Editorial Review

This special Nintendo GameCube bundle includes four complete classic Zelda games on one disc: The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. The disc also includes a playable demo for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, a short retrospective history of the Zelda series, and gameplay footage highlights from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

Though it looks like a toy, don't be fooled: the Nintendo GameCube is a powerful video game console that rightly deserves its place among the other next-generation game systems. In fact, its playful, appealing design and small size (the unit is a not-quite-cubed 6 inches) aren't the only features that set it apart from the others.

For starters, Nintendo has quite clearly made this a game-only machine. It doesn't try to play your CD collection, run your movies, read your e-mail, or store your MP3 files. The company has concentrated its efforts on games. All the prelaunch titles we've seen play smoothly, with bright, fast graphics and great sound. Nintendo says its engineers have removed traditional bottlenecks that have, in the past, slowed down processing. New components designed by IBM and MoSys, as well as a large-capacity secondary memory cache, keep instructions moving through the system's microprocessor (MPU) at peak levels. In English: the GameCube is optimized to push speed up while pushing costs down; hence its position at the lower end of the price spectrum.

The GameCube is the first Nintendo video game system to use a disc-based medium rather than cartridges for its games. Moving the software to disc media generally means lower development costs for the publishers, which, in turn, trickles down to the consumer not only in price, but also in availability and quality, as it's then easier to try out untested game ideas (Pikmin, anyone?). While most other systems likewise have their games stored on discs, the GameCube's 3-inch format is smaller than everyone else's, and is so designed to fit in a shirt pocket as much as to deter would-be software pirates.

Of course, the main advantage of the GameCube is that it's the home field 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 play Nintendo games only on a Nintendo system. And Nintendo, you might recall, has been hitting them out of the park since it 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, Perfect Dark, Metroid, Kirby, and, of course, Pokémon. A few names that the GameCube will share with the other guys: Madden, Tony Hawk, Sonic, Batman, and Star Wars.

The system also comes with four built-in controller ports, so you can easily plug in extra controllers and let friends join in for the multiplayer games--it's even got a built-in handle so you can easily move it to a friend's house. It comes with two memory card slots for saving your progress through games, and there's the capacity for future expansion into the world of online gaming.

In short, the GameCube isn't an all-in-one entertainment system, and neither is it the most powerful of the modern video game consoles. But for video game enthusiasts who want to stick with their favorite characters, its value cannot be beat. --Porter B. Hall

Unit Specifications

• MPU (Microprocessor Unit): 485 MHz custom IBM PowerPC Gekko
• Graphics Processor: 162 MHz custom ATI/Nintendo Flipper
• Texture-Read Bandwidth: 10.4 GB per second (peak)
• Main Memory Bandwidth: 2.6 GB per second (peak)
• Pixel Depth: 24-bit color, 24-bit Z buffer
• Sound Processor: 81 MHz custom Macronix 16-bit DSP
• Sound Performance: 64 simultaneous channels, ADPCM encoding
• Polygon Performance: 6 to 12 million polygons per second (peak)
• System Memory: 40 MB
• Main Memory: 24 MB MoSys 1T-SRAM
• Disc Drive: 128 ms CAV (Constant Angular Velocity) system
• Data Transfer Speed: 16 Mbps to 25 Mbps
• Media: 3-inch, 1.5 GB capacity disc
• Controller Ports: Four
• Memory Card Slots: Two
• Audio-Video Output: Analog and digital
• Dimensions: 4.3 by 5.9 by 6.3 inches (height by width by depth)

Reviews (107)

Essential
For any Gamecube gamer this memory card is essential. I do not understand why Nintendo waited so long to create a bigger memory card than the 59, which is all but useless now.

A must buy for any serious gamer.

Yes!
If you have another, sell it and buy this (Unless, of course, you have the 1019). I have the 59, and it fills up way too fast. Third-party companies DO NOT completely understand how memory is stored, so it will get corrupted. Buy this.

Features

• Duke it out in new duel, traditional, or everyone-vs.-Bowser minigames
• Compete against the Koopa Kid Brigade, a trio of Koopas who take their turns simultaneously
• For 1 to 4 players
• Four player party game featuring multiple game boards and minigames
• Change the location of events on the game board to get a leg up on your competition

Reviews (134)

good but gets boring too fast

Mario Party 5 is fun a couple of hours but gets boring too fast because there's not so much to do. Almost no extra modes or new characters. I really hope this series ends soon because each new game is the same.

