From the Toysit archive
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and the 2004 GameCube Bundle
Explore the contrast between Light and Dark Aether, distinguish the 2004 bundle from the full sequel, and draw two versions of an imaginary room.
The play at a glance
One place, two very different views
A room can feel transformed when its light, colors and pathways change. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes builds an exploration adventure around the linked worlds of Light and Dark Aether. Samus Aran gathers information, negotiates passages and gains abilities that change how she can move through these spaces.
The bundle and the sequel
The package reported by Toysit in August 2004 paired a GameCube with the complete Metroid Prime and a separate bonus disc containing an Echoes demo. The demo was a preview of the sequel, not the complete Echoes game. The bonus disc also presented series history, trailers and an art gallery. The full sequel’s November launch announcement appears in the historical account below.
Read the surroundings
In the full GameCube sequel, the Scan Visor turns objects and creatures into sources of information, with discoveries collected in a logbook. Morph Ball movement opens a different view of small passages. Portals connect the two versions of Aether, so remembering a room’s shape matters even when its atmosphere changes. These tools give exploration a rhythm of looking, recording and returning.
The single-player journey and the separate multiplayer battles are distinct modes. The original booklet describes split-screen play for two to four players; that is not a cooperative version of the story.
Try two-world observation cards
Draw the same imaginary room on two pieces of paper. Keep the doors and large furniture in the same places, then give one version a warm golden light and the other a cool violet glow.
- Change three details: a closed flower opens, a bridge becomes a row of stepping stones, or a plain wall reveals a pattern.
- Beside each change, write one explorer’s observation using only what the drawing shows.
- Invent a reason for the difference. Perhaps the room responds to music, or the second drawing shows it a hundred years later.
- Trade cards with a companion. Can they locate all three changes and suggest another explanation?
This is original drawing and story play, not an Aether map or a game solution. Add a third card to show what happens when the visitor returns.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The complete earlier product account and commentary are preserved below as historical coverage.
Nintendo GameCube system and two free discs, the complete original game and a playable demo of the sequel
The "Metroid Prime" series stands as a cornerstone in the realm of action-adventure video games, providing a rich blend of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving within an atmospheric, sci-fi universe. Launched as a first-person spin-off of the original "Metroid" series, "Metroid Prime" focuses on the exploits of Samus Aran, an intergalactic bounty hunter navigating isolated alien worlds. These games are praised for their meticulous level design, which encourages players to explore and interact with their environment to progress. The first-person perspective adds an immersive quality, pulling players directly into the intricate labyrinths, exotic landscapes, and battles with formidable creatures. With elements of lore scattered throughout the games, players can delve into the complex narrative underlying the series, which adds depth and context to the action. Offering a unique fusion of gameplay mechanics, atmospheric storytelling, and high-quality graphics, the "Metroid Prime" series has cemented its legacy as a staple in the video game canon, captivating players with its immersive worlds and intricate design.
Starting August 15, 2004, Nintendo's Metroid Prime Bonus Bundle gave consumers a Nintendo GameCube system and two free discs. The first disc contained a complete version of the award-winning Metroid Prime game, while the bonus disc contained a playable demo version of the then highly anticipated sequel, Metroid Prime 2 Echoes.
"Other companies sell their systems starting at $150," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "No one can match Nintendo's value as we offer a Nintendo GameCube and two free discs, all for $99.99."
The great value of the bundle builds on the already-strong interest in Metroid Prime 2 Echoes and carries the enthusiasm into the holiday season. The bonus disc features a wealth of information about the Metroid franchise, such as an exclusive playable demo of Metroid Prime 2 Echoes; The Metroid Chronicle, an interactive history of the Metroid franchise; two Metroid Prime 2 Echoes cinematic trailers; and a stunning Metroid Prime art gallery. And the whole bonus bundle comes in a Metroid-styled Nintendo GameCube packaging. This incredible value will be available only while supplies last.
Game enthusiasts who already owned a Nintendo GameCube could get the bonus disc in one of two ways, while supplies lastd. The bonus disc can be obtained by purchasing a one-year subscription or renewal to Nintendo Power magazine, the official print source for product-related updates and information. The second option allows "My Nintendo" members of Nintendo.com to obtain the bonus disc by registering a Nintendo GameCube system and five eligible software titles.
Metroid Prime remains one of the most adrenaline-soaked Nintendo GameCube titles of all time, with more than 1 million units sold. Metroid Prime was named the 2003 first-person action console action game of the year by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, and was named "Game of the Year" by GameSpot.com, GameSpy.com, IGN Cube.com and Planet GameCube.com.
Metroid Prime 2 Echoes, set to launch November 15, sends heroine Samus Aran to explore the dual Light and Dark sides of split-dimension planet Aether. The tension-packed first-person adventure features new power-ups, a new ammo system and special suit upgrades. And for the first time in the Metroid franchise, up to four players can battle against each other in multiplayer mode using all of Samus' unique powers and abilities.
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Sources and editorial notes
The US GameCube booklet supports the full-game mechanics. Nintendo’s UK overview has regional release details, not the US timeline preserved here. Nintendo’s August 4, 2004 announcement, reproduced by Nintendo World Report, confirms the bundle/demo distinction. Old prices, magazine offers, registration rewards, sales and awards remain historical. The tall illustration’s creator and exact edition are unverified; it is not identified as an official screenshot. No physical testing is claimed.
- Original Toysit image — Existing same-site image reviewed and retained unchanged.
- Original Toysit bundle image — GameCube, controller and two-disc package montage reviewed and retained unchanged.
- Nintendo US GameCube Echoes booklet — Original publisher scan; selected interface, map, Scan Visor, portals, Morph Ball and multiplayer pages reviewed with diagrams.
- Nintendo: Metroid Prime 2 Echoes — Official UK GameCube overview; regional dates and PAL details remain separate.
- Nintendo’s August 2004 bundle announcement — Publisher press release preserved by Nintendo World Report; full original game and sequel demo identified separately.
- Original Toysit coverage — Complete historical account retained, including its original claims and wording.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
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