Thanks, Alane. I read up on the Game Cube a bit before I wandered in to the store and still I felt that I was behind the digital divide when it came to the memory cards.
The major deciding factor was that it was 'easy to play' for kids just starting out. . .and that Sonic the Hedgehog was available since it was the family favorite.
I know that there are much more serious game systems out there. . .and, if I were gaming, I would probably want something that had more versatility. However, since Joe-maha had carpal tunnel surgery and I had 'Nintendo thumb' surgery, I think we are better off not getting in to the games again.
I didn't want to give up our 'systems integrity testing' and pizza nights with the gang or fraggin' my kids on our annual Mother's Day tournament. . .but alas, I had no choice.