Nintendo GameCube discs were small for a reason

The GameCube's optical discs were just 3.15 inches in diameter, significantly smaller than the 4.17-inch DVDs used by the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. These miniDVDs had a capacity of just under 1.5GB, minuscule by modern standards, yet they were harder to pirate because standard PC DVD burners could not read them. The format also meant Nintendo did not have to pay the DVD Forum licensing royalties of $20 per console, which contributed to the GameCube's launch price of $200, compared to $300 for its rivals.

The small disc size also shortened loading times because the laser had less distance to travel, and it allowed Nintendo to use a smaller optical drive, resulting in a compact console that weighed just 5.7 pounds, compared to the original Xbox's 8.8 pounds. However, the lack of DVD playback capability denied the GameCube the ability to serve as an all-in-one entertainment hub, a feature that became a major selling point for the PS2 and, to a lesser extent, the Xbox.

In terms of sales, the GameCube lagged behind its competitors. Lifetime sales reached 21.74 million units, while the Xbox sold 24 million and the PlayStation 2 sold an astonishing 160 million. Engadget notes that the absence of DVD playback likely swayed many purchasing decisions, as DVDs represented a major home entertainment shift at the time. The GameCube remained a pure gaming device, and third-party support was also affected by the format choice.