Which Nintendo console used proprietary 8-centimeter optical discs called GameCube Game Discs?

The Nintendo GameCube used proprietary 8-centimeter optical discs called GameCube Game Discs. Nintendo selected the compact format instead of the full-size DVDs used by several competing consoles of the same generation.

Each GameCube disc held about 1.46 gigabytes of data. The smaller size reduced unauthorized copying and helped Nintendo create a distinctive physical format, but it also limited storage compared with standard DVD media. Some large games therefore required two discs, including Resident Evil 4 and Tales of Symphonia.

The GameCube launched in Japan on September 14, 2001, followed by North America on November 18 and Europe on May 3, 2002. Its hardware was designed around quick loading and a compact footprint, while its controller became particularly popular for Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Although the console could not play ordinary movie DVDs, Panasonic released a related device called the Q in Japan. The Q combined GameCube functions with DVD playback and was not sold widely outside Japan.