I'm gonna be doing so more speculation for my lil' Nintendo Idea page.
I'm speculating, first, what the last port on the bottom of the GAMECUBE is for. If Revolution is to be BC with GCN, then I think it might give us some clue as to what Revolution may have to have on it to offer whatever this last port offers (wether it be built-in or an add-on). Plus, I think if there is to be a slimmed down GCN (a GAMECUBEmini) that this last port could still work with it (the other two larger ports may be removed for space/cost issues). I know alot of you may be thinking: "well it's too late for GAMECUBE, Nintendo can't save it with this last mystery port" I agree to some extent, but that doesn't mean they can't experiment and introduce a new idea...nor does this peripheral hardware have to be restricted to just GAMECUBE, it could be something that works with more than just it? Nintendo has been talking about more hardware anyways, but none of the upcoming hardware (mic, dancepad, etc.) requires this port leaving it still open for something. But what?
Well, there are some clues for it's possible use just by looking at it. #1-There are no metal connections on it for power suggesting that whatever is hooked up to this port runs under it's own power. #2-The space for the port itself is very small, I think it's for a link cable connection of some kind 'cos of...#3-It has a rounded off openning suggesting that it's a seperatly connected device in which a cable has to travel thru a rounded openning to connect with the GAMECUBE. #4-With the GameBoy Player hooked up, there is also no room for anything to "sit under" the system.
So with those clues we know that it's a link connection for a seperate peice of hardware that runs under it's own power. But that brings up another issue...will said device run by a battery or by being plugged into the wall dirrectly?
It could be a wireless communication device so as the NDS and/or the GBA (with wireless adaptor) can communicated dirrectly? It could also be used to connect with crazy wireless gyro controllers or a way to go online wirelessly or create a wireless LAN between systems. Problem with that is, Nintendo already has a way to do LAN & online gaming with the modem & broadband adaptors. Plus it wouldn't make too much sense to leap into online gaming half-assed this late in the generation. So if it's just for communication with GBA & NDS then that doesn't give us much as you would HAVE to have a wireless adaptor with the GBA, you would HAVE to have a modem or broadband adaptor to go online to make the GCN an "at home hub" and then that leaves the issue of content...who is gonna support an idea of hardware that requires other hardware add-ons to work. Plus if it's a WiFi enabled wireless communication device then that jacks up power usage and the cost making this peripheral even more obscure than most.
So this leads me to think it's not a wireless communication device of any type. So what is it, a new type of controller or the suppossed "GameEye"? No...they could easily use the DigiCard slots or controller ports for that. Let's instead think of what a last ditch peripheral would be for. To extend the life of the GCN! And let's apply that to an idea Nintendo has been pushing a lil' this generation. The GBA NES Classic line, openning up classic games in Animal Crossing and other games, the Zelda collector's disc, the e-Card Reader & e-Card's all offered a way for gamers to hook up with classic gaming. Nintendo knows there's a market for this and they know that they are a rich source for these kind of "golden age" games! They've also tried to push connectivity on lesser successful scale. By the time this peripheral releases GBA & moreso GCN will be in thier twilight hour. So this, again, idea will be used to help extend the life of the those systems as Nintendo concentrates on NDS, Revolution & the next GameBoy going into the future.
So what am I suggesting this new hardware is? A hard drive! I know I know...it's a lil' bit late for such an ambitious peice of hardware. It doesn't neccessarily HAVE to be a HD, but something that is a mass storage medium that can be played across Nintendo systems. I know what you're thinking: "what about the SD card Adaptor for the DigiCard slot?" The problem with that is Nintendo doesn't really have thier hand in or influence in that medium, nor would it really make them any money. Plus...going that route means that whatever Nintendo data is put on an SD card would only work in whatever other device uses SD cards...which sorta defeats the purpose if Nintendo want's to push a form of "connectivity" between Nintendo platforms.
This is my idea...
Introduce a Nintendo HD (N-Drive) or just a chunk of solid state re-writable memory that can pull data from cheap GCN discs thru Serial Port 2 and play them in portable form by making it a GBA cartridge that can be played in a GBA, NDS and/or next GameBoy on the go. The idea is to create cheap content that can be played at home or downloaded onto the N-Drive for on the go play. Alot like the content that was made for e-Card's, only more successful since GCN disc's can hold more data and this N-Drive would make it less bulky/complicated to pull off. I even know that Nintendo had plans to release more e-Card content, but couldn't 'cos the e-Card sorta faded into obscurity. With cheap lil' $5 to $10 GCN disc's being sold in mini-cases they could hold games as well as soundtracks, demo's, videos and other data...all of which can be transferred onto the N-Drive to play on the go! For those without the N-Drive they could still buy these cheap-o games to enjoy on thier GAMECUBE. For those without a GCN they could go to store kiosks to download content onto thier N-Drive iQue style. This idea isn't meant to "save GCN" or anything, just add a lil' something to it. A peripheral like this wouldn't cost too much either and would be profitable. Game's for this idea would be cheap too. Let's say they do introduce a smaller GAMECUBEmini...packaging this peripheral and a GBA and selling it as a combo for around $100 would be nice near the end of this generation. Plus it introduces an idea I think Nintendo will put into full swing next generation. The idea of making/buying ONE game and reach BOTH thier console and portable lines at the same time!
I know there's a problem with having mass re-writable devices being hacked, but if anyone can find a way to prevent piracy it's Nintendo. One way they could prevent abuse is by making it to where each N-Drive could only hold a certain ammount of applications/games...or it could be restricting 'cos it doesn't hold that much data. I think a simultaneous physical link connection & wireless connection could be a way to put a hamper on piracy/hacking.
