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| GAMECUBE The Gamecube should be arriving on Australian shores at about Christmas time so you can ask for one for Christmas. If you want to know more about the Gamecube; read on. Gamecube Features � The Gamecube is the smallest games machine made; it has the dimensions of 15cm across, 11cm high and 16.1cm deep. The Gamecube comes in a variety of colours (purple, pink, black, silver, bronze and there may be more). The Gamecube is meant to portable so it has a 3cm handle on the back of it. The Gamecube was specifically made for gaming that�s why they didn�t include DVD, or a MP3/CD player. The Gamecube has controller ports a bit smaller than the N64. The Gameboy Advance can even be used as a controller so that�s another advantage. Gameboy Advance Connected Gamecube Accessories � The Gamecube can use a modem adaptor for the Internet so you can play games online or even multi-player over the Internet. There is also a broadband adaptor for the even bigger Internet users. The Gamecube�s CD is a small DVD disk made by Panasonic and Nintendo together. Nintendo decided to make it small because of Piracy Protection, which means you can�t burn the disc on to another. It is also smaller than any other discs so you can�t burn it. Like all games machines it has a memory card except this one, it is the size of a postage stamp. It has a memory of 4 MB and with Nintendo�s SD-Digicard Adaptor, you can use Panasonic�s new SD Memory Cards and the memory becomes 16 times the size of that � 64 MB. Broadband Adaptor Gamecube Controller � The controller for the Gamecube is smaller than the N64 controller. It has the normal buttons look at the picture on the next page: You may not see the Z button because it is located behind the R button on top. The control stick is better than the N64�s because it has a dome shaped bottom, the C control stick is good because it�s the same and it�s for games like Turok, Quake 2, Goldeneye, etc. The CD � The Gamecube�s disc (like explained in Accessories) is produced by both Nintendo and Panasonic. Nintendo wanted to make it small because of Piracy Protection, no other disc is that small. It is only 8cm in diameter but it contains the size of 1.5 GB (x 50 bigger than the Zelda cart). It is a small DVD disc but they didn�t make it DVD because they make Nintendo machines; games machines only. Gamecube Speak � The consoles specifications demystified (explained in order A- Z) ADPCM � Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modification � or else, what power�s Gamecube�s sound chip. Sound takes up minimal memory so the Gamecube can play 64 voices simultaneously.] Alpha Blending � Gamecube�s in-built ability to give characters and objects a semi-transparent, foggy or glassy look. Bandwidth � The speed that memory can be scanned. At 3.2 GB (Gigabytes) per second, Gamecube can scan it�s entire memory in 0.01 of a second � and graphics memory 8 times faster. Bilinear Filtering -� An in-built Gamecube effect that ensures distant scenery doesn�t become blocky as it moves closer. CAV � Constant Angular Velocity, and simply allows the machine consistent and super fast access to it�s discs. Copper Chip Technology � Gamecube�s central chip � manufactured by IBM � is made from really thin copper wires, 25% faster than PS2�s thicker aluminium ones. Data Transfer Speed � How fast information can be taken off a game disc. The maximum with Gamecube is 25 Mbit per second (It can download Super Mario 64 in 2.5 seconds). Flipper � Gamecubes NEC-built graphics chip. Gekko � The nickname for the IBM chip that powers the Gamecube. It�s based on the technology in modern Macs, but is specially adapted to concentrate just on running games. GFLOP � A measure of how quickly a machine does it�s sums. Gamecube can manage 13 GFLOPs (billion calculations per second) � by contrast, PS2 does just 6.2. Latency � How quickly a game gets something from memory after asking for it. In gamecube, it�s as low as 0.00000005 of a second � at least six to ten times faster than other consoles. HW Light � Hardware Light � Gamecube has eight built-in lights that developers can use without slowing proceedings down a jot. Memory � Gamecube holds tons of data; 24 MB in it�s main memory, 16 MB of sliightly slower stuff and 3MB in the graphics chip. Motion Compensation � Built into the Gamecube hardware, this is basically �moyion blur�, giving you a ghostly trail on moving objects just like Ridge Racer 64 Replay Mode. Polygons Per Second -� How quickly shapes can be put onto the screen. Gamecube manages 6 � 12 million (far more than PS2). S3TC � Allows developers to squeeze tons of super-detailed, pin-sharp textures (wall patterns, character outfits) onto a single disc, then load them back off without slowing the game down. Subpixel Anti-Aliasing � Gamecube�s optional, N64-beating ability to �blur� jagged lines for a less eye-jarring effect. |
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