It's an all-out bash!
The superstars of the Mushroom Kingdom are partying again! Grab your friends and join in the madness as you battle across all-new game boards in a race to collect the most stars. Brand new mini-games, including one-on-one duels and everyone-vs.-Bowser brawls, as well as mini-game tournaments, a decathlon event, and much more make this a party you just can't miss! I like it!

More than 70 all-new mini-games!

Features

• Kart racing game for 1-8 players featuring classic Nintendo characters
• Pick a partner and race through wild courses as you compete in tough circuits
• Choose from a huge cast: Luigi, Peach, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Wario, and many more
• Link the game with eight other players using a broadband adapter and race each other
• Bonus disc includes 6 playable demos and 7 mini-movies

Reviews (138)

It's not the 64 one but it's still great racing
In my opinion Mario Kart are one of the better racers, besides Need for Speed. I like the hyper-realism of something like Gran Turismo or Midnight Club 3 but it's kind of boring cause you just race period. Mario Kart has gameplay elements that actually make you interested in the race. It feels slightly slower than the 64 version but it still looks great.

Story: No story literally. Basically you have racers that want that gold cup and go through different race sets to do it. Old favorites return like Rainbow Road which looks more stunning than the old one and some new ones.

Graphics: Very nicely detailed. Areas like Rainbow Road are simply great to watch but then you have to actually watch the road. Others look rather bland like souped up 64 versions instead of complete overhauls.

Sound/Music: Traditional voice one-liners like "let's-a go!" or "Yoshi!". The music has that nice bubbly catchy music but it's not catchy. What the?

Gameplay: The big change from 64 to Double Dash is right in the name: you have 2 racers per kart now. So Mario is teamed with Luigi, Peach is with Daisy(Luigi's chick I guess), and Baby Mario with Baby Luigi and others.

If you get a red homing shell but don't wanna use it, move your guy to the back and get something else until you need it. The specials are roughly the same with the backwards ? which derails you, homing red shells, ever-travelling green shells, awesome-but-inexplicable blue ones(I have no idea how they work, I just fire them).

Courses in a way are a little complicated than in the past. You'll be bumping into walls a lot and even falling into pits/water which is incredibly frustrating especially when it's such a sharp curve with very little turning room.

There's plenty of secrets to be found and shortcuts that you can explore but this game as usual best works with multiplayer which you'll get your fun's worth in bucket loads.

Good Karting Game
I actually liked N64's version better, but this one I like too.

Features

• Revived marriage system, the ability to raise a child
• 6 chapters of your life spanning 30 years
• For 1 player
• Build and run a farm while building and living a successful life
• A brand new Harvest Moon world with 40 new characters

Reviews (229)

Harvest Moon - A glimpse of days gone by
I have been a fan of Harvest Moon for several Years and the latest installment for the GameCube is by far the best graphically. Anyone familiar with earlier versions for the Gameboy or Nintendo 64, will recall a world revolving around a much simpler lifestyle. Individuals actually own their own businesses, produce goods and trade among themselves. There is no global economy or corporate mentality here. Satisfaction is derived from growing your own crops and trading with your neighbors. Money is saved, and houses expanded as cash allows. Life is good. While Harvest Moon, Friends of Mineral Town for the Gameboy Advance strays little from the tried and true gameplay of previous versions, Harvest Moon, It's a Wonderful Life places slightly more emphasis on building relationships with the villagers. Days also fly by much quicker in Friends of Mineral Town, where an entire day can be spent rather quickly just tending to your crops. In a Wonderful life, however, I have been able to milk the cow, water the existing crops, buy additional seed and plant it, all before lunch. This leaves more time to spend in town. It should be noted that the primary character in the current version of both games is male and is expected to woo and take a wife within a prescribed amount of time. This aspect of the gameplay will alienate female gamers to a certain extent. However, this July, Natsume is releasing versions of both games with female lead characters. Harvest Moon, More Friends of Mineral Town and Another Wonderful LIfe will be aimed at girls. Both games are already listed on Amazon and available for pre-order.

