still works just fine, and she has the adapter so she can play her GameBoy games too.

Earlier this year we bought the "Dance Beat" set for GameCube but it is really difficult - not like Dance Dance Rev. Last night, found out there will be a Mario DDR and it will be out on October 28th! Right after we got home, you can bet the original set was in a bag to be traded in! She trades a lot - rates her games as "must have new" or "will wait for a pre-played one".

One note -- did see that there is a great deal in the papers today -- new GameCube set with new Pokemon game for $ 99. - or $ 129. at ToysRUs with Polemon and 3 other games.

 

[DisneyObsessive]

i think at best buy and target is $99 with super smash brothers melee....

 

[gr8ful4Him]

We love them both as you can't get the DanceDance set-up for GameCube, I believe.

We have had a GameCube for a few years. My 12yo DS likes to play it still...he's pretty much into sports and racing but he also likes the Mario games.
FYI, we have had a dance game that is similar to DDR with the pad and all for almost a year now. It is called MC Grooves, by MadCatz. I like that one better than my son as I get a bit of exercise from playing it!

 

[bettyann29]

sorry if this is a duplicate but I was just looking at toysrus sale ad and they have gamecube this week for the game system plus 4 games for 129.92.. one of the games is Spongebob, pokemon,madagascar and scooby doo.. Not sure if these are any he would lile but its a good price..

 

[MsLeFever]

here's a TRU coupon for 20% off if you spend $75....Only good until the 18th though....

http://www.wow-coupons.com/files/coupon_tru.pdf

 

[deltachi8]

thanks everyone for the replies.

The coupon above is not valid on game systems, but a good one none the less.

The bundle is at Toys R Us is oit of stock on line. However, Best Buy will price match I am told and I have a 75 gift card from them from signing up for internet service....I am going to see if they will match the bundle price from Toys R Us...i just need to get the ad!