GAMECUBE LAUNCH HORROR STORY - Happy Console Gamer 

Bet you anything that Toy's R Us guy just wanted that color and was worried they would sell out!

My GameCube horror story is that my dad gave it to his friend because "you already have a PS2 anyway". He didn't talk to me first, I didn't get to finish Wind Waker, and I don't have a dad anymore.

Very inspirational video. I'm going through a rough patch and I really needed this right now. Thank you so much!

And look where you are now, Beautiful wife, AMAZING Video Game Collection, and a stellar youtube channel. Your Number 1 fan here. Keep up the gaming

When the gamecube came out I was in my 20's and in my "too cool for video games" phase. thank god I grew out of that quickly! lol Great story Johnny!

What a story. Love these tales of pivotal life moments tied to a specific console or game.

Johnny's stories are always so entertaining. Great stuff.

Whenever Johnny has his hand over his eyes, I know it's story time!

It’s funny you mentioned smoking. I was meant to comment on the video you did a few years ago, about the time when you gave up smoking. I was so overcome by how positive and how well you described your experiences, that I decided then and there to quit. I had smoked for around 15 years and that video gave me the push I needed mentally to give up. Thank you

something about this guy gives me a good feeling inside. can't put my finger on it, but I'd help him move houses if he asked

totally genuine dude. I love your videos. They bring me the back the joy and the passion that I used to have for video games. Thank you for sharing your stories.

The GameCube was amazing!!! Where the hell are the Switch GameCube ports???

This video made me feel bad about what happened, but it just sounded so genuine and I’ve been in that place before. So it’s nice to hear from someone who can relate

I love playing Gamecube, I remember getting my Gamecube second hand from my nieces mother. She sold it to me for $30.00 with 3 games and her son sold me 2 DVD's as well for $2.00. Today I mainly play it on the PC or when I go to visit family and friends. Nothing makes a gathering more fun and intense than having a local multiplayer match.

The video you made about youre process to stop smoking always sits in The back of my head your a good guy johnny!

I love these videos. My life came crashing down recently and watching this actually gives me hope. Hopefully, someday I can look back on this from a happier place and feel nostalgic for the Nintendo Switch

Orange GC controller is the best. That toys r us guy def wanted it for himself!

The GameCube is my favorite Nintendo system, I had so much fun with it.

My similar horror story is from my university student days. I was at the top of my depression and suicidal, I had no one except my PS2 and rpgs. I sold all things that I had to buy it, used, and after one month, it died, leaving me emptier inside.

These kind of episodes are why I love the show Johnny! Please keep it up! My favorite show on RU-vid! 😭👌

Literally my favorite RU-vidr, been watching for about two years now. Thank you Johnny!

Glad you can look back on that incident with a smile. I appreciate you sharing that memory.

This is one of the top 10 videos I think you've made, Johnny. Really felt quite personal hearing about this troubled time you lived through. I'm glad it worked out in the end. :)

It's awesome and such a great wholesome feeling to hear such a story. I'm currently going through a job crisis myself due to an unstable living condition I was in and I'm trying to keep my money from disappearing. But I know I will get through it, thanks for the story man! :)

You have me good vibes with your story. Came for the GameCube and left mesmerized by your life story. I hope you continue to do well.

Good times. I got a gamecube probably in the second half of it's lifespan. My kids were little at the time and we had sooooo much fun and a lot of good memories together as they grew up playing with me on the cube. It'll always have a soft spot in my heart, as it was also a time period where i got back into gaming after a very dark time in my life.

Been watching your channel for years! I can’t say enough how much I love your videos.

Hey Johnny, I came across your channel recently and have been enjoying your content and vibe man. Thank you. I just wanted to express how much this video hits home for me. I, now, am just a few years older than you were then, and recently, because of what's happening, the film industry has been closed up, so I've been outta work, and I've had to sell a lot of my CIB NES and SNES titles and beyond, from my childhood, to keep a roof over my head, and it has had me really down. I just appreciate hearing your story of a similar kind of event and being able to relate. Thanks for sharing this story.

I got the orange controller. No shame, it's been my favourite since day one.

I loved the Gamecube! Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Skies of Arcadia Legends, Tales of Symphonia, Luigi's Mansion, Baiten Kaitos, and one of my all time favs, Eternal Darkness. So good.

Yes! We need more Gamecube stories from HappyConsolerGamer!

Love your stories...this channel kicks ass!

I have just started to live by myself , and having your videos in the background while I work or sleep or do things make me feel so much better you are an angel!

"If the government wants your money, they'll take it instantly. But if you need money from them, they'll make you wait for it." Massive red pill right there

Your story reminds me of the time i had to sell my dreamcast my uncle gave me yrs ago in order to pay rent. I am doing better financially now and You are right, things get better and video games will always give you memories about the good and bad times in your life. I'm so glad there are people out there I can relate with.

