Drew asks, What do you think about Microsoft

downgrading XBox specs after their "100% assurance" that no specs would be

downgraded and, if changed, would be upgraded? The specs they downgraded were the polygon

per second from 300M p/s to 125M p/s (fake numbers which mean nothing anyway) and that the

graphics processor would go from 300 MHz to 250 MHz.

Jonathan Says: I think it shows just how much

of a rookie Microsoft is in this business. I also think it won't do much to hurt them,

because most of the general public never knew about those specs to begin with. It's too

bad that they'll get away with it, especially after the insulting spin-job that J Allard

vomited up, but I guess that's the way it goes.

Mike H Says: I

agree with Jonathan here. Hell Intel, AMD, and Apple are all guilty of spitting out

theoretical performance on their processors by cherry-picking specifications. MS is just a

cousin of the PC hardware market.

Microsoft doesn't get on my good side for this hoo-haw, but all things being

equal, they've proven to me they are equally dishonest as the rest of the players have

been at one time or another. Surprised, I am not.

Ed Says: I just think it's amusing hearing

the spin the Microsoft boys are putting on the changes...especially the talk about how

theoretical numbers don't really mean much, and that in practical terms the Xbox will be 3

times more powerful than the PS2. Still, according to them, that was their goal all

along...but I'm just curious as to what number they were trying to be 3 times more

powerful than?

Mike S. Says: I think it was a smart move for

Microsoft to downgrade the specs. If they kept the old ones and then showed the games,

people would really think the games were crap. By downgrading the specs, the margin of

"error" is less and the games at a spec of 125mpps seem better as compared the

same game at a spec of 300mpps.

Zosha Says: This is what happens when you get

in a pissing contest and you're not even prepared to back up you... uh... "bet".

MS is going to realize the hard way that this isn't going to be its PC monopoly and that

they can't sell the Xbox on "well the final hardware is much better."

I suspect that Xbox will be delayed... How in the name of the K'Gara R'Hyu will

NVidia be able to get the Xchip mass produced for a launch this Fall? The chip won't be

completed until close to E3!

Something is beginning to smell...

Max Says: I don’t want to seem like a

wet blanket but I almost have to disagree with the rest of the staff’s answers and

comments. What, Microsoft fudged up in publicizing and planning the release of its new

video game console? How is this any different from either of its competitors? Hasn't the

GameCube already seen a delay after it was supposed to originally launch in

December 2000? Wasn't Sony supposed to have shipped 1,000,000 (and not less than

half that) for the U.S. launch? To me, the X-Box spec downgrades are just another example

of the game industry in general saying one thing then a bit later doing something else for

whatever reason. It’s nothing new and certainly not unique to Microsoft.

Zack K. asks, Do you really think GAMECUBE will

launch this year. I really don't, and my main reason for believing this derives from E3.

E3, May 2001, will be the first time gamers, or the press will see any software from GC. I

assume this includes the Japanese gamers and press as well. So, we're to believe that the

system will launch in Japan just two months after the GRAND world wide unveiling? Isn't

that a short period of time for the system? 5 months later (of E3) is the US. launch. 5

months to promote all of the GC's launch titles. Not too promising if you ask me. After

all I believe it was a whole year after the Japanese launch that the US Dreamcast finally

hit our shores. The PS2 came out in March in Japan, and then 7 months later here. Nintendo

is only allowing a 3 month period between launches. Now I'm not saying it's impossible, it

just seems highly unlikely, don't you think?

Jonathan Says: I don't expect a delay at all.

PS2 was unveiled only two or three months before its Japanese launch, and the hardware

sold like hotcakes. Of course, there was hype for it long before that, but I don't know

anything Nintendo could do to hype the GameCube in Japan other than just showing the

games, which it will be doing soon enough.

Mike H. Says: The GameCube launches are

slowly sneaking up on us now. Considering that the XBox does not appear to be a GameCube

killer, I think Nintendo will move ahead as planned and launch at the current timeframes,

give or take a few weeks. 2 months isn't a lot of time, but I think they'll make due with

the old "limited supply" trick.

Don't quote me on that. But if it happens, then you heard it here first.

Ed Says: I'm a firm believer in a 2001

launch, too. While it's a short time from E3 to the Japanese launch, it is feasible...and

technically, the GameCube was unveiled last August in Japan. Yes, E3 will be the first

time the public will have playable software but, as Jon mentioned, this is similar to what

Sony did for the PS2 with it's PlayStation festival in January 2000 followed by a March

2000 launch. Also remember that Nintendo wants to be very quiet about everything so they

can keep their secrets as long as possible. This would be another lesson they learned from

the N64, where there were cheap Mario clones shortly after Mario 64's debut as well as the

adoption of analog sticks as a standard for controllers. As for the short time between

Japanese and American launches, the N64 was launched in summer 1996 in Japan followed by a

U.S. release in late September 1996. So, no, I don't think a 2002 U.S. launch is probable.

