EA to Create Games for Nintendo’s GameCube

In a critical boost for Nintendo Co.’s GameCube console, Electronic Arts Inc. said it plans to develop 20 games for the platform over the next two years.

Sales of the GameCube have lagged behind rival consoles, including the Xbox made by Microsoft Corp. and the PlayStation 2 from Sony Corp. Launched in November 2001, Nintendo has sold 3.7 million GameCubes in North America versus Sony’s 17 million PS2s and Microsoft’s 5.4 million Xboxes.

EA games are considered key to a platform’s survival. Its decision not to make games for Sega Corp.’s DreamCast was widely viewed as a factor in that console’s demise.

EA shares rose $1.15 to $53.94 on Nasdaq.