I appreciate every story you tell. you're a great youtuber, and a great person !

This is by far my favorite of your videos. I went through a very similar experience from 2008-2010. Not only can I relate to the worry and fear of living on unemployment insurance, but I completely understand the bit of happiness that video games can provide in such shitty times. I'll always have a soft spot for Resident Evil 5 for just this reason. It may not be one of the better RE games, but it came out during a time when I was broke, jobless, and needed something to help me get by. I played the absolute crap out of it, and it still reminds me today of how far I've come from such a dark time in my life. Keep up the great work, Johnny. What sets you so apart from other channels are personal accounts like these. I always look forward to more like this!

GameCube launch was one of my favorite of all times. Christmas morning playing Luigi’s Mansion all day. We got it from Fingerhut since it was sold out everywhere, same with my Dreamcast. Only bad thing was it almost was double in price and the games were almost double. I actually bought three machines, for our vacation house and my other game room.. Doing a fourth Nintendo Switch Giveaway this month. Gonna be sweet to give back to the viewers.

I love your honesty Johnny. You're a great guy explaining that all people go through rough patches!

Thanks for sharing Johnny! I can’t imagine how hard it was to take that back.

This video has helped me more than you could ever know. I’m currently suffering with severe anxiety. To hear others dark times takes away a feeling of loneliness. Thank you

I've been at that point before, it's heartbreaking having to sell something you love to pay your rent/put food on the table.

Thanks for sharing! I had a similar situation with the original Wii.

Probably the ToysRus guy wanted the orange controller for himself lol

I picked mine up at my local Walmart on release date, no pre-order! I think they ended up having more units than there were people on line!

Selling Gamecubes to pay rent has to be the most effective and EMOTIONALLY DESTRUCTIVE strat I have ever heard of

Loved the story J few people want to put themselves out there in ANY aspect let alone talk about the crazy times of life so was nice to hear your story and hear a crazy Gamecube story an time for you :). Glad I found this channel thru friends a few years ago :)

Wow that story was really interesting. I'm glad you share all of these stories with us. I love that there's someone out there who also appreciates video games as much as I do.

Sharing this story is so much more important than sharing success. Thank you for your earnest sharing of a low moment for yourself. Its lessons will be used wisely.

Great awesome video and powerful message. There is always light at the end of the darkest tunnel. Keep your head up everyone. Much love.

Storytime with Johnny. Sounds like a perfect way to spend a Sunday Morning. I can definitely relate to this story. Within the last few weeks I had to sell my sega cd collection just because we were drowning in debt a little bit and we had to save money in order to buy a new car this summer. It was a tough choice but I had to make the right decision in order to ensure financial security in my life. You are always the ultimate storyteller johnny and regardless of any dark and depressing story there is always a silver lining to take from it and that is what really matters.

I love your stories. Your energy. Your channel. You lift so many of us up. Thank you.

The gamecube my favorite console I never owned.

I love your stories like these. I’m actually going through a situation like that right now, last job ended out of nowhere and having a really hard time finding a new one. Thanks for the inspiration, gotta always hold your head up high.

My video game horror story is this. Back in 2015 I had a old friend from highschool who posted on Facebook asking if someone would let him sleep on their couch. His name was Paul, he was going through some rough times. I was living by myself at that point. I worked at a small mom and pop videogame store. I was around 25. I messaged Paul and told him he was more then welcomed to stay with me until he got back on his feet. A week goes by and everything was fine until one day he disappeared. Two weeks goes by and I still haven't heard anything from Paul. Well one day, I'm walking home from work (I didnt make alot of money at my job and couldn't afford a car) I came up to my front door and it was wide open... my heart sank into my stomach. I ran into my place and every was gone and I when I say everything, I mean everything. My two tvs, my ps1, ps2, ps3 xbox, 360, my gaming pc, my dvd/anime collection my comics my warhammer figures. I was totally wiped out. I just sat in my empty apartment and just cried. I worked so hard for all of those things. Many of them from my childhood. My mother was a single parent so many of the things I got as a kid were a blessing and meant alot to me. Well, turns out Paul was on heroine and not only that, he's been doing this to other people for the last year or so. I wasn't the first he stole from. I called the cops. Took 2 months before they found him, by that point everything expect my pc was gone. He apparently sold most of the items to strangers on facebook and Craigslist so there wasnt a paper trail but he did admit to everything. I was given the option to press charges and to sue him but at that point I knew I would never get any money from a guy with no job and a heroine addiction. plus I couldn't afford a lawyer. I was barely making enough to pay my bills. So I just let it go. I was so depressed I quit my job and moved to a new city to stay with my brother. I didn't want to live in that empty apartment anymore. Its 2020 and I still haven't replaced any of my games. But I did meet my girlfriend who is now my wife. Someday I might try to get back my games but its a daunting task. Alot of my collection is pretty rare and expensive at now (they weren't when ingot them) I collected alot of rpgs and working at a game store I was able to get some true gems. I'm glad you were able to get though your hard times and I'm working on mine but things seem to be getting better. I just bought a switch last week and I just picked up xenoblade definitive edition. I've been watching your videos all week for recommendations and when I save up some money I think I'll pick up a copy of ys origins. I know how much you like that series. Take care and stay safe.

