Gamecube now a classic system?

[Trebuken]

It seems the Gamecube is done:

http://www.mania.com/53719.html

No more games or systems are officially being produced for it. So when does it move to the classic gaming forum?

[jajaja]

I think there will be a few more licensed games for GC, like the new Turtles game. But ye, GC has been singing on its last verse for some time now :\

[DeputyMoniker]

I don't think it's any more "classic" than the XBOX...are you guys considering that "Classic Forum" material yet?

[DreamTR]

Trebuken: You are wrong, there are still games being produced for it. This will not be a "classic" system for another 10 years.

[playgeneration]

Im not sure if any new games will come out for it (not counting Radio Allergy as that came out in Japan ages ago), theres still some release lists with cube games on, but they may well just be out of date. The Turtles game for example - theres no mention of a Gamecube version on the offical site or on Ubisofts. Would be nice if a few more games came out but i wont hold my breath over it.

As to wether its a classic system, to me it pretty much will be soon when shops stop stocking new games for it completely - thats when i consider a system classic. But since the Wii is so similar, apart from the controller, generally it will be a long time before its really considered retro.

[Sylentwulf]

<shrug> Last gen limbo. IMO The PS1 and N64 are just BARELY becoming "classic" systems.
Current gen
Last gen
Old
Classic

Such is the heirarchy of life. Applicable in cars too apparently, do you call a 2005 model a classic?

[Trebuken]

Trebuken: You are wrong, there are still games being produced for it. This will not be a "classic" system for another 10 years.

Wrong? Did you follow the link? This is from a Nintendo rep. They said they will not be producing any more games. Whether this applies to just Nintendo or other publishers is not clear. I think many of the 'Cube games that are expected to be released will simply become Wii games...

What I am seeking is a definition for what makes a system classic. The end of game developement for a system is a step in the classic direction. I believe many are considering the Dreamcast 'classic' now; it did not take 10 years to reach that status...so what does it take?

[Rogmeister]

I believe that story is regarding only Nintendo. There could still be a few games from 3rd party publishers...Radio Allergy is one and I heard there was supposed to be a GC version of this year's Backyard Baseball, though that certainly could've changed. And if Radio Allergy becomes the last game for the system and it hits stores on March 20, I don't think we can call the system a classic on March 21. There should be a certain period...of mourning, perhaps? Perhaps we can call it a classic system for just our own purposes on January 1, 2008...the beginning of the first year without new GC product.

[heybtbm]

Wrong? Did you follow the link? This is from a Nintendo rep. They said they will not be producing any more games. Whether this applies to just Nintendo or other publishers is not clear.

I read the article on Gamespot this morning. It was clear that Nintendo was only speaking for themselves. Third party publishers will still be releasing GC games this year.

Considering the fact that the Wii is fully backwards compatible and uses GC memory cards and controllers, it stands to reason that these items will be available for years to come. When you can't buy a system, controllers, games, etc at major nationwide retailers...that's when a system should be considered classic. IMO anyway.

[bangtango]

Nobody expected Tony Hawk 3 on N64, at least not the average gamer. That one seemed to appear in the middle of the night. There hadn't been any sort of notable release for several weeks leading up to it. People were all over the net claiming no more titles were coming out for N64 before that one popped up. I'm sure veterans around here may have been expecting it for awhile but an equal (or greater) number of people were probably surprised to see it show up in a Walmart or EB display case.

I'm sure at least one or two companies have thought about being remembered for releasing "the last game for the Game Cube in the United States." At least one or two more third-parties will release something for the system knowing that for now a lot of people still have the Cube in their home but might not have gotten a Wii yet.

Personally, I don't see why EA doesn't at least do a short production run of a "money" game like Madden 08' for Game Cube and the original X-Box. Maybe 1/4 or half of the typical amount of copies, even if it is mostly a by-the-numbers port with no frills.

[DreamTR]

Trebuken: I read it, you are only referring to 1st party Nintendo. Heck, Microsoft hasn't produced a first party Xbox title in ages, do we consider that classic?

Anyone that considers Dreamcast a classic system is totally lost. The thing is still using newer technology (128 bit) and games are still being released in Japan for the thing.

[fishsandwich]

What I am seeking is a definition for what makes a system classic. The end of game developement for a system is a step in the classic direction. I believe many are considering the Dreamcast 'classic' now; it did not take 10 years to reach that status...so what does it take?

Hell if I know. I don't consider the SNES and Genny to be classic yet but I was around when they were hot... i'm sure some of my juniors feel differently.

I certainly don't consider the Dreamcast a classic system... it's STILL got official releases coming out in Japan.

