GameCube Holiday Buyer's Guide 2002
20 Reasons to own a GameCube this holiday. Read and be truly merry.
November 15, 2002 - It's that time of the year again and we're here to turn your ho-hum holiday into something that you can shout "Ho! Ho! Ho!" over. That's right -- we can help you pick up the very best games for you console of choice this holiday. Are you a parent searching for something to get Little Billy? Or are you compiling a holiday "buy me this" list for your parents? Either way, you've come to the right place.
The holiday season 2002 brings more than 180 possible GameCube titles to the table. Isn't that more than released for Nintendo 64 in nearly 33 years on the market? We think so. With so much too choose from, you're bound to pick up a few stinkers if you aren't careful, and you don't want that. Can you imagine the hateful revenge plot Little Billy might hatch for you if he opened his Christmas present to find Shrek Extra Large smiling inside? Trust us -- it wouldn't be pretty. So we've played through the horrible software so that you won't ever have to, and we've also selected 20 big, big winners that you can't possibly lose with going into the holiday.
Our list spans every genre and we've included helpful facts that you'll find handy in deciding whether or not these games are right for you or your child. For instance, we have the review of score of each game listed so that you can see exactly how it faired on our site. Moreover, we've also listed the ESRB rating of every title so that if you don't want your daughter to spend hours blowing through bloody hordes of zombies, you can take out the 'mature' stuff before it overtakes your family room. Also featured are the release dates of when games will be available, if they aren't already, and a link directly to our Gamestore to pick them up -- orders ship immediately so that you won't have to swim through hundreds of lines at retailers during Black Friday.
With that all in mind, get reading, and rest easy tonight with the knowledge that you've picked the perfect games to add to your hopefully rapidly expanding collection of GameCube hits.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: Pandemic Studios
Genre: Action
Release Date: Now Available
IGN Rating: 7.6
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Buy It: $49.99
LucasArts' Star Wars: The Clone Wars for GameCube capitalizes on the action-packed sequences of the feature film Attack of the Clones with a wide selection of intense ground-based levels overcome with raging wars. Players control one of several vehicles including the Republic gunship, a speeder bike, fighter tank, an assault walker and more through six huge worlds and across 16 missions. With relatively tight control, these vehicles glide over land and are able to target enemies, strafe around them, and drown them in all sorts of gunfire including deadly missiles. Developer Pandemic Studios has successfully recreated the epic fight scenes from Episode II in some of the battles in Clone Wars, as these sequences can often be outright intense. Control, arcade fast, is also very intuitive.
The game's graphics are pretty, and players are sure to enjoy the change in looks of the worlds as they advance through the adventure. Indeed, the sheer selection of visuals in the title is commendable. On the other hand, Clone Wars' 3D engine can't always handle the action on-screen and as a result constant framerate drops hamper the title. Still, it's never enough to ruin the experience, which is why the game still makes the Holiday Buyer's Guide list, and in fact some players may never even take notice of the fluidity.
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Resident Evil 0
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Action
Release Date: Now Available
IGN Rating: 8.2
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Buy It: $49.99
The latest in Capcom's "survival horror" franchise is still scary and still fun. Resident Evil 0 follows S.T.A.R.S. agent Rebecca Chambers and accused killer Billy Coen through a zombie-infested quest through a moving train and into an Umbrella Company mansion. Though the basic control and design mechanics are still unchanged from the very first Resident Evil game on PlayStation 1, this time around players can manipulate both characters, which freshens up the experience admirably. In fact, certain puzzles call for Rebecca and Billy to split up and accomplish certain tasks together. Beyond this, gamers must still deal with crazed zombies, and a whole host of new monstrosities from rabid monkeys to gigantic bats and even a particularly gruesome leech entity that turns itself into a walking nuisance.
Just like in Capcom's Resident Evil remake for GameCube, the graphics are outstanding and the audio is eerily atmospheric. In fact, parents, the fantasy created in RE0 is so bloody and often times realistic that you may want to consider whether or not your youngster can handle it. If he or she can, they're in for what is definitely one of GameCube's most beautiful offerings, and indeed one of the most technically magnificent games on any console.
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Madden NFL 2003
Publisher: Tiburon
Developer: EA Sports
Genre: Sports
Release Date: Now Available
IGN Rating: 8.8
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Buy It: $39.99
If it's football one's after, Madden NFL 2003 is still the king. EA Sports' breathtaking pigskin franchise is at its highest peak with this year's incarnation. Back are all of the real NFL teams, players and stadiums, more and deeper playbooks, franchise mode, and more. Also included are full pre-season training modes in which players can learn the ropes -- they're going to need it when facing off against the challenging AI of opposing teams.
