Even though we all enjoyed the best N64 games during that generation, there was a lot of pressure on the GameCube to take things to the next level. After all, Nintendo had to compete with the best PlayStation 2 games and best Xbox games in that generation. While it might not have sold as well as Sony’s system, the GameCube still managed to release some classics that we still consider some of the best games of all time.
While we’re always looking toward the future with upcoming Switch games to play, sometimes it’s fun to look back at the best of the best from these classic systems. We’ve already ranked the best SNES games and best Game Boy Advance games, so let’s give the same treatment to our precious little purple cube.
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Viewtiful Joe
79%
Platforms
PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Fighting, Platform, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up
Developer
Team Viewtiful, Clover Studio
Publisher
Capcom
Release
June 26, 2003
What if a comic book, panels and all, were a video game? That’s exactly what the Hideki-Kamiya-helmed Capcom project Viewtiful Joe set out to do in 2003 when it launched on GameCube. The side-scrolling beat ’em up put players in the red suit and cape of Joe, a young man who is transported into Movieland to fight villains and save the world. A comic book art style and the melding of both comics and film made for one of the most visually interesting games of the era. It also helped that the game had solid, tough combat. It’s disappointing that after one sequel and a couple of spin-offs, Viewtiful Joe ceased to exist as a franchise. The original still holds up, though.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures
68%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Adventure
Developer
Nintendo EAD Group No. 3
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
March 18, 2004
Inspired by the Four Swords cooperative mode in the A Link to the Past port for GBA, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures was part relic, part innovative twist on the storied series. Designed as a cooperative dungeon crawler for up to four players, Four Swords Adventures featured eight worlds with four self-contained levels in each world. It used a remixed version of Link to the Past’s soundtrack and also had a pretty OK competitive multiplayer mode. While it doesn’t have the depth of the main, best Zelda games, it retains the charm. It’s much better as a cooperative experience, but still a worthwhile experience solo. It’s also far superior to the 3DS spinoff Tri Force Heroes, which played on similar themes but lacked the gripping gameplay.
Resident Evil 4
87%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Shooter
Developer
Capcom Production Studio 4
Publisher
Capcom
Release
January 11, 2005
It’s still shocking that Resident Evil 4, one of the best Resident Evil games, was initially supposed to only appear on GameCube. While it did launch on the system first, it came to a slew of other consoles afterward. The game followed police officer Leon Kennedy on a mission to Spain to rescue the President’s daughter from a cult. Naturally, the cult had turned even more sinister, so players had to spend their time watching their backs and shooting zombies. Everything about Resident Evil 4 impressed. From the frightening monsters to the epic boss battles, to the over-the-shoulder shooting mechanics, to the non-linear, spooky environments. Resident Evil 4 remains an influential game today and outside of Nintendo-developed games, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better GameCube game. Resident Evil 4 is now available on the go courtesy of the Nintendo Switch. With Resident Evil 2 and 3 already getting remakes, it’s likely we could see a full remake in the future for this game, as well.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
82%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher
Ubisoft Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. (SCEI), Nintendo
Release
November 06, 2003
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time reinvigorated a fledgling franchise in 2003 with the help of one, amazing mechanic. His dagger, imbued with sand, can turn back the hands of time to retry platforming sequences, take another swipe at enemies, or just get a better angle to assess the situation. He could also freeze enemies in time and slow the world around him temporarily. The mechanic worked wonders for the action-adventure game, giving The Sands of Time a unique and strategic twist that made it a standout experience. Combine the mechanic with excellent puzzles, clever A.I., and a gripping storyline about deceit, The Sands of Time easily became one of the greatest adventure games of the era. A remake for the original is currently in development.
Ikaruga
89%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox 360, Nintendo GameCube, Dreamcast, Android, PlayStation 4, Arcade, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Puzzle, Indie, Arcade
Developer
G.rev, Treasure
Publisher
Sega, ESP Software, Atari, Treasure, Nicalis, Inc.
