The Nintendo GameCube doesn't skimp on gaming essentials. It provides four controller ports, a dedicated reset button, a pair of expansion slots at the bottom of the unit for future broadband, and analog online connectivity. Two slots along the front of the system let users plug in memory cards, which are required for saving game data.

The system houses an enormous amount of power under its purple casing: a 485-MHz IBM PowerPC CPU (dubbed "Gecko"), a custom ATI 3-D graphics chip set, and 40MB of total system memory. Nintendo claims that the system can draw between 6 and 12 million polygons per second.

Unlike the Xbox and PS2, both of which use DVD media, the GameCube has a proprietary 3-inch Matsushita optical disc drive. The discs hold approximately 1.5GB of data. The drive itself is silent, which is a good change from the noisy Xbox and PS2 systems.

The GameCube's controller is a huge step up from the clunky devices used by the older Nintendo 64 systems. The control pad fits comfortably into the hand but doesn't feel as sturdy as the Xbox and PS2 controllers.

The first wave of games for the GameCube is an impressive group: Luigi's Mansion, Madden NFL 2002, Melee, Pikmin, Star Wars Rogue Leader, and Super Monkey Ball.

Besides offering gaming power, an excellent design, and a solid initial gaming library, the GameCube costs $100 less than either the Xbox or the PS2.