A wonderful 2nd life
i am writing while eating popcorn so escuse any errors. i am 12 years old and this game is like a 2nd life to me. i got for my b-day this year(2005).My birthday is on may 15 and my grandma died the morning on may 15 2005. we were going to go to church together.i stayed in my room all day playing Harvest Moon A Wonderful Life.It kept me calm and made stop crying. it made feel better. Now ive been hooked on it ever since i named my person after my grandma.every time i play it reminds me of her. i dont know what i wouldve done without Harvest Moon.:)

Features

• Allows the Game Boy Advance system to be used as a supplemental game screen or input device
• Exchange data or unlock new game levels
• See game packaging and instruction booklets for what features are activated when using this link cable
• Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance software packaging will indicate if this feature is available
• Allows you to connect your Game Boy Advance System to the Nintendo GameCube

Reviews (46)

Its ok but useful in some games
This is ok but it is only great for some games I warn you do not get this expecting you can play some games on the gamecube the only thing that can do that is an gameboy player for the gamecube but the only problem is that they did not put out any new colors for it but really the black goes well with the platinum gamecube and the black gamecube ofcourse but the Indigo one is hhorrible looking but if it is like in a dark spot on your floor or where ever you put it will look ok. I dont even know that it is there because it is dark in the spot in my room so it is good but the point is that the pokemon colossum game is going to need it and other games also so dont rush your self to get it untill a game comes out that needs it.

This Nintendo Gamecube/Game Boy Advance cable rules!
I really like this cable. My dad bought it for me when I first got the GameCube, and it's totally effective. It's real easy to install, and give you a whole lot of specials for your 'Cube and GBA. I have 3 GBA compatible GameCube games. For Hot Wheels Velocity X, you get more cars, for NASCAR Thunder 2003, you can use your GBA to manage the data of your car, and you can go to Animal Island when you hook up the GBA to Animal Crossing! You can also use this to hook up to GBA SP and E-Reader. I hope you purchase this accessory for pure GCN/GBA link-up action!

It's required.
Basically, this will be required for Pokemon Colosseum, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles.

It significantly enhances the gameplay of Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, and likely will do the same to next Zelda game (which won't be coming out for quite a while).

If you plan on buying either of the first two games, buy this.If you want to add 1 and a half-player functionality (rather than 1-player) to Zelda, buy this.

Otherwise don't.

By the way...

IT IS NOT A GBA PLAYER.YOU CANNOT PLAY GBA GAMES ON YOUR CUBE WITH THIS.

Features

• The game's par-3 course--Congo Canopy --is set in the treetops of Donkey Kong's home turf
• Win trophies and badges for excelling on particular holes
• For 1 to 4 players
• Carefully select your club and choose the optimal contact point and trajectory
• Comes with conventional (if spectacularly beautiful) courses set amid mountains, rolling hills and more

Reviews (55)

goood game
this is a great game but it is very hard to win it has great graghics it is a must get of amazon and cheap to

Good game, but not as good as Mario Golf 64
It's still a good golf game, but I guess it's just the little things that made it kind of disappointing. It was nothing that really matters, but little features that were just nice to have in MG64. Like in MG64 you could choose between different colors for your characters and it just added variety, not to mention two players could choose the same character and just use different colors, where as in MGTT you can't do either of those. Also in my opinion MG64 had better characters, and if I'm not mistaken, more. I could be though, I haven't played that game in a really long time seeing as my N64 broke a long time ago. MG64 had better music too, it was more relaxing in that game. Most of the courses also aren't really as fun in this game as the other one, but I can't really point out what I don't seem to like. But like I said, none of those changes are a huge deal, but it was enough where it didn't keep me entertained for as long as a game normally does.

Editorial Review

Resident Evil, the game that is often credited with starting the survival-horror genre, is being reinvented for the GameCube. For those unfamiliar with the series, a mysterious corporation has secretly been performing ungodly biotech experiments in the sleepy little town of Raccoon City. When reports of gory attacks come in from nearby areas, two crack military squads are sent to investigate. Players take the role of either sharpshooter Chris Redfield or demolitions expert Jill Valentine to track down the source of the town's problems--specifically, something in a decaying mansion that's mutating animals into grotesque killers and turning humans into bloodthirsty zombies. Supplies and ammunition are scarce, so players have to know when to fight, when to run, and how to keep their wits about them. Players can't afford to waste their shots and expect their characters to survive.