Release
December 20, 2001
Skill is king in Ikaruga, the 2003 vertical shoot ’em up that offered a bare-bones experience that managed to bubble up to the top of the arcade shooter genre on GameCube. Armed with just regular missiles and a homing laser, you had to maneuver your ship around obstacles and shoot enemies in lightning-quick stages. It’s not a game for everyone, but it harked back to the glory days of feeding quarters into arcade machines on loop, and its unique polarity-switching mechanic allowed you to navigate even the most hectic bullet-hell segments. Today, Ikaruga is available on the Nintendo Switch eShop.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
85%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo DS, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo 3DS, N-Gage, Legacy Cellphone
Genre
Shooter, Tactical
Developer
Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher
Ubisoft Entertainment
Release
March 21, 2005
Sam Fisher’s third outing, Chaos Theory, included all of the great stealth gameplay of the first two games but also loosened up the requirements to let players tackle missions in their own way. When moving through areas, it was no longer mandatory to hide bodies. Additionally, while the first two games almost always made you play stealthily, in Chaos Theory, you could use lethal force much more often without failing missions. Of course, Chaos Theory was designed to play as a stealth game, so thankfully the stealth mechanics and AI also improved in Chaos Theory. It remains one of the best entries in the series today, and one of the greatest stealth games of all time.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II - Rogue Leader
84%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Shooter, Simulator
Developer
LucasArts, Factor 5
Publisher
LucasArts, Activision
Release
November 09, 2001
A launch title, Rogue Squadron II offered significant improvements to its already great predecessor. The game took place throughout the original trilogy and saw Luke Skywalker leading a group of X-wing pilots across the galaxy, engaging in fast-paced flight combat throughout. Each level had different completion requirements to keep the gameplay fresh and exciting. It wasn’t just X-wings, despite the name, so you could pilot six other Star Wars ships, including the iconic Millennium Falcon. Rogue Squadron II is easily our favorite Star Wars game on GameCube and one of the best Star Wars games of all time.
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
82%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Adventure
Developer
Silicon Knights
Publisher
Konami
Release
March 09, 2004
A remake of the PlayStation classic and arguably best Metal Gear game, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes made one of the best stealth games infinitely more playable by introducing accessibility mechanics seen in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. It also reworked the cutscenes, of which there were many, from the ground floor. Only released on GameCube, Twin Snakes was a weird moment in Nintendo history, but one we are incredibly thankful for. It was also developed with the guidance of both Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima and Zelda/Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto. How cool is that?
Luigi's Mansion
79%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Adventure
Developer
Nintendo EAD
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
September 14, 2001
Poor Luigi, the often pushed-to-the-side brother of Mario. Even when he finally received his own game as a launch title on GameCube, he was sent to explore a haunted mansion. Thankfully, although Luigi was frequently scared, Luigi’s Mansion was more comical than anything else. Armed with a ghost-vanquishing vacuum, a flashlight, and a modified Game Boy, Luigi’s quest to find Mario was filled with countless surprises and intriguing mysteries. Though the game ended prematurely, its puzzles and delightfully creepy atmosphere engaged enough players to warrant a great 3DS sequel, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, and the even better Luigi’s Mansion 3 for Nintendo Switch.
Metroid Prime
92%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Shooter, Platform, Adventure
Developer
Retro Studios
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
November 17, 2002
No one could have expected that Metroid’s jump to 3D would prove to be one of the best Metroid games of all time, especially considering that Retro Studios created Metroid Prime as a first-person shooter. We’re placing it in the action-adventure category of our list, however, as it leans heavily on exploring its intoxicating landscape for new secrets, abilities, and baddies to blast into smithereens. Remarkably, Prime captured the essence of what made 2D Metroid games so great — an open world that is retraced repeatedly as you gain new powers. Somehow, Retro and Nintendo managed to convert this model to 3D without it ever feeling repetitive. Smart controls, powers that feel like joys to discover and even greater to use, and all of the novel atmosphere that put Metroid on the map, made Prime an absolute triumph. Seriously, play this game if you haven’t already, especially with a fourth game coming to Nintendo Switch. We’re hoping the Prime Trilogy comes to Switch, as well, but who knows if that’ll ever happen.
