Still, this purple machine didn’t exactly print money for the company. It spent most of its lifespan somewhat shrouded in obscurity, overshadowed by the Xbox, and particularly the PlayStation. It’s not difficult to see why - given its fairly limited library and odd design dubbed by some as the “purple lunchbox.”
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Still, the console managed to gain a cult following thanks to its interesting controller, hits like Smash Bros. Melee and Metroid Prime, along with various hidden gems. As one might expect from such a distinct machine, there also exists a slew of odd and interesting facts surrounding the Cube. This list will highlight 10 of the most intriguing facts and trivia involving Nintendo’s little console that could.
10 It’s Not Actually A “Cube”
Despite its seemingly clear-cut moniker, the GameCube is really a “Cube” in name only. Though its width and length do manage to get close at 5.9 inches and 6.3 inches respectively, its height is over an inch smaller at 4.3. Technically speaking, this would make it really more akin to a “Game rectangle,” though this name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue…
And hey - it’s close enough to reaching “perfect cube” status.
9 Comes With Two Alternate Startup Sounds
A single image of the GameCube’s logo is likely all it takes for fans to recall that trademark technical sound bite. But as it happens, Nintendo tossed in a subtle easter egg that prompts not one, but two alternate startup sounds.
The first - a hodgepodge of whimsical, cartoony noises and a child’s laugh - can be triggered by holding the “Z” button at the startup screen.
The second produces a “ninja-like” soundbite, which plays when the “Z” button on four controllers is simultaneously held down. This one requires either a few friends to help out or a knack for multitasking, but it’s a neat little tune worth hearing.
8 It Dabbled In Online Gaming
Game consoles of the current era offer a ton of online-heavy games and are firmly tethered into the internet realm. And while the GameCube is widely seen as one of the final bastions of local multiplayer, the Big N did at least dip their toes in this evolutionary step which was still in its infancy.
Only a few games actually utilized this exciting new feature - Sega’s Phantasy Star Online titles, while a few others like Mario Kart: Double Dash offered LAN support.
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Getting this all up and running was a somewhat cumbersome task. Players had to install a broadband or modem adapter, purchase a neat, but bulky specialized controller to maximize the experience, and hope to find the few people actually connected at the time. Still, for a console that released in 2001, it’s impressive that this was included at all.
7 A Mirrored Version Of Zelda
Before Breath of the Wild, Twilight Princess was seen by many as the pinnacle of the epic 3D Zelda romp. It can be considered the swan song for the Cube and a “link” to the Wii - pun not intended - as it was also released as a Wii launch title.
Though the games are largely the same, one key difference comes in the form of Link’s right vs lefthandedness. In typical fashion, the hero wields his sword in his left hand on the GameCube version. However, Nintendo decided to mirror the Wii version so that players wielding a Wiimote would match better with Link’s right-handed sword swipes.
6 Pikmin Is (Technically) Playable On PC
As it happens, Nintendo left an “.exe” file in their tactical IP for GameCube, Pikmin. Nowadays, of course, the Dolphin Emulator allows for this feat whilst bypassing the physical media completely. Yet, there actually was a way to play directly from the actual disk on a Windows machine - at least after a few required “workaround tasks.”
The developers had left a debug version on the disk, which enabled tech-savvy gamers to exploit this. Being a developer-only debug, this typically meant finicky performances and glitches, though it’s a neat little inclusion regardless.
5 A “Wave” Of Change For Controllers
People tend to remember the Cube controller for being the still-superior method of playing Super Smash Bros. Yet, it’s also the controller that truly solidified and popularized the use of wireless controllers.
Though there had been efforts by various third parties dating back several years prior, Nintendo’s WaveBird was the first wireless gamepad produced by a first-party console manufacturer. Its solid build and reliable nature made it a favorite for many players, even absent of the immersive rumble feature.
4 Graphics Engine Capable Of Stereoscopic 3D
Nintendo’s “Gekko” graphics card tends to be mainly remembered for its cool name. Yet it also had the distinction of being able to display stereoscopic 3D.
This was scarcely utilized, however, as 3D TVs were still very much in their infancy. Ironically, it’s one of the launch games, Luigi’s Mansion, which served as a rare title that supported this novel feature. A specialized LCD screen that could attach to the console was also capable of displaying these 3D visuals.
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Fans of the 3DS will recognize this as a prototype that would be further refined and fleshed out for the handheld a decade later.
3 The Story Behind The Unique “A” Button
Many remember the GameCube’s distinct controller for its odd button layout, which largely revolves around the bold “A” button in the center.
The reasons for this is primarily tied into the types of games the developers sought to make. Nintendo’s famed game designer Shigeru Miyamoto had expressed a desire for this button to be the centerpiece for GameCube’s software - and even serving as the only face button for some games. The point was for the “action” button to be primarily used, thus the decision to make it stand out and easy to access.
An early prototype even had the “B” button taking on the curved shape that surrounded the “A” button, further emphasizing this point.
2 A DVD-Supporting Variant Exists
In addition to unique features like the miniDVD format, the GameCube received some criticism for excluding the ability to play DVD movies. Sony and Microsft utilized this technology to their advantage, as the format was taking off at the time and was a valuable asset to many consumers. However, there actually was a short-lived variant of the Cube that was able to play DVD movies.
Enter the “Panasonic Q,” a sleek, sophisticated device that only barely saw the light of day. It was launched exclusively in Japan in 2001, before being discontinued two years later on account of weak sales.
1 It Was (Mostly) More Powerful Than The PS2
Sony consoles to be known for their horsepower these days. But believe it or not, Nintendo was still largely the branding that was “playing with power” back in the early 2000s.
The PS2 did edge out the Cube in certain areas - namely in its ability to push more raw polygons. Yet, overall Nintendo’s console reigned supreme in terms of hardware prowess. Its more resourceful, programmer-friendly build allowed for games that performed and looked at least a bit better.
Still, given all the distinct technical features and complex build of each machine, it’s a bit of an “apples and oranges” scenario.
NEXT: 10 GameCube Games With The Best Storylines