Of course, Madden NFL 2003 looks impossibly lifelike, too. Players are realized as superbly detailed models and they overflow with natural, fluid animation, from diving catches or bone-crushing hits to simple huddle formations and after-play idles. Similarly filled with subtle graphic extras -- crisp, varied textures, animated crowds, and all sorts of reflection filters and cinematic camera pans, the game more than adequately captures the feel of the real thing, and that's all enthusiasts can ask for.
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Beach Spikers
Publisher: AM2
Developer: Sega
Genre: Sports
Release Date: Now Available
IGN Rating: 8.2
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Buy It: $37.99
Babes. Beaches. Balls. The three Bs of Beach Spikers. The AM2 developed title takes players to the beaches of the world compete in fast-paced games of volleyball. The athletes? Only some of the most beautiful digital babes around, and they're all wearing their very best bikinis. Beach Spikers isn't the deepest game we've ever played, but it's got rock solid, intuitive yet simple controls, and a fun single-player experience. It's the game's multiplayer mode, though, in which up to four gamers can toss the volleyball back and forth in two-on-two action, that the title really turns from good entertainment to something of a heroinian addiction.
On the graphics side, the usual crisp and clean look is evident -- for some reason Sega knows how to really dish out detailed textures in games, for which we're thankful. The locales are varied, the animations nearly as pretty as the female character models, and there's lots of girl-on-girl hugging for no particular reason.
Don't discount it. A brilliant multiplayer game.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003
Publisher: EA Sports
Developer: EA Sports
Genre: Sports
Release Date: Now Available
IGN Rating: 8.9
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Buy It: $49.99
Those looking for the best golf game on the market need look no further than EA Sports' excellent Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 for GameCube. The title successfully blends arcade and simulation golfing into one complete package. Players control one of their favorite golfers, both realistic and fantasy, through a wide variety of similarly genuine and totally original courses. A brilliant analog stick swing system keeps the action intuitive and there are so many different gameplay modes, from Tournaments with pro golfers, to Tiger's Dream Holes, and to a series of "Skillz" obstacle courses, that it's hard to ever get tired of playing the game. And then there are the multiplayer modes to think about.
Tiger's depth is complemented by an amazing graphic presentation that's both ultra-realistic and colorful. From the detailed courses to the cinematic camera system, lifelike character models and perfectly captured animation, players won't ever get tired of looking at the game.
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Publisher: Eurocom
Developer: Electronic Arts
Genre: Adventure
Release Date: Now Available
IGN Rating: 8.9
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Buy It: $49.99
Developer Eurocom Entertainment's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is not only the best Potter videogame of all time, but one of the best titles to be had on GameCube too. Oh, and did we mention that this game plays almost identically to Zelda? Chamber of Secrets, which is based after the second book and feature film of the name, follows the story of the novel and movie closely with all sorts of cinematic cut-scenes intertwined with gameplay. It's Harry's second year at Hogwarts and he has all sorts of adventure to dig into, from the dailies of going to class and learning new spells to intense matches of Quidditch and more. On top of everything else, he has a grand mystery to solve -- who is haunting the halls of Hogwarts at night?
From control, which is identical to Link's in Nintendo's classic series, to fun puzzles, brilliant level design and absolutely breathtaking worlds that look nearly as vivid and fantastical as they do in the movie, the game is a complete joy to behold. Potter fans everywhere will love it, and even those who haven't succumbed to Harry's popularity yet may be find themselves won over by top control and superior game design. The only drawback is that Potter's quest may prove a bit too short for the gamers who consider themselves true pros of the trade.
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Super Monkey Ball 2
Publisher: Amusement Vision
Developer: Sega
Genre: Puzzlee
Release Date: Now Available
IGN Rating: 9.0
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Buy It: $49.99
Sega's Super Monkey Ball 2 is pure gameplay addiction. The title arrives with identical gameplay mechanics to the original, which came out with the launch of GameCube in the US. So, again, the point of the game is to roll monkeys trapped in transparent balls through all sorts of 3D maze-like levels. However, Super Monkey Ball 2 features 150 new 3D stages to boot and they're a lot more creative than those in the original. Beyond that, there are a total of 10 mini-games and 12 party games, six of which are brand new to the sequel. In these, up to four players can complete in everything from Monkey Races to Target, Bowling, Soccer and more, all of them satisfying in their own unique way. Put simply, it's one of the best multiplayer games available for Nintendo's console.