Editorial Review

Normally, Nintendo contract players such as Mario, Pikachu, Link, DonkeyKong, Bowser, and Kirby are generally happy and well-mannered, but in SuperSmash Bros. Melee, the pleasantries get thrown out and the gloves (exceptfor Mario's) come off. This update of the N64 favorite features these and othervideo game icons in furious, yet utterly absurd fisticuffs that usually make fora smashing good time. Just make sure you have at least one human opponent topound on.

Starting off with 14 characters (an additional 11 are waiting to be unlocked),the game has a pretty standard premise--let Nintendo's stars beat on each otheruntil the timer runs out. However, a lot of emphasis is put on knockingopponents off ledges while avoiding the same fate. In typical Nintendo manner,there are quite a few power-ups to assist you in the melee. The actual combatisn't as intricate as in other fighting games; however, the ultra-cartoonylayout of the many, many arenas sometimes adds a strategic element not usuallyfound in similar titles.

Super Smash Bros. Melee's strength lays in the mayhem created infour-player fights. The camera does an excellent job of positioning itself so allcombatants are constantly visible. Also, Melee sports some of the bestvisuals seen in a Nintendo product. All the characters are highly detailed, andthe movements of each are smoothly infused with personality. Donkey Kong lumbersand Princess Peach fights with grace.

As the multiplayer mode is the key reason for this game's existence, thesingle-player mode is decidedly weak. The game features an adventure mode that playssomewhat like an old-school, side-scrolling Mario game. Sadly, despite its goodlooks, its gameplay is rather uninspired. This game is clearly at its best whenthere are two or more players with controllers in their hands. --MarkBrooks

Pros:

• Fantastic graphics and sound keep the action upbeat
• Many new characters and other goodies to unlock

• Single-player experience is comparatively weak
• Too cute for a few folks
• Adventure mode is boring

Editorial Review

The Sims has much in common with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater: There's a great emphasis trial and error, it encourages personalized solutions to problems, and overall success comes down to both balance and timing. Also, like the Tony Hawk games, The Sims is a very addictive game.

Players micromanage the lives of a family of virtual people and influence the outcome of their lives, be it success or something akin to a nervous breakdown. The bestselling PC version of the game has, in recent years, been upgraded with elements like parties, pets, and vacations, but this iteration is closer to the basic formula.

You start the game living with Mom in a one-story suburban house. You are immediately presented with certain life tasks, such as fixing the TV and making lunch, which are aligned with the skills you'll need for the game's main challenge--keeping your sims in balance on eight conflicting categories. For example, eating will have an impact on your sim's hunger rating, but it will also impact his bladder rating. You'll have to make sure that he keeps himself and the house clean, that he sleeps to restore his energy, and that he also has time to keep himself entertained. The free will option lets your sims coast a bit, and you can also save time by stacking tasks together. Time passes at the rate of about one minute per second in the game, but you can fast-forward sim time when you need to, such as when they're sleeping.

The controls are justifiably complex, but adjusting to them is not difficult. You see your sims from an overhead perspective that you can both rotate and zoom. You direct their actions by moving a line cursor to where you want them to go or to what object or person with which you want them to interact.

The game is surprisingly funny. Neglect your sims and they'll shout and wave their arms to get your attention. Allow one's energy to get too low and he or she will likely collapse and sleep right where they were standing. When that happens, Mom is likely to serve them dinner on the floor.

Gamers may find that it takes a while to get the hang of The Sims' style and control scheme. Stick with it and you may find real time fast-forwarding by. --Porter B. Hall --The text of this review refers to the PlayStation2 version of the game.

