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The Nintendo GameCube was released in 2001-2002 and shifted from cartridges to proprietary 8cm mini-DVDs for playing video games (to focus on the gaming aspect and combat piracy). During its development, it was famously codenamed “Project Dolphin”.
It was released for the initial price of $199.99 in North America and faced fierce competition with rival gaming companies due to the lack of DVD-video support and a slower startup. In addition, it was the first Nintendo home console to not release a Mario platformer as a launch title, instead having Luigi’s Mansion take the spotlight.
While the GameCube trailed its competitors in commercial sales and only sold 21.74 million copies worldwide, it was still remembered fondly for its unique, fun design and its amazing library of iconic, beloved games.