GameCube Broadband Adapter

People have been moaning about the lack of online support, indeed the Nintendo boys have been lagging behind so thank goodness for the Warp Pipe guys to finally get this great machine online. As you already know Nintendo makes some of the best multi-player games (remember the original Mario Kart on the SNES & Goldeneye on the N64!)

Finally the Gamecube takes the leap into online gaming!
It is time to get yourself a broadband adapter (quite rare at the mo because Nintendo has withdrawn them from sale here in the UK) and fire a red shell up the crack of some of the best players around the world!

The broadband adapter also has a sister adapter called the Modem adapter for those 56k'ers but promises to offer as much stability as it can to avoid online game lag. If Nintendo suceed with this though, you'll only have to worry about being cut off at the end of your 2 hr slot on your internet connection (with thanks to freeserve).

The broadband adapter works much the same as a PC. The adapter has a MAC address, it has settings for username and password (if needed) and can also work with a router. The Broadband adapter fits snuggly into the bottom of your GameCube then connects with RJ45 to your Cable Modem or router. All you need to do now is sort out your settings ang your away.

The strong points to the broadband adapter are:
> High speed connectivity to online games
> Local Area Network Connectivity
> Router enabled
> Massive online gaming capability

The bad points to the broadband adapter are:
> No surfing or e-mail capabilities
> You've still got wires running around your house
> Alot of games need subscriptions to play them online

Minimum Requirements for a broadband Adapter for GameCube::

> Nintendo GameCube

> Broadband connection equipment, such as a DSL modem or cable modem. This connection should be located near the Nintendo GameCube. Otherwise, you will require a longer connection cable.
Please note that the Broadband Adapter is not compatible with an ISDN connection or satellite modem!

> A 10BaseT network cable with RJ45 connection plug for connecting the Nintendo GameCube Broadband Adapter to broadband connection equipment. The network cable is generally provided by the operator of the broadband connection. If you do not own one of these cables, you will need to purchase one from a specialist outlet.

> A Nintendo GameCube game which is online-capable. The symbol on the right appears on Nintendo GameCube game packaging to indicate that the game makes use of the Broadband Adapter...

This is fair play on Nintendos part, because to play on Xbox or PS2 online in europe YOU NEED BROADBAND - NO BUTS, OTHERWISE YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED ON!!
But thankfully Nintendo have made a choice for slower internet speeds(-56K modem) and faster internet speeds(-Broadband adaptor) giving players the choice.

As the Broadband adaptor and 56kmodem adaptor can be fit EVER SO EASILY into the bottom of your gamecube-(takes 5 seconds if that!!!)-its plug and play, but you need to sort out the IP addresses and etc for yourself, this isnt done for you at least i dont think it is. This can take a little bit of time, and sorting out...but then what doesnt

I bought this for many reasons,
1. the friendly chat and play you get in the games (especially with nintendo as theres less "vandals" that may ruin what may be a good experience)
2.The online games that are coming out...Mario kart (surely its online with the demand for it), and Phantasy star online which is already out, and Nintendo plan to make a few games themselves when, Super Smash Melee Online anyone?:)
3.With the broadband adaptor ONLY theres the possibility that there can be a number of gamecubes playing together for upto 8players or even more!!!!!:) (a LAN of gamecubes using hubs etc.....the equipment is available its up to the developers to make a games that supports this though, THIS CANT BE DONE ON THE 56K MODEM.

Ok so thats the good points and the bad are that some ISP's might not support the online functions YET!, for example AOL does not, not yet anyway...