GC Zelda To Become Online Sale Only In The US?

[Gorvi]

According to a Joystiq article (http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/19/zelda-twilight-princess-for-gamecube-is-no-more/) the Gamecube version of Zelda has been pulled from the computers of EB/Gamestops around the US. With Nintendo deciding to go online-only for sales of the GC version of Zelda in other countries, is this a sign that they're doing the same here?

[MajSheppard]

Any confirmation? I had to do the same thing for the gamecube, so it isn't a surprise to me. Nor a huge deal, just as long as I can order it quickly so it will be in my hands before I get the system.

The cables that is, and as for the cube version only online. Fine by me, I want people to buy the Wii. So I do not get screwed out of games near the end of the system like I was with the cube.

[t3kl3r]

It sure would be nice if they'd just combine the 2 versions and make the Wii functionality unavailable when you load it up on a 'Cube. Not likely to happen, I know.

[Ozena]

Here in Canada we can get the GC version in-store. Futureshop even has it listed already . . .

Futureshop Twilight Princess GC Release (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10075275&catid=11077)

Although I don't have much of an idea what I'm talking about . . . I'm not sure what could happen.

[rein]

That would be a big cluster fuck. Nintendo will lose so many sales on Zelda it is not even funny. I don't think they know who their customers are if they do this.

[thecrazyd]

That would be a big cluster fuck. Nintendo will lose so many sales on Zelda it is not even funny
... but they would gain more sales on the Wii.

[51|RandoM]

Nintendo wants you to forget about the gamecube and get a Wii. If you absolutely, positively refuse to do so, you can still get it online.

I'm starting to notice a pattern. :p

I was planning on playing the gamecube version of zelda on a Wii, with a wavebird.

[rein]

... but they would gain more sales on the Wii.

No, not really. Most of the people I see that come in to buy Nintendo games are people with younger kids, or people with less disposable income. They are not the kind of people that are willing to go on the internet and order a game. Hell, some of them don't have a clue of exactly what the internet is.

Look at it this way. Nintendo spent a lot of time denying that the internet was for console gaming. Now, all of a sudden, you can't buy their latest game unless you do it from the very internet they shunned? That makes zero sense.

If they do this, they will kill what could have been a great selling product. Trust me, I have seen how many preorders are going on this game. They will lose more on the game sales than they would have gained on the Wii sales this holiday. Granted, if they sell more Wii's it will be better in the long run, but I see this causing alarm with the general public. What if they decide to have some Wii titles exclusive to internet sales? Those are the kind of thoughts this will put in peoples mind. It is a very stupid move if they do it, imo.

[cp#]

Nintendo just killed the GameCube

[Nighthold]

Nintendo just killed the GameCube

Im sorry... Just?

[Siraris]

If this is true, FUCK Nintendo. FUCK them in the ass.

I've waited over a year for this game, and I'm not buying their over-priced Gamecube just to play it.

[thecrazyd]

No, not really. Most of the people I see that come in to buy Nintendo games are people with younger kids, or people with less disposable income. They are not the kind of people that are willing to go on the internet and order a game. Hell, some of them don't have a clue of exactly what the internet is.
I agree. Which means that a lot more people will buy it for the Wii.

[Tohoya]

Probably the best way for Nintendo to extricate themselves from this situation. They want that killer app for the launch, but can't afford to piss off the more hardcore market by making TP Wii-exclusive. This solution gets the ghame into the hands of those who would scream bloody murder while still giving nintendo the exclusive killer app for the majority of the population.

[Watership]

Im sorry... Just?

He means in 2004.

[Opty]

I like how whenever someone posts an angry rant on the internets about the Wii the phrase "souped up Gamecube" or something similar is always in it. That bit of predictability makes it easier to ignore their anger fueled retardorants.

[Adam Blue]

Is it still true that the GC version uses the gamepad while the Wii version is wiimote only?

[hideouslywrinkled]

If this is true, FUCK Nintendo. FUCK them in the ass.

I've waited over a year for this game, and I'm not buying their over-priced Gamecube just to play it.

Calm down. You'll still be able to buy the game for your Gamecube... just not at a brick-and-mortar store.

My first reaction was that this sucks... but it doesn't really matter who you buy a game from. While it may be a hassle to have to order from Nintendo directly, it's all the same. They could have just as easily killed the GC version.

[thecrazyd]

Is it still true that the GC version uses the gamepad while the Wii version is wiimote only?
Yes .

[Mozgus]

If this is true, then my Nintendo Fan Powers just dropped 3 points. I didn't even plan on getting Zelda on either system, so it doesn't affect me, but this is still absolutely retarded, if it's true.

[Phades]

I agree. Which means that a lot more people will buy it for the Wii.

