Nintendo first released detailed of their new project (codenamed Dolphin, which then became Starcube and then Gamecube) at E3 in 1999. It was to signal the end of Nintendo's persistent use of cartridge-based software, in favour of a custom optical disc, which is smaller than conventional CDs/DVDs, but also limits piracy and leads to quicker loading times.

Following the European release of the machine on May 3rd, 2002, the Gamecube was always up against it - the Playstation 2 had already been established for a year-and-a-half and Microsoft's Xbox had been released only months previously. So, despite top-class releases such as Super Monkey Ball, Super Smash Bros Melee and Super Mario Sunshine, the Gamecube has struggled and has seen several price cuts made, in an attempt to compete with its rivals.

As the Xbox and PS2 both have DVD Playback, Nintendo worked with Panasonic to produce the Panasonic-Q, a Gamecube with a DVD drive. However, this was a solely Japanese release and has now been discontinued.