The weekly roundup of everything Gamecube.

Hello, and welcome to another edition of the Digest. It has of course been two weeks since the last edition- needless to say, there is plenty to get through this week. Better get started then...

Firstly, the March games avalanche has finally hit European shores- the divine trinity of Final Fantasy, Harvest Moon and Metal Gear Solid are all either released or set for launch in the next few days. All three are essential, you know. Easter is coming quickly on the horizon, too, and Nintendo are quick on the button with a rather tasty promotion. The snappily-titled 'Nintendo 10 Million Giveaway' is to centre on the company's two main products- the GBA SP and the GameCube, and focuses on those who have yet to purchase either or both of the consoles. Here's the deal, then: Anybody who purchases a Nintendo GameCube or Game Boy Advance SP between 2nd � 25th April 2004, will receive a booklet of money-off vouchers worth �250.

With the booklet of money off vouchers, you can save from �5 to �10 on titles such as Soul Calibur II, Mario Party 5 and Metroid Fusion. For anyone who purchases a Game Boy Advance SP, they will be entitled to save �20 on a Nintendo GameCube. Similarly, those who purchase a Nintendo GameCube will be entitled to the same discount on the purchase of a Game Boy Advance SP. Hardware and software can be purchased up to the 30th June 2004 and all vouchers can be redeemed up to the 31st July 2004.

A 'heavyweight' national press, online and radio advertising campaign will support the promotion throughout April. Heavyweight? We look forward to it. Still, sound's like a good idea. In more price-cutting news, the Player's Choice budget range is to be further expanded in the United States, with several new titles becoming cheap-ified.

The superb F-Zero GX will drop in price to $19.99 which is approximately �11 or E16. Meanwhile Wario World and Mario Golf: Toadstool's Tour will be selling for $29.99, which is roughly �16 or E24. Metroid Prime which was already in the Player's Choice range will be reduced further in price to $19.99 which is roughly �11 or E16. All new prices will take effect on April 29th in America. The moral of the story? Get importing! The initial outlay of a Freeloader is nothing, given the money you'll save�(Even full-price titles save you quite a bit on the European equivalent price) It's been a while since our previously regular 'heart-warming Nintendo sales slot', so here goes...

During the month of February this year, two games exclusive to Nintendo consoles have taken the number 1 and number 3 spots in the console all formats sales charts in the U.S. The Square-Enix developed Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles held the number one spot, while Metroid Zero Mission took hold of number three.

Furthermore, console sales are up 46% on the same period last year. Most retailers have, in fact, completely sold out of GameCubes as demand far exceeded supply in the months following an impressive Christmas over the water...

Back to reality, next.

During the last fortnight or so there has been the usual mix of rumour, sniping, conjecture and speculation regarding all things Nintendo. We had the usual 'expert analyst' report on how Nintendo have lost the next console war before it's even started. We've also seen some fascinating and convincing, although as yet unconfirmed, details on the forthcoming Nintendo DS specifications. Apparently- and we really are stressing that there remains a good possibility that this isn't true- the console will feature a touch-screen interface, wireless functionality (that one is definitely true) among others. According to the supposedly leaked document from Nintendo HQ, The DS Portable will have two processors; an ARM 9 running at 67 MHz and a ARM 7 sub-processor clocking in at 33MHz; a main memory of 4 MB; it will be capable of over 250,000 colours; 120,000 polygons per second in 3D; A pixel count of 30 million per second. Also, it will be featuring a touch-screen interface.

The A, B, L, R, "Start" and "Select" buttons typical of the Nintendo Game Boy Advance are also in. The possibility of also putting in "X" and "Y" buttons is also mentioned. We at Cube-Europe are wary of this, especially considering Nintendo won't comment on the 'leaking', but it's authenticity seems quite convincing. All will be revealed, officially, soon. What this means of course, is that the DS looks like an N64 in a handheld. If it's capable of rudimentary 3D like that console, then there's a distinct Nintendo will want to port half the console's back catalogue to the DS- but then, that goes against the company's claim that the DS was designed to be entirely unique, an experience you can't get on other consoles. Fascinating stuff, that's for sure�

In other news, Wario Ware Incorporated, the Gamecube version of the classic Game Boy Advance game is to retail for a wallet-pleasing $29.99 on its release of April the 5th in the US of A. Of course, there is no news on whether or not this budget price will also apply to the game when it is eventually released in Europe, but we'll keep you posted. By all accounts, the GC version is a piece of multiplayer genius. Which is fine by us. Another one for the list, eh?

Nintendo, in a rare display of love for the tax-paying public of Japan, have announced that prices of all Nintendo products will be reduced by 5%. This is to counteract a 5% sales tax imposed by the Japanese government. Effectively then, this means prices will stay as they are. Perhaps Cube-Europe should begin a campaign to force Nintendo to pay our VAT?

Hold that thought.

We'll leave it there for this week. Until next time...

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