Star Fox Adventures
72%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Shooter, Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator
Developer
Rare
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
September 22, 2002
Star Fox is mostly known for its ship battles, but Star Fox Adventures leaned heavily into third-person action-adventure, turning Fox McCloud into an intergalactic Link. Over the course of the adventure, Fox unlocks more weapons and items through exploration and completing tasks. The game largely centered on melee combat, of which it also borrowed from The Legend of Zelda. Although the story, which sees Fox looking into the disturbance of the Dinosaur Planet, isn’t the most memorable, it is one of the more story-focused entries in the series. Adventures also featured the traditional Arwing ship combat, which improved over its predecessors, thanks to better controls and visuals.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
87%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Shooter, Platform, Adventure
Developer
Retro Studios
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
November 15, 2004
Prime set the stage, but Echoes delivered the narrative goods. The only knock on the original is that it was light on story. Echoes fixed that with a story steeped in Metroid lore, complete with two different versions of the same world that harked back to what Nintendo has done with The Legend of Zelda franchise on numerous occasions. Echoes is every bit as good as its predecessor, though the difficulty was ratcheted up a few notches. We’d also like to forget that Echoes introduced multiplayer to the series in the form of a tedious split-screen deathmatch mode. Play Prime first of course, and then follow up Echoes by completing the trilogy with Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. And we’re probably not alone in hoping Nintendo re-releases the trilogy on Switch before Metroid Prime 4 arrives.
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
81%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Adventure
Developer
Silicon Knights
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
June 23, 2002
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem, remarkably, was originally in development for Nintendo 64. It feels like a miracle that it launched as a GameCube exclusive in 2002. A decidedly M-rated horror game, Eternal Darkness is played through multiple third-person perspectives with branching storylines. The story revolves around The Tome of Eternal Darkness, a mysterious book found in the home of Alexandra Roivas’ murdered grandfather. Upon opening the book, players travel through history, playing as people from all walks of life trying to stave off an evil entity. The coolest aspect of the game, the Sanity meter, really messed with players. When filled, the game purposely tried to distort your perception of what was going on. It even went as far as to display fake error messages on your TV to make you think something was wrong with your hardware. Unnerving and fascinating, Eternal Darkness also found its way on our list of best horror games. A spiritual successor was announced several years ago as Shadow of the Eternals, and though never officially canceled, it isn’t currently in development.
Beyond Good & Evil
86%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Ubisoft Shanghai, Ubisoft Milan, Ubisoft Montpellier
Publisher
Ubisoft
Release
November 11, 2003
From the creator of Rayman, Beyond Good & Evil completely flopped at launch. It was a brilliant adventure game with fun combat, neat puzzles, and featured an engaging futuristic story with a memorable cast. Yet it didn’t do well at all. It has become a cult classic over the years, however, and for good reason. Jade’s investigation into an intergalactic conspiracy provided just the right amount of variety of platforming, action, and puzzles. The buzz surrounding it has been substantial enough to finally get a follow-up off the ground, the wildly ambitious Beyond Good & Evil 2, which will supposedly launch sometime in the future.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
89%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Fighting, Platform, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up
Developer
HAL Laboratory
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
November 21, 2001
Super Smash Bros. Melee is arguably the defining game of the early 2000s. That’s not hyperbole considering that 17 years after its 2001 launch, it’s still played as a competitive esport by a significant chunk of the Smash community. The brawler perfected the formula introduced in the N64 debut, adding more stages, characters, and game modes to choose from. There’s also something about playing Smash with a GameCube controller that’s hard to shake. Even Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on Switch has GameCube controller support. We’re doubtful dedicated Melee users will abandon the game anytime soon, despite the game no longer having a place at certain major fight game tournaments.