Pros:

• Interesting, open-ended gameplay
• Lots of quirky humor
• Two-player split-screen option

• Can be frustrating for those unfamiliar with strategy games
• Controls take some getting used to
• Long save times

Features

• Hatch eggs to uncover amazing animal allies who help you on your quest
• Challenge your friends in a four-player Battle mode featuring three unique types of gameplay
• For 1-4 players
• Help Billy Hatcher bring daylight to Morning Land in this adventure game
• Explore vast territories featuring worlds made of water, fire, ice, wind, and more

Reviews (24)

Great for ALL Ages!
This is one of the most original games in ages. Play Billy Hatcher in a chicken suit rolling eggs through mazes and hatching eggs to free the Elder Chickens or morning will never return to the world. It sounds incredibly corny but it's amazingly cute and the music is very catchy.

One mode of play (described above) is Story Mode and there is also a multi-player battle mode. The only thing I wish it had was a cooperative multi-player mode and this is the only reason I did not give it 5-stars overall.

This is not a "button masher" and is good even for small children that don't read yet. If they can't read someone will need to help them out until they learn the controls but after that it's just non-stop fun!

This game is awsome!
This game is awesome! You wouldn't know 'cuz I'm billy's #1 fan! Sonic is in it, it's a two-player, and my sister and I play it all the time. Cute characters. This game is the best!

Features

• Customise visual effects through stylish and visionary moves
• From the makers of Steel Battalion, Devil May Cry and Resident Evil
• For 1 player
• Innovative platform game action
• Vividly comic cartoon-style visuals

Reviews (134)

2D gaming - great!
I'm glad to see that a "2dish" game is around for us that miss the 16-bit days when "Final Fight" and "Streets of Rage" ruled consoles. I bought this game for $20 (not worth more) and played it enough but simply stopped after a while. It's not that the game is difficult, it just doesn't "keep" grabbing my interest. I'm sure I'll play the game again but if I had to compare its replayability against a game such as the Wind Waker, Viewtiful Joe would lose. If I had to compare it to Luigi's Mansion, Viewtiful Joe would win.

Viewtiful.
Viewtiful Joe is a fresh experience that gives a major overhaul on the 2d side-scrolling fighting/platformer genre - one that many gamers have craved for since the bombardment of generic titles with bucket-loads of blood and neon-underlights.

The game runs a movie motif, and this theme is carried out consistently throughout the game. It's also the backbone of Joe's 3 VFX abilities (slow, mach speed, zoom) which are used throughout the game for puzzles, platforming and fighting. Amazingly none of these areas feel half-baked; Capcom have worked hard to provide a cool experience in all genres. While the fighting scenes seem extremely stylish and complex, it is actually simple to pull off; a testament of VJ's tight, intuitive and responsive controls.

VJ features an excellent graphical style reminiscent of a full-motion comic, catchy music and most importantly - rewarding game play concepts that encourages the player to be creative.


Viewtiful Joe is a must-have for your cube collection. Henshin-a-go-go!

phylot89

Features

• Traverse a crippled spaceship and explore the vast worlds of Tallon IV in an all-new first-person perspective!
• Take advantage of Samus's many powers using new suits that enable her to gain new abilities and revisit earlier worlds to uncover many hidden secrets.
• Master Samus's combat, scan, and visors -- elements crucial to your success.
• Explore each area to find many familiar weapons, such as the Wave Beam and Freeze Beam, and some all-new ones as well.

Reviews (584)

bore me to death
...ok so heres the idea of the game....take an action genre such as first person shooter..thats typicaly fulled of action and fun...and instead make it incredibly boring...but give the consumer lots of needless information like "this plant is the jugahuga plant"..I DONT CARE!!

this game bores meeee the boss fight where u were runnign around it was pretty fun but thats the only action in the game...the world was beautiful and everythign was beautiful...but i didnt 'click' with this world... it just felt like i was looking at a pretty moving picture....kind of the equivalent of watching somebody else playing.......then again i like watching my friends play games..but..just not this one...

MYSTIC
If you have played Metroid 3 on the Super NES, and loved it like i did this is a must have it have the exact same feeling as that game hade that mystic fantastic feeling. And this game plays on almost the same way you have to go round and discovering new stuff and its very fun and exciting. This is proboblyone of the best adventure games ever, and the graphic is fantastic every thing looks great and the soundtrack is one of the best ever if i culd find this on CD i whuld buy it, thats how good it is very deep and mystic. So this is a must buy for anyone with a Gamecube, to tell you the truth i bought my Cube yust so i culd play this fantastic game, after that i have bought many ather great game so it was well worth it.

