This week marks the 25th anniversary of the Nintendo GameCube, the first console I ever bought with my own money. I still remember the day vividly—after school, I boarded a bus with a year’s worth of savings tucked safely into my bag, heading to a Currys store to pick up my pre-order. I laid out a mix of notes, coins, and vouchers on the counter, only to find that some of the old Christmas vouchers had expired. The checkout staff, however, was clearly moved by my enthusiasm and redeemed them anyway. If you're out there, thank you for helping a 13-year-old in need. The GameCube was released in 2001 in Japan and 2002 in Europe. Despite its impressive performance and unique design—its squat, colorful form and controller with a large green A button and small analog sticks—it sold fewer units than the Xbox and PlayStation 2. It was a time when video games were becoming more adult-oriented, dominated by titles like Grand Theft Auto and Gran Turismo. The GameCube, however, launched with Luigi’s Mansion, a cartoon haunted-house adventure, and Super Monkey Ball, a quirky game where players rolled monkeys inside transparent spheres. This choice was unconventional, especially since it launched with a Sega game, but it brought a nostalgic, Japanese flavor to gaming during a period when Western titles were gaining dominance. The GameCube is now remembered fondly for its charm and creativity. Games like Super Smash Bros. Melee, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, and Metroid Prime showcased the console’s potential to deliver both fun and innovation. The console also featured experimental titles like Eternal Darkness, which tracked a character’s sanity, and Viewtiful Joe, a stylish brawler with a unique visual style. For a teenager in the 2000s, the GameCube felt like a relic of childhood, a contrast to the more mature games I was playing on the Xbox and PlayStation 2. The GameCube marked the end of an era, not in the way people expected, but as a turning point for Nintendo. Behind the scenes, Nintendo's leadership, including the late president Satoru Iwata, realized that competing on graphics and technology was not the future of gaming. They shifted focus to innovation, leading to the development of the DS and the motion-controlled Wii, which changed the gaming landscape. The GameCube was the last console Nintendo designed primarily for core gamers, but it paved the way for a new era of accessibility and creativity. What to play: I've been enjoying playing games with my seven-year-old, who has become surprisingly skilled. We're working through Orbitals, a cooperative sci-fi game that feels like a 90s anime. As space-faring teenagers, we're navigating a small ship, solving complex puzzles with tools that shoot lasers and water jets. The game is challenging, but the satisfaction of solving puzzles together is rewarding. It's available on the Switch 2 and offers around six hours of gameplay. What to read: Ikea has released a mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, featuring a talking Kallax shelving unit voiced by Matt Berry. A legal case involving the IWGB game workers' union and Rockstar Games is ongoing in Glasgow. Hideo Kojima’s Physint has been picked up by Xbox after being dropped by Sony. Blizzard has announced new Diablo and Starcraft games, along with updates to World of Warcraft. A 2021 article by Video Games Chronicle delves into the GameCube’s legacy. What to click: Lara Croft relives her first adventure in Legacy of Atlantis. Marvel’s Wolverine is a conflicted lead with a disappointing combat system. Question Block: This week’s query is from reader Duncan, who asks about games set in modern-day Scotland. While there are a few, most games set in Scotland lean towards historical or fantasy themes. I'm still waiting for a Grand Theft Auto-style game set in Glasgow or a coming-of-age story in Edinburgh. If you have a question or comment, feel free to reach out.