Continuing our effort to let you know exactly what you need to purchase in order to make your new system complete, here is a checklist for the Nintendo Gamecube.

The Gamecube comes packaged with one controller, a power cable, and A/V cables (red/white/yellow) which are compatible with nearly every TV on the market for the last decade. If you or the person you are purchasing for are hooking the Gamecube up to an older TV, you may have to purchase an RF switch/modulator separately, for around $9.99. Likewise, S-Video or Component Video cables ($9.99 and $29.99, respectively) are available for high-end TV owners, but are not necessary. If you are picking up any multiplayer games, you will want to have at least one extra controller, which will run you about $34.99. Also, be warned that the controller cords are only 6½ feet long. So, if you don’t want to have your system sitting in the middle of the floor every time you play, pick up some extension cords (around $9.99 each). The Gamecube requires a memory card to save your progress, so you will definitely need one of those. The Gamecube Memory Card 59 costs about $14.99.

There are about a dozen games on the shelves right now to choose from. Regular Gamesfirst! readers have probably checked out our coverage of most of these games. If not, mosey on over to our Preview Section. The big launch titles are looking to be Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader, Luigi’s Mansion, and Wave Race: Blue Storm. I can tell you from experience that all of these titles are fun, with my pick of the bunch being Rogue Leader. For sports fans there is Madden NFL 2002, NHL Hitz 20-02, and All-Star Baseball 2002. Extreme sports junkies competitive gamers alike will love SSX Tricky and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3. And Super Monkey Ball is a great puzzle game for parties and the Tetris-ly inclined.

The Gamecube is a pretty standard game system in terms of set up, gadgets, and doohickeys. Most people will simply need the system, a memory card, an extra controller, and a game or two. In that case, expect to spend around $300-350. Not a bad price for a next-gen system. Expect a lot of bang for your buck.