And after you have played through it, andyou whant more i strongly recomend you to buy the Metroid Prime 2.

Editorial Review

Features

• Colorful 3D battlefield
• Unleash awesome special moves and visually stunning combo attacks
• For 1 player
• Follow Yugi and his friends as they strive to escape from the sinister virtual world
• Set your favorite TV characters against one another in exciting 3-on-3 monster team battles

Reviews (97)

Goes Nowhere
At first this game is loads of fun, battling and building strength and special attacks. You start as Yugi, battling in the Falsebound Kingdom, a computer generated game. If you beat the first round, then you have the option as playing as Seto Kaiba. If you beat that round, you then have the option to play as Joey. However, after that, the game goes nowhere. there is no ending. You just keep playing. There's just no point. Don't waste your money. Unless you found it at a garage sale for 5 bucks. Then it might be worth it.

One of the best Yugioh games
This game is lots of fun! I rented it at Hollywood Video and thought it would be dumb like Duelists of the Roses. But it turned out to be great!

Features

• Seven exciting modes of play including Arcade, Vs, Time Attack, Survival, Team Battle, and Weapon Master
• Includes Link as nique special guest fighter
• For 1 or 2 players
• 3-D one-on-one fighting game
• 13 historic fighters plus all new combatants including Necrid, specially designed by Todd McFarlane Productions

Reviews (155)

Too many half naked chicks.
The only downside to this game is the chicks. Mostly all of them are half naked and disguisting, every movement you can see up their skirts and its gross.

But ignore that and you have the boys. The most gorgeous bishonen they have is Nightmare, one of his nipples is even an eye and with long blond hair is the ultimate fighter of the gae carrying around a giant sword (and I mean a weapon lol).

Their are extras which makes the game even more fun, a map to take your character through the world of Soul Calibur and opening new costumes (mostly only for the girls though grr..) and information, as well as new weapons and other things.

I bought the Gamecube version to use Link from the original Nintendo 64. But Soul Calibur 3 will only be on PS3 only.

MAXI
I LOVE THIS GAME.NOBODY CAN TOUCH ME.I CAN KILL ANYBODY WITH MAXI.MAXI IS THE MAN.THE FIRST TIME I PLAYED WITH MAXI I KILLED EVERYONE.WITH MAXI'S FAST NUNCHAKU,I CAN KILL ANYBODY

Features

• Unlock 100 new objects and social moves
• Several new careers including gangster and mad scientist
• For 1 or 2 players
• Create a character and play through over a dozen unlockable levels
• Explore new locations in your car or scooter

Reviews (32)

good begining, bad end
I loved it when I frist got it but when I finshed it I was so upset! WARNING dont be fooled by the first part!

The Sims: Bustin' Out! Amazon.Com Review
Hello, and welcome to my review of The Sims: Bustin' Out! I have recently purchased this game, which is also my first Sims game (second if you count the awful SimCity3000) and, although many kids my age describe it as "incredbly kool u will luv it," whatever that means, I must say that this game is incredibly cool; you will love it. Let's begin with some of the things that make the game so incredible.

The first thing that I will talk about is the Story Mode; entitled "Bust Out" in the game. Here you attempt to complete a large amount of goals to keep you busy. Or, if you're like me, as long as you make sure that you feed your Sim and keep him or her clean and happy, you can stay at Mom's house all the time and make all your money via the Great Big Adventure Japanese Arcade Cabinet (unlocked by connecting a Game Boy Advance to the GameCube and turning on the GBA). Explore tons of new locations like Dudley's Trailer, the slob's home, Mimi's Place, the cranky yet playful female's abode, Clubb Rubb, the hit dance club, and the Casa Caliente, the house of romance, in this gigantic GCN title.

Now, let's talk about creating Sims. The female's customization is very limited and even the largest female body size is set to go with America's unnaturally thin standards of beauty. Also, most of the females' clothes available show way too much skin. The male customization is very good, however, and even though they are still unnaturally thin, the accesories and clothing rock.

Now, for free play mode. I have only attempted this "family creator" once before, and gave up when my best attempt ended up looking like a man in drag. However, you can create adult and kid Sims and make the adults fall in love with one of the four Tutti boys or the four Tutti girls.