TimeSplitters 2
89%
Platforms
PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Shooter
Developer
Free Radical Design
Publisher
Eidos Interactive
Release
October 09, 2002
Arcade first-person shooting action done right, TimeSplitters 2 improved on the original in many ways. Beyond its fast-paced 10-level campaign that put in the shoes of space marines vanquishing aliens, TimeSplitters 2‘s multiplayer mode offered one of the very best first-person shooter experiences on GameCube. With a plethora of fun weapons, including a flamethrower, and a bunch of whacky playable avatars (monkeys, dinosaurs, and an Elvis impersonator, for instance), TimeSplitters 2 was unafraid to wear the badge as a frivolous shooter. And that’s exactly why we loved it. It also had a map maker to create both single and multiplayer levels.
Killer7
83%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Grasshopper Manufacture, Engine Software
Publisher
Capcom, NIS America
Release
June 09, 2005
Probably the weirdest game on GameCube, Suda51’s first game released in North America perfectly displayed what we’ve come to know and expect from the auteur. Which is to say — it’s best not to expect anything, because his games will always surprise you. Killer7 told a convoluted, yet engrossing story about the world’s nuclear weapons being dismantled, terrorist groups, politics, and the relationship between the United States and Japan. Essentially, it was a spy game that was difficult to parse but worth wading into. Stylistic, cartoon visuals and a very odd, stripped-down control scheme probably turned off some players from this pseudo-on-rails action shooter. There’s no denying that Killer7 is a memorable and important title, not just on GameCube, but in video game history in general.
Donkey Konga
71%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Music, Simulator
Developer
Namco
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
December 12, 2003
Donkey Konga and its sequel aren’t generally considered to be among the best Donkey Kong games, but they rocked, and you could actually play We Will Rock You with the DK Bongos in this Donkey Kong-themed rhythm game. They also had music from popular Nintendo franchises like Zelda and Mario. While not as elaborate as Rock Band or Guitar Hero, playing Donkey Konga just felt right, especially as a party game. Sadly, Donkey Konga 3 never arrived in North America, probably because the series was unappreciated here. That still disappoints us, but our DK Bongos are stored safely somewhere in our parents’ basements waiting for Donkey Kong’s long-awaited reunion tour.
Super Mario Sunshine
82%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Nintendo EAD
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
July 19, 2002
Super Mario Sunshine often feels like the forgotten 3D Mario game. It’s not as revolutionary as Super Mario 64, as flashy as the Galaxy games, or as gloriously open as Super Mario Odyssey — which are all considered among the best Mario games — but it’s still a masterclass in design and platforming. Taking place on the picturesque Delfino Isle, Princess Peach is captured by Shadow Mario, an evil depiction of the lovable plumber. From there, Mario must use a robotic hose that doubles as a jetpack to clean up the muck that Delfino’s residents think was created by him and, eventually save Peach once again. Collecting shine sprites across a stable of unique and aesthetically pleasing levels is pure joy. The addition of F.L.U.D.D. — Mario’s new contraption — make platforming sequences and boss fights more exciting by giving Mario a new way to move about as well as a weapon. Sunshine excelled just as all 3D Mario games have and endures today as the greatest platformer on GameCube. It’s playable on Nintendo Switch!
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
68%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Nintendo EAD Tokyo
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
December 16, 2004
The DK Bongos were the coolest peripheral on GameCube, and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat combined the rhythm of DK’s trusty instrument with his favorite activity: platforming. Jungle Beat was an oddity of a game. It was a platformer, with baddies to topple, platforms to hop on, and ropes to swing from, but it also wanted you to keep a rhythmic flow by banging on the bongos at opportune moments to collect bananas and rack up points. If you think about it, platforming games are all about keeping a rhythm, to begin with, so Jungle Beat literally personified that tenet.