Zosha Says: Fact is, what is a possible date

for Nintendo to launch other than Fall 2001? There isn't one. Spring/Fall of 2002? And let

MS have Xmas 2001 unchallenged? Yeah Nintendo will do that right after abandoning Mario as

mascot, firing Miyamoto-sensei and making Titus a second party.

Take that as you will. >:)=

Max Says: It seems some Nintendophiles are

almost expecting another delay, since we've grown accustomed to it happening so much. In

the US, we've already suffered one delay, from December 2000 to October 2001 (I’m not

certain when the NGC was originally going to launch in Japan) which should have provided

the time needed to prepare. Another thing that will help the launches happening on time

become possible is the ease of NGC Development, which will give an edge to 1st, 2nd and

3rd parties alike with their GameCube projects and allow them to complete them in a timely

manner.

To top it off, there really isn't any other time for GameCube to launch. In Japan, it

could get pushed back a month or two but in launching the new console in the US after

Christmas 2001? Forget it! There is no other ideal time for the system to launch,

especially with X-Box supposed to come out at the same time.

It's similar to when Nintendo was developing Zelda: Ocarina of Time for N64 and it was

believed that it might not make it in time for Xmas ’98. Nintendo responded "We have

to have it out by then." The same is true with the GameCube.

Ozuna1 asks, I was planning on buying a import

GameBoy Advance when it comes out in March. Do you know if the import GBA will be able to

play American GBA games? How much higher do you think the price will be on the import GBA

from its $99 Japanese price?

Ed Says: The Japanese GBA should be able to

play American games. I don't know if there's anything official about that, but I know all

previous versions of GameBoy (original, Pocket, Color) have been able to play games from

any territory. Presumably, since GBA is fully backwards compatible, this will continue to

hold true. About the price, it's actually closer to US $90 now. I'm not sure what

importers will charge...maybe US $130? That'd give them a nice profit and wouldn't be too

outrageous. Personally, I'd be fine with importing a Japanese GBA with Mario Kart Advance

for about US $200...less would be better, but that's what I'm bracing for.

Mike S. Says: It should be able

to play American GBA games. Since the BrickBoy, GB Pocket, and GB Color all play jap games

the GBA will at least play US original style GB carts. The chances are high that it will

play US GBA carts. Unless they do like the N64 and modify the cartridge slightly so it

won't fit. But if that happens someone will make an adapter or you can just fix the GBA to

accept both style carts like you can with an N64. I have no clue on the price.

Max Says: Yes, the Game Boy has

had a history of not being so concerned with lockouts. I am definitely hoping this

continues to remain true with GBA. Regardless, I am going to import the system and hope

for the best. I'm hoping the price isn't too much, though no matter how much it costs it

sounds like a lot of the staff will be importing! Once we do, you can count on some good

coverage—and an absolute answer to whether or not it will have some kind of

regional-protection.

Nick asks, What happened to the big developer

conference Nintendo was supposed to have for GameCube developer? Has it been delayed or

has it happened and they're just being real low key with it? Also, With Namco having

development kits (a port a Ridge Racer is in the works) and Tekken coming to GBA, do you

think there is a good possibility of a GameCube Tekken?

Jonathan Says: I think a

GameCube Tekken and/or Soul Calibur game is a very good possibility. No clue on the

developer conference, I haven't heard a word about it in weeks.

Ed Says: Good question, about

the GameCube developer's conference. Word is that it should be in February...which would

place it a bit before the Game Developer's Conference (GDC), which is where I expect

Nintendo to make an even bigger push towards attracting 3rd party developers. I'm sure

we'll hear something about the GameCube conference when it happens. As for Tekken on

GameCube...it's quite possible. I immediately thought of a GameCube version of the title

once I heard there'd be a GBA version. Hopefully Namco has a similar thought

process...Tekken for GameCube would be a nice addition to help pull some PlayStation

gamers to Nintendo's side.

Max Says: The developer

conference, originally planned for November, was rescheduled at least once and now will

likely be held in February. Whenever the conference goes down, hopefully even more good

GBA/GC info will start trickling out.

Like Ed, when I heard about Tekken Advance, I also immediately thought of a possible

connecting GameCube version. We'll have to wait n' see I suppose but after playing a good

bit of Tekken Tag Tournament on PS2, I have to admit I'm excited about the possibility. It

all depends on whether Namco is genuinely interested in Nintendo’s upcoming systems

or is only “testing the water” so to speak. We'll have more on Namco soon.