Now that the Wii includes basically a superset of all GameCube functionality, I'm trying to think of reasons why I should keep my GameCube around instead of selling it and going Wii-only. So far, I have these:

1. GameBoy Player. This plugs into one of the serial ports on the bottom of the GameCube and lets me play GBA games on the TV where they look so much better. This is by far the biggest reason to keep the GC that I can think of.

2. Modem-using Phantasy Star players. While the Wii can take a USB ethernet adapter (and works with wifi, of course), I doubt it works with USB modems. Not that it matters for 99% of GameCube software anyway. In fact, can online GC games even use the Wii's network connection? I would imagine so, but I don't know for sure.

3. Digital AV output. Older GameCubes have a digital AV output port. Most people just use it for the GC component cable (which converts to analog), but I modded mine to put out TOSLink audio, too. That's probably possible with a Wii, but no one has done it yet. Not that it sounds noticeably different or anything.

4. Not as awkward. The Wii is a little awkward for GC games, since the disk slot is on one side and all the GameCube ports are on another. But that's somewhat balanced by the fact that the Wii is smaller overall.

5. No controller swapping. To play a GC game on a Wii, you have to use the Wii remote to get past the stupid safety warning screen and select the Disc Channel, then you have to switch to the GameCube controller. That's just annoying. Perhaps someday they'll do an update that allows navigating the Wii menu with a GC controller.

6. Possibly more reliable. One of the most frequent things that fails on a console is the optical drive's tray or loading mechanism, or the drive's alignment. The GameCube just has a door. It might break less often than the Wii's fancy dual-disk-size slot loader. The GameCube was certainly the most reliable console of the last generation.

7. Available in colors. OK, now I'm really stretching, but I'm trying to be comprehensive here. Until Nintendo releases different color Wiis, though, the GC does have an edge here. I like my platinum GC with matching imported GameBoy Player. Oh, and it has a handle, too.

That's all I've got. Are there any other reasons at all to keep the old GameCube around that I missed?

1) Gameboy player: Well if you still use this then you don't have a choice. The Wii will not use this adapter.

2) Phantasy Star: You still play Phantasy Star on-line? Again you don't have a choice. But I must admit that I don't know if Phantasy Star will work with the Wii network adapter.

3) Digital optical mod: you yourself said that there wasn't a difference in sound. So don't worry about it.

4 - 7) Really no big deal for any of these. If you don't use the first 2 then go ahead and ditch the GC.
I see that they are auctioning off for between 40 and 80 bucks. Even one with the GB adapter went for 40 bucks. And there's no guarantee that yours will sell for over 40. I just retired my GC to the garage.

Does the Wii not have a digital optical (TOSLINK) output? I thought it had surround sound, no?

What kind of sound cable(s) does the Wii use?

I sold my gamecube to EB for 45 bucks and used that to get two DS games, so happy I got ride of it, I have no room for it and no use. None of your reasons applied to me and I am much happier having only the Wii. I actually havent even tried a gamecube game on it yet but I do have the wavebird and memory cards plugged in to it for when I do. The gamecube supports Dobly Pro Logic II which takes the stereo av cables (red and white) and gets a surround sound signal from that (if your receiver supports it). Not as good as Dobly Digital but better than nothing.

The red/white for stereo or Pro Logic II surround, just like the GC.

Cush

I sold my gamecube to EB for 45 bucks and used that to get two DS games
Was this before the Wii came out? I can't imagine they're offering that much still. If it was recent though I would like to know.

You still play Phantasy Star on-line?I don't personally play that. I was just trying to think of any reason anyone might possibly have, starting with the ones that would be the most important if they applied. For me, that's the GameBoy Player. GBA games just look so much more vivid and exciting on the big screen. But I honestly haven't played a GBA game in a while, and maybe I could live without it, or at least put the GameCube in storage. I was mostly wondering if there were any reasons to keep it that I didn't know about.

For example, if GC games can't use the Wii's networking, that would prevent Mario Kart DD from playing LAN games. I don't play PSO, but I do like Mario Kart. I can't test that right now, but it would be a reason to keep the GameCube if true. And there are probably even more things like I just haven't thought of.

The Cube makes a great gift to a younger family member. I'm giving mine to my little sis (15). She loves Monkeyball.

I sold my GC on ebay (without controllers) for $39, the broadband adapter for $26, and the component video cable for $71. (All prices included shipping).

