Recently there's been a lot of talk about Nintendos future in home consoles, whether Microsoft will go on after Xbox, PS3 and the general state of the next-gen console market. So I figure it's a good enough time to make my position clear on console present, and console future.

First of all, Nintendo dropping out of the console market. Initially claimed by a market analyst report (so it must be true!), many forum users are again predicting Nintendos doom. Anyone else bored by now of the doom-and-gloomers? Blah blah blah...Nintendo will go out of business against the Playstation...they don't have enough mature games (like most of the idiots who spout this even know what a mature game really is)...yadayadayada...don't have enough sales...not doing well in Europe...they cannot survive. Yawn.

So Nintendo mightn't be doing brilliantly in comparison to PS2, and the mainstream image of Gamecube is one of a 'kiddy' nature (yet another of the misguided terms used by the mainstream morons, but that is for another article) and they're still treating Europe like crap. But how about if we bring in some cold, hard facts? The simple truth is that Nintendo is making the MOST profit out of the three console companies. While the 'cool' Xbox in comparison is losing money like it's going out of fashion. Because of the economically-friendly Gamecube, the console goes against the 'sell at a loss to set up a userbase for software' theory that Microsoft are pushing to the extreme. With the evident success of the GBA (whose current dip has been made up with the GBA SP's appearance) and the resounding phenomenon of Pokemon in Japan (you mightn't like it but Sapphire and Ruby have almost clocked two million sales each and ranked as 2002 highest two selling games) Nintendo are racking it in. And they're not squandering it on massive marketing campaigns, The Rock endorsement or huge launch parties and give-aways. And they don't use the cheap (an ironic choice of words, must say), easy method of swallowing up talented developers. Nintendo prefer the old-fashioned way, by impressing them before bringing in the bags of money.

So in terms of profits Nintendo are doing pretty good. So what if they're not No.1? To be honest I've shunned my shallow attitudes of the past and now I don't give two fucks if Nintendo are first, second or third in this 'console war' (like it even exists). As long as they make the games we love and are doing well enough to continue to do so I'm happy. PS2 fans can keep their big shiny gold plaque, I've got Zelda and Metroid to look forward to.

It would be illogical for Nintendo to drop out of the console market. It's as simple as that. They're making money, and lots of it, and they've got a dedicated section of fans who love them. Nintendo don't have operating systems or electronic appliances or a huge mountain of cash to fall back on. They are a VIDEOGAME company, it's what they do. They cannot just pack up and leave this lucrative home console market. What's that? They've got the GBA too? I sincerely doubt Nintendo would be able to support a handheld console without a home console. But how about becoming a multi-format developer? Ha. Nintendo are far too proud to do a Sega. As they said; "The day Nintendo leaves the home console business is the day Nintendo leaves the videogames business."

Nintendo has every intention to continue in the home console market. I believe that what they do with Gamecube, they're doing with it's successor in mind. Think about it. Say Nintendo have Gamecube 2 far in development and they do a development round to show off their new baby. That developer still has to make their mind up and start development on games, and by the time they're on the shelves attracting prospectful buyers, PS3 will probably already have trounced it. But Nintendo are acting NOW, forging links with the likes of SquareEnix, Capcom, Sega, EA and Namco (somewhat) so that by the time GC2 rolls around they can get them working on day one. And they've already set a 2005 release date for their next console.

So don't tell me Nintendo are about to quit a market they're making money off. Check your Sony fanboyism at the boy please.

And The Others

While we're on the subject of future consoles, let's talk about Xbox 2 and PS3 for a minute. Many people are asking whether or not Microsoft will go for a next console. I firmly believe they will. Their whole strategy has been based on getting as big a fanbase as possible so to set things up for Xbox's sequel. We all know they're losing stackloads of money with Xbox's huge production costs (and the pressure of Sony's upcoming price slash session won't help things) but Microsoft have always maintained they're in the console market for the long run, but there is a limit to just how much money a company can lose before they call it a day. The $64,000 question is whether or not Microsoft will gain a big enough fanbase for Xbox 2, that is what the company's presence in the console market boils down to. I believe they won't. I believe they WILL launch Xbox 2, and it WILL be their last console for some time.

As for PS3, well, what can I say that hasn't already been said. Details will be announced this year, almost definitely at E3 in May. Contrary to recent rumours, I don't think there is any possibility of it launching anytime this year. I'd say Japan will see it at Christmas next year. But what will it be like? To be honest, don't expect anything earth-shattering. Expect a 'revolutionary' console with broadband, DVD, music, a hard drive, and massive power. Oh, and maybe a few good games or two.

Gamecube Goes Online....I Think

So then, Gamecube finally went online. Still, you'd be forgiven for thinking it hasn't, considering the shambles of it's 'launch'. Xbox Live, a famous and sales-sparking feature of XBox is soon here. But Nintendo are going online before them. Doesn't this mean anything to Nintendo? I realise that they haven't got their own online plans in order, but I don't think it would've been too much to advertise the modem even a little. Some stores didn't even know it was out, many didn't have it, we didn't know if we could go online on day one or not, it was all a muddled disaster. So well done Sega. Well done Infogrames. And well done Nintendo. You just screwed up what could've been one of Gamecube's biggest days.

Sneaking Onto Gamecube

One of the most exciting news of recent weeks is the announcement of a brand new Metal Gear Solid for Gamecube, co-developed by Nintendo. To have an exclusive chapter of one of the coolest franchsies around on Gamecube is a great, great thing. When I saw the news I was ecstatic and shocked. "OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!" were my exact words upon reading the headline I think. For anything unsure of what exactly will happen here's the pretty-much accepted view:

1) MGS 3 on PS2, and maybe Xbox.
2) A remake of the original for all three consoles.
3) A MGS game for the GBA.
4) Exclusive MGS game on Gamecube.

But I do not think the GC MGS will be Metal Gear Solid 4. Obviously Konami know that about 90% of MGS fans are PS2 owners, and continuing the story on and declining them it (especially with such a story-driven franchise) is sure to anger the non-GC owning MGS fans. And there's more than a few of them. Rather, I am sure the GC installment of the series will be a spin-off of sorts, where not missing it won't meaning missing an important chunk of the Metal Gear story. Think about Crystal Chronicles, and the distance it has seemed to take from the other Final Fantasy games. However, I hope our own MGS game doesn't stray too far from the basic formula of 1 & 2. But you never know what Nintendo's influence will do.

Education vs Zelda

This Nintendo fan isn't feeling too good. Because on May 3rd, Gamecubes first anniversary, stores across Europe will be flocked with rabid Zelda fans eager to get their hands on Links latest adventure. And I will join them. But they will spend the following days in awe of what will surely be one of the greatest games of recent years. But my copy of Wind Waker, the bonus Ocarina of Time and Master Quest will be locked away, tears and all. Because thanks to the extreme inconvenience of my GCSE's being placed just days and weeks after Wind Wakers release. If I did get Wind Waker there is no way I would be able to revise, and as much as it pains me to say this, education comes before Zelda. But the day those exams end, out comes Zelda, out comes Skies of Arcadia and out comes Final Fantasy 7 for an eye-bleeding gaming marathon. Still...

Sounding Off...

Forgive me if I don't sound too excited about EA's pledge of 20 games to Gamecube. I guess that means we'll be getting 12 uninspiring, generic, never-changing sports games, 5 crap, soulless movie licensed games, and 3 good games. Okay, okay, you're right. I guess I'm being a little too optimistic.