Yesterday we told you that Nintendo would today announce a new GameCube peripheral. Well they have, and it comes in the form of a GBA Add-on!

So far, the only details we have are from Nintendo of Japan's site, so our details are a little hazy. But here's what we do know.

• The add-on sits under the GameCube neatly, and connects to the High Speed Parallel Port.


• It is powered by the GameCube. No other power source is required.


• It will be available March 2003 in Japan and will be available in all 4 Japanese GameCube colours, at a price of 5000 yen (approx. 31 british pounds).


• Plays all Game Boy, Game Boy Colour, and Game Boy Advance games.


• And you can use either the GameCube controller, or a GBA (via the GBA link cable) to play games.

We'll try and have more info for you soon, as this is all taken from an online translator. We'll have some firm details when an english announcement is made! For now, he's a piccy.

Source: Nintendo of Japan

UPDATE: Official Press Release

Nintendo has updated its American website with the officiel press release. Read on for some more tidbits about the newly announced Add-on!

The most successful video game system in history is finally ready for its debut on the big screen. Nintendo today announced it will introduce the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Player in Europe in 2003, allowing a library of more than 1,000 games designed for the original Game Boy, Game Boy Color and the current Game Boy Advance to be displayed on home televisions through the Nintendo GameCube console.

The Game Boy Player, a one-inch platform connecting to the bottom of the Nintendo GameCube, will match the Nintendo GameCube footprint and allow players to use either their console controller or Game Boy Advance to direct action on screen.

"Game Boy Player means that you can now see your favourite Game Boy games larger than life. With over 1000 portable games to choose from, for the first time you can play classic titles like Tetris, or the brand new Metroid Fusion at home on your TV screen" said David Gosen, Managing Director, Nintendo of Europe GmbH.

Since its introduction in 1989, Nintendo's portable Game Boy line has been responsible for sales of more than half a billion games worldwide. And that total stands to jump substantially with the introduction of Metroid Fusion this week in Europe and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past launching next year.

Indirectly, the Game Boy Player will also boost the game library for
Nintendo GameCube from 180 by year-end to well over 1,000 with the inclusion of hundreds of Game Boy titles. Plus, with the ability to play all of your favorite Game Boy games on the road and on a big screen at home, it is even more reason to own both Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance.

The Game Boy Player accommodates several novel forms of game play. With the Game Boy or Game Boy Advance game cartridge inserted in the Game Boy Player, a regular Nintendo GameCube controller or WaveBird wireless controller can direct the action. Or, using the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance link cable (sold separately), the Game Boy Advance becomes the controller. The Game Boy Player also supports multiplayer action via Game Boy Advance Link Cables. Player one sees the action on the TV screen while other players view the screens on their linked Game Boy Advance systems.

The Game Boy Player will launch in Japan in March 2003 and in the US in May 2003.