Super Monkey Ball 2
72%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Puzzle, Strategy, Pinball
Developer
Amusement Vision
Publisher
Sega
Release
August 25, 2002
Drop a monkey into a hamster ball and what do you get? Well, one of the greatest party games ever. Super Monkey Ball 2, the superb successor to the cutesy debut of monkeys rolling around in balls, delivered on so many levels. First, it had a great single-player mode with an awesome villain called Dr. Bad-boon (ha!). More importantly, it was great as a party game for two to four players. Whether you were racing to the end of a stage or playing Monkey Billiards, Monkey Bowling, or Monkey Golf, Super Monkey Ball 2 was a barrel of (monkey) fun. We wish the series would make a comeback soon, aside from the remastered version of the underwhelming Banana Blitz, which launched in 2019.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
83%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Racing
Developer
Nintendo EAD
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
November 07, 2003
Yes, two exclamation points are the proper style for Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Now that we think about it, we imagine Nintendo styled the third console entry in the cart racer that way because it featured double the racers in one cart. Pretty neat. What’s neater, though, was Double Dash itself. Picking a successful two-member racing team required strategy and a bit of ingenuity. It also refined sliding, which created the divisive tactic known as snaking. Double Dash also introduced dropping items when getting hit by shells and slipping on bananas. An excellent track selection and a slew of cool carts big enough for two racers complements the already solid racing gameplay, giving the GameCube a definitive arcade racer.
F-Zero GX
78%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Racing
Developer
Amusement Vision
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
July 25, 2003
F-Zero GX was the first entry in the classic high-speed racing series to introduce a true story mode starring Captain Falcon. That alone elevated it past its predecessors. But the added power of the GameCube allowed for a more fluid racing experience featuring more detailed tracks and ships. At its core, it was still the hectic 30-racer showdown fans had come to know and love, but the quality of life improvements made it the best entry in the series yet. It was notoriously difficult; however, it never felt unfair.
Burnout 2: Point of Impact
76%
Platforms
PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Racing
Developer
Criterion Games
Publisher
Acclaim Entertainment
Release
September 30, 2002
Yes, Burnout 3: Takedown was a better game, but the GameCube never received Takedown. Burnout’s support for the mainline entries on Nintendo platforms ended with Burnout 2: Point of Impact. While disappointing, Burnout 2 was still a great racer that was even better when playing on the couch with friends. Thanks to Crash mode, which allowed players to earn points and boosts from ramming into other vehicles, Burnout 2 eschewed the conventional wisdom of racers. It was better to run into others than to play it safe. For that reason, it easily comes in as our favorite car racer on GameCube.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
88%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Platform, Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Nintendo EAD
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
December 13, 2002
While some fans of the iconic series scoffed at The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker‘s cel-shaded visuals, Toon Link charmed us endlessly to the point of making into our running for the best Zelda game. Wind Waker once again saw Link seek to wrestle control of the Triforce from Ganon, but this time, much of the action took place on the high sea. Manning a small but trusty boat, players explored the waters for treasure, adventure, and secret islands that always felt like you were the first person in the world to discover them. Wind Waker captures the quiet moments of sailing especially well, but its action, which leans more heavily on stealth than previous entries, makes for an enthralling and tense experience as well. Wind Waker also happens to have some of the coolest lore in the series. And have we mentioned that the art style is simply superb? If you have a Wii U, you can play the excellent remaster. Here’s to hoping Nintendo revives Wind Waker once again on Nintendo Switch.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
86%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Nintendo EAD Group No. 3
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
November 19, 2006
Better known as a Wii game, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess coincided with the Wii’s launch in 2006, but a case can be made that one of the most polarizing entries in the series to date was better on GameCube (sans motion controls). Twilight Princess is dark and gritty and sees players spending about half the game in the Twilight Realm in the paws of a Hylian wolf. The eerie parallel universe is on the verge of completely engulfing Hyrule, unless, of course, Link saves the world once again. With some of the best dungeons and puzzles in the series, along with the memorable personality that is Midna, Link’s mysterious companion, Twilight Princess was the perfect swan song for the GameCube era, and like Wind Waker, it later found its way to Wii U with added amiibo support.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
93%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Intelligent Systems Co., Ltd.