Now, onto the subject of decorating the houses. The tools are very easy to use and you can have your house looking like something out of a Martha Stewart catalog, something out of her prison cell, or anything you wish quick as a flash. Wall in your yards leaving a couple of easy entances and install burglar alarms on the outdoor walls to keep those cat burglars out of your house for good!

Now, for the other Sims. They seem to have a fairly wide variety of likeable Sims to befriend, although that annoying Vaugn Braugn won't let the SimDay go by without knocking on my door three times and staying for hours until he eventually leaves. He's not the only bad Sim, though. Oh, no. There are three bad Sims to keep out. The first one, the cat burglar, can only be stopped by burglar alarms. The second one, the social worker, will come and take your baby away if it cries for over a SimHour (One minute in real time) twice. Forget greeting her and opening the door; she barges in and takes it! The third and final Bad Sim, the Reaper, will restart you back at your last save point or delete your save file (I'm not sure which) if your Sim's hunger drops too low or they get severely burned/electrocuted by cooking/fixing appliances with low experience. To prevent: Simply keep your Sim well fed and makesure that they have at least one skill point in that job.

Now, for content. For some sexual material, don't buy this for anyone nine and under. Parents, don't worry. The reproductive cycle is not shown. Your spousal Sim will simply ask you if you want a kid after a passionate kiss. Say yes, and the screen goes black fo a second, then there is a tiny baby Sim living with you. It'll take three days to raise it to a kid. Three social worker-free days. After that, all you have to worry about is making sure that the kid gets good grades, or else, hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to military school we go!

Now, is this game right for <person>? This game takes a lot of patience and planning, so impatient people who leap before they look are out. The game also requires you to deal with things, so kids who like to scream at things that they're angry about will be yelling curses at the "Game Over" Reaper or the Social Worker for weeks.

Pros
Excellent radio music. The Smooth Jazz station is the best in my opinion.
Being able to fine-tune your Sim's personality is cool.
Great graphics.
Excellent gameplay.
Controls can be learned in ten minutes with the help of the manual.
Mosaics on all nudity. This is a must for when you accidentally scroll into the bathroom and see Mama Sim in the tub.

Cons
Takes up 161 blocks of memory (a standard $20.00 card only has 251, and third-party cards cause defects).
Eats up your time before you can say "Simoleon!"
Friendships decrease quickly; try to call everyone once per day to make sure that you maintain a steady relationship.
Takes a ton of patience.

All in all, five stars! To get the most of your SimTime, I reccomend buying a Memory Card 251, the official Prima Bustin' Out strategy guide, and perhaps a GBA-GCN link cable and the GBA version of the game.

Game rated T for Teen (13+) by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) for Crude Humor, Mild Violence, and Mature Sexual Themes.

Features

• Lets you play all your Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance games on your TV through the GameCube
• Player fits snugly to the bottom of the GCN for easy set up
• Plays over 1200 games, so bring out your old favorites or see games like Castlevania on the big screen
• Take your pick of a regular GCN controller or go wireless with the WaveBird
• Connect to other Game Boy systems with the appropriate cable using the External Extension Conner for multiplayer fun

Reviews (115)

Can't See It?Take it to the Big Screen!
The Game Boy Player can be a great piece of hardware.There are a lot of games out there that, while designed for the small screen, require a lot of time and attention to detail, which can become a pain when playing on such a tiny screen.The Game Boy Player solves that problem, letting you convert any game from the countless library of Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles to a bigger screen.The graphics obviously aren't going to improve (they usually look the same as on the GBA), but the bigger image saves the trouble of straining your eyes to make sure you didn't miss anything.

Of course, this is the only real advantage in having a Game Boy Player.It's really not an essential piece of equipment in the gaming experience; if you have no real interest in playing Game Boy games on a bigger screen, the money would be better used on something else.

Saves on Batteries
I don't consider myself a gamer but I do play more than I should. With that said I am very happy with this purchase. It has brought new life to my older games.

