It is almost three years now since Gamecube was released in Japan and North America. Three years since Nintendo fans were enthused with a new burst of optimism, and three years since Nintendo were telling us about how they'll be doing things differently, and trying to reach out to an audience wider than just the Nintendo diehards. Three years later, has much been accomplished in this regard?

Consider this: 2004's Winter season is one of Nintendo's best in ages. Metroid Prime 2 looks to set a new standard with GC games; Paper Mario 2 proves the Nintendo charm is still alive; WarioWare is evidence of Nintendo's never-fading desire to push forward what we think of games and how we play them; Tales of Symphonia single-handedly makes GC a console worth owning for RPG fans (a section of gamers notably left cold by Nintendo for many years now). That's not to mention Prince of Persia 2, Second Sight, Psi-Ops and EA's new line of sports games, all solid games. All this makes it easy to doubt claims of Nintendo's decline in game quality. It seems after some stumbles, they're getting their second wind.

So then, why do I have the feeling this Christmas for Gamecube will pass with as much belated sighs and rolled eyes as previous seasons?

There are several reasons. The obvious ones are as follows: GTA San Andreas; Halo 2; Fable; Metal Gear Solid 3; Gran Turismo 4; Pro Evolution 3. Not to say these games are any better or any more notable in gameplay terms than Gamecube's efforts (MP2 should easily rival them), but they speak so strongly to the massmarket it's almost scary. Everyone knows about San Andreas. Everyone. Ask people who don't play games regularly, and they'll know what you're talking about. The imminent release of SA is somehow ingrained into the social consciousness � everyone knows it's coming, whether they know they know it or not. The annoying kids in the back of your bus knows it's coming. The sports-crazy guy in your class at school knows it's coming. The guy who you always considered above such frivolous things as videogames knows it's coming. He mightn't know it's from Rockstar, or that it's released on the 29th of October here, but he knows its coming.

Of course, GTA is almost unique in its cultural impact for videogames, so it would be fair to move on. Any Xbox owner, however casual, knows about Halo 2. Not just because the original was so breathtaking, but the hype surrounding it is overpowering. Gran Turismo is the game the car nuts look to. Its stanch realism and unrivalled integrity guarantees it reaching beyond the normal gaming community. And Pro Evolution? Well, soccer is the British public's favourite pastime, and the Pro Evo brand is synonymous with impeccable quality, so it's a no-brainer really.

Faced with all this, how could Gamecube even grab a glimmer of the spotlight? And should we be worried about such a question?

Well, yes. It's easy to dismiss such concerns. We've got a great line-up of games coming out; why should we fuss over whether or not those cumbersome "casual" gamers buy them? All that matters is that Nintendo are still releasing good, solid titles, right? If only it was that simple. Broadening its audience will help to ensure a stable future for Nintendo, which is obviously good. And it's not about attracting massmarket gamers for some sort of shallow self-justification ("Hey, all the cool kids are buying the Gamecube! I'm not an geek anymore!"), it's about viable economic prospects. And, frustratingly, despite all the zealous buzz when Gamecube was launching, perhaps we thought they'd be closer to being in such a position.

Admittedly, it's not an easy thing to do, and Nintendo have taken certain steps in attracting helpful IPs like Resident Evil, MGS and Final Fantasy, but they're still small steps. And we've had games like Metroid Prime, Eternal Darkness and various FPS' � so it's not entirely due to the library. But having the games is only half the battle - it's useless if no-one knows they're there. And unfortunately Nintendo seem quite inept at selling these games to the massmarket. They're improving, yes, but they still seem to retain some of the old-school mantra, not realising that the gaming climate has changed and anything that doesn't adapt to change becomes fossilised. It's about more than getting an advert in Playboy, or running a TV commercial a few weeks before release. It's much more complicated, and much more difficult. For Nintendo to tempt the massmarket, a complete image overhaul is needed.

The simple fact is that most people still consider Gamecube a console for kids. Even kids think it's just a console for kids. Ridiculous, I know. The argument is of course an entirely warped one, because the basis for adult games has changed for the illogical. We all know the "mature" games aren't necessarily the ones with blood or boobs (ironically, these are usually the most immature of games), but that they are the games that treat the player intelligently, and the medium with respect. And we all know that whether a game is a mature or not is of little importance � all that really matters is that it's fun to play. But we can't make the massmarket think this way, even if we wanted to. And shouting doesn't work. I've tried it.

The problem is with society in general, and the negative attitude towards childhood. People are growing up fast, with a media that bombards them with sex and violence and the sickly obsession with image. People seem more and more eager to cut the roots to their childhood and grab a bottle of vodka and a pack of condoms instead. School tells us to stop messing about and start acting our age. Fun? There's no room for fun when you have to train for a life of neckties and obedience. It's a myth, yes, but one that is nonetheless pervaded everywhere. I'm 18 now, so I'm supposed to ditch the comic books and videogames and start getting drunk. It's this climate which produces such apprehension towards anything that could be called childish, because childishness is now uncool. But Nintendo can't change this. No single entity can. The solution, then, is to engage the massmarket at their own level, to play their game on their field.

This doesn't necessarily mean compromising gaming values, as some have suggested in panic. It means a change to the way you interact with the public, undoubtedly a change which takes time and lots of effort. Having Twin Snakes or Eternal Darkness on GC isn't going to do anything to persuade casual gamers, because a few games can't change how a console is perceived. It takes a prolonged effort, encompassing things like console design, the tone and style of marketing, quality of commercials, what games are advertised, attracting the right developers and IPs and making sure they stay with you.

It's a hefty pill to swallow, but it will be crucial to the long-term success of Nintendo. The adult-orientated marketing of the GBA SP is an impressive example of how to do it right, giving some hope that Nintendo are changing their attitude to the wider market.

In my last GameOff (an incredible five months ago) I spoke of a 'new Nintendo' emerging from E3. I still believe that, but am unsure of just how much positive effect this new Nintendo can realistically have for Gamecube � besides the huge promise of the new Legend of Zelda. Some progress has been made, yes, particularly the building of bridges with the big publishers, but many setbacks have nonetheless occurred on the ground. To be honest, the GC is probably beyond the perception change I've talked about. And so it's to the Revolution we look to for a fresh start, and a new commitment to reaching out.

Just don't call it the 'Revolution'. And don't make it purple.