GCN 2001 Titles: Outlook

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At least somebody is actually going to the source to get the goods on what games are coming out for the Gamecube this year. And since there really aren\'t that many titles it\'s a pretty easy job.  Although compared to the N64 launch, this is like heaven.

Launch
Luigi\'s Mansion (Nintendo)
Waverace: Blue Storm (Nintendo)
All-Star Baseball 2002 (Acclaim)
Crazy Taxi (Acclaim)
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 (Acclaim)
Extreme G-3 (Acclaim)
NFL Quarterback Club 2002 (Acclaim)
Madden NFL 2002 (EA)
SSX Tricky (EA)
Universal Studios (Kemco)
Star Wars Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron 2 (Lucasarts)
NHL Hitz 2002 (Midway)
NFL Blitz 2002 (Midway)
Super Monkey Ball (Sega)

Rest of November
Pikmin (Nintendo)
FIFA 2002: Road to the World Cup (EA)

December
Eternal Darkness: Sanity\'s Requiem (Nintendo)
Super Smash Bros. Melee (Nintendo)
Batman: Dark Tomorrow (Kemco)
Galleon: Islands of Mystery (Interplay)

Now, I\'m going to look at the potential each of these titles have, based on the developer, first impressions by press, etc. Based on Nintendo\'s previous development experience, Luigi\'s Mansion should be an A grade title, but doesn\'t seem to have the charm other games too, and repetitiveness may make this possible 20-hour game a drag. Waverace 64 had an overall score of 89.2%, and since the Blue Storm (BS?) just improves graphics there should be the same great gameplay. Although, owners of the original may want to give it a rent first. All-Star Baseball 2002 for PS2 had an overal score of 75.41%, so expect the same results for the GCN version. Depending on the quality of the port, Crazy Taxi could get a score of 80.06% like the PS2 version, or be as high as 89.62% (Dreamcast version).

The original Dave Mirra garnered a respectable score of 82.33% for the original Playstation. Being a sequel one would hope the score would be better for the newer version. Extreme G-3 for PS2 has been released, and so far has an overal score of 84.00%. Expect the same. NFL Quarterback Club has had a shaky career. What started has above average 98\' and 99\' games soon turned to an overall score of 61.50% for last year\'s game. One could only hope they reverted back to the originals. Things don\'t look so bright. Madden NFL on the other hand is at the heart of football fans, as the 2002 version for PS2 has a score of 94.57%, which is classic status. Expect an approximate score of 94% as well. Another great game for PS2 was SSX, which had an overall score of 93.68%. Since this is an improved version let\'s hope Tricky is just as good.

Universal Studios may be an interesting title, but the mini-games seen so far have been less than impressive. Than again we\'ve only seen three. I expect an average title, but things could get worse or better. Named one of the best Star Wars games for a console, Rogue Leader\'s prequel had a score of 85.27% and from impressions, this one is even better. NHL Hitz 2002 is unproven, although it doesn\'t look as high-profile as NHL games from EA. While the first NFL Blitz game got high praise, last year\'s version had a score of 71.50% on the N64, but a better score of 78.67% on the DC. Things shouldn\'t get any worse... Or are they? Super Monkey Ball by Sega has been getting rave impressions from the press, and I expect it to be the sleeper hit of the Gamecube launch. Go monkey balls!  

As for the rest of 2001 titles. Eternal Darkness has been in development for some time, and seems to take the Resident Evil-style gameplay with a few twists. Improved is a camera system which changes depending on where the enemies are. I expect this to be an A title. Same for Pikmin. Reception has been good, although it is said only patient gamers will appreciate this one. Super Smash Bros. for N64 had an overall score of 81.62%. Some loved it, others said it was a waste of fighting space. Same goes for Melee I presume. If you enjoyed the first one, go for it, if not give it a pass. FIFA for PS2 last year had a score of 84.99%. Let\'s hope they keep it up for 2002. Batman: Dark Tomorrow is still untested as of yet. I\'m highly anticipating this one, because its sports a dark Batman in an original story, but will Kemco do a good job at it? Finally, Galleon has been in development for too long and seems to be a decent adventure game. It\'s from the creators of Tomb Raider, so expect the same but in more epic proportions.

That\'s it I think.

I don\'t see one single title that would make me buy the GC.
A couple of above average games there at the most IMO.

That\'s it at launch I was hoping for starfox at launch. I didn\'t know it was a 2002 release. Oh well luigi\'s mansion will be a fun game no doubt but this launch list does seem kind of bland:rolleyes:

Only two games on that list interest me:

Super smash bros. melee
Rogue Squadron 2

I played these and all the other gamecube games at e3. Luigi\'s mansion has a cool controller setup but IS bland and repetitive.

Wave race looks nice graphically but in my opinion there were no enhancements in the incredible water physics of the first.

Kameo is VERY uninspired and is pretty much a ripoff of pokemon. You pull monsters out of a bag to fight other monsters. Yay :rolleyes:

Eternal Darkness doesn\'t play all that different from resident evil. The graphics are nice but the gameplay mechanics don\'t seem different at all. The controls are better though.

Star fox adventures was VERY BORING. Just another banjo kazooie except with fox instead of banjo. Now I hear that it\'s gotten a major upgrade so I\'ll have to play that to see if it\'s any different.

Basically, just not my thing. The system I\'ll be getting in november SO FAR, is xbox.