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Game Capsule
Launch

Console encyclopedia

Nintendo · 2001

GameCube

GameCube Emulator Online

Home consoleGeneration 6

Nintendo’s compact optical-disc console used a PowerPC processor, four controller ports and proprietary 8 cm discs.[1]

Game CapsulePlanned
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GameCube hardware artwork
GameCube · Nintendo
First launch
2001
Manufacturer
Nintendo
Category
Home console
Generation
6
Hardware sales
21.74M[6]

Worldwide GameCube hardware.[6]

01

The console story

GameCube succeeded Nintendo 64 in 2001. Its hardware emphasized games rather than DVD movie playback, using compact discs and a distinctive controller.[1]

WaveBird offered wireless control. The Game Boy Player placed handheld hardware underneath the console to bring Game Boy-family software to a television.[1]

02

A history in milestones

  1. 2001
    Japan

    [1]

  2. 2001
    North America

    [1]

  3. 2002
    Europe

    [1]

  4. 2004
    DOL-101

    Revision without digital video output.[1]

03

Technical profile

Processor
IBM Gekko · 485 MHz[2]
Memory
24 MB main + 16 MB auxiliary RAM[2]
Display & graphics
ATI Flipper[2]
Media
8 cm proprietary optical discs[2]
Audio
Dedicated audio DSP[2]
Power
External power supply[1]
Input & connectivity
Four controller ports + two memory-card slots[2]
05

Why it mattered

Connecting Nintendo hardware

GBA link features and the Game Boy Player connected portable and living-room play in different, hardware-specific ways.[1]

21.74M

Worldwide GameCube hardware.[6]

06

Defining games

Years refer to the earliest release of the named version. Games are historical references; GameCapsule does not distribute them.

01

Super Smash Bros. Melee

A Nintendo crossover fighting game.[3]

02

Metroid Prime

First-person exploration in the Metroid universe.[4]

03

The Wind Waker

A sea-faring Zelda adventure with stylized visuals.[5]

07

Hardware variants

DOL-001

Original model with digital video port.[1]

DOL-101

Revision without digital video output.[1]

08

Accessories & ecosystem

WaveBird
Wireless radio controller.[1]
Game Boy Player
Handheld games on a television.[1]
GBA Link Cable
Connection for supported cross-system games.[1]
09

System family

Related systems in the collection. These links do not imply technical compatibility.

Nintendo 64 hardware artwork

1996 · Related platform

Nintendo 64

PlannedWii hardware artwork

2006 · Related platform

Wii

Planned
10

Hardware gallery

GameCube hardware artwork

GameCube

GameCube

GameCube-Console-Set.png — Evan-Amos, Wikimedia Commons; public domain. Downloaded at 960px width. Public domain (PD-self)

Console artwork from the Game Capsule collection. No gameplay screenshot is shown.

11

GameCapsule support

Planned

This system is represented in the catalog. Its emulator, file import and gameplay are not available today. There is no announced release date.

Expand beyond Game Boy while preserving a coherent collection. Other consoles remain catalog-only.

Bring your own compatible game files. Game Capsule does not include commercial games.

Explore the roadmap

Sources & further reading

  1. Historical overview and model chronology ↗

    Historical narrative, regional release precision, model chronology, commercial context and accessories

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  2. Rodrigo Copetti · hardware architecture research ↗

    Processor, memory, graphics, audio and hardware interfaces

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  3. Super Smash Bros. Melee · release history ↗

    Named game/version release year; descriptive context

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  4. Metroid Prime · release history ↗

    Named game/version release year; descriptive context

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  5. The Wind Waker · release history ↗

    Named game/version release year; descriptive context

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  6. Nintendo investor relations · lifetime hardware sales ↗

    Worldwide consolidated lifetime hardware units; report as of June 30, 2026

    Reviewed 2026-09-30