March 20^th, 2003 (12:00am) - It seems that Nintendo’s GameCube bundle promotion has been a success. In February, GameCube sales grew 110 percent over the previous month with the software tie-ratio reaching 8.4-to-1 on a year-to-date basis. Nintendo’s handheld the Game Boy Advance, also stayed strong selling one-quarter of a million systems in February as well. Combining Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo claimed 37 percent of all industry hardware sales and more than one-quarter of all game sales.

Here are additional product updates:

-- In Japan, Pokemon Ruby Sapphire sold more than 4 million copies in the first six weeks of its launch. Both games launched in the United States on March 17.

-- Not only does Nintendo have a stellar software line-up, but the Game Boy Advance SP will light up stores on March 23 with its innovative front-lit screen and sleek, compact design, for an estimated retail price of $99.

-- The pre-sell orders for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker game "blew away" expectations -- 600,000 units have been pre-sold. The game launches on March 24.

-- The bundle program continues. Consumers who purchase a Nintendo GameCube at participating retailers receive a free copy of Metroid Prime, Mario Party 4, Star Fox Adventures or Capcom’s Resident Evil Zero.

-- Wario is back, searching for his transformed treasure in Wario World on June 23. Practice your swing and tee-up with Mario Golf (Sneak, sneaky Nintendo…they’ve never confirmed that release date before!) launching on July 28. Both games will be available for Nintendo GameCube for $49.99.

-- Beginning August 25, consumers can test their racing limits as they speed around futuristic tracks in F-Zero for Nintendo GameCube for a suggested retail price of $49.99.

-- Find your true love on Game Boy Advance -- Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak launches April 7. Other titles coming for Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP include: Golden Sun: The Lost Age available April 14, Wario Ware, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ available May 26, Donkey Kong Country launching June 9, and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising launching June 23. All games will be available for a suggested retail price of $34.99.

-- Donkey Kong 3-e, Golf-e and Clu Clu Land-e will launch on April 21 for a suggested retail price of $4.95, and Animal Crossing-e Series 4 will launch on May 12 for a suggested retail price of $3.29. All e-Reader cards are playable on the Game Boy Advance or Game Boy Advance SP via the e-Reader.