Who can tell me about Nintendo Game Cubes?

[Soupermom]

I'm sure there are some Game Cube experts out there who can help me!

My kids have gameboys and we are considering getting them a gamecube for Christmas. Am I correct to think you can use this console to play their gameboys Advanced SP games? What other games will work...any gameboy game? Are there games made specially for the gamecube? How much are these are where should I buy one? I did a search on Amazon and the price seemed to be aroudn $100. Do these come with one set of controls for one player, or two? If only one, can I buy a second control set?

Sorry so many questions! DS wanted a go-cart but I don't think Santa is going to manage to bring that one, so this seems like the way to go. We've never had a video game system and only got the gameboys in the last 18 months. They go thru spurts using these which is fine with me. We're more of an outdoor group anyway. Thanks so much for any help you can give!

Soupermom

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

You can only play GameCube games on a GameCube. Most of the time the system comes with one controller and you have to buy the second one unless you get some sort of bundle deal from the store. Some games you can 'link' the GameBoy game to the GameCube game to enhance the game or add extra features (Zelda and a Harry Potter did that), but you have to have the games to both systems in order for that to work. If you're looking to save money, you can buy a used or refurbished system from GameStop. Otherwise, $99 is pretty much the standard price for a new system. You can also buy used games at GameStop. Or, you can try to catch sales - especially on older games - at places like Target, BestBuy, Blockbuster, etc.
Hope that helps some!! Good luck, I'm sure your kids will love it.

 

[daisyduck123]

Yes, you can use the Gamecube to play Gameboy Advanced games.
You need to purchase a Game Boy Player accessory to do this.
It's not that expensive.

We have one & the kids use it all the time.
I saw 2 at my local Target yesterday.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We have a Game Cube with the adapter for Game Boy games. It was $50 for the adapter at Toys R Us. With the adapter the games for Game Boy color and Game Boy Advance will play on the Game Cube. The adapter snaps onto the bottom of the Game Cube console, then you just pop the Game Boy cartridge into the adapter. We don't have a Game Boy DS so I don't know about the compatibility for those.

Game Cube games are about $50 each for the new releases, maybe $20 for the older games. Plenty to choose from at Target or Toys R Us. Before you shell out a bunch of money for a game I would rent it from Blockbuster first to make sure your kids like it.

If you have a Sam's membership you might check there for the system and the games.

 

[CharityLynn]

Your son wanted a go cart..if you decide to get him the Gamecube you could get him Mario-Cart which is a go-cart racing type game too and it is very fun

 

[kristen821]

A couple of weeks ago Walmart at the bundle pack for $119. It came with 2 controllers, marioparty 7 (seems like a fun game) and of course the gamecube. My ds7 go it last year for Christmas and let me tell you I got my money worth out of it unlike anything else i got him, but he really only plays with that and anything to do with sports. Gamecube is great for the cold winters in Chicago!

 

[Soupermom]

Thanks everyone for your help. It's all starting to make sense now. I'm guessing we'll need the cube plus the adapter since we'll be using those games.

Jackskellingtonsgirl: What is a gameboy DS though?

Charity Lynn: The go-cart game is an awesome idea! Thank you so much...I never would have thought of that!

Thanks again!

 

[Soupermom]

CharityLynn...what is the exact name of the go-cart game? Is it for the GameBoy or the GameCube? Thanks!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Game Boy DS is one of the new ones (meaning it came out AFTER we bought DS his Game Boy) that actually has two screens. I would imagine those games are formatted a little different than the ones for single screen Game Boys, but I have no firsthand experience with them.

The name of the go cart game is Mario Cart Double Dash, and it is for Game Cube. DS and DH spend LOTS of time playing it and they think it is great!

 

[mazzarafe]

My DD's have gamecube with the adapter to play their gameboy games. I got this for them last Christmas as a bundle with a second controller and Mario Cart. That is the name for the go cart game CharityLynn was talking about. My daughters love it. We all have played it together as I broke down and added 2 more controllers last year for our superbowl party. We also have Mario Party 6 which is alot of fun. Like playing a board game but it has mini games in it. Keep your eyes out for a bundle for $99 at Walmart and Circuit City. This past week there was one in a flyer including Mario Party 7 in the bundle, which is a $50 game.
Good luck!

 

[disneydude91]

A Gamecube is more suited for younger kids. Games like Mario and Zelda are only playable on the Gamecube because they are Nintendo's flagship characters. Gamecube hosts some less challenging games than the XBOX or the PS2. Plus, right now you can get the Gamecube for only 99 dollars and you get a free game with it. It basically depends on if your kids are really into video games or if there young and don't understand how to play some of the mor challenging games.

 

[raammartin]

We are getting our kids a Game Cube also. It was a bundle pack with a Pokemon game since my son is a Pokemon fanatic. We also got the adapter that fits on the bottom of the Game Cube so they can play their Game Boy Advance games too. Do we need to buy any sort of cable too or is the adapter all we need. I saw different cables that linked the two systems together and made you have new options for your Game Boy Advance. I don't really understand all this stuff. Guess I need to sit down and study it.

