Over a decade after the launch of Nintendos first home console comes their fourth. Gamecube is set to hit European shores in just over a month now and what follows is the inevitable editorial analysing everything from prices, to games, to marketing. Now when CVG first posted leaked information about Gamecubes launch barely a minute went by before knew about it. By the next day it seemed everyone had made up their minds about their opinions, about what games they were going to get and even about Nintendos future in Europe. But I'm not going to be so hasty, after all, this editorial has been nearly two months in the making.

First of all, the date. Like many, when I first saw May 3rd I was extremely disappointed and angry, after all (like a lot of other people) I had been expecting a March release. But when I began to think about it I calmed down. It's only 3 days into May, so it's practically an April release, only a month after what I expected. It's easy to see what difference, psychologically, a couple days can make. Many protest at the later date, saying it's giving Microsoft an early lead but Nintendo have always said (and most have ignored this) that they aren't in competition with Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo know that us hardcore fans and generally people looking to get Gamecube will buy it whether Xbox is out a month and a half before it or not, so there is no need to have a rushed launch with less consoles and games. After all, it isn't the Nintendo way of doing things. But whether they like it or not Nintendo is a business and Microsoft is a business rival. So to let XBox waltz through their launch period like the PC market would be plain bad business, it's important that Nintendo make their presence felt. Thankfully this seems so, as days before I'm writing this Nintendo announced their marketing plans and they're supposed to begin near the end March, XBoxs launch period.

Apart from the obvious drawbacks of launching a month and a half after a rival console, May is a good time to launch Gamecube. The new Star Wars movie (Attack of the Clones) is released in May and what's this? A Star Wars game at launch? Wait, and a Spiderman movie too to coincide with the Spiderman game at launch based on the movie. As well as this, World Cup fever will be starting up and this will help the two footie games, ISS 2 and FIFA 2002, sell, not that ISS needs help to sell. After the launch there's also a Resident Evil game and a Resident Evil movie. I'm not suggesting Nintendo delayed the Gamecube launch for these commercial perks or anything but they probably saw them a bonuses after deciding on the date. I don't doubt though, that they probably saw the advantages to us Gamecube fans before they saw the commercial ones. Gamecubes release schedule following the launch avoids the droughts we saw after the N64 launch. Only 3 weeks after the launch, the fantastic Super Smash Bros. Melee gets released, followed by the superb Pikmin and probably the amazing Resident Evil in the next month. There's a good chance the epic Starfox Adventures will see a July or August release followed by the equally-as good Eternal Darkness about a month later. Then as we head into Winter we'll see great games like Turok Evolution and Die Hard Vendetta and the big games this Christmas, namely Mario, Metroid and maybe Zelda. So as you can see, there will be a steady flow of great games from launch right up to the end of the year.

Nintendo need to inform the uninformed this March to damper XBoxs launch (although they mightn't have to with XBoxs current situation). The adverts are important and fortunately it seems they will be similar or even the same as the American ones, which were great. They are exactly the kind of adverts needed to attract casual gamers; slick, cool and much better than XBoxs (even though I have to admit to liking the XBox ad). I'm happy to hear also that there are 6 different ads for the 6 major 1st/2nd party games; Luigis Mansion, Wave Race, Rogue Leader, Pikmin, SSB Melee and NBA Courtside. Not just launch games, but the big games after launch. Not content with the ads, Nintendo have more marketing planned. Plenty of in-store demos will arrive around the same time of the ads as well as posters and a general Nintendo presence. They really need to inform some of the retailers, take a while ago for example. I walked the only store in my town to inquire about Gamecube.

Me: Can you tell me when you'll be accepting pre-orders for Nintendo Gamecube?
Clerk: Um, is that that XBox thing?
Me: No, Nintendo Gamecube
Clerk: Um, when is its release date?
Me: May 3rd (frowning my brow, thinking they'd know when they'd be selling a major product).
Clerk: Ummm.. (flicks through some pages, trying to look like she knows what I'm talking about). No, I only
have Metal Gear Solid down hear for pre-orders.
Me: Okay (leaves, shaking head)

Thinking this was some kind of mistake I returned to the store a recently, thinking they'd have some clue about what they're doing. I was wrong.