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
July 22, 2004
Continuing off of the principles set in Paper Mario and inspired by Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door was one of the most engrossing and charming RPGs on GameCube. Characters appeared flat like paper, but the environments had 3D depth, resulting in a unique art style that still looks great today. Despite turn-based combat and a host of brand new locations in the Mushroom Kingdom, The Thousand-Year Door still revolves around saving Princess Peach. This time around, though, you got to play as Peach in certain spots, as well as King Koopa himself. Great turn-based combat, humorous dialogue, and a cast of wonderful characters made The Thousand-Year Door a surefire success, improving on its predecessor in every way. It remains the best Paper Mario game today.
Tales of Symphonia
88%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Role-playing (RPG)
Developer
Namco Tales Studio
Publisher
Namco, Bandai Namco Holdings, Nintendo
Release
August 29, 2003
Set in the wondrous land of Sylvarant, you play as Lloyd Irving on a quest to save the world they call home. Only there’s a big problem: saving your world could destroy the parallel world. It’s your standard JRPG fare in terms of story, but where Tales of Symphonia excelled, like all games in the series, was its combat. The game uses the Tales’ series “Multi-line linear motion battle system,” which is basically a fancy way of saying real-time RPG combat. You set your A.I. characters to perform actions and are free to move about with your character, initiating actions to defeat enemies. It’s a system that rewards strategy and punishes carelessness and one that remains addicting throughout the lengthy adventure. Tales games aren’t for everyone, but in the absence of traditional Final Fantasy games or Dragon Quest games on GameCube, Tales of Symphonia stands tall as one of, if not, the best JRPG on the console.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Master Quest
90%
Platforms
Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Platform, Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Nintendo EAD Tokyo
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
February 28, 2003
A reworked version of one of the greatest games of all time, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest re-skinned every dungeon in the N64 classic to make them more challenging. Master Quest came in a two-disc collection that also included the regular version of Ocarina of Time. Both iterations of the game benefited from higher resolution. Also, to complete your Zelda collection on GameCube, The Legend of Zelda: Collector’s Edition comes with The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Ocarina of Time, and Majora’s Mask. We gave Master Quest the nod, however, because it introduced new content.
Animal Crossing
77%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Simulator
Developer
Nintendo EAD
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
December 14, 2001
Oh, Tom Nook, how many times have you ripped us off over the years? More than we can count, but we keep coming back to the idyllic world of Animal Crossing nonetheless. The town simulator originally launched on N64 in Japan but was quickly ported to GameCube for worldwide release. For some reason, doing simple activities such as picking apples, fishing, and engaging in small talk with the animal neighbors captured the hearts of many, many people. Easily the most relaxing game on GameCube and probably the slyest time sink, Animal Crossing spawned a worldwide phenomenon, and the sequel New Horizons exploded in popularity on Switch.
Madden NFL 2004
46%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance
Genre
Simulator, Sport
Developer
EA Tiburon, Budcat Creations
Publisher
EA Sports
Release
August 11, 2003
Madden NFL 2004 will forever be known for featuring the most unfair player in series history, Michael Vick, circa the early 2000s. The cover athlete for Madden 2004 was simply impossible to stop. We remember implementing “no playing as the Falcons” rules when playing couch multiplayer with family. Madden 2004 should be remembered as one of the best entries in the series, and certainly the best of the GameCube generation of consoles. All aspects of the game — running, passing, defense — felt perfectly tuned at the time. And for a system not known for its traditional sports sims, Madden 2004 was very impressive on GameCube.
NBA Street Vol. 2
90%
Platforms
PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Sport, Adventure
Developer
EA Canada
Publisher
EA Sports BIG
Release
April 28, 2003
EA’s now-defunct NBA Street series was the closest we’ll probably get to NBA Jam-style basketball, and it was glorious. Especially NBA Street Vol. 2. Three-on-three basketball complete with a lengthy story mode that sees you create a streetball player en route to becoming a legend on the blacktop was the standout feature. With a slew of awesome streetball moves, the full stable of NBA teams at the time, and a wide range of customization options, NBA Street Vol. 2 was both appealing to traditional NBA fans and those who only had a passing interest in the sport.