[50s Brawler]

Honestly guys, I'm a bit confused on the "definition" or more to the point "the criteria" for what equates a classic status? I mean let's look at it, the so called Next Generation gaming systems that are out now aren't really that much of a leap technology wise than what we just left... less so for the Wii which is basically GameCube 2.0, so simply saying that a console is "in limbo" doesn't quite say anything at all. It has to have a correct shelf definition of where it's at. If a system were truly "next generation" it wouldn't need a physical controller anymore. It be some Star Trek Holo-Dec type deal where you are inside a VR Construct... that would be next generation. Thus same thing for the "classic" systems.

When I think of the term "classic" I think of a thing, a film, a game system that is dear to the hearts of a mass demographic. A tangible piece of media or a societal collective memory that resonates within the psyche. Therefore something that occured merely 3 years ago could be defined as "classic" as compared to the contemporary mainstream. Where's the rule that something has to be a decade or so old to be "classic." However, by the flip side of that coin, not everything can be classic because it was just another media saturated product and didn't really do anything revolutionary, expressive, or overall "different". I think the real question is... what did the GameCube do that was astronomically different from the N64? Or more to the point the Super Famicom/SNES? If it did more of the same that it's competitor's did then how would that be "Classic" ???

I mean no offense to anyone here or whatever loyalties they may have to a respective product, but seriously... who or what group defines what is or isn't classic? A measure of time can't be the be all end all for this, be it on a long time table or a short one. But then neither can something new that's still tethered to slightly more accelerated technology be dubbed "Next Gen" either. Perhaps there is no answer to any of this?
*_*

[bangtango]

Honestly guys, I'm a bit confused on the "definition" or more to the point "the criteria" for what equates a classic status? I mean let's look at it, the so called Next Generation gaming systems that are out now aren't really that much of a leap technology wise than what we just left... less so for the Wii which is basically GameCube 2.0, so simply saying that a console is "in limbo" doesn't quite say anything at all. It has to have a correct shelf definition of where it's at. If a system were truly "next generation" it wouldn't need a physical controller anymore. It be some Star Trek Holo-Dec type deal where you are inside a VR Construct... that would be next generation. Thus same thing for the "classic" systems.

When I think of the term "classic" I think of a thing, a film, a game system that is dear to the hearts of a mass demographic. A tangible piece of media or a societal collective memory that resonates within the psyche. Therefore something that occured merely 3 years ago could be defined as "classic" as compared to the contemporary mainstream. Where's the rule that something has to be a decade or so old to be "classic." However, by the flip side of that coin, not everything can be classic because it was just another media saturated product and didn't really do anything revolutionary, expressive, or overall "different". I think the real question is... what did the GameCube do that was astronomically different from the N64? Or more to the point the Super Famicom/SNES? If it did more of the same that it's competitor's did then how would that be "Classic" ???

I mean no offense to anyone here or whatever loyalties they may have to a respective product, but seriously... who or what group defines what is or isn't classic? A measure of time can't be the be all end all for this, be it on a long time table or a short one. But then neither can something new that's still tethered to slightly more accelerated technology be dubbed "Next Gen" either. Perhaps there is no answer to any of this?
*_*

I don't know how accurate this is but I've always heard that cars are given "classic" status once they are 25 years old. Rock bands are supposedly "classic" at 20 years old. As for sports games, you have networks like ESPN and Fox Sports which use the term "instant classic" and aren't afraid to call some sporting event "classic" the second it has finished.

I didn't make up those rules and don't even know if the mass public agrees with the above statements. However, that is what I've heard over the years.

It doesn't help you have a whole generation of people who will watch some joke or scene in a Will Ferrell or Adam Sandler movie and say "That is classic!" There are people who will say this even though they are watching it that same night in the theater as a brand new movie.

As for what is, or isn't, classic in the world of gaming, I would seriously recommend posing the question to some of the founders of this web site who have been here since the beginning. You know who to ask, I am sure.

[FirstxDegree]

With the release of the Wii and it's capabilities to play and utilize every aspect of the Gamecube then it literally makes the GC system useless. Sad, I know. But if it's been replaced, I would agree that it gets categorized under the "classic system" column

[MegaDrive20XX]

Speaking on the topic of "classic". Today at work, a group of teenagers confused what SNES and NES was. I watched the kid pick up a SNES cart and said to his friends "HEY GUYS! THIS IS OLD SCHOOL! REMEMBER THIS?" and starts to blow into the cartridge like it was an NES cart...but it wasn't. It was a Super NES Cart....now when someone can't remember which carts we used to blow in like can of air. I die a little inside. Knowing that History of games or remembering the good ol' days has been distorted because someone is saying stuff like..."Sega Saturn killed Super Nintendo". Which has been said to me by a customer actually...and I didn't know either to laugh, cry, or scream in frustration. How else am I suppose to respond to this?

