Nintendo GameCube: The Complete Buyer's Guide
Nintendo released the GameCube in North America on November 18, 2001. It was Nintendo's first console to use optical discs, and it is remembered for its compact handled design, its controller and games like Super Smash Bros. Melee, Metroid Prime and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
Quick facts
| North American launch | November 18, 2001 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
| Media | 8 cm optical discs |
| Controller ports | 4 |
| Best-selling game | Super Smash Bros. Melee |
| Worldwide sales | 21.74 million |
| Discontinued | 2007 |
Models and what changed
The original DOL-001 has a Digital AV port next to the analog AV port. That port is required for the official component cables, which allow 480p progressive scan in supported games, and many modern HDMI adapters plug into it.
The DOL-101, introduced in 2004, removed the Digital AV port and one of the two serial ports on the bottom. It plays every game the same way but is limited to analog output such as composite and S-Video.
Both models have the high-speed port on the bottom that accepts the Game Boy Player, which lets the GameCube play Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges on a TV.
Tips for buying one today
- Check the model number on the bottom. If picture quality matters to you, look for a DOL-001 with the Digital AV port.
- Get a memory card. GameCube games save to removable memory cards, not the console, and a Memory Card 251 or larger holds plenty of saves.
- Open the lid and confirm the disc spins and reads. Disc drive laser wear is the most common age-related failure, and the lid switch must click down for discs to load.
- The GameCube uses the same multi-out analog AV cable as the SNES and N64, so those cables work for composite output.
- Games are region locked, so North American consoles need North American discs unless you use a boot disc or modification.
Games to play first
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Metroid Prime
- Super Mario Sunshine
- Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
- Resident Evil 4
- Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- Pikmin
Shop by genre
GameCube Action & Adventure Games · GameCube RPGs · GameCube Shooters · GameCube Fighting Games · GameCube Sports Games · GameCube Racing Games
Guides
- How to Connect a GameCube or Wii to a Modern TV
- GameCube at 25: The Best Games, and Why They Cost What They Do
- Games Like Animal Crossing: 10 Cozy Life Sims to Play Next
- Games Like Resident Evil: 10 Survival Horror Games to Play Next
- Games Like Mario Kart: 10 Kart Racers to Play Next
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the DOL-001 and DOL-101?
The DOL-001 has a Digital AV port for component video and many HDMI adapters, plus a second serial port. The DOL-101 dropped both. Game compatibility is identical.
Can a Wii play GameCube games?
The original RVL-001 Wii can play GameCube discs and has GameCube controller ports and memory card slots. Later Wii models such as the RVL-101 and the Wii Mini cannot.
Do I need a memory card?
Yes. The GameCube has no internal storage, so you need a GameCube memory card to save progress in nearly every game.
Can the GameCube output HDMI?
Not natively. A DOL-001 can use component cables or an HDMI adapter in its Digital AV port. Both models can also output composite or S-Video to a converter or upscaler.