My horror story with the GameCube was that when I finally decided to purchase one in the summer break of 2003, since there was no distribution of Nintendo products in where I lived, I had to revalidate my passport, apply for a Greek Tourist visa and set out for an adventerous and exhausting trip boarding a ferry from Çeşme to Chios and to another ferry to Piraeus and finally to the Plaisio store in Athens where Nintendo products were available. I had to shuttle trade to recoup my travel expenses. Only until 2005 when Nintendo products became available in Turkey, I could finally stop travelling for them.

That was me with the xbox360. I feel your pain Johnny

Thank you for sharing that story. I just lost my job and I work really hard so it really hurts. There are a lot of people there who just eased into the job and have been there for a long time never trying that hard, but they know that they are safe. I would like to have that stability one day at a job. It just seems like everyone around me is doing great, but I'm not. So for you to share that makes me feel not alone. But I never give up, I am just a little depressed right now because I am a hard worker and I always try to do the right thing.

Will never forget the launch of the GameCube, I was 13 and I had never been and probably will never be so hyped again for a console launch. Got mine with Sonic Adventure 2 and what followed was some seriously amazing years playing equally amazing single player and multiplayer (especially smash) games with friends. Especially watching this video I realised what a fun time in my life it was. I may be a very happy and lucky adult now but I do long for those carefree days. You really don’t appreciate them till they are gone..

You see Story anywhere in the title of HCG video and you know it’s a must watch!😂

Love these types of stories from you. So real and raw.

My favorite gamecube game was and will be eternal darkness 🙃 ❣️

It makes me really happy to see you always wearing the Roy-Focker Jacket, what a good friend.

I have great memories of the GameCube launch. It was my first launch where I could buy the console myself and had an awesome time with it

I remember getting my GameCube on release back in May 2002 (remember it was a Friday lol), sold a bunch of my Nintendo 64 games and got a credit note of something like £150-£200. So I got Rogue Leader, Waverace, Luigi’s Mansion, Super Monkey Ball, extra controller and two memory cards. It was my last day at College and that morning seemed to take forever to get through. Finally got my GameCube in the afternoon and got home played it all weekend with a mate of mine and the following Monday was a national holiday as well, best Weekend ever :)

Priority first. Fantastic video. Brings back memories.

I like listening to your stories bro always good Vibes keep up the good work 👌

The orange controller is awesome, my original is still kicking

I remember My mom getting me one after she got full time job after a long time in part time, she came home with the gamecube 2 controller memory card and a lot of games, it was New years Eve! I was so Happy, ive been looking in magazins for a long time, i first came out i 2002 in Denmark Europe! Great memorys, she bought it to me with her first Pay check i still remember it to this Day i was around 12-13 years old. We didnt have much money but she still got it for me and look i remember this almost 17 years later.

I absolutely love your genuine excitement in your videos!!! It helps me get through some days.

I really appreciate these kinds of videos on RU-vid channels. Like little life stories, and stuff that give even more personality and charm to an already awesome charm and personality filled. Thanks for this. Stay awesome.

Ive listened almost all your stories since yeaaaars ago... By far this is my favorite one, it's real and it's funny to take a look back and remember the feeling of.

Yeah, like others have said, I can relate. That story as a lot in common with what I am going through right now. Thx Johnny! Lets keep our heads high!

I love your stories. I knew I had to have a gamecube at launch after playing rogue squadron 2 demo at Wal-Mart each time I stopped by. Graphics blew my mind.

You are the man, Johnny! Gamers for life. 😁

The GameCube was the first console I bought when I got my first job, after several months of not finding one. I have very fond memories of playing the Wind Waker and Mario Sunshine. Thank you for sharing your story.

