I think you should buy the game console the same way you'd buy a computer: Decide what software you want to run, then buy the computer which runs that software.

I completly agree as long as this is not taken in terms of quantity. I own a Mac now due to the quality of the software and ability to get my work done. Just as I bought the GameCube for the quality of the games I have previewed at E3.

The GameCube is the only system with Smash Brothers (an awesome 4 player game that isn't as button twitch as most fighting games, and is a blast), Ethernal Darkness (one of the only games I know of in recent times that not only screws with your character, but also with you, excellent horror game), Metroid Prime (killer game, feels like the classic Metroid games, and the FPS control issue is not a problem here), Legend of Zelda (looks kinda cute, but some awesome things are done with the art style.), StarFox Adventures (plays just like Zelda 64, and the fur is awesome), Mario Shunshine (many people are awaiting this one, though personally I lost interest around the N64 days. Didn't really check it out yet). And if you haven't played Resident Evil yet, the remakes on the Cube are awesome.

Beyond that, you have your typical sports games, fighting games, and many others. The GameCube is not being completly ignored by 3rd party developers like the N64 was. Personally, for $150 and the price of a few games, your money will be well spent. The PS2 is nice, but I have enough fill of aimless generic games on my PC, and I still have yet to see a system seller for me on the PS2. The XBox? Well my controller issues are resolved once Steel Battalion comes out. Screw the bulky controller (and even the new S version), I'll take a 40 button dual joystick controller for my mech simulator game