On the visual side, SMB2 has made some noticeable improvements over the original game, with more detailed geometry in the worlds, more animated backgrounds, even crisper textures and effects such as water reflections and transparencies. It all runs at a smooth 60 frames per second.
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Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
Publisher: Silicon Knights
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Adventure
Release Date: Now Available
IGN Rating: 9.6
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Buy It: $49.99
Those who want something spooky, but are tired of Resident Evil are in luck. Developer Silicon Knights' Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem delivers a more thoughtful approach to the goal of scary your pants off. Dubbed as a "psychological thriller," the title features 12 playable characters and explores a deep storyline that spans across 2,000 years. Gamers will have to deal with a dark plot involving ancient creatures hell bent on taking over the planet, and they'll have to face these entities -- in some cases -- while totally insane. The game features a 'sanity meter' which measures just how crazy players are as they progress through the horrific adventure; when it dips too low, weird things start to happen. With spot-on control, a polished, but simple combat system, a full-blown spell system, and so much to do and see, this is one of the best buys any GameCube owner can make.
Eternal Darkness is brought to life with an attention to detail that is uncommon in most videogames. Silicon Knights went back and researched each time era the characters in the game would be traveling through and modeled their clothing, items, and surrounding objects appropriately. Even the weapons characters us are taken directly from their period in time. Detailed character models mix with crisply textured, ambient worlds in what is definitely an overall very atmospheric, pretty game.
Star Fox Adventures
Publisher: Rare
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Adventure
Release Date: Now Available
IGN Rating: 9.0
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Buy It: $49.99
One of Nintendo's most beloved franchises is reborn into an all new genre in Star Fox Adventures for GameCube. The title, which is the last Nintendo game in a long series from talented UK house Rare, is an epic adventure in the same style as the Zelda series. It features old character Fox McCloud on a quest to save the Dinosaur Planet from an evil tyrant named General Scales. Along the way, Fox must travel across a giant world and interact with its inhabitants, power up his magical staff and harness new gear and items, do battle with all sorts of different enemies and boss characters, and more. It has its share of shortcomings, but overall the game is still a lot of fun and not to be missed.
Rare once again works its magic to create one of the most beautiful games on any next-generation console in Star Fox Adventures. The title pushes GameCube's limits with crisply textured worlds, lots of detailed geometry, and a host of effects from water reflections and refraction to advanced lighting and intricate particles. A visual feat.
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James Bond 007: NightFire
Publisher: Eurocome
Developer: Electronic Arts
Genre: Adventure
Release Date: Now Available
IGN Rating: Coming Soon
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Buy It: $49.99
Bond fanatics will be happy to know that James Bond 007: NightFire delivers. The game capitalizes in full on the lucrative license to bring gamers a fully realized spy who uses the likeness of and looks exactly like Pierce Brosnan. Further, from 3D first-person shooter missions that take players through sniper infested warehouses to underwater romps with a modified Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, and even a mission in space, all of the classic Bond movies have been touched on in shining good form. The majority of the game, by Eurocom Entertainment, takes place in first-person mode and is quite a bit of fun. Meanwhile, the Need for Speed team has also included several missions for driving enthusiasts.
Visually, the first-person shooter engine is phenomenal. It runs at 60 frames per second on GameCube and draws huge, detailed worlds filled with enemy characters, lighting effects, particle effects and more. Some of the driving missions slow down a bit, but they're also very pretty, and it's never enough to knock down our opinion of the game. Add in a solid multiplayer mode to boot and we have a winner.
Simply put, an absolute must for Bond fans and for anybody else looking for a worthy follow-up to GoldenEye.
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Mario Party 4
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hudson
Genre: Party
Release Date:Now Available
IGN Rating: 6.9
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Buy It: $49.99
Continuing to be a leader in its genre, Mario Party 4 is the best of the series yet. It comes chock full of 50 totally new mini-games, best suited for four-player action. Some of the twitch-based challenges include netting colored butterflies for points, setting up the most dominoes, and cooperatively helping a teammate through an obstacle course. Every game is different, and because the action is offered up through traditional board game play, it's something the whole family can enjoy.
