The Dolphin Surfaces

Nintendo has finally unveiled their next generation console system formerly known under the working name “dolphin.” The Nintendo GameCube, as its name implies, is a relatively tiny box with greater technical specs than any other console in the market, including the Playstation 2. Oddly, though, the system will run games on 1.5 GB proprietary optical disks (roughly equivalent to zip discs) rather than DVD-ROM (the system will not have the ability to play DVD movies or games), and will come with a 56k modem rather than a cable or DSL high-speed modem for internet accessibility. The GameCube is scheduled for release in July 2001 in Japan and October 2001 in the US. The odd shaped GameCube hand control will feature built-in vibration feedback. The Gameboy Advance will be directly compatible with the GameCube, even working as a substitute hand control for the GameCube system.

Nintendo also simultaneously revealed the Gameboy Advance at the recent Japanese Space World 2000 convention. The new hand-held is a 32-bit system, roughly equivalent in power to a souped up Super Nintendo or a scaled down Saturn. The Gameboy Advance will have a screen 50% larger than the current Gameboy Color, and a 60% increase in graphics resolution. The system is scheduled to retail for 9,800 yen at its Japanese launch on March 21st, 2001. The US version will be available next July.

Source: GameSpot