I still have yet to even try playing a GC game on my Wii, so I stand by my decision thus far. :)

I plan to use the proceeds towards WiiPlay/Remote, a 4th remote, and 2 nunchuks and possible a game. I was very surprised at home much I got for the cable.

3. Digital AV output. Older GameCubes have a digital AV output port. Most people just use it for the GC component cable (which converts to analog), but I modded mine to put out TOSLink audio, too. That's probably possible with a Wii, but no one has done it yet. Not that it sounds noticeably different or anything.
Non-issue, since there would be no difference in sound.


4. Not as awkward. The Wii is a little awkward for GC games, since the disk slot is on one side and all the GameCube ports are on another. But that's somewhat balanced by the fact that the Wii is smaller overall.
How does that affect gameplay, or anything for that matter? :confused:

Non-issue, since there would be no difference in sound.It would sound better if I had bad analog cables, since with the mod the audio never gets converted to analog until after it reaches the reciever. But the main reasons I did it were 1) because it simplified my cable routing, and 2) because I could, and I'm a big geek. With my Wii, I have the audio going to an analog-to-digital converter to keep my wiring simple. Basically, all my other devices that use component video use digital audio (PS2, XBox, etc), and I can run them all through the same switch that way.

How does that affect gameplay, or anything for that matter? :confused:It doesn't affect gameplay at all. But the Wii efectively takes up more space on my shelf if I have to have Wavebird recievers and memory cards poking out one side, and it looks messy. It isn't a big deal, but it isn't completely nothing.

It doesn't affect gameplay at all. But the Wii efectively takes up more space on my shelf if I have to have Wavebird recievers and memory cards poking out one side, and it looks messy. It isn't a big deal, but it isn't completely nothing.
I hear you on the mess.

Does the Wii not have a digital optical (TOSLINK) output? I thought it had surround sound, no?


It's - supposedly - already available: http://www.sjgreatdeals.com/itcg5628.html


What kind of sound cable(s) does the Wii use?

Same as for composite: RCAs.

To add my $.02: I just sent my GC to my brother, together with 6 games, extra wireless controller, large memory card etc. There's no reason to keep it anymore if you have a Wii.

Was this before the Wii came out? I can't imagine they're offering that much still. If it was recent though I would like to know.

Eb had a deal where you get an extra $20 when you bring in a used console, I think a week before Xmas. I am pretty sure it is not happening now but it was not the first time they had that deal so keep an eye out.

1. GameBoy Player. This plugs into one of the serial ports on the bottom of the GameCube and lets me play GBA games on the TV where they look so much better. This is by far the biggest reason to keep the GC that I can think of.

Absolutely. This is the reason I still own my GC and will always own my GC. The Gameboy Player is an absolute must. The GBA Castlevania and Megaman games are home console quality and thus deserve to be played in 480p (which the player supports) on a large TV with a proper controller. Likewise, there's the various SNES ports to the GBA -- the Final Fantasies, Super Mario 1 through Yoshi's Island, etc -- which still make the GC with GBA player a better "virtual console" than the Wii right now.

Honestly, the GC + GBA combo is a keeper. It's the only system with which you can play every single Zelda game on: Zelda 1, 2, Ocarina, and Majora's all from the Zelda Collector Edition disc, Link to the Past via the GBA port which included Four Swords, all the portable incarnations (Link's Awakening, Orcale of Ages/Seasons, Minish Cap), Wind Waker and GC-edition of Four Swords, and Twilight Princess. Won't be until the new Wii Zelda and the upcoming DS Phantom Hourglass where the GCis finally left behind. That also reminds me of my love/hate relationship with the DS. I love it, it's great, etc; but, there's no way for it to ever hook up to the "big screen" at home like one can with the GBA and prior.

GC is also very easily modded to play all region games.

I really really REALLY wish these companies would just give up on region coding.

GC is also very easily modded to play all region games.Excellent point. I haven't done that since I don't speak Japanese, but for someone who had, it would easily be a mandatory reason to keep the GC all by itself. That should probably be the new number 2 on the list until someones figures out how to put a region switch on a Wii.

GC is also very easily modded to play all region games.


How?

How?
basically, all you have to do is solder a switch between two points on the motherboard, to switch between US and JPN region modes.

http://www.phosphors.com/gcn/region%20switch/

there may be a better guide somewhere, but that was the first one that came up in my search.

I dont like mucking about with swap discs, most because of incompatibility issues, so a switch (or mod chip when the case requires) is the only way to go for me.