Features

• Includes all the elements from the Rogue Leader game
• Cinematic realism
• For 1 to 4 players
• You are the Jedi that can save the Rebels and defeat the Empire
• Battle using 5 different vehicles and animals from the Star Wars series

Reviews (96)

The force is strong with this one, but where is darth vader?
ok. Before reading this review i just want to say Star Wars RULES!!! now, When I first got this game i was really impresed by the opening when you see Darth Vader, Luke, Leia, Han solo, Chewie and the droids dancing disco! Well, this isnt what i came to tell you.
First of all, this game has awesome graphics, exelent gameplay, variety(foot missions and ship missions), good cutscenes (at the end of most missions you see our good friend Darth Vader talking with Palpatine) and a good two player mode.
This game has two campains as you might have read in other reviews, Luke's and Wedge's. at the begining of the game you are at yavin-4 a day after the death starI was destroyed and you have to kill many transport and go into a temple. At the end of the game you are at Endor as Chewie and then as Han to go destroy the shield generator wich protects the death starII. The extra missions, i don't want to give away what happens in them... In Wedge's campain you mostly use ships like the x-wing, Y-wing, Tie-hunter but the most impresive, Jedi Starfighter. In this Campain you also use the well known walker. Then in Lukes campain you also go in ships as well as in foot. But what really impressed me was that there are two campains were you actually use a lightsaver, one in Dagobah and one in the sarlac pit were you slice and dice many aliens, but unfortunately, no fighting with darth vader...
Another cool feature is the two player mode. Co-op mode takes you through the most exiting battles of the star wars trilogy, i mean all of Rouge leaders levels. Then you get the vs mode. its cool to shoot with a naboo starfighter a jedi-starfighter in the middle of an asteroid field.
Another cool extra is the original arcade wich you can unlock and play. They have bad graphics but are really exiting.

In conclusion, This game is really good soecially if you are a star wars fan. But as i told you, you dont get to fight darth vader(thats why it lost a point). I really recomend it, specially to play it with a friend.
May the force be with you...

An okay game
This game is pretty good.The graphics are good and the controls are easy to use.The gameplay on flight missions is incredible and you can sit in the cockpit. The gameplay on the ground is okay. When you move it's almost like your a stick figure and it takes forever to kill people. But the controls are easy to use. The one bad part is you can only use a lightsaber on 2 levels. The game also includes bonus levels including a endurance level where you face people until you die. You can face Boba Fett on this level. Overall a good game. You get your money's worth.

Editorial Review

The Legend of Zelda series practically defined adventure gaming for an entire generation. Link, the hero of the adventure games, delighted millions by starring in games for each Nintendo console from the NES and Super NES to the Nintendo 64. Link brings this beloved franchise to the Nintendo GameCube in The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and he's more animated than ever.

The first thing you'll notice about The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker is that it looks completely different from any previous title in the franchise. Nintendo has opted to use cel-shading technology on Wind Waker; the result is that the game looks like a cartoon. Die-hard Zelda purists initially howled at this change, arguing that the game skews too young. I think it's fantastic. The cartoon animation style allows for better expression of the characters, and several of the animations--like Link trying to pick up an object that's too heavy--are so cute that you can't help but laugh a little.

The second thing you’ll notice is a focus on wind. Instead of trotting around on foot, Link travels from island to island on a talking boat, but he doesn't get far without the wind blowing in right direction. Luckily, you'll learn how to change the direction of the wind early in the game, and you'll do so frequently--not only to power your boat but also to solve puzzles. Clever use of wind makes Wind Waker stand out from more conventional adventure games.

The third thing you’ll notice is that the game is just plain fun. Puzzles are innovative and refreshing, and despite some tricky puzzles, I never felt too frustrated to keep playing. The locales you'll visit are invariably exotic and fun to explore, and the host of bizarre creatures you'll encounter (friendly and otherwise) are always a kick in the pants. Moreover, though the look is radically different, Wind Waker feels like a classic Zelda game. Veterans of the early games in the franchise will experience more than a bit of nostalgia while playing it.

The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker is everything you've come to expect from a Zelda game, and it's one of the best adventure games to date. This is a must-have title for any GameCube owner. --Jon "Safety Monkey" Grover

Pros:

• New cel-shaded animation looks great
• Puzzles and characters are a lot of fun
• There's a special place in the heart of any gamer who's ever owned a Nintendo console, and that place is shaped like a Triforce

Cons:

• Some Zelda purists may be turned off by the cartoon look