Editing GameCube (section)

=== Development ===
In May 1998, ArtX entered into a partnership with Nintendo to undertake the complete design of the system logic and graphics processor, codenamed "[[GameCube technical specifications|Flipper]]," for Nintendo's [[Sixth generation of video game consoles|sixth-generation video game console]].<ref name="Nintendo tweaks GC's specs" /> The console went through a series of codenames, including N2000,<ref name="It's Alive">{{Cite web |date=March 13, 1999 |title=It's Alive! |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/03/13/its-alive-3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619083314/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/03/13/its-alive-3 |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |access-date=June 25, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Star Cube, and Nintendo Advance.<ref name="Make Way">{{Cite news |date=August 21, 2000 |title=Make Way for the New |work=[[IGN]] |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/13/make-way-for-the-new-2 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010401065822/http://ign64.ign.com/news/23801.html |archive-date=April 1, 2001}}</ref> On May 12, 1999, Nintendo publicly announced the console during a press conference, giving it the codename "Dolphin" and positioning it as the successor to the Nintendo 64. This announcement also revealed strategic partnerships with IBM for the creation of Dolphin's PowerPC-based CPU, codenamed "Gekko," and with Panasonic (Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.) for the development of its DVD drive and other Dolphin-based devices.<ref name="A Dolphin's Tale" /><ref name="Nintendo press conference May 1999">{{Cite web |date=May 14, 1999 |title=Nintendo Press Conference Transcript |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/05/14/nintendo-press-conference-transcript |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619083319/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/05/14/nintendo-press-conference-transcript |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |access-date=June 25, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref name="Project Dolphin – IGN">{{Cite web |date=May 4, 1999 |title=Say Hello to Project Dolphin |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/05/05/say-hello-to-project-dolphin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619085404/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/05/05/say-hello-to-project-dolphin |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Following this announcement, Nintendo began providing development kits to game developers, including [[Rare (company)|Rare]] and [[Retro Studios]].<ref name="A Dolphin's Tale" />

In April 2000, ArtX was acquired by [[ATI Technologies|ATI]], whereupon the Flipper graphics processor design had already been mostly completed by ArtX and was not overtly influenced by ATI.<ref name="ATI discusses GC graphics" /><ref name="Nintendo tweaks GC's specs">{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Sam |date=June 6, 2001 |title=Nintendo Tweaks GameCube's Specs |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/nintendo-tweaks-gamecubes-specs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714185909/http://www.zdnet.com/news/nintendo-tweaks-gamecubes-specs/96454 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=June 25, 2014 |publisher=ZDnet}}</ref> In total, ArtX cofounder Greg Buchner recalled that their portion of the console's hardware design timeline had arced from inception in 1998 to completion in 2000.<ref name="ATI discusses GC graphics" /> Of the ArtX acquisition, an ATI spokesperson said, "ATI now becomes a major supplier to the game console market via Nintendo. The Dolphin platform is reputed to be king of the hill in terms of graphics and video performance with 128-bit architecture."<ref name="ATI snags dolphin">{{Cite web |date=February 16, 2000 |title=ATI Snags Dolphin Graphics Chip Designer |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/17/ati-snags-dolphin-graphics-chip-designer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613184916/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/17/ati-snags-dolphin-graphics-chip-designer |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |access-date=June 25, 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

The console was announced as the GameCube at a press conference in Japan on August 25, 2000,<ref name="GCN announced">{{Cite web |last=Satterfield |first=Shane |date=August 24, 2000 |title=Nintendo's GameCube Unveiled |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendos-gamecube-unveiled/1100-2619269/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905171950/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendos-gamecube-unveiled/1100-2619269/ |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |access-date=April 11, 2016 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> abbreviated as both "NGC" and "GC" in Japan<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2009 |title=First Quarter Financial Results Briefing Q & A |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/090731qa/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430173023/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/090731qa/index.html |archive-date=April 30, 2013 |access-date=June 18, 2010 |website=Investor Relations |publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=IGN Staff |date=December 13, 2000 |title=The Name Game |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/13/the-name-game |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531195711/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/13/the-name-game |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> and "GCN" in Europe and North America.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nintendo – Customer Service |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/nintendogamecube/trouble_sound.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207013545/https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/nintendogamecube/trouble_sound.jsp |archive-date=December 7, 2010 |access-date=April 23, 2011 |publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref> Nintendo unveiled its software lineup for the console at [[E3 2001]], focusing on fifteen launch games, including ''[[Luigi's Mansion]]'' and ''[[Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader]]''.<ref name="E3 2001 – GS">{{Cite web |last=Fielder |first=Lauren |date=May 16, 2001 |title=E3 2001: Nintendo Unleashes GameCube Software, a New Miyamoto Game, and More |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/e3-2001-nintendo-unleashes-gamecube-software-a-new-miyamoto-game-and-more-2761390 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> Several games originally scheduled to launch with the console were delayed.<ref name="Year One – Joystiq">{{Cite web |last=Hinkle |first=David |date=November 19, 2007 |title=Year One: GameCube vs. Wii |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/year-one-gamecube-vs-wii/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128054052/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/year-one-gamecube-vs-wii/ |archive-date=January 28, 2015 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |publisher=[[Joystiq]]}}</ref> It is also the first Nintendo home console since the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] not to have a ''[[Mario]]'' launch game.<ref name="E3 2001 – IGN">{{Cite web |last1=George |first1=Richard |last2=Thomas |first2=Lucas M. |date=May 9, 2011 |title=Nintendo's History at E3: 2001 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/05/10/nintendos-history-at-e3-2001?page=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904224452/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/05/10/nintendos-history-at-e3-2001?page=2 |archive-date=September 4, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