Back on topic, I like the analogy of bangtango. Comparing the age process of cars to that of video game consoles. However, since technology keeps moving at a faster rate. I agree that the word "old school" and "classic" and "old shit" gets thrown around way too much...I honestly still get ticked off when people saying Dreamcast is old school. Plus reading recent articles about "Fighting games dying" from ign.com makes me wanna go on a Hulk-like Rampage and take revenge on stupidity, but I think the icing on the cake this week, was when 1up.com trashed "New Adventure Island" TG16 when it showed up on Wii by those so-called "Retrogonads" or whatever the hell they think they are.


Who is to judge what classic is? I certainly have no right to do so, I haven't seen that much in my years. Yet I will agree and applaud to any form of classicism (I think that's a word now...Age of Classicism...), that tries to re-create what the past has taught us. Which Wii so nicely does for us all and to new comers.

Finally, to say GameCube is classic..would say PS2 or Xbox is classic now. Legally, no it's not quite yet...but I would say, perhaps Summer of 07' would make it offical.

Oh yeah, one more thing, I'm tired of people bitching about Wii's graphics and how gay the controls are when I hear people talk and whine about "WHY IS SMASH BROS BRAWL ON WII ONLY?!" and I reply "Because your mom is too cheap to buy a Wii, even when it sits at $250 compared to most system for godsakes...and btw, she was terrible in bed last night...I want my $5 back"

They all cry, they all complain, but as soon as they touch the Wii, they all keep coming back for more...

GameCube still rocks. Solid library for such a power house of a system and the only system to still have every Resident Evil game (Yes including the terrible RE0...) and the most beautiful remake of Metal Gear Solid...

I just wish Nintendo wasn't such a prick about releasing more games for it, but as many have told me. Nintendo chosed "Quality, over qaunity". Which I strongly agree to.

[kedawa]

RE0 is far from terrible, and GC is far from classic.

[DreamTR]

I think by proper definition in video games, it usually takes about 15-20 years because the technology is increasing so quickly.

To this day, most Atari collectors will still consider the Famicom/NES as a "neo-classic" system, even though it was released in Japan in 1983. It all depends on what system was around when YOU were playing. To a lot of late 20s- early 30 somethings, the NES is considered "classic", and the systems pre-Atari 2600 are considered "ancient."

The Genesis and SNES are definitely "classic" now, they are pushing 18 years old (same with TG 16) and have reached near legendary status, but systems such as 3D0 are on the brink, and Saturn and PLayStation still have a ways to go.

Neo-Classic is definitely the term used though for most of these systems these days.

[MegaDrive20XX]

RE0 is far from terrible, and GC is far from classic.

Terrible gameplay mechanics I'd say, but it's presentation was very nice. Yet I still consider it a blunder for trying something a bit different. I mean RE0 could have been amazing, if it wasn't for the team/item drop system that was a bit akward

[playgeneration]

The latest trailer for the new Turtles game based on the new movie has the Gamecube logo on it at the end - so hopefully that will get released. Looks like its going to be a good game, it's made by Ubisoft and seems to be heavily influenced by their Prince of Persia games which is no bad thing at all.

[jajaja]

With the release of the Wii and it's capabilities to play and utilize every aspect of the Gamecube then it literally makes the GC system useless. Sad, I know. But if it's been replaced, I would agree that it gets categorized under the "classic system" column

Well.. true if you look at like that, but there are still alot of people who only got a GC. So its good that they still make some GC games so people dont have to buy a Wii, and its good that Wii plays GC games so people who already own a Wii doesnt have to get a GC also if they want to play GC games :)

[RadiantSvgun]

It's not classic yet. Not with the recent price gouging of EB/Gamestop on its games. Luigi's mansion went from 4.99 to 12.99 almost overnight once the Wii came out. So, give the GC another 10-12 years.

[bangtango]

It's not classic yet. Not with the recent price gouging of EB/Gamestop on its games. Luigi's mansion went from 4.99 to 12.99 almost overnight once the Wii came out. So, give the GC another 10-12 years.

I'm not surprised. With the exception of Mario/Duck Hunt, every single other Mario (or Luigi) game in existence carries an inflated price. Kart racing, party games, melee's or "regular" Mario games. It doesn't make any difference. You'd think Mario 64 would be a little less expensive, prices on that are ridiculous, so I am not surprised Luigi's Mansion is over $10.

[cyberfluxor]

With the release of the Wii and it's capabilities to play and utilize every aspect of the Gamecube then it literally makes the GC system useless. Sad, I know. But if it's been replaced, I would agree that it gets categorized under the "classic system" column

So Xbox and PS2 are classics too since at least some games can be played on the newer systems?

