Nintendo's is going for the throat next generation, their more aggressive attitude means a lauch for Gamecube 2 before PS2 and Xbox come out. Is this worth the drastic reduction to Gamecube's life?

Is a 3 year lifespan for Gamecube a worthy sacrifice for an early launch for Gamecube 2?

Ben: I'd say that it was dependant on whether the GC2 was backwards compatiable.

I'd be reluctant to replace my GC so quickly, if i couldn't play my old games on the new machine.

If Nintendo do want to get in first, they'll have to give more than just the console though. It needs to be an entertainment unit these days to attract a mass audience.

Of course I'd buy the new console if there were great new Mario and Zelda games and the like, but I'm sure many people would feel ripped off. It could be a bad move, because it would make the GC look like a failure, when in fact the amount of excellent quality titles I've played makes it anything but that. So if the GC was seen as by the general public as a failure, why buy the latest Nintendo console?

Blackbird: In the past, everybody was shouting when the subject came up that there was a new GBA/GameCube in development. Everybody was oh so concerned about the fact that the normal GBA/GameCube would only be out there for a few years, and accused Nintendo of planning for their money.

Now, after the XBox 2 and PS3 (and the Phantom console and PSP handheld) are taking more shape, everybody 'suddenly' shows more interest in the GBA/GameCube 2 and wants to know when it'll be released.

Somehow this turnaround doesn't seem weird to me, because who wouldn't want a terrific Super-Console which could beat the h*ll out of the XBox and Playstation?

James: I believe it is definitely worth it. Nintendo have seen what happened with the PS2 and are hoping to do the same. This is a very good thing, which means that sales of GC2 will have the same advantage the PS2 has now.

Well, more or less. There are a couple of little niggles:

1. Sony's brand is becoming steadily more popular, because the world is now filled with those 'causal' gamers, who can't see the true genius of Nintendo. If the Playstation gets too large a fanbase, the early release will be pointless.

2. Backwards compatibility. If the GC's lifespan is to be this short, the GC2 must compensate for this and be backwards compatible. This will ensure both current GC owners and newcomers (old games that work on the new console, extra cheap!) buy the machine.

3. Wireless controllers default Nintendo, PLEASE!

Tim: It is crucial Nintendo released its new console early 2005. The GameCube has been underperforming a little so far, and the best thing for Nintendo would be to be the first in launching a second next-gen console. This will allow them to gain an advantage over Microsoft and Sony, and create a userbase without the direct competition of the other two console producing companies. Fortunately Nintendo realises they have to be the first this time and try even harder to appeal to the older consumers. I believe it will work out. Go Nintendo!

Vince: Worth it for who? I sold my Gamecube three or four months ago, as I am studying for exams, and it was consuming too much of my time. Now, knowing they're coming out with the next one in a few years, I'm glad I did. I would not be willing to go out again and buy a console, not so much for the fact that it will be obsolete, but due to the fact that there will be so much time and resources pumped into the new machine, that I fear the old one will be put on the back burner. Granted a three year lifespan for electronics may be the way it will always go, but I fear then that Nintendo may always be looking towards the future, and forget about us who bought a piece of the past.

Lamsh: I think it's a good thing for Nintendo if you look at it in terms of market strategy and sales, the PS2 has shown us how profitable it is to be one step ahead of the competition. The release titles will have to be big titles though, we've learned that Luigi's Mansion is not a big console seller like Halo for instance.

I personally don't really like the idea that I have to replace my console every 3 years to play Nintendo games. I'd rather see a longer lifespan for the Cube, I was looking forward to being able to choose from an incredibly huge number of good games, like in the Snes days.

That doesn't mean that I won't buy the Cube 2 though

Conor: Yes. Definitely. Absolutely. Yes. If Nintendo are to succeed against PS2 and Xbox 2, an early launch is essential. Although at first I was a little miffed at gamecube only lasting two or three years, I realised that I was being selfish. Nintendo needs an early launch, they really do. And I'm glad they've realised this.