Information needed about GameCubes

[montanafan]

Okay, my mother asked me to check into purchasing a GameCube for an 8 year-old boy. The boy's mother said it is what he wants for Christmas and that she found one at Amazon for $325. Now I know nothing about these things, but after looking around a little, apparently this must be some kind of bundle.

I've found GameCube consoles for around $99, but I see that there are also several types of accessories from memory, to controllers, etc.

So what exactly does she need to buy for him to be able to play with the thing on Christmas morning? Would she just need to buy the console and some games, or are some other things necessary that do not come in the box with the console?

Thanks for any info.

 

[gorcorps]

The $99 console brand new comes with one controller and simple red/white/yellow cables to connect to the TV (which should be fine for almost anybody). I would suggest getting at least one more controller, a memory card, and some games.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: gorcorps
The $99 console brand new comes with one controller and simple red/white/yellow cables to connect to the TV (which should be fine for almost anybody). I would suggest getting at least one more controller, a memory card, and some games.

confirmed

 

[montanafan]

Thanks guys. I looked up some info on the memory cards and saw where it was recommended that only Nintendo, MadCatz, Joytech, or HipGear should be used. Does that sound about right? What size memory card would you recommend?

Anything I should know about controllers?

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: gorcorps
The $99 console brand new comes with one controller and simple red/white/yellow cables to connect to the TV (which should be fine for almost anybody). I would suggest getting at least one more controller, a memory card, and some games.

confirmed

Confirmed x2. The Gamecube was released in a day and age mostly void of talk of HD and multiple SKU's, so it's pretty simple to get up and running.

 

[ZOOYUKA]

Tell her to look in to getting a used Gamecube at Gamestop, I saw them advertised for $29.99 the other day.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: montanafan
Thanks guys. I looked up some info on the memory cards and saw where it was recommended that only Nintendo, MadCatz, Joytech, or HipGear should be used. Does that sound about right? What size memory card would you recommend?

Anything I should know about controllers?

Actually, you should not get anything non-nintendo at all.

AT ALL.


I move alot of gc's on the resale market

 

[Modeps]

Wait, they're expecting to pay $325 for a gamecube? Are you sure they want a cube and not a Wii? Pretty sure an 8 year old boy wouldnt want the older cousin to the Wii.

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: montanafan
Thanks guys. I looked up some info on the memory cards and saw where it was recommended that only Nintendo, MadCatz, Joytech, or HipGear should be used. Does that sound about right? What size memory card would you recommend?

Anything I should know about controllers?

I remember from my N64 and PS1 days that the 3rd party (non-Nintendo/Sony) memory cards were very unreliable. I only had to lose my 30+ hour RPG game saves once or twice before I only bought first party. This wasn't just me, they had an industry-wide reputation. I can only imagine how many kids lost their saved data because retailers saddled their unwitting parents with flaky "compressed" memory cards.

I can't speak specifically to the quality of MadCatz, Joytech, or HipGear Gamecube memory cards, but I would definitely spring for the official Nintendo memory cards.

For controllers, the Nintendo Wavebirds (2.4ghz wireless) are greatly preferred to 3rd party controllers or even the corded Nintendo versions. However, about six months ago I went looking for them and could only find them on eBay and Amazon Marketplace for ridiculous markups. They must have gone out of production so that Nintendo could sell its new "Classic Controller" for the Wii. The standard wired Nintendo controller will work fine, but I figured I'd mention the best possible controller.

Again, I'd personally avoid 3rd party controllers at least for the primary players of the system. If the primary player frequently has guests over for competition, feel free to stick them with the inferior 3rd party controllers to gain a competitive advantage.

 

[Pheran]

Originally posted by: Modeps
Wait, they're expecting to pay $325 for a gamecube? Are you sure they want a cube and not a Wii? Pretty sure an 8 year old boy wouldnt want the older cousin to the Wii.

Yes, you had better double-check this, as it's highly likely that the parents are confused. Although they will still play games just fine, GameCubes are essentially obsolete - they are from the console generation with the original XBox and the PS2.

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: ZOOYUKA
Tell her to look in to getting a used Gamecube at Gamestop, I saw them advertised for $29.99 the other day.

