The system comes with four built-in controller ports, a built-in carry-handle, and two memory card slots--plus there's the capacity for future expansion into the world of online gaming. Of course, the main advantage of the GameCube is that it's the homefield 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 only play Nintendo games on a Nintendo system. And Nintendo, you might recall, have been scoring holes in one since they 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, Resident Evil, Metroid, Kirby, and, of course, Pokémon.


In short, the GameCube isn't an all-in-one entertainment system, and neither is it (quite) the most powerful of the modern video game consoles. But for video game enthusiasts who appreciate the superlative gameplay of Nintendo titles, its value cannot be beaten. One look at the Nintendo GameCube hardware and you know it's different. The compact shape isnot only practical--the unique design is symbolic of Nintendo's commitment to focus on creating the world's most original and innovative video games. The GameCube is Nintendo's first video game console to access game data through a disc rather than a cartridge. Each disc holds an incredible 1.5 gigabytes of information, but has a diameter of only three inches. The disc drive and processor work together with awesome speed, which makes load times hardly noticeable.


The GameCube Controller provides the crucial connection between the player and the game. Two analog Control Sticks, a built-in rumble feature and flawless ergonomic design ensure that the Controller feels and plays perfectly. On their own, Game Boy Advance and GameCube are each powerhouse game systems. Together, they mak e an awesome team. Using the GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable, the Game Boy Advance can be connec ted directly to the GameCube. The features available will change depending on the game, from exchang ing data or unlocking new game levels to allowing the Game Boy Advance to be used as a supplemental game screen or input device. Look carefully at game packaging to see which games are compatible with the cable.