GameCube

Dogasu's Backpack | Video Games | GameCube

The Nintendo GameCube was Nintendo's entry in the sixth generation of video games. While the system was overshadowed by the Playstation 2, Nintendo was able to keep its loyal fanbase by releasing high-quality games. The GameCube is home to the first console Pocket Monsters RPG, Pokemon Colosseum and for one of the most successful fighting games of all time, The Big Fray - Smash Brothers Deluxe.

The Big Fray - Smash Brothers Deluxe
(大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズDX)
(Super Smash Brothers Melee)

Japanese Release Date: November 21st, 2001
American Release Date: December 3rd, 2001

Overview: The Big Fray - Smash Brothers Deluxe is the extremely popular sequel to the Nintendo 64 game Nintendo All-Stars! The Big Fray - Smash Brothers. The number of characters has been bumped up to an astounding 25 playable characters, and a more involved single player mode has been added. All your favorites from the previous game return and are joined by a host of new characters, including Pichu and Myuutwo.

Changes: The Tamagon trophy has been removed from the American release. Tamagon is the protagonist of a Japanese-only game entitled Devil World, which was not released in the U.S. due to Nintendo's censorship practices in the late 1980's. Two other trophies, the Topi trophy (Ice Climbers) and the Motion-Sensor Mine (Goldeneye) were altered for the American release.

A number of the characters' speech were removed from the American version. Myuutwo's post-battle taunts, for example, were replaced with grunts and laughs.

Trivia: Marth and Roy were originally going to be omitted from the American version, but the translators' love of the character forced Nintendo to keep him in.

Nintendo's The Big Fray - Smash Brothers Deluxe Japanese Site

Pokemon Box Ruby & Sapphire
(ポケモンボックスルビー＆サファイア)
(Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire)

Japanese Release Date: May 30th, 2003
American Release Date: July 12th, 2004

Overview: Pokemon Box isn't a game, per se. It's more of a way to store your pokemon from the GBA games onto a GameCube memory card. Players are able to store up to 1,500 pokemon on the game, and those who use Pokemon Box extensively will receive special pokemon eggs as a bonus.

Changes: N/A

Triva: The game was never released in major retail stores in the U.S....instead, fans had to either get it from the Pokémon Center store in New York or would have to order it online.

Nintendo's Pokemon Box Ruby & Sapphire Japanese Site

Pokemon Channel ~Together with Pikachu!~
(ポケモンチャンネル～ピカチュウといっしょ！～)
(Pokémon Channel)

Japanese Release Date: July 18th, 2003
American Release Date: December 1st, 2003

Overview: Pokemon Channel ~Together with Pikachu!~ is the spiritual successor to Pikachu is Energetic Chuu. In this game, it's your job to test out the various programs of a new TV station designed with pokemon in mind. These programs include a quiz show, an aerobics show, and a shopping show.

Changes: N/A

Trivia: N/A

Nintendo's Japanese Pokemon Channel ~Together with Pikachu!~ Japanese Site

Nintendo's Pokémon Channel American Site

Pokemon Colosseum
(ポケモンコロシアム)
(Pokémon Colosseum)

Japanese Release Date: November 21st, 2003
American Release Date: March 22nd, 2004

Overview: In the first Pokemon RPG for a home console, you play as a young hero facing off against an organization named Cipher who artificially close pokemon's hearts, turning them into "Dark Pokemon." The hero must use a "Snag Machine" to steal other trainers' dark pokemon so he can purify them and return them to their normal selves.

Changes: In the Japanese version of the game, the female sidekick who follows you around has an exposed midriff and a shorter skirt. Her clothing was made longer in the American version to cover her exposed skin. Oddly enough, images of her with her unaltered clothes appear on the game's official website.

Trivia: In all versions of the game, the word Coliseum in the game's title is misspelled as Colosseum.

Nintendo's Pokemon Colosseum Japanese Site

Pokemon-Games.com's Pokémon Colosseum American Site

Donkey Konga
(ドンキーコンガ)
(Donkey Konga)

Japanese Release Date: December 12th, 2003
American Release Date: September 27th, 2004

Overview: In this rhythm game, players beat along to the tune of a song using a bongo-shaped controller. There are also a variety of mini-games to keep players entertained in between jam sessions.

Changes: The song list in the Japanese version and the American version is completely different. Advance Adventure is featured in the Japanese version, while Pokémon Theme is featured in the American version.

You can view a full list of songs here.

Trivia: N/A

Nintendo's Donkey Konga Japanese Site

Nintendo's Donkey Konga American Site

Donkey Konga 2 Hit Song Parade
(ドンキーコンガ2ヒットソングパレード)
(Donkey Konga 2)

Japanese Release Date: July 1st, 2004
American Release Date: May 9th, 2005

Overview: Continuing from the first game, Donkey Konga 2 Hit Song Parade features a variety of new songs and minigames. Also featured are slightly improved graphics and the inclusion of more characters from the Donkey Kong franchise.

Changes: The song list in the Japanese version and the American version is completely different. The Challenger!! is featured in the Japanese version while the American version doesn't feature any Pokémon-related songs.

You can view a full list of songs here.

Trivia: In the U.S., this game received a T for Teen rating, the only Donkey Kong game to do so.

Nintendo's Donkey Konga 2 Hit Song Ballad Japanese Site

Official Donkey Konga 2 American Site

Donkey Konga 3 All-You-Can-Eat! Fifty Freshly-Picked Springtime Songs!
(ドンキーコンガ 3 食べ放題！春もぎたて50曲！)
(-No English Title-)

Japanese Release Date: March 17th, 2005
American Release Date: N/A

Overview: In this sequel to Donkey Konga 2, players are given 50 more songs to beat out on their bongos. Additional Donkey Kong characters like Funky Kong and Cranky Kong have been added as playable characters.

Changes: This game was never released in the U.S. Mezase Pokemon Master is featured in this game.

You can view a full list of songs here.

Trivia: N/A

Nintendo's Donkey Konga 3 All-You-Can-Eat! Fifty Freshly-Picked Springtime Songs! Japanese Site

Pokemon XD The Wind of Darkness - Dark Lugia
(ポケモンXD 闇の旋風ダーク・ルギア)
(Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness)

Japanese Release Date: August 4th, 2005
American Release Date: October 3rd, 2005

Overview: The evil organization Cipher is back! This time, they're working on creating Pokemon XD001, a creature who is meant to be the most powerful dark pokemon ever! Can you defeat Cipher and prevent them from unleashing such a dangerous force onto the world? The game features a streamlined purification process and includes two Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl pokemon.

Changes: N/A

Trivia: N/A

Nintendo's Pokemon XD The Wind of Darkness - Dark Lugia Japanese Site

Pokemon-Games.com's Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness American Site