I'm speculating, first, what the last port on the bottom of the GAMECUBE is for. If Revolution is to be BC with GCN, then I think it might give us some clue as to what Revolution may have to have on it to offer whatever this last port offers (wether it be built-in or an add-on). Plus, I think if there is to be a slimmed down GCN (a GAMECUBEmini) that this last port could still work with it (the other two larger ports may be removed for space/cost issues). I know alot of you may be thinking: "well it's too late for GAMECUBE, Nintendo can't save it with this last mystery port" I agree to some extent, but that doesn't mean they can't experiment and introduce a new idea...nor does this peripheral hardware have to be restricted to just GAMECUBE, it could be something that works with more than just it? Nintendo has been talking about more hardware anyways, but none of the upcoming hardware (mic, dancepad, etc.) requires this port leaving it still open for something. But what?
Well, there are some clues for it's possible use just by looking at it. #1-There are no metal connections on it for power suggesting that whatever is hooked up to this port runs under it's own power. #2-The space for the port itself is very small, I think it's for a link cable connection of some kind 'cos of...#3-It has a rounded off openning suggesting that it's a seperatly connected device in which a cable has to travel thru a rounded openning to connect with the GAMECUBE. #4-With the GameBoy Player hooked up, there is also no room for anything to "sit under" the system.
So with those clues we know that it's a link connection for a seperate peice of hardware that runs under it's own power. But that brings up another issue...will said device run by a battery or by being plugged into the wall dirrectly?
It could be a wireless communication device so as the NDS and/or the GBA (with wireless adaptor) can communicated dirrectly? It could also be used to connect with crazy wireless gyro controllers or a way to go online wirelessly or create a wireless LAN between systems. Problem with that is, Nintendo already has a way to do LAN & online gaming with the modem & broadband adaptors. Plus it wouldn't make too much sense to leap into online gaming half-assed this late in the generation. So if it's just for communication with GBA & NDS then that doesn't give us much as you would HAVE to have a wireless adaptor with the GBA, you would HAVE to have a modem or broadband adaptor to go online to make the GCN an "at home hub" and then that leaves the issue of content...who is gonna support an idea of hardware that requires other hardware add-ons to work. Plus if it's a WiFi enabled wireless communication device then that jacks up power usage and the cost making this peripheral even more obscure than most.
So this leads me to think it's not a wireless communication device of any type. So what is it, a new type of controller or the suppossed "GameEye"? No...they could easily use the DigiCard slots or controller ports for that. Let's instead think of what a last ditch peripheral would be for. To extend the life of the GCN! And let's apply that to an idea Nintendo has been pushing a lil' this generation. The GBA NES Classic line, openning up classic games in Animal Crossing and other games, the Zelda collector's disc, the e-Card Reader & e-Card's all offered a way for gamers to hook up with classic gaming. Nintendo knows there's a market for this and they know that they are a rich source for these kind of "golden age" games! They've also tried to push connectivity on lesser successful scale. By the time this peripheral releases GBA & moreso GCN will be in thier twilight hour. So this, again, idea will be used to help extend the life of the those systems as Nintendo concentrates on NDS, Revolution & the next GameBoy going into the future.
So what am I suggesting this new hardware is? A hard drive! I know I know...it's a lil' bit late for such an ambitious peice of hardware. It doesn't neccessarily HAVE to be a HD, but something that is a mass storage medium that can be played across Nintendo systems. I know what you're thinking: "what about the SD card Adaptor for the DigiCard slot?" The problem with that is Nintendo doesn't really have thier hand in or influence in that medium, nor would it really make them any money. Plus...going that route means that whatever Nintendo data is put on an SD card would only work in whatever other device uses SD cards...which sorta defeats the purpose if Nintendo want's to push a form of "connectivity" between Nintendo platforms.
This is my idea...
Introduce a Nintendo HD (N-Drive) or just a chunk of solid state re-writable memory that can pull data from cheap GCN discs thru Serial Port 2 and play them in portable form by making it a GBA cartridge that can be played in a GBA, NDS and/or next GameBoy on the go. The idea is to create cheap content that can be played at home or downloaded onto the N-Drive for on the go play. Alot like the content that was made for e-Card's, only more successful since GCN disc's can hold more data and this N-Drive would make it less bulky/complicated to pull off. I even know that Nintendo had plans to release more e-Card content, but couldn't 'cos the e-Card sorta faded into obscurity. With cheap lil' $5 to $10 GCN disc's being sold in mini-cases they could hold games as well as soundtracks, demo's, videos and other data...all of which can be transferred onto the N-Drive to play on the go! For those without the N-Drive they could still buy these cheap-o games to enjoy on thier GAMECUBE. For those without a GCN they could go to store kiosks to download content onto thier N-Drive iQue style. This idea isn't meant to "save GCN" or anything, just add a lil' something to it. A peripheral like this wouldn't cost too much either and would be profitable. Game's for this idea would be cheap too. Let's say they do introduce a smaller GAMECUBEmini...packaging this peripheral and a GBA and selling it as a combo for around $100 would be nice near the end of this generation. Plus it introduces an idea I think Nintendo will put into full swing next generation. The idea of making/buying ONE game and reach BOTH thier console and portable lines at the same time!
I know there's a problem with having mass re-writable devices being hacked, but if anyone can find a way to prevent piracy it's Nintendo. One way they could prevent abuse is by making it to where each N-Drive could only hold a certain ammount of applications/games...or it could be restricting 'cos it doesn't hold that much data. I think a simultaneous physical link connection & wireless connection could be a way to put a hamper on piracy/hacking.
