Steven Kent is one of the few levelheaded voices in the mainstream game media and has been at the forefront of the developing next-generation of consoles for some time. Despite a critical eye, you’d think Steven Kent to be quite the Nintendophile; at least, he certainly seems impressed with what the "Big N" has in store this time around. A regular contributor to MSNBC, Steven keeps popping up elsewhere (fine with us, keep spreading that N-Love!) and this time appears on Japan Times Online with a summary of the approaching GameCube launch.

With its annual Spaceworld trade show in Makuhari only two months away and the launch of GameCube set for September, Nintendo is beginning to show a real sense of purpose.

And what might that purpose be? Judging by the quality of the games Nintendo has up its sleeve, I'd guess world domination. At least world video-game market domination.

Talk about positive! Before breaking down the GC launch, Steve turns momentarily to the PS2 for a comparison...

By the time GameCube finally reaches the market, PlayStation2 will have been available for 18 months. During that time, Sony and its myriad of publishing partners will have released more than 100 games, nearly all of which are bad. It took Sony 12 months just to find its first million-seller, "Onimusha: Warlords" from Capcom.

Kent goes on to mention the success of Gran Turismo 3 and many other exciting PS2 games on the horizon. However, Steven then points out that GameCube will have much more exciting software from the get-go than the PS2 had in its first 15 months. (Meanwhile, PGCer Mike Orlando seems to think there's plenty of fun to be had on PS2 right now...)

This is followed by "reviews" of all known launch titles. Steve reminds folks that his reviews are based on very short, very preliminary, on-site tests of unfinished games. That said, he rates all games highly (4 out of 5, except Rogue, which receives 4.5) and has enthusiastic things to say about each.

Check it out & thanks to Quinton McLeod for the head’s up!