Or, and the more likely, just not buy it at all.

Still, this is probably a smart move by Nintendo. Having the Gamecube version on store shelves alongside the Wii and looking identical really drives home the impression that the Wii is just a controller upgrade over the cube. People who see it may think "I'm not paying $250 just to get a fancy controller," yet they're still able to keep their promise to release the game for Gamecube owners.

[Ultima Thulian]

Is it still true that the GC version uses the gamepad while the Wii version is wiimote only?

That's what I've read in EGM. When I find a source (a good one), I'll link you to it.

I would rather play it on the cube. I hope Joystiq is wrong.

[Ultima Thulian]

If this is true, then my Nintendo Fan Powers just dropped 3 points. I didn't even plan on getting Zelda on either system, so it doesn't affect me, but this is still absolutely retarded, if it's true.

No, not retarded. Wii-tarded.

[51|RandoM]

No, not retarded. Wii-tarded.

...and Wii-diculous. :p Elmer Fudd, new spokesperson for the Wii.

[Adam Blue]

I'll probably be getting this on the GC then. I'll be getting a Wii, but I THINK I'd rather play games made for a wiimote. Plus the Wii version of Zelda has been flipped to be a mirror image for right handedness...that's too weird. I'd rather play the intended version.

[Siraris]

Calm down. You'll still be able to buy the game for your Gamecube... just not at a brick-and-mortar store.

My first reaction was that this sucks... but it doesn't really matter who you buy a game from. While it may be a hassle to have to order from Nintendo directly, it's all the same. They could have just as easily killed the GC version.

It's just lame. It's like "Hey, if you really want this you have to come online and get it, even though it was supposed to be out over a year ago in the stores". You can buy it for $350 in the store if you go buy a Wii though!

I mean it's good marketing strategy, VERY good, get all the lazy people to get Wii's, but it's still really shitty.

[Kelegacy]

Nintendo has gone batshit crazy.

[hallowedground0]

How easy will it be to obtain? From what online outlet will it be available? Will they even bother to produce enough cube versions to meet the initial demand when they are pushing their new console? I have a cube, but I'm not sure how much of a hassle I am willing to endure to get a copy of this game when there are other games calling my name on other systems that I CAN get at a brick and morter location.

[automaton]

Wait, you mean the ONLY place I can buy Geometry wars is from Microsoft online? I'm so fucking pissed. I want, no I NEED, I MUST FUCKING BE ABLE to drive to a store and buy it from a smiling cashier who asks me if I want a warranty on it. THE INJUSTICE!!!!!!!!!

It is not like Nintendo is cancelling it. You can still buy the game. Just think of it like it is an online game and your little sphincter will start to relax nicely.

[hallowedground0]

Can I download this game a la Geometry Wars onto my gamecube???? The hassle is the wait and the extra cost. Additionally how many copies will be produced for the gamecube? What are the chances that due to "limited" supply only a small amount will be available and to get the game many will have to "upgrade" to a Wii?

[Kamalot]

Frankly, I can't believe they would release Zelda for the GameCube at all. If they were smart, they would make it Wii only and force people to buy into their new console.

[Kamalot]

Nintendo has gone batshit crazy.
Nintendo is ALWAYS batshit crazy!

Who else drops out of the console race to make a Web-TV with a 3D remote control named Wii?

Batshit crazy is the way Nintendo rolls.

[thecrazyd]

Or, and the more likely, just not buy it at all.

Still, this is probably a smart move by Nintendo. Having the Gamecube version on store shelves alongside the Wii and looking identical really drives home the impression that the Wii is just a controller upgrade over the cube. People who see it may think "I'm not paying $250 just to get a fancy controller," yet they're still able to keep their promise to release the game for Gamecube owners.
Overall, yes it will cause less sales of the game. But it will cause more sales of the Wii version then there would have been if a GC version was present.

[archon]

So will Nintendo actually be selling anything in stores anymore?

[Kamalot]

Nintendo also stated that Electroplankton was only going to be sold online, yet it came to GameStop and Target.

Nintendo also announced that the Nintendo WiFi USB Adapter would only be sold online, yet it came to GameStop and Target.

Hmmm.

[51|RandoM]

Who else drops out of the console race to make a Web-TV with a 3D remote control named Wii?


Wonder how many bites you'll get with this bait? :p

[Ultima Thulian]

I wonder if the GC version will be a collectors' item? Doubt it, but it doesn make me think.

[Tyrant]

While it's certainly possible for Nintendo to suddenly tell B&M retailers that the game that they've been letting people preorder for the last little while will not be available, this would only cause an anger inducing ripple effect directed at those who already put down some money for the game. I can see why they would do it in terms of possibly cannibalizing the Wii version's sales, but at the same time, there's a larger potential audience(at the moment) with the GC.

