Was Nintendo right to opt out of the graphics arms race?

[Chrkeller]

Soundwave said:

FormerlyTeamSilent13 said:

No. Nintendo needs to make a technically sound console and good games. Gamecube technically was more powerful than PS2, but most cross platform games were made with better performance and graphics on the PS2. I can only really think of one game, rayman arena that was objectively better on the gamecube. I can think of dozens that were better on PS2. Not to mention Odyssey is the most baby no skill 3D mario game ever produced. Nintendo needs to make both a powerful console and produce good games. If the Wii had not been almost as bad as a gamecube it could have been something special as it had terrific games in comparison to other nintendo generations

Resident Evil 4 on GameCube stomps the shit out of the PS2 version, this looks like the gap between PS4 and PS5 games today:

Here's another example, Spider-Man rans at 60 fps most of the time on the GameCube with better image quality whereas the PS2 version is about 30 fps most of the time. 

GameCube was better hardware. Star Wars Rogue Squadron II/III, Star Fox Adventures, things like that I don't think would have looked as good on the PS2 as they did on the GameCube. 

Nintendo really should have highlighted that the had better hardware, they're way too modest and allow competitors to control the narrative with phony marketing and PR statements too often. A lot of people thought the Genesis was better hardware than the SNES because Nintendo let them get away with bullshit marketing like Blast Processing. I'm playing Mortal Kombat Collection these days and it's not even close Mortal Kombat I/II/III all look way better on the Super NES. 

The Gamecube was better hardware but RE "stomping" the ps2 version is a gross exaggeration.  It was better but it was also letterboxed, while the ps2 version was actually 16×9.  I had both versions and preferred the ps2 because the letterboxed Gamecube resulted in a tiny little screen.  To this day I find the letterbox decision so odd.  

The issue with the Gamecube was the silly unique format via mini disks.  That held the console back, just like cartridges held the N64 back.  I also think the cute lunchbox design didn't resonate with fans.  Why Nintendo went mini disks is something I do not understand.

With the Wii, the lack of HD was absurd.  The entire concept of the Wii U was weird. 

If nothing else, with the S1 and S2, nintendo is not making stupid and silly decisions.  Everything about those two consoles makes sense given the hybrid approach.  The head scratching decisions seem gone.

Edit

And in terms of showcasing the GC, prime.  That was the game that just looked amazing for its time.  

Last edited by Chrkeller - on 16 January 2026