It's also the first Mario Party to take advantage of GameCube's powerful graphics abilities, so if you were a fan of the N64 versions you will witness a huge leap forward with crisp visuals. If you're thinking of stuffing someone's stocking with it, just make sure you're ready to join in the fun yourself. Mario Party 4 is really only a blast when multiple people are involved.
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Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee
Publisher: Infogrames
Developer:Pipeworks Studios
Genre:Fighting
Release Date:Now Available
IGN Rating: 8.4
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Buy It: $49.99
You may still be playing Super Smash Bros. Melee, but why not take a break with this four-player fighter that is surprisingly addictive. Players can choose from a number of the classic monsters including Godzilla '90s, King Ghidorah, Gigan, Megalon, and secret unlockable ones. Every creature comes complete with special moves, throws, and unique attributes. The action is further heightened by the fact that players battle arenas include a number of popular cities, filled with sky-scrapers and other objects that can be destroyed or used for weapons.
Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee is no slouch in the graphics department either. Each monster is highly detailed, fleshed out with an impressive number of polygons, skinning, and even bump-mapping. It looks beautiful, and any fan of Godzilla or melee style fighting should considering buying it.
Rocky
Publisher:Ubi Soft
Developer:Rage
Genre:Sports
Release Date:Now Available
IGN Rating: 8.5
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Buy It: $49.99
Ubi Soft's Rocky has accurately captured the feeling of the movies with its deep career mode that sends you across all five of the sagas. There are actual FMV clips taken from the movies that drive the story along, and because you get to fight nearly every opponent even remotely mentioned in the films, you really get to become Rocky. Numerous training sessions, essentially advanced mini-games, are required if you intend to become the best. Above all, though, the control mechanics and tactile feedback you get from stepping into the ring with Rocky is unparalleled as far as 3D boxing games go.
There's a brilliant amount of detail in the visual style, too. Not only does Rocky age has he progressive from Rocky to Rocky V, but real-time bruising and blood effects embellish every match. If your holiday list includes the newly released DVD box set of Rocky, why not wrap this beauty in there with it to totally complete the package? It would be a T.K.O. right out of the box.
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NBA 2K3
Publisher:Sega
Developer:Visual Concepts
Genre:Sports
Release Date:Now Available
IGN Rating: 8.5
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Buy It: $49.99
Few basketball games deliver the realism and presentation that Sega's NBA 2K3 to does. Featuring an impressive career mode, every national team, all the arenas, and an ESPN presentation, it can't be beat. The controls let gamers take the ball to the hoop like never before, and the visuals that compliment it are stunning. Developer Visual Concepts has included an incredible amount of animation detail, making the dunks and facial reactions more exciting than ever.
NBA 2K3 is for lovers of the sport looking to relive the season from at home on the couch, but it does feature a host of multiplayer modes that ups the replay value. It makes our 2002 Holiday Buyer's Guide list thanks to its polish and attention to detail. If you're looking for more forgiving, fast arcade basketball be sure to give EA's NBA Live 2003 a look too.
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Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II
Publisher:Sega
Developer:Sonic Team
Genre:Online RPG
Release Date:Now Available
IGN Rating: 9.0
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
GameCube's first and only online game happens to be one of its best RPGs, too. Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II has been a massive effort by Sega. It combines all the gameplay feature in the Dreamcast versions in addition to a totally new adventure with Episode II. Gamers can make new friends from across the United States, chat with them online, and enjoy a number of extra modes such as Lobby Ball (like soccer) and versus battles.
It's a worthwhile investment if you can afford it, but be aware that you must have Internet access, a SegaNet account for $9.95 a month, and a Broadband or Modem Adapter for GameCube. In contrast to so many other titles, however, the totally dynamic online world is something that players can enjoy month-after-month. It's one of the most unique titles featured in this year's 2002 Holiday Buyer's Guide, thanks to its huge replay value and high production values.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Publisher:Activision
Developer:Neversoft
Genre:Extreme Sports
Release Date:Now Available
IGN Rating:9.1
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Buy It: $49.99
Activision's Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series has thrust extreme sports into popular culture since its inception in 1999. What began as an idea for a skateboarding game has become the de facto standard for all extreme sports titles to live up to. Many might say that just as Madden is to football, so is Tony Hawk's Pro Skater to extreme sports. It accomplished this so quickly because it defined what gaming addiction is all about. The formula of including the best pro skaters, most extensive trick list, a never-ending combo system, and brilliant level design keeps gamers coming back with frothing mouths.