Sylentwulf has the best response IMO.

[Wavelflack]

That's a pretty stupid idea.

I don't see how anyone can place a line such as "one generation behind" as a demarcation for "classic" status.

Really, I feel that my definition of "classic" is the simplest and most valid: The length of time it takes for one to feel nostalgic about a certain thing.

Proof?
Some of us are beginning to feel some twinges of nostalgia for n64 and PS1 games. We felt them earlier for the Genesis, NES, and 2600.

As for what dictates the amount of time before nostalgia sets in? I would say that absence from public awareness is a requisite. You have to be able to forget for some time.

[RadiantSvgun]

I'm not surprised. With the exception of Mario/Duck Hunt, every single other Mario (or Luigi) game in existence carries an inflated price. Kart racing, party games, melee's or "regular" Mario games. It doesn't make any difference. You'd think Mario 64 would be a little less expensive, prices on that are ridiculous, so I am not surprised Luigi's Mansion is over $10.

Well, they have over inflated everything. Skies of Arcadia used to be 17.99, now its 29.99. Tales of Symphonia got a price jack too. Its just nasty.

[Rogmeister]

Interestingly, I've seen a few related stories of other Nintendo people saying basically not so fast, we haven't given up on the Cube after all. Perhaps it's just done for now as far as the U.S. market is concerned?

[playgeneration]

Since the US was always the Cubes biggest market by a big margin, if there's any games still coming out they will be released in the US.

Gamecube has been dead in Japan for ages, Twilight Princess was only avaliable online there - which says it all.

And Gamecube has barely managed to keep a presence in European shops for years, so i would be incredibly surprised if any new games make it out here.

[Super Mario Fan]

I'm not surprised. With the exception of Mario/Duck Hunt, every single other Mario (or Luigi) game in existence carries an inflated price. Kart racing, party games, melee's or "regular" Mario games. It doesn't make any difference. You'd think Mario 64 would be a little less expensive, prices on that are ridiculous, so I am not surprised Luigi's Mansion is over $10.

I'm still waiting for a copy of Mario Party 4 to cost less than 35 dollars used. With there being three Mario Party games realeased since then, and a new one on the way, I think that it's only fair.

[Rogmeister]

I've thought of getting other Mario Party games but none of them seem to come down in price much. I keep checking periodically, though. I've been ordering some GC games lately as I try to get my collection to that system up to an even 100. I just ordered Madden 2007 which will surprisingly be my first Madden game for the system. The only other football game I have for the system is NFL 2K3...a bit out of date, I guess.

[j_factor]

IMO, Playstation/Saturn/N64 are just now classic, and became classic when 360/Wii/PS3 came out. Gamecube won't be classic until the next systems are around and we're talking about the Wii dying.

[walrusmonger]

I don't think the term "classic" should be applied to everything just because it's old. The NES was a classic system, while (my opinion of course) the SMS doesn't fit the description. The Genesis and SNES are classics, but the TG16 didn't match either in terms of success in the USA, thus I wouldn't put it in the same grouping.

While the PS1 and N64 would hit classic status for me when the next generation of consoles comes out, the saturn just doesn't make the USA cut. The Dreamcast was, as someone was discussing, an "instant classic." You could seriously feel the quality and awesomeness of the system the second you loaded up a game and held that CTS inducing controller.

The PS2, classic in the future, but not for 10 to 15 years. Xbox... not so classic, despite having great stuff. The cube had its ups, but had mostly downs, I will only consider myself a classic fool for waiting in the cold on launch day for a system I played a total of 50 hours or less over the 6 years (or however long it was out until the wii came out) I owned it.

Not saying it sucked, just that nothing on the system is memorable enough to me to stick out and make it special in my memories.

[Rogmeister]

I think the GameCube, PS2 and Xbox should all hurry up and die this year so that DP can publish a new Collector's Guide with their complete gameographies in it for them. What else? GBA maybe? And perhaps if they need more stuff to fill a guide up (what would this 3rd guide be called?) they might also include things like the Flashback units and those TV Game controllers from Jakks... :D

[Ed Oscuro]

That's a pretty stupid idea.

I don't see how anyone can place a line such as "one generation behind" as a demarcation for "classic" status.

Really, I feel that my definition of "classic" is the simplest and most valid: The length of time it takes for one to feel nostalgic about a certain thing.
I guess that means that the R-Zone will NEVER be classic...

[jdc]

I myself won't be calling the Cube "classic" anytime soon because just like the Dreamcast, it still uses current tech. I feel that there's a difference between true "classic" status and merely "no longer supported". It's nice that Nintendo chose to allow the Cube to march on inside the shell of the Wii. Props for that move.