An interesting theory of the GameCube, Revolution and GBA 2.

[dbiersdorf]

Alright just hear me out and tell me what you think of this idea.

Nintendo has stated on various occasions they have plans of keeping the GameCube alive well into the existance of the Revolution. At the same time they also plan on releasing an upcoming Game Boy Advance 2. Now think about this, if the GBA 2 were to feautre the same development kits as the GameCube and have the same disc shape, size and capacity, then while games were being made for the GBA 2, you could also put them into your GameCube if you wanted to play on the big screen or even play past GameCube games on the go for your GBA 2.

To top it off since the Revolution will be backwards compatiable it will thus be able to play not only all the GameCube library but also what comes out on the Game Boy Advance 2 with no need for a a GBA Player or any sort of device like that.

Cool, no?

[chicnstu]

I think there is a good possibility that that could happen.

It would be great to be able to play my Gamecube games on their next handheld.

[GobopopRevisited]

Awesome, very awesome... Just I don't see Nintendo tricking out their systems to da MAX!!!... But I would love to see it. Bells n' whistles for Nintendo is a Game Boy Player or GBA and DS's "Extended Libraries" (Backwards compatability...) For Nintendo to follow in Sony's footsteps is highly unlikely. Especially when they've criticized PSP's over-user of Technology from the get go.

[Berty]

I wouldn't hold my breath, not unless battery technology increases at an astronomical level in the next few years,

We could only hope that they would use hydrogen fuel cells LOL

[Cryomancer]

Couldn't they theoretically harness the energy extered by moving the buttons /dpad around? Or not.

[classicb]

while i doubt anything like that would happen Nintendo has made a big issue out of backwards compatibility in recent articles. they have something up their sleeves and while it might not be this exact idea it might be close to some degree. still you pose an interesting idea so who knows.

[Berty]

The gamecube uses 45watts of pwoer, so harnessing the energy from d-pad etc would'nt result in anything worth-while

Back on topic though, I would love to see a portable GC, afterall isn't the next logical step after the 64-ish DS the Gamecube?

so long as there is backwards compatability then i will be very happy.

[shai hulud]

Virtual Boy 2

3 colors this time... get ready people it will blow you away

[joshnickerson]

That would be a great idea... playing a game on your Gamecube, and when you have to leave, you can pop it out and into your GBA2 to play on the bus. LOL

[neuropolitique]

Virtual Boy 2

3 colors this time... get ready people it will blow you away

I'm there, dude. I still stand by my claims that VR will soon make a very big comeback. There has been such a leap in tech since it's last go round that it should really rock by now.

I'm really looing forward to GBA 2. I'm not sure about compatability with Revolution, but GCN compatability would be sweet.

[dbiersdorf]

Yeah but neuropolitique if the Revolution is backwards compatible with the GameCube, then the GBA 2 would automatically be connected towards the Revolution.

[SkiDragon]

Okay, first of all, can Nintendo really support FOUR systems at once? Of course, backwards compatability is important. I sometimes wonder if Nintendo shouldn't go COMPLETELY backwards compatable. Maybe I'm biased, but I see FAR more people playing old Nintendo systems than the Gamecube. And I mean actual systems too, not just ROMS (which would increase the amount by a lot). I wonder how many would buy the next Nintendo system simply because it could play all their old favorites? As long as the new games for it are any good, I think this could work.

On the other hand, I think Nintendo should try to "blend in" a bit more. For example, their next system, though I like the Gamecube, should look less "childish". It should be kinda flat and front loading. Like the other companies do, they should it make it somewhat resemble a DVD player, but still have its own style. No strange colors (even though I like them) until a standard "cool" color (black probably, though chrome would be cool) becomes the recognized image of the system. Lets face it, even little kids want to act like grown-ups, so I think this would even appeal to them more. Is it any coincidence that Nintendo's most populay system also looked like a VCR?

Lastly, and I'm mostly taking this from something else I read, Nintendo has to stop relying on the same characters all the time. Nintendo makes good games, but if a Game is not "Mario" or "Kirby" or "StarFox", Nintendo should probably not try to squeeze the characters into the game. New, unique games are better. Imagine if Halo were called "Doom-guy and the Giant Ring Adventures". It might be just as good but less people would think so.
Not to say that Nintendo should stop making its "normal" games, either.

[dbiersdorf]

Why would you EVER want front loading? Too many problems. Look at Sony even they changed there ways to top loading.

[neuropolitique]

Yeah but neuropolitique if the Revolution is backwards compatible with the GameCube, then the GBA 2 would automatically be connected towards the Revolution.

Not at all. It doesn't matter that the Revolution is compatible with GCN games. If nintendo doesn't build that functionality into the GBA 2, it won't be able to play Revolution games.

