Nintendo launched the Gamecube in Europe today, playing catch up to Sony and Xbox and hoping that the more affordable console will help quickly build a user base.
The company said it had 500,000 units ready for the launch, and that 10,000 consoles were purchased in Britain during the first two hours the Gamecube went on sale. There were 50,000 units pre-ordered as well. The console, priced at 199 euros (129 pounds in the UK), hopes to gain ground on the Xbox and PS2, which retail for about 100 euros more. While catching the PS2 (which has already sold 25 million units worldwide) will be difficult, catching the Xbox is entirely possible. Europe now generates approximately one-third of the global revenue for game hardware and software, and Nintendo has earmarked 100 million euros for its Gamecube marketing on the continent.
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