There’s less than two weeks to go until the GameCube’s big unveiling, huh? Looking back, it’s been a pretty long wait. When Nintendo announced Project Dolphin back in May 1999, I was still in college, hadn’t even decided to enter the gaming industry, didn’t know anything about PlanetN2000 and never would have imagined being where I am now. What is even more interesting, though, is how this unveiling has become so significant to me. In some ways it could seem kind of sad that a game console’s unveiling has become so important. What is even sadder would be that I’ve been waiting for and obsessing over this moment along with many others since Nintendo’s first announcements at E3 1999. Two years of waiting for a game console? What’s that say about me?

Consider that I seriously thought about missing one of my best friend’s wedding just to go to the unveiling at E3 and one might really wonder about my perspective. Fortunately, my friend’s wedding is actually a week after E3 so I can go to both, though if they had been on the same days, I think going to the wedding would have been the winner, but it would’ve been a very, very close call. Sure, they’re two once in a lifetime events but the GameCube would hardly kill me for missing the show. My friend would have probably beat me senseless for missing his wedding for a plastic cube. What does that say about this GameCube fixation? Then realize that I’ve spent at least an hour per day for the past two years looking for any new information on Nintendo’s new gaming machine. How healthy is that? I’m sure my parents would be seriously concerned if they realized how deeply my “addiction” ran. They’d make me see a shrink in a heartbeat.

Shrink:“Zo, Ed, vat iz your obzession vit zis Gay-Cube? Cood it be related to zee unresolved isszues vit your zex life?”

Me: “Huh, Zeck’s life? Who’s Zeck?”

Shrink: “Achh, I zee the problem, Mr. Shih...pronounced ‘She’ even though you are a He. You can’t relieve your zexual frustrations zo you must fantizize on zis Gay-Cube inztead!”

Yeah, that’d be a wonderful experience...

So again, what’s so big about the GameCube unveiling and am I really that screwed-up to be so focused on it? In some ways, I could understand people giving me a funny look if they knew how eagerly I’ve been anticipating the GameCube’s full unveiling. After all, I write about GameCube when I can, I read about it daily, and I dream about the possibilities constantly. It’s pretty bad...though I at least I haven’t made a clay mock-up controller...now that would just be plain silly!

Yeah, I’m definitely obsessed with the GameCube and there are quite a few reasons for being so. First of all, I’m a gamer. I grew up playing video games and the Nintendo Entertainment System delighted many people, including my friends and myself for countless hours of my youth. Is it that surprising then that, as an adult, gaming is the primary activity that I do to relax? Also consider that Nintendo’s games have consistently been among the best gaming experiences that I’ve had and one can begin to gain a little understanding into my fascination with the GameCube.

Still, it goes even further than that. I’ve decided to make creating video games my career (what better way to live than to create that which you have enjoyed as a child and continue to enjoy as an adult?). So the unveiling of any new game console is significant, but the unveiling of a console from the premiere game developer in the industry really stirs my heart and imagination. In addition to that, Nintendo will be showing the latest and greatest games from my professional role model Shigeru Miyamoto (of course) whose creations have constantly redefined the gaming landscape and even my parents might begin to understand the significance of the situation.

Ah, but I’m still not done. For that past couple of years, I’ve looked at games as a new medium for creative expression. I can see games evolving into something even more immersive and compelling than what we play today. While current games are certainly interactive entertainment, I can see even more potential in the medium to create unique experiences that film, television, books, and music could never deliver. Now what’s all this pointy-headed pseudo-academic talk have to do with Nintendo and the GameCube? It’s simple really. Nintendo seems to be the most likely to lead the charge into this new territory with their game-centric philosophy. Sure Sony or Microsoft could do it (and truthfully, I don’t care who pushes games further, I just want someone to realize the untapped potential of games), but their multipurpose set-top box approach doesn’t seem all that conducive to taking gaming to a new level. I honestly do believe that the GameCube represents the real future of gaming...and that might be what fuels my obsession the most.

Yes, there’s nostalgia. Yes, it’s a hobby. Yes, it relates to my career choice. But most importantly, I hope that Nintendo can use the GameCube to push the medium of games into uncharted territory. It might not be a huge leap forward and, realistically, games are still a very young medium so they probably won’t reach their full potential for a while yet, but each step forward brings us that much closer.

So that’s what’s been fueling this two-year obsession. Pretty crazy, huh? That’s my personal rationalization for it at any rate. Of course, I really don’t feel the need to justify it to anyone, even if I can do a decent job of it. While it’s an interesting mental exercise, that’s all it is. We all have our reasons for following the GameCube for so long. Simple or complex, rational or irrational—who really gives a damn why? If people give you shit about it...well, that’s their problem. We all have our little obsessions through life...as long as they don’t really hurt anyone, it’s no one else’s concern. So we’re a little crazy? I personally don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Enjoy this craziness because in less than two weeks, the last leg of this wait will begin in earnest and things will be even more fun. Then, in six short months, the real future of gaming will hit us and nothing else will matter.