The GameCube is the first Nintendo video game system to use a disc-based medium rather than cartridges for its games.  While most other systems likewise have their games stored on discs, the GameCube's 3-inch format is smaller than everyone else's, and is so designed to fit in a shirt pocket as much as to deter would-be software pirates.

Of course, the main advantage of the GameCube is that it's the home field of one of the world's premier game designers: Nintendo. While powerhouses Electronic Arts and Sega make games for all systems (including this one), you can play Nintendo games only on a Nintendo system. And Nintendo, you might recall, has been hitting them out of the park since it started with Donkey Kong. In fact, here's a roll call of characters and series you won't find on the other consoles: Mario,Legend of Zelda, Perfect Dark, Metroid, Kirby, and, of course, Pokémon. A few names that the GameCube shares with the other guys: Madden, Tony Hawk, Sonic, Batman, and Star Wars.

The system also comes with four built-in controller ports, so you can easily plug in extra controllers and let friends join in for the multiplayer games--it's even got a built-in handle so you can easily move it to a friend's house. It also comes with two memory card slots for saving your progress through games.

GameCube was released in 2001, priced at $199.99, over 21 million GameCubes were sold.

Specifications:

• CPU: 485 MHZ PowerPC “Gekko”
• GPU: 162 MHZ ATI “Flipper”
• RAM: 24 MB 1T-SRAM, 3 MB embedded 1T-SRAM (video)
• Best-Selling Game: Super Smash Bros. Melee (7.09 million)

Includes:

• Nintendo (GameCube) System
• Controller
• A/V or RF Hookup Cable
• AC Power Adapter
• 90 Day Warranty