Man, i know the feeling. I got married in 2004 and had a crappy Factory Job and my wife got pregnant and we ended up having twins and i had this ps2 i really worked my butt off to buy but because my pay rate was $7.25 an hour at that time and i had a family to support now, i had to sell my ps2 and all my games to gamestop just to get a small amount of cash back to buy Diapers and formula for them lol! The only thing i kept was my yellow off brand 16Mb Memory card with all my game saves. I eventually got a different crappy but better paying job and been there a long time now, Fast forward to today, my twins are 14 years old now, i also have a 7 year old and started to re purchase all the games a few games at a time that i can remember owning back then and that were saved games on my memory card, Thankfully my wife and all 3 of my kids are into gaming making it a bit easier for me to repurchase my old game titles and consoles back with Out having arguments with the wife about over paying for used games Lol! You seem like an awesome guy i could definitely relate to. By the way im 35 years old now and life has been a crazy rollercoaster for me here in Los Angeles, California lived here all my life but never thought after having a family that, i would have to work Extra hard to be financially stable to give them a good life that i didnt have as a kid with my own parents. As of today im subscribed! 😁👊

I know its nothing new as Johnny always puts a lot of effort and passion into his videos but... He really is a great guy, always brings a smile to my face.

That was a really cool story. Even though you were going through such a Dark time. It’s nice to see you made light of it. The GameCube was the very first system I ever got at within a year or so after release. All consoles before then were hand me downs that I would get pretty late into the life cycles, usually the next system was already out. Needless to say, this became my favorite system pretty quickly.

You're a terrific story teller. I could totally relate to this story, the smoking story, as well as the "secret" (glasses) story. Awesome! Keep them coming!

I remember when I got my GameCube, I got it for Christmas of 2002, I got 3 games with it. Metroid Prime, Super Mario SunShine, and Mario Party 4. I was so happy having my very own game console well the others I had in the past I had to share with my siblings. That thing also helped me through Dark Times in my life,. I was very sad when it finally stopped working, but I still have all my games for it.

I feel like I should be as happy about anything as you are about everything. I just discovered your channel today. Great stuff, dude. I love the stories. You're one of the few people that can rant and it's actually pretty interesting.

This makes me genuinely sad haha. Felt my spirits dampen when you talked about having to return your Gamecube. I get very attached to my systems, but I've experienced similar difficulties that warranted selling the things I love. I'm glad things are better haha

Ugh, very relatable to me right now. Injured a foot, got fired, and now getting a VERY short term of disability. A year sounds great. Bologna sandwiches and ramen arent sounding so bad.

I'm feeling this story. I'm not unemployed, but a kid in college and all the normal bills... I'm broke as fk right now

Im still waiting for my "very high" moment in life.. otherwise i had plenty of "low" ones. Videogames are the only thing that keep my mental sanity.

Thanks for sharing that personal story, and you're right, many of us have been there. All the best

Thank you for sharing. Your story really touched me 😢 I know these times and the little joy video games can give then.

Saying that a GameCube gave you some hope in a dark time isn’t dumb. Been there. Games can be a huge comfort for gamers.

That orange controller is frickin awesome, that employee has bad taste lol.

I really love your videos about launches and your first time getting consoles

Reminds me of when I was homeless with my parents for a few months, but one the few things I had was a DS with Rayman DS and DQ Heroes Rocket Slime ! I was able to hold onto the console long enough before it got sold to a cash place, to finish both games ! I was always attached to games and always will be... They're kinda like my therapy :)

Here's a story: I REALLY wanted to play RE0 but it came out the night I joined the Marine Corps. I get to "Team Week" (3rd week in boot) and my job was to clean certain rooms and one room in particular had a Marine (I was just a recruit) kickin back playing RE0. I kept peaking while "cleaning" until he eventually caught me then kicked me out lol. It was KILLING me to not see and play it. Ps. I enjoyed the Phantasy Star Online music in the background!

For once I'm happy with RU-vid's recommendations! Awesome story dude you seem like a very down to earth guy. Subbed!

I had a very similar experience when I had to sell my ps2 to pay the rent after losing my job. I know the feeling and how terrible it is to let go of what little joy you can get. My wife eventually got me a ps2 slim for christmas a year and half later. It felt amazing.

Gamecube and GBA were the first systems I bought with my own money. Around that time, I finished high school and got my first job.

This story really hits home like most of your stories. Keep up the great videos. Also great minds think alike I have the same color GameCube and Spice controller. Still hooked up!

My friend gave me his Gamecube for free back in 05. He also gave me all of his games. I later sold it for 15 bucks at gamestop two years later. I regret doing that..

I was part of a small team that handled the GameCube launch for Amazon in the uk. The night team had been getting things ready so when I came in the next day I was on my own on the other side of the pigeon holes Amazon uses to the guys that assembled the game accessories and consoles and passed them to me to be checked and packed up. The GameCubes were too big to be passed through these holes so I had pallets of GameCubes behind me. This slowed down me getting them ready and I was rushed of my feet for those 10 hours. Came in the next day only top be told that GameCubes could fit through the holes. They just needed to be inserted in a different angle. The night team wasn't very good. At least the Xbox launch a week or month later (can't remember exactly when) didn't have that issue. No chance that could fit without the aid of an industrial press.

Great video great real life talk man...good to hear this today!