Man, I still have my old Gamecube and accessories lying around. I should have sold it before the Wii came out. Worth peanuts now. Still, at least I can use the controllers with the Wii.

 

[XBoxLPU]

Don't buy extra standard controllers, buy a couple of Wavebirds (I love them) for however many players that might be needed hooked up to the Gamecube . A couple of memory cards should be fine. And of course games

 

[XBoxLPU]

I haven't seen a Wii at Amazon for $325 ever in a bundle and here lately the used and new price is around $500 or above

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
Don't buy extra standard controllers, buy a couple of Wavebirds (I love them) for however many players that might be needed hooked up to the Gamecube . A couple of memory cards should be fine. And of course games

As I said, Wavebirds are the best possible controllers for the Gamecube, but have fun trying to find them without getting price-gouged.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: CKDragon

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
Don't buy extra standard controllers, buy a couple of Wavebirds (I love them) for however many players that might be needed hooked up to the Gamecube . A couple of memory cards should be fine. And of course games

As I said, Wavebirds are the best possible controllers for the Gamecube, but have fun trying to find them without getting price-gouged.

Oldschool wavebirds are 20-25 on eBay
Platinum 30-35
new/sealed 45-60

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: CKDragon

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
Don't buy extra standard controllers, buy a couple of Wavebirds (I love them) for however many players that might be needed hooked up to the Gamecube . A couple of memory cards should be fine. And of course games

As I said, Wavebirds are the best possible controllers for the Gamecube, but have fun trying to find them without getting price-gouged.

Oldschool wavebirds are 20-25 on eBay
Platinum 30-35
new/sealed 45-60

I should have mentioned that I have a "thing" about buying used controllers: I don't do it. Heh, since the age of 10 I've literally requested that all my guests wash their hands before using any of mine.

So if others are comfortable knowing that some little nose-picking kid left them to be kicked all over the playroom floor with all the other shoe-bottom dirt, then by all means, have at it. But for me, that would be ~$200 just for four new controllers for a last-gen system that are useful for only a few new Wii games.

 

[skace]

They need to verify with the kid via a picture or some game names that the Gamecube is what he wants. He may even be saying Gamecube but might think that is what the Wii is called. I find it hard to believe he wants that system, even though it is great, what is the purpose of getting it when the Wii can play GC games?

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: CKDragon

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: CKDragon

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
Don't buy extra standard controllers, buy a couple of Wavebirds (I love them) for however many players that might be needed hooked up to the Gamecube . A couple of memory cards should be fine. And of course games

As I said, Wavebirds are the best possible controllers for the Gamecube, but have fun trying to find them without getting price-gouged.

Oldschool wavebirds are 20-25 on eBay
Platinum 30-35
new/sealed 45-60

I should have mentioned that I have a "thing" about buying used controllers: I don't do it. Heh, since the age of 10 I've literally requested that all my guests wash their hands before using any of mine.

So if others are comfortable knowing that some little nose-picking kid left them to be kicked all over the playroom floor with all the other shoe-bottom dirt, then by all means, have at it. But for me, that would be ~$200 just for four new controllers for a last-gen system that are useful for only a few new Wii games.

It's useful for 4 player smash on the wii. That's why I'm not selling my set of 4

 

[XBoxLPU]

Check retail stores clearance items, Walmart did have them for around $20 to 30

 

[XBoxLPU]

Originally posted by: skace
They need to verify with the kid via a picture or some game names that the Gamecube is what he wants. He may even be saying Gamecube but might think that is what the Wii is called. I find it hard to believe he wants that system, even though it is great, what is the purpose of getting it when the Wii can play GC games?

Price? The fact that finding a Wii is not exactly easy either

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
Price? The fact that finding a Wii is not exactly easy either

That makes sense from the parents perspective. But 9 year olds don't usually worry about price... or at least I didn't.

 

[montanafan]

Thanks for all the information and advice guys. I doubt that it's a Wii he wants instead of a GameCube because my mother wouldn't have heard of either one and just wrote down what she was told. I'll have her ask again though, just to be safe, before I pick up anythng for her.

Thanks again.