As an example. The DS is compatible with GBA games, but not GB games. While the GBA is compatible with GB games. Because Nintendo didn't build GB compatibility into the DS, it can not play those games, even though the GBA can.

[Push Upstairs]

When is the "GBA2" supposed to be released?

Please tell me its not going to be X-mas 2005.

[dbiersdorf]

When is the "GBA2" supposed to be released?

Please tell me its not going to be X-mas 2005.

Probably end of 2006 or sometime in 2007.

[Ed Oscuro]

Hmm...I like the idea of the GBA 2 being a portable GameCube but if the quality of the DS's hardware is any indication this won't be happening. It'd cease to be a GBA and it would essentially be a Nintendomad. A selling point of new GB hardware has always been backwards compatibility; I also wonder how you'd fit a disc media drive in there AND a cart slot. The GBA is pretty freakin' tiny after all. Perhaps if Sony were making it, this would be possible...and then only if you had disc drive.

As far as Revolution goes...I would like a console with some sort of universal connector that can play games from a variety of classic Nintendo consoles. Again not gonna happen. It's probably just some lame "omg you can have your DS, GBA 2 and Revoru-tan make teh babies and without wires!!!111one"

[FantasiaWHT]

Why would you EVER want front loading? Too many problems. Look at Sony even they changed there ways to top loading.

I agree... the fewer moving parts and motors the better. The worse that happens with a flip-top is the catch gets stuck and you need to use a pin to open it. A stuck tray on Xbox or PS2 is much worse to deal with.

[Ed Oscuro]

Why would you EVER want front loading? Too many problems. Look at Sony even they changed there ways to top loading.

I agree... the fewer moving parts and motors the better. The worse that happens with a flip-top is the catch gets stuck and you need to use a pin to open it. A stuck tray on Xbox or PS2 is much worse to deal with.
PSP, anybody? That doesn't have an actual tray to slide out.

[slip81]

That would all be very cool, but the GCN is a pretty powerfull system, and I don't think handheld technology will advance that much in the next one or two years.

Also like others have said, how could Nintendo handle 4 systems at once?

Plus why would Nintendo release another Game Boy a year or two after the DS? Now I know I'm gonna get jumped on by the GB fans, but let's face it, no matter what Nintendo says the DS is another Game Boy. It's a hndheld and it plays GB games. Sure it doesn't support original GB and GB color, but they had to kick that sometime.

[Ed Oscuro]

That would all be very cool, but the GCN is a pretty powerfull system, and I don't think handheld technology will advance that much in the next one or two years.
This crossed my mind also. The time gap from the N64 to the DS has been perhaps 1996 to 2005? The time gap from the GC to the Revolution, assuming it comes out in 2007, is just six years. However, I believe they're more focused on this console, have greater 3d hardware expertise and contacts (i.e. ATI!), and the DS does approach GC quality - what's more, the PSP is pretty close too. Finally, the GC itself really isn't that big a console. We'd have to see what they do for system connectivity - on the one hand you cut a lot of space out by it not needing an actual base, and yet more by taking out the large controller ports and the related circuitry, but you do add some right back in with a GD-ROM drive. It would also pretty much have to be a slotloader like the PSP.

As for working on four systems at once...the GBA is a strong brand, the only problem I see is some confusion between the DS and a handheld able to play GC games.

[FantasiaWHT]

Plus why would Nintendo release another Game Boy a year or two after the DS? Now I know I'm gonna get jumped on by the GB fans, but let's face it, no matter what Nintendo says the DS is another Game Boy. It's a hndheld and it plays GB games. Sure it doesn't support original GB and GB color, but they had to kick that sometime.

Yeah I think they did a horrible job of differentiating the DS and making it their "third pillar". It needed to be a more "useful" tool aimed at adults... PDA like organizers, uploadable software onto memory chips, GPS, internet connectivity... maybe movie or MP3 playing like the PSP... any of those things would've done really well, I think.

[Jive3D]

Nintendo has confirmed that GBA 2 is in the works. We all know this. As a DS owner, this kind of pisses me off b/c this confirms in a way, that the DS is only an experiment and b/c of this I don't think that it will get the support that it deserves. Wonderful that they plan on having two handhelds and supporting 2 consoles (cube & rev), but really Nintendo, get your priorities in line. As much of a fan as I am, the company is ticking me off.

Back on topic. If you take a PSP UMB game out of that plastic shell, is the disk the same size as a Gamecube game? I could see GBA 2 being a direct competetor with PSP by inserting the Gamecube disks into a UMD style casing for 'on the go' play.

Honestly though, I don't want to play my gamecube games on the go, I like the big screen and massive sound system and my leather chair.