Mario Power Tennis
74%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Sport
Developer
Camelot Software Planning
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
October 28, 2004
The fourth entry in the Mario Tennis series, Mario Power Tennis offered a solid mix of traditional tennis gameplay with zany Mushroom Kingdom twists, including courts with strange hazards, and alternative game modes such as hitting the ball in rings. Out of all of the Mario sports games on GameCube, it’s probably the least impressive. Still, we believe it firmly belongs on this list for being both fun when played in single and multiplayer.
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour
71%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Sport
Developer
Camelot Software Planning
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
July 29, 2003
The best Mario Golf title to appear on a home console, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour absolutely perfected the three-click golf simulator. A bevy of interesting courses and a big cast of characters, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and shot types, made each round as exciting as the last. We still play Toadstool Tour when craving a golf game, because Nintendo has missed the mark with every subsequent entry, including Mario Golf: Super Rush for Switch.
Mario Superstar Baseball
62%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Sport
Developer
Namco, NOW Production
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
July 21, 2005
At its core, Mario Superstar Baseball is as simple and pure as the other Mario sports titles. It’s an arcade baseball sim with heroes and villains from the Mushroom Kingdom. But it was more than just a fun game to play with friends and family; it also had a great single-player mode that turned baseball on its head with mini-games, high-pressure challenge scenarios, and objective-based variants that tasked you with completing certain tasks like striking out batters in order to advance.
Super Mario Strikers
76%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Sport
Developer
Next Level Games
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
November 18, 2005
Why yes, every single Mario sports game on GameCube appears on this list. Super Mario Strikers, the first Mario-themed soccer game, offered frantic five-on-five soccer matches complete with power-ups and items such as shells. Mario Strikers also, amazingly, wound up playing somewhat like NFL Blitz in that you could actually tackle opposing players without receiving penalties. Out of all of the Mario sports games, Super Mario Strikers is probably the most violent, but in a wholesome way. Thankfully, a new entry titled Mario Strikers Charged is headed to Nintendo Switch in 2022.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
79%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Mac, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance
Genre
Sport
Developer
Neversoft Entertainment
Publisher
Activision
Release
October 23, 2002
The Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series was once among gaming’s most iconic sports franchises, and THPS 4 brought the series to new heights. Eliminating the time restriction on each closed-off track, THPS 4 lets players roam larger, open areas and talk to NPCs to receive challenges throughout the map. It also happened to refine the gameplay into a more versatile and ultimately exhilarating experience. The soundtrack, as always, was great, too. Some may argue that Tony Hawk’s Underground or its sequel deserves to be in this spot but our feeling is that THPS 4 innovated on the formula, so it earned its place here. But we do agree: THUG and THUG 2 are totally rad, too.
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
84%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical
Developer
Intelligent Systems Co., Ltd., Nintendo SPD Group No. 2
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
April 20, 2005
The first home console Fire Emblem to arrive in the states, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance came out before the Fire Emblem craze kicked into full gear here. For that reason, it’s probably the most underplayed gem on this list. Although it wasn’t the prettiest game by any stretch of the imagination, it featured the building blocks of the dynamic dialogue system and epic story that fans have come to expect from the franchise. It even had voice acting and some neat cutscenes. Of course, the hallmark of all Fire Emblem games is the turn-based rock-paper-scissors combat, and Path of Radiance delivered and then some. Beware, though — Path of Radiance is brutally challenging, as it came out before Intelligent Systems introduced easier difficulty levels. It’s also extremely expensive these days, so here’s hoping for a Nintendo Switch port.
Battalion Wars
62%
Platforms
Nintendo GameCube
Genre
Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy
Developer
Kuju Entertainment
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
September 19, 2005
A spinoff of the wonderful turn-based series Advance Wars (RIP), Battalion Wars combined real-time tactical gameplay with a third-person action game that felt decidedly different from the Advance Wars series. Set in an alternate world, the game takes place during the rekindling of a global military conflict. The story was somewhat disappointing and could be tedious at times, but the mix of action and real-time strategy kept the game