 

[Lil_Tink]

Ok. Incase you are wondering it is 100$ cheaper than the PS2 and XBOX because it doesnt play music or DVD's



But It is a really nice system...It has many mario games and movie games much more geared for kids


PS2 has more movie/frogger ext games


and XBOX halo, movie

 

[Soupermom]

Just returned from Wally World where they had one GameCube left in stock...it is now hidden away in our basement. It was actually a bundle that included a second handset and Mario Party 7, or whatever they are called. Total with tax was $107; still need to get the adapter for the GameBoy though. Those were $50 and they had lots in stock, so I'm going to keep hunting for a better bargain. I did research online and found lots of Mario go-cart games in different versions (game cube, game boy, etc.) The store had none, so I guess I can figure out what to do about that later!

Thanks again for everyone's help. Once I buy the adapter, will I need anything else to play the GB games--like someone asked earlier?

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

 

[Soupermom]

Well, I've searched EVERYWHERE online: amazon, target, walmart, circuit city, best buy, service merchandise and everyone is sold out of both the gamecube and gameboy go-cart games. Amazon did have some, but they were aver $50 and I'm just not going to go that route. Any suggestions? Must be a good, popular game!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

You do not need a cable or anything to use the adapter. Just attach the adapter to the Game Cube and put the Game Boy cartridge in. I am pretty sure there is a disk that has to be in the Game Cube console when you use the adapter, but that disk comes with the adapter. No worries.

We got Mario Cart at Toys R Us. You can also check Game Stop. Blockbuster might also be a good place to look. Like I mentioned before, we like to rent games before we buy them. Maybe a Blockbuster rental card would be a nice stocking stuffer for your little guys so they can try out some games. The other accessory to consider is the memory card that will allow your guys to save their games. We are still using the original one and our system is almost 2 years old.

I am willing to bet many of the stores will be restocked before Christmas, so just keep watching for Mario Cart. Target has some pretty nice Game Cube games for $20 each. DS9 likes Super Monkey Ball. He doesn't seem to have the patience for the Zelda games. He also has a SpongeBob game that he likes.

I don't play with the Game Cube because it makes me motion sick (go figure - I can tolerate just about any ride but not the video games!). DS and DH seem to enjoy it, and we haven't bought any new games for it in months. They are happy with the 6 or 8 games we already have, which is fine with me.

Good luck finding the rest of the items!

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

My DS played his gamecube for a long time, but now is 16 and has moved into the older games and PS2.

He says though, you might want to get memory cards, which save your games, because if you don't have this, you have to start the game from the beginning each time. Normally, to 'beat the game' you have to keep building on previous progress. If you shut the game off (bedtime or whatever) without a memory card, you have to start over from square one the next time. Memory cards are about $20. Memory card 1019 is a good one, he says.

Super Mario Sunshine is another game he said you might look for that would be fun for younger kids. Good luck!

 

[mom2boys]

My kids have gameboys and we are considering getting them a gamecube for Christmas. Am I correct to think you can use this console to play their gameboys Advanced SP games? What other games will work...any gameboy game? Are there games made specially for the gamecube? How much are these are where should I buy one? I did a search on Amazon and the price seemed to be aroudn $100. Do these come with one set of controls for one player, or two? If only one, can I buy a second control set?

According to my almost 12 yr old:
- you can play gameboy advance games on gamecube but you need a special adapter
- the adapter doesn't work for DS games
- there are many games made especially for gamecube
- new releases usually cost $49.99 after they've been released a while they come down by $10-$20 dollars
- you will have to check the box - some are bundled with two controllers
- there are currently system bundles that includes one game such MarioParty or Pokemon XD Glade of Darkness
- my son suggests the MarioParty bundle because the game includes tons of mini-games.

 

[Planogirl]

If your kids like some of the Nintendo characters, Super Smash Brothers Melee is a lot of fun and you might be able to get it at a good price since it's an older game. DS also has a Playstation 2 but he still plays Smash Brothers on his old Gamecube.

 

[Soupermom]

Wow! Thanks again everyone for all of your help! I"m learning so much. For the record, my kids are DS8 and DD11. Santa will be bringing gamecube for DS, but I'm sure the whole family will use it. His favorite game now is Donkey Kong, he has about three forms of this for his GB. We probably have 8 games total for GB, plus Mario party 7 that came with the GC bundle I just bought, and then I already got the Polar Express for him for Christmas (bargain at $12!), so we should be set for a while. I just think the go-cart one would be nice since he won't be getting a real one. I'll keep looking and let you know. My DSis is checking in Tampa for me. I know he loves to save his games, so I better go tell DH we now need a Memory Card, too. He'll LOVE that!

Good night all! I knew I could count on you to help!