Nintendo took time at E3 to show off their connectivity-enable games to the crowds, many of whom were displeased. This apparent concentration on what many see as a trivial feature has angered forum-goers around the net; is it a serious gaming innovation or a waster of time? Or staff give their verdicts.

Is there any future in this connectivity lark?

Lamsh: I'm not sure if the Cube's connectivity features are going to be more populair than they are now, but I know I would like them to have a good future. I think there's a lot of potential in the feature. In The Wind Waker it was nice to look at the map and see hints, but I think Nintendo can do a lot more with a GBA. Pacman and Four Swords are good examples of what can be done with a GBA, you can expand the playfield in very original ways. The idea of putting all the ingame menu's on your GBA screen, like in Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, is also something I'd like to see more often.

I think connectivity can be pretty successful if Nintendo can come up with more inventive things to use the GBA for, without spoiling games for people that don't own a GBA. People never like to be told what to do, so Nintendo shouldn't tell people to buy a GBA to play Cube games.

Blackbird: I think we can put all current connectivity into a few groups.

1) Swapping items between GC and GBA versions of the same game. Was anyone really waiting for this? Yeah, maybe the Pokémon fans are waiting for a GC game to complete their GBA Pokédex...
2) View menu's on the GBA. Hmm, how useful (only when you want the other players NOT able to see your stats).
3) Download maps or enable special options (like Metroid, Splinter Cell and Rayman). Now this is a nice idea in my opinion. Players get the regular levels AND some extra's if they're able to hook up a GC with a GBA.
4) Download games into the GBA's memory (like the Puzzle Collection). This was a nice idea. Unfortunately, when you turn off the GBA, you lose the game. (maybe a HD in the next GBA?)
5) Play on both the GBA and GC (Zelda, Pacman). This is cool. Period.

As you can see, all of these options (except for the last one) are OPTIONAL. It's a nice addition to the normal gameplay, but it's in no way an order to buy yourself a GC, a GBA and a linkcable. I think you can compare it with the recent picture-collecting-trend in GBA games. For example, Donkey Kong Country has this picture-collecting subquest: find all hidden photo's throughout the game. It's a nice addition, but most people couldn't care less.

Ben: To be perfectly honest, No. Yes, it is a rather nice gimmick, but I seriously can't see it being anything more than that. So far, it is has been utilised pretty well, but it's features are limited. Up until now, games have used the connectivity for control purposes, information transportation between the two consoles, or for extra information relating to a player in a multiplayer mode.

A nice feature, which contributes to the quality of any title, no doubt, but that's really all it can be. After a while, players are sure to get bored of the same GCN/GBA features. Connect the two consoles - unlock a secret or weapon. The same formula is being used across the board, and to be honest, it is getting tiresome. And most of the time, bar titles such as The Wind Waker which don't require the complimentary GBA title, the connectivity feature is a mere excuse for the player to have to purchase the accompanying GBA title. Take Metroid Prime for example, for the original Metroid to be unlocked on the GCN, the GBA incarnation has to be connected. The retro bonus game could have been unlocked without having to utilise the connection, a reward for completing the game perhaps.

I'm not saying that the connectivity is a tiresome feature, after all innovation is the future. Take Crystal Chronicles, the GBA/GCN connection is used with great effect. When it is used in an original way, I'm all for it. All I'm saying is that the same tricks just don't excite me. It's a welcome feature, but for it to succeed, an accompanying GBA cart should not be required. Here's to innovation.

Bas: No, not really.

That doesn't mean it can't be fun. Pac-Man proves that it can really add something to a game. However, there are two factors that prevent it from being a success:

1) Most features are nice but in no way special. Did players really miss something by not using the Tingle tuner in Zelda? Or by not connecting the Metroids? I'd rather have my two deleted dungeons than chatting with Tingle.

2) It takes too much hardware/software, because: - some features require both GBA & GCN versions - some games take up to 4 GBAs and cables (Final Fantasy) and sometimes also 4 GBA games (Four Swords). Many people probably don't know enough people with all the GBAs and stuff to fully enjoy the game. With upcoming competition of the PSP, this is probably only going to get worse.

So, we'll have some fun titles now, but it's not going to stay for long.

Ash: I think it's a bonus, kind of like controllable cameras. You can live without it but its a nice helpful thing to help in your game.

I think it's a cool feature to just include little things but I dont think Nintendo should put everything into it like they are. Im not saying go online, just come up with other stuff. I have never used the link-up because I dont have a cable but I wouldnt see myself using it often.

Dan: Someday some company will acually use connectivity in a way that will make sense. So far, we have seen little bonuses that are pointless, and took up valuable research time on the game. Or you get game like FF: Crystal Chronicles where it has gone way too far. No one in their right mind is going to own four gameboy advances and connectors. But wait! you have friends right? Four of them? Sure! But wait, how many of them own gameboy advances...lemme see here...None! Ok, I assume sense Gameboy advances seem to sell like hotcakes, it would make sense that enough people would own them to use this connectivity. However, that isnt always they case. And I don't think people are going to buy gamecube advances for the sole purpose of connectivity. Anyways, at this rate, the connectivity will be driven into the ground. Nintendo will bash people over the head with their all powerful connectivity. But I don't think anyone really cares. Connectivity is not the new age wonder Nintendo is looking for. They should just scrap it and look more into internet gaming or something. Connectivity is just rediculous

Tim: I think Nintendo made a good move introducing the connectivity! So far the use of the connectivity option has not been optimaly used in my opinion. However we are seeing a growth in games that feature the option. I agree the feature for for example the old Madden game wasn't that great (scoreboard could be displayed on the GBA) but the connectivity rocks for the upcoming games like Pac-Man and Zelda games. And there are many more more connection intensive games to come (did that sentence make any sence). Also, we see Nintendo now giving free GBA game demos for download through the connection. Trust me, it is going to grow and get even bigger. Now though, the connectivity is just a cool 'gadget'.