The NINTENDO GAMECUBE also represented the top video game launch of 2001, with initial hardware unit sales running more than twice that of the Microsoft Xbox, and even Nintendo's own wildly successful Game Boy Advance, which debuted in June. Many stores reported selling out of the hardware system in a matter of hours.
"Some 700,000 NINTENDO GAMECUBE hardware systems moved to retail locations in time for our launch, our largest first day supply ever," says Peter Main, executive vice president sales and marketing at Nintendo of America. "But right now it appears that none of them may be left by this weekend."
Nintendo of America has committed to shipping a total of 1.1 million hardware systems to retailers by Christmas.
The top-selling opening day software titles were those exclusive to Nintendo GameCube. Most popular (in order) were Nintendo's self-published Luigi's Mansion, followed by Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader from LucasArts Entertainment Company, and Nintendo's Wave Race: Blue Storm. Reorders are already underway to replenish all retail software supplies.
"NINTENDO GAMECUBE is the most exciting new entrant in the video game sector," says Joseph Spiegel of Spinner Asset Management. "Its lineup of exclusive software titles is fun and unique, and with a price tag $100 less than its competitors NINTENDO GAMECUBE is particularly attractive in the current economy. Consumers, whether 28 years old or the parents of an eight-year-old, can buy a system and two great games for less than the price of the competitions' hardware."
A dedicated game play system, NINTENDO GAMECUBE delivers new forms of interactive fun for players and offers the easiest development environment for game creators. The system's embedded memory, proprietary optical disc and innovative controller were designed to optimize the game play experience.
NINTENDO GAMECUBE is available in two colors: Jet (black) and Indigo (violet) for a suggested retail price of $199.95.