Nintendo of America announced that sales of their GameCube console, more than doubled, in February, compared to those of January. It is suspected that the major reason behind this increase is the success of Nintendo's special bundle offer.
Nintendo GC sales rose by a staggering 110 per cent and the software tie-ratio reached 8.4-to-1 on a year-to-date basis.
But GameCube was not the only Nintendo hardware product to do well in February, Game Boy Advance sold more than one-quarter of a million systems last month and was responsible for one out of every four game system purchases overall. When considering both Game Boy Advance and GameCube, Nintendo claimed 37 per cent of all industry hardware sales and more than one-quarter of all game sales. Here are additional product updates:
-In Japan, Pokemon Ruby Edition and Pokemon Sapphire Edition sold more than 4 million copies in the first six weeks of its launch. Both games launched in the United States on March 17.
-The success of Nintendo's software line-up is expected to be matched by that of the Game Boy Advance SP which will be released on March 23, sporting an innovative front-lit screen and sleek, compact design and an expected retail price of USD 99.
-Another promising prospect for Nintendo comes in the familiar guise of a Zelda title. The pre-sell orders for The Legend of Zelda : The Wind Waker greatly exceeded expectations, with 600,000 units already pre-sold. The game launches on March 24.
-The bundle program will, of course, continue. Consumers who purchase a Nintendo GameCube at participating retailers receive a free copy of Metroid Prime, Mario Party 4, Star Fox Adventures or Capcom's Resident Evil Zero.
-Wario is back, searching for his transformed treasure in Wario World on June 23. Practice your swing and tee-up with Mario Golf launching on July 28. Both games will be
available for GC for USD 49.99.
-Beginning August 25, consumers can test their racing limits as they speed around futuristic tracks in F-Zero for Nintendo GameCube for a suggested retail price of USD 49.99.
-Find your true love on Game Boy Advance Hamtaro : Ham-Ham Heartbreak launches April 7. Other titles coming for Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP include: Golden Sun : The Lost Age available April 14, Wario Ware, Mega Microgames available May 26, Donkey Kong Country launching June 9, and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising launching June 23. All games will be available for a suggested retail price of USD 34.99.
-Donkey Kong 3-e, Golf-e and Clu Clu Land-e will launch on April 21 for a suggested retail price of USD 4.95, and Animal Crossing-e Series 4 will launch on May 12 for a suggested retail price of USD 3.29. All e-Reader cards are playable on
the Game Boy Advance or Game Boy Advance SP via the e-Reader.
