It's hardly surprising to see console hardware releases staggered across the globe these days, and so the latest news, that Nintendo will be holding off on the European launch of the GameCube until Spring 2002, should come as no surprise.

Comments made in Japan last week on the subject look to have been confirmed, as the machine will now debut in Japan in July of this year, while the US date has been confirmed as October 2001.

Nintendo of Europe confirmed the Spring 2002 period, but is hesitant about releasing information on exact estimates for the GameCube, or its little brother the GameBoy Advance, which goes on general sale in Japan next week and 11 June in the States.

Both items are expected to sell in enormous quantities, and as Nintendo of Europe's sales and marketing MD David Gosen confirmed recently, the company will aim to sell GameCubes and GameBoy Advances to the same people, as the company's strategy is for the GBA to complement the GameCube as a controller. ®

Copyright © 2001 Eurogamer.net, all rights reserved.