Long before the console's launch, Nintendo had developed and patented an early prototype of motion controls for the GameCube, with which developer [[Factor 5]] had experimented for its launch games.<ref name="Factor 5 GameCube motion">{{Cite web |date=July 28, 2007 |title=Factor 5 Worked with GameCube Motion Controller |url=http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/?v=news&p=15571 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927182302/http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/?v=news&p=15571 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=July 6, 2014 |publisher=Aussie Nintendo}}</ref><ref name="A Dolphin's Tale" /> Greg Thomas, Sega of America's VP of Development said, "What does worry me is Dolphin's sensory controllers [which are rumored to include microphones and headphone jacks] because there's an example of someone thinking about something different." These motion control concepts would not be deployed to consumers for several years, until the [[Wii Remote]].<ref name="A Dolphin's Tale" />

Prior to the GameCube's release, Nintendo focused resources on the launch of the [[Game Boy Advance]], a [[handheld game console]] and successor to the original [[Game Boy]] and [[Game Boy Color]]. As a result, several games originally destined for the Nintendo 64 console were postponed to become early releases on the GameCube. Concurrently, Nintendo was developing GameCube software provisioning future connectivity with the Game Boy Advance. Certain games, such as ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (video game)|Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles]]'', can use the handheld as a secondary screen and controller when connected to the console via a [[GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable|link cable]].<ref name="Months before GameCube – IGN">{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |date=November 11, 2011 |title=Before the GameCube Arrived |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/12/before-the-gamecube-arrived?page=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116122928/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/12/before-the-gamecube-arrived?page=1 |archive-date=November 16, 2014 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Peer |date=June 2, 2004 |title=The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/02/the-legend-of-zelda-four-swords-adventures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012030528/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/02/the-legend-of-zelda-four-swords-adventures |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

Nintendo began its marketing campaign with the catchphrase "The Nintendo Difference" at its E3 2001 reveal.<ref name="E3 2001 – GS" /> The goal was to distinguish itself from the competition as an entertainment company.<ref>{{Cite web |last=East |first=Thomas |date=May 29, 2012 |title=Classic E3 Moments: Nintendo Reveal GameCube in 2001 |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/38372/classic-e3-moments-nintendo-reveal-gamecube-in-2001/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008002602/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/38372/classic-e3-moments-nintendo-reveal-gamecube-in-2001/ |archive-date=October 8, 2014 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |publisher=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] UK}}</ref> Later advertisements have the slogan, "Born to Play", and game ads feature a rotating cube animation that morphs into a GameCube logo and end with a voice whispering, "GameCube".<ref name="Born to Play">{{Cite web |last=Trammel |first=David |date=September 3, 2001 |title=GameCube Slogan Revealed! |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/6408 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228235759/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/6408 |archive-date=February 28, 2012 |access-date=October 25, 2009 |publisher=Nintendo World Report}}</ref><ref name="Air Ride">{{Cite web |title=Kirby Air Ride |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/tv-spot-kirby-air/1831 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606043727/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/tv-spot-kirby-air/1831 |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |access-date=March 27, 2008 |publisher=[[GameTrailers]]}}</ref> On May 21, 2001, the console's launch price of {{USD|199}} was announced, {{USD|100|long=no}} lower than that of the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]].<ref name="gc199" /> Nintendo spent $76 million marketing the GameCube.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chmielewski |first=Dawn |date=October 9, 2001 |title=Nintendo's GameCube Debuts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97798350/york-daily-record/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319114750/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97798350/york-daily-record/ |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |access-date=March 19, 2022 |page=24 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |newspaper=[[York Daily Record]]}}</ref>

In September 2020, [[Nintendo data leak|leaked documents]] included Nintendo's plans for a GameCube model that would be both portable with a built-in display and dockable to a TV, similar to its later console the [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McFerran |first=Damien |date=September 3, 2020 |title=Turns Out Nintendo Was Thinking About a Switch-Style Device Back in the GameCube Era |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/turns_out_nintendo_was_thinking_about_a_switch-style_device_back_in_the_gamecube_era |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904014514/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/turns_out_nintendo_was_thinking_about_a_switch-style_device_back_in_the_gamecube_era |archive-date=September 4, 2020 |access-date=September 5, 2020 |website=NintendoLife}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Tyler |date=September 2, 2020 |title=Nintendo Leak Reveals Portable GameCube Console |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-gamecube-console-portable-leak/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903082136/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/nintendo-gamecube-console-portable-leak/ |archive-date=September 3, 2020 |access-date=September 5, 2020 |website=Comicbook.com}}</ref> Other leaks suggest plans for a GameCube successor, [[codename]]d Tako, with [[High-definition video|HD]] graphics and slots for [[SD card|SD]] and [[memory card]]s, apparently resulting from a partnership with ATI and scheduled for release in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=September 4, 2020 |title=Latest Nintendo Leaks Suggest Company Mulled Portable GameCube |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-04-latest-nintendo-leaks-suggest-company-mulled-portable-gamecube |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904153207/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-04-latest-nintendo-leaks-suggest-company-mulled-portable-gamecube |archive-date=September 4, 2020 |access-date=September 5, 2020 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref>