Nintendo finally steps up...

[zurich]

Free Game with Purchase of GCN
Nintendo to offer more incentive to buy a GameCube.

January 17, 2003 - Nintendo confirmed to IGNcube today that beginning February 9 and running through May of this year, consumers who buy a GameCube for $149.99 at participating retailers will get a free game with the system courtesy of the company.
Buyers will be able to choose from four games, including: Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 0, Star Fox Adventures or Mario Party 4.

"It's an exciting program," said Nintendo of America's vice president of marketing and corporate affairs Perrin Kaplan. "It's a great opportunity come February for consumers to get their hands on the games that keep the folks at IGN up at night: Metroid Prime, Mario Party, Star Fox Adventures and Resdident Evil 0."

The more aggressive move by Nintendo could provide an extended boost to holiday sales of GameCube, which were solid, but noticeably behind a larger spike in demand for Microsoft's Xbox console.

More on this story soon.

cube.ign.com

So for all you zealots criticizing MS for giving away free AAA games... well..

 

[iscariot]

shit, they're getting mighty desperate at this point. Good game selection except they should replace MP4 with SSBM

 

[Glonk]

I wonder how wise it is to offer a free Rare game? What if somebody gets it, and really likes it, then finds out all Rare games are now Xbox Exclusive?

They should have replaced SFA with SMS, IMO...

 

[Blade]

I think it's good that MS and subsequently Nintendo are giving away free games.

It's just funny how the situation unfolded in Europe. Xbox was lagging badly behind GCN until they bundled anywhere from 2 to 4 games plus a controller with it for free. Even now, with that promotion, Xbox is barely ahead (if ahead at all) over 'dere.

 

[Blade]

Glonk: That would have basically defeated the point of the popular SMS pack-in.

Then again, the same could be said for MP.. which is bundled with the Platinum GCN, no?

BTW, I agree that maybe SFA should've been replaced. My prime pick for the spot? Animal Crossing!

 

[Crusher]

I think it's funny that giving free games with a console is a big deal these days. I remember getting two free games with my original Nintendo. And I recall getting two controllers with it. And a gun. And I didn't have to buy memory cards.

I wonder what will happen when we invent time travel and it becomes readily available to the point where it's cheaper to go back in time to do something than it is to do it in the present day... like haircuts... and prostitution...

 

[Blade]

Crusher: Heh, if time travel were possible.. it'd be incredibly dangerous.