some console advice needed, please!

[nommy]

I've been looking into getting a new console as I have grown tired of my original xbox. Now the 360 looks tempting but once I have bought the console with a few games it will not be a small outlay and will make me buy a new TV too! Now the Wii looks appealing but chances of getting one are pretty much zero and the games line up in the next few months doesn't look that wide (and I cant find any mention of mario kart yet for it!)
Now would I be better going for a gamecube as I love mario, mariokart, etc and just having lots of cheap fun (graphics not too much of an selling point for me) or would I be better off getting a ds lite? Any advice / comments much appreciated.

thanks

tom

 

[nommy]

Thanks for all the quick responses guys - looks like a gamecube would be a great option. will look at the old auction site when back from work this evening. Cube, couple of wireless pads, couple of wired ones, mariokart, zelda, which other games are essential for this system?