Nintendo GameCube
The Nintendo GameCube
Manufacturer	Nintendo
Type	Video Game Console
Released	JP September 14, 2001 NA November 18, 2001 EU May 3, 2002 AUS May 17, 2002
Media	Optical Disk
Inputs	x4 Nintendo GameCube Controller Game Boy Advance cartridge reader
Predecessor	Nintendo 64DD
Successor	Wii

The Nintendo GameCube (ニンテンドーゲームキューブ, Nintendō Gēmukyūbu^?), often abbreviated as GCN, is Nintendo's fourth home video game console and is part of the sixth generation console era. The hardware system is the most compact, and second-cheapest after Sega's Dreamcast, of the sixth generation. It is the successor to the Nintendo 64DD and predecessor to Nintendo's Wii. The console was released on September 14, 2001 in Japan; November 18, 2001 in North America; May 3, 2002 in Europe; and May 17, 2002 in Australia. The GameCube sold 21.74 million units worldwide.

The Nintendo GameCube Game Disc is the medium for the Nintendo GameCube, created by Matsushita. Chosen to prevent unauthorized copying and to avoid licensing fees to the DVD Consortium, it is Nintendo's first non-cartridge storage method for systems released in North America and Europe. Some games which contain large amounts of voice acting or pre-rendered video have been released on two discs; however, only twenty five titles have been released on two discs, and no games require three or more discs.

A Game Boy Player accessory was released in 2003, allowing Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games to be played on the GameCube. With the release of the Collector's Edition disk and the Game Boy Advanced adapter, the GameCube also plays more Zelda games than any other Nintendo system.

The GameCube's successor, the Wii, has backward compatibility with all GameCube games, meaning despite being a generation earlier, GameCube games can still be played on the Wii.

Twilight Princess Controller Edit

In 2011, five years after the release of Twilight Princess, photographs emerged of a special edition controller that would have been released with the game. Its appearance was based on Link's apparel in Twilight Princess, featuring a green and brown color scheme and an image of Link on the left handle. Additionally, the controller featured a large shield in place of the start button, and an ornamental arm guard like those Link wears in the game on the right handle. The controller was designed by Nubytech, the same company that designed the special edition controller for Resident Evil 4. Nintendo decided against shipping the controller.

Zelda games released on the GCN Edit

• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2003)
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest (2003)
• The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition (2003)
• The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004)
• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)

Related non-canon games released on the GCN Edit

• Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001)
• Soulcalibur II (2003)