This series is King of Extreme Sports for a very good reason, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 is the best yet. The gameplay, now more intense and quick than ever, has been fleshed out with more objectives and a totally new way to go about them. Gamers who drop into the world of THPS4 must explore the numerous and gigantic venues, converse with those who populate it, and complete the requested goals. It's far more dynamic than any Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 has ever been, and recommended stocking stuffer that will last well through the winter with its addictive gameplay.
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TimeSplitters 2
Publisher:Eidos
Developer:Free Radical Design
Genre:First-Person Shooter
Release Date:Now Available
IGN Rating:9.1
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Buy It: $49.99
Do you remember buying GoldenEye 007 for the N64? Free Radical's TimeSplitters 2 is a semi-sequel to that, which delivers the same intense gameplay and captivating gameplay, as well as a huge number of other features. Gamers who step into the chronologically-warped world of this first-person shooter are taken across a variety of time periods, ranging from 1920s Chicago to futuristic cityscapes that resemble the same vision featured in the classic film Blade Runner. However, the single-player actually takes a backseat to the indescribably addictive multi-player mode. For two to four players, it offers up roughly 75 different characters to choose from, over a dozen levels, and tons of cool weapons and gadgetry.
Running at 60 frames per second, the visuals look far more impressive than the aging GoldenEye 007. It's got almost everything one could want, and is easily the most impressive standard first-person shooter on GameCube yet. It's a perfect choice for the college student or any fan of the genre.
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Animal Crossing
Publisher:Nintendo
Developer:Nintendo
Genre:Adventure
Release Date:Now Available
IGN Rating:9.1
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Buy It: $49.99
Nintendo's "communication game" is certainly one of the most unique and clever titles to ever be conceived. Gamers begin a virtual life in the ever-changing world of Animal Crossing. As you move into a town full of strangers and take out a loan on a house, it's practically like the real world! ... Only everyone is a strange looking animal that requests tasks of you, helping you to earn money, unique items, clothes, and so much more. There's far too much to tell you about, but suffice it to say that you can design, chop, dig, grow, eat, travel, and fish your way to happiness.
Animal Crosing allows for four people to reside on one Nintendo GameCube memory card, interacting with the same townspeople. This makes it an incredible value for the family. Additionally, because every town is unique, you can visit your friend's towns to meet people and buy items you never could before. If you know someone who is bored after school or work, Animal Crossing is the answer to all their problems. It will also last as long as the player wants it to, as it has no ending.
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Super Mario Sunshine
Publisher:Nintendo
Developer:Nintendo
Genre:Platform
Release Date:Now Available
IGN Rating:9.4
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Buy It: $49.99
The original Super Mario Bros. set standards for videogaming, and Nintendo's latest addition to the series Super Mario Sunshine continues to do the same for the platform genre. With a water pack strapped to his back and more moves than ever, Mario must get to the root of evil on his vacation island. The controls and level design, impressive and varied, are probably the most fantastic elements of the platformer. Nintendo spreads its magic across the worlds, and Super Mario Sunshine is simply one of the most entertaining platform games to play because of it.
Super Mario Sunshine is also not only a perfect gift for a child, but also to everyone who's enjoyed the series in the past. It comes packed with over 20 hours of gameplay and plenty of replay value, ensuring it will last well into the New Year.
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Metroid Prime
Publisher:Nintendo
Developer:Retro Studios
Genre:First-Person Adventure
Release Date:November 18, 2002
IGN Rating:9.8
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Buy It: $49.99
Anyone who owns a GameCube must own Nintendo's Metroid Prime. Set in the first-person, it's a fantastic adventure that sends players up against alien environments and massive bosses. It's a deeply engrossing single-player exploration game that requires gamers to progressively find fantastic power-ups such as the Ice Beam, Morph Ball, Missiles, Bombs, and much more. It reeks with intelligent design and some of the most polished gameplay design we've ever seen.
It's also one of the most beautiful creations we've laid eyes on, replete with intricate texture work and an overall gorgeous sci-fi art vision. Likewise, the music composition and surround sound effects are purely dazzling. As the most highly rated GameCube title that's sure to become an instant classic, it's definitely our most recommended buy for this holiday season. Don't leave the store without this one.
Ik heb een week geleden ofzo mijn PAL cube verkocht met 8 spellen + 2 controllers en mem card. 
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Ik heb nu trouwens WR:BS, SMB en RE :strip_exif()/u/4279/GoT_iZac.gif?f=community)
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