[thecrazyd]

there's a larger potential audience(at the moment) with the GC.
But that is kinda irrelevant when they are really trying to push a new platform.

[Sparky]

The official answer is that for allocation purposes, Nintendo just isnt providing us with enough copies to go for a full retail push. We will still be providing them for the customers that reserved them up to the point we cut off this week, but we wont have much more than that and it will go all esales. I assume this is because they want to push the Wii version, which they are providing tons of copies for us. Of course, I haven't seen a Nintendo retail holiday yet that didn't have some sort of intentionally allocated software to drive demand closer to Xmas.

[AgtFox]

To me the smartest thing would be to just have one version (the Wii version), but allow people to play it with either the Wiimote or the GameCube controller. Then Nintendo satisfies both camps and might get people who have been waiting for this game on GameCube to get a Wii.

I'm not enthralled with the whole Wiimote only gameplay on this game. It is not a game that shows off the Wii because most of its development was spent on the GameCube.

[Spigot]

Hmm... I'll have to take a look to see if we Canucks are affected or not by this.

If we are, well, frankly, I'll just take my business elsewhere. EB gets enough of my money and I'm sure Wal-Mart or Future Shop will be happy to sell me a copy.

[cp#]

Hmm... I'll have to take a look to see if we Canucks are affected or not by this.

If we are, well, frankly, I'll just take my business elsewhere. EB gets enough of my money and I'm sure Wal-Mart or Future Shop will be happy to sell me a copy.

Usually US and Canada get the same dealio, it's that North American treatment, ya heard?

[Spigot]

Ah, but that's not always the case. We had our preorders shoved back a few days from the US's (for the PS3's and Wii's) and there are often times where the deals in the states don't synchronize with the ones up here.

I'll see how things go when I pick up my copy of Contact tomorrow. And so help me if Contact isn't in...

[menage]

Excuse me, but wasn't Ninty saying it really really really was going to come out for the Cube. Heck, that's the only reason for me to have the damn thing lying around. But hey, 4/5 titles worth owning in a consoles lifespan is more than enough. I just hope they can match that staggering number with wii.

(count em, metroid 1 and 2, zelda wind waker, maybe mario kart and resi 4).

I'm afraid to buy a wii alone based on their track record alone (for more adult titles), so no Zelda for me until the wii is in the safe zone.

[soco]

i so hope this isn't true. not that it matters, the last zelda game kinda sucked anyway, so i don't have so hopes anyway.

[Ultima Thulian]

i so hope this isn't true. not that it matters, the last zelda game kinda sucked anyway, so i don't have so hopes anyway.

Four Swords, Wind Waker, and the Minish Cap were all good I thought. Oh well.

[Gorvi]

Four Swords, Wind Waker, and the Minish Cap were all good I thought. Oh well.

Was 4 Swords any good without 4 people? I never got it because I knew I'd never get 4 people, 4 GBA's, and 4 cords all in the same place. I actually enjoyed Wind Waker, for as long as it lasted, but it seemed to be on the easy side. As far as the Minish Cap, I don't think that really counts, that was developed by Capcom if I remember correctly.

[Ultima Thulian]

Was 4 Swords any good without 4 people? I never got it because I knew I'd never get 4 people, 4 GBA's, and 4 cords all in the same place. I actually enjoyed Wind Waker, for as long as it lasted, but it seemed to be on the easy side. As far as the Minish Cap, I don't think that really counts, that was developed by Capcom if I remember correctly.

Four Swords is one the funnest multiplayer experiences you can have. I pray it gets a wii/ds remake. In single player, it's only ok. As for the cords/gbas, I had a friend with several brothers that had their own gbas. The game comes with one cord, and the cords are cheap (like anywhere from 5-11 dollars). I swear it's one of the best multiplayer games created. If it didn't have hardware restrictions and had online, it'd be near perfect multiplayer.

Wind Waker being easy? All zelda games are easy! Except for maybe the NES originals, but they're not that hard either.

Minish Cap was published by Nintendo, and developed by Capcom, but it does count as an "official" zelda game. Plus it's very very good.

[Snowcone]

I just received an official statement from Nintendo's PR team stating that earlier reports that the Gamecube version of Twilight Princess would not be coming to retail outlets in the US were false. The game will in fact be available at retail outlets nationwide on Dec. 13th.

http://www.snackbar-games.com/n2078.html

[Ultima Thulian]

I just received an official statement from Nintendo's PR team stating that earlier reports that the Gamecube version of Twilight Princess would not be coming to retail outlets in the US were false. The game will in fact be available at retail outlets nationwide on Dec. 13th.

http://www.snackbar-games.com/n2078.html

Great, thanks snowcone.