Ah, the joys of writing the weekly digest. For those uninitiated in the art, it involves much trawling through C-E's hallowed pages, much copying and pasting, and a great deal of toil. And to what end, you may justifiably ask? While I work that one out, read on for this week's edition�

What else could we kick this week's edition off but the 'explosive news' that the GameCube has sold more units in Japan last week than the PS2! (Cue wild applause for Nintendo)

Topping the console charts was the Game Boy Advance SP, with a stonking 42,000 units. Next up was the GameCube, with a superb 35,600 sold. Sony's PS2 is 'way back' with a 'paltry' 300 less (35,300) while the standard GBA clocks in with 12,100. Microsoft's Xbox has become the laughing stock of Japan (only Japan, mind), with 650 units- now well behind the PlayStation One. No sniggering down the back there.
In Japan's software charts, Ninty occupy the first two all-format chart spaces, and 6 of the top 10. Much of all these successes can be put down to the double-whammy of high-profile RPGs, with Square's Final Fantasy: CC and Namco's Tales of Symphonia doing some serious business. Obviously all this isn't massive news in the great scheme of things but there you have it.
It's a curious thing, but this sort of news always manages to raise the morale of so many of our readers�.

A sobering story, next. Mike McGarvey, chief executive of Eidos, stated that versions for all upcoming Eidos games will be released for the PS2, PC and Xbox but not the GameCube.

He said that "The GameCube is a declining business." He also said GameCube sales contribute a small portion of Eidos' overall profits. "If other companies follow us they [Nintendo] will have a hard battle to fight."
That sounds like thinly veiled criticism of Nintendo to me. Frankly, I'm not at all worried about missing Eidos- Nintendo were never high in their list of priorities. What is worrying, though, is that these are the people who published the excellent TimeSplitters 2. What will become of its sequel (or anything else Free Radical produce) should Eidos pick up publishing duties? Hopefully something can be resolved here. Goodbye Eidos. We probably won't realize you're gone, anyway.

While Nintendo and Sony have yet to release information about their next consoles Valve have confirmed they are working on Half-Life 2 for them. The game is set to launch on the PC later this year and the Xbox soon after. Valve have now stated that they plan to launch Half-Life 2 on the PS3 and 'GameCube 2'. Its good news, to be sure, but I don't really want to have to wait another three years to get my hands on what will then be a three year old game. It'll be a stunner, though.

And you thought ECTS was over! Not so, on Cube-Europe in any case. This week on the site we've got a couple of tippity-top features on the show. You can check out the ECTS Wrap-up Report here- it's an in-depth review of the show, with photos and stories from the show from our team of writers who attended it. Also, the ECTS Booth Babes report is up- it does exactly what it says on the tin. And yes, there are photos. Lots of them.

Finished yet? Then I'll continue.

The first in-game screens of Capcom's eagerly anticipated oddball Killer 7 have been published. The game is a cel-shaded FPS, of all things- but it bears no resemblance to XIII. It has a unique, gory, gritty artistic style all of its own, with the emphasis on contrasting colours and a distinct, intentional lack of texture. It looks brilliant. Keep an eye out for the first hi-res screens of Killer 7 early this week. 2004 can't come soon enough.

Sega have been kind enough to announce three new GC games, two of which will be exclusive to Nintendo's bundle of joy. But that's where the excitement ends, I'm afraid- the games in question aren't exactly going to get your blood boiling with anticipation. Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II Plus (GC Exclusive), Digital Island (GC Exclusive), and Puyo Puyo Fever (GCN/XBox/DC/PS2) are the games.

PSO Plus is a slightly tweaked, Japan only release of the existing game. Puyo Puyo Fever looks like a bog-standard puzzler, that appears to offer precisely nothing new. Digital Island is the only one that looks vaguely interesting, but that's probably not going to ever see the light of day in the West. Good going, Sega. I suppose three games is better than none, so I won't grumble- it just hurts to see Sega messing around with seen-it-all-before puzzlers and pointless updates to done-to-death games, especially given their undoubted talent.

Another heart-breaker, next�

There have been previous reports of Pikmin 2 being delayed but now Nintendo of America have officially delayed the game. Nintendo of America updated their website, stating the game will be delayed until Q2 2004 to "ensure the final product meets the high standards that Nintendo fans deserve." Quite. Presumably the knock-on effect will see Europe missing the game until Summer. Sigh. Nintendo, please don't delay any more of the Christmas line-up. We'll let this one pass, but no more.

Well, we'll call a halt there, folks.
See you all next week.
Mark Cullinane