Me: Can you tell me how much you're going to be selling Nintendo Gamecube for?
Clerk: 299.99.
(I look at her in disbelief)
Clerk: Oh wait, I think that's XBox.
(I look up, expecting the real price of 170)
Clerk: No, it's definitely 299.99.
(I just walk away, there's no way i'm getting my Gamecube here)

Maybe this is just due to the stores lack of understanding or just plain lack of knowledge but this is what I'm talking about. Parents looking to get little Timmy that "game thing he wants" will be dismayed by such uninformed stores. That is what I'm saying, Nintendo need to inform the uninformed. No doubt they will though. I know this is probably just a little compared to the many retailers fully informed about Gamecube but it's an example how some stores are still giving out false information to potential GC buyers. But lets get away from this whole commercial aspect and focus on what's really important - the games.

The Gamecube launch roster is very different to previous Nintendo launches in that there isn't the one game everybody has to get with the console but a wide variety of different, lesser, games. The lack of that killer-app, a standard new Mario game, will undoubtedly hurt sales but with the great titles there is, I doubt anyone will notice. I personally think the launch games are fantastic, here's my pick of the bunch:

Star Wars Rogue Leader - This is probably the closest Gamecube has to a killer-app and I cannot wait for it. The graphics and sound are absolutely mind-blowing, it's a technical masterpiece and the whole thing is drenched in classic Star Wars atmosphere. You'll love it.

Super Monkey Ball - Segas first game on the Gamecube looks to be one of the best. The concept is original and simple and it has both a singleplayer that'll take you ages to complete and a multiplayer to rival only the great Super Smash Bros Melee. Just as essential as Rogue Leader.

Luigis Mansion - It may be far from what we've come to expect from the Brooklyn plumbers but it's great for those looking something short-n-sweet. No doubt it'll be traded in after a few days but rest assured, those'll be a few days well spent.

Burnout - This one has certainly taken me by surprise. I wasn't expecting much but it looks to be a really great racing game (something it took the N64 quite a while to get). It's a high-speed traffic-racing game full of realistic crashes and near-misses. It's fast, furious and a hell of a lot of fun.

ISS2 - What's this? A fantastic footie game on day one? The N64 this certainly ain't. The ISS series has always been the pinnacle of footie games, I don't care what anyone else says. Fluid gameplay coupled with great graphics and the official license makes this a must for any footie fan.

Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 - One of the best 3rd-parties at launch. The Hawster is back and better than ever with bigger levels and even more tricks. The Tony Hawks has been somewhat representative of 3rd-paries and so it's great to see it on Gamecube at launch.

Wave Race - I only played the original for a bit and so don't really care that it's basically a next-generation upgrade. The water effects really show off what Gamecube can do and the whole experience feels so realistic. But most importanly, it's as good as plenty other 1st-party titles.

I know a lot of people will be comparing it to the N64 launch and so will be disappointed at the lack of that one "must-have" game but really, you can't compare the two. The N64 launch was gaming entering a whole new world, not seen before. The Gamecube launch is that world taken further. As the great Miyamoto said himself "The N64 was a revolution, the Gamecube is an evolution". It's trying to appeal to mass-market, not just dedicated Nintendo fans. Whether this was a conscience decision by Nintendo isn't apparent, but what is apparent is the sheer range of games available, Nintendo seem to have most of their bases covered.. There's two 1st-party games, one a racing game and one an adventure game, there's a Star Wars shooter, there's a puzzler and racer from Sega, there's a proper racing game, two platformers (including a Sonic one!) and seven sports games, which include the two biggest football series out. But the range isn't just apparent in genres, but in types of games too. We have a technical masterpiece, showing off what Nintendos new console can do, we have three really original games, we've a fantastic multiplayer game and most importantly, we've games that are FUN. And after launch it's even better. Only three weeks after Day One Gamecube will have its best game with probably the greatest ever multiplayer game, Smash Bros Melee. Following that, the next month brings us Pikmin, a typically original take on a standard, complex genre and the possibility of Resident Evil, a game that will scare you straight. There is really something for everybody this launch period.

But the most apparent thing at Gamecubes launch is that Nintendo are starting to take Europe seriously. Gone are the huge shortages with the N64, 500,000 consoles at launch and the same number over the next 8 weeks will make sure of that. Gone also is the menial marketing of the N64, 500 million to market Gamecube with will make sure of that. These coupled with the low price tag, the option of 60Hz display and the great launch games (better than the US roster at launch) prove that treatment of us Europeans has certainly improved. Believe me, a golden age for us Nintendo fans in Europe is before us. And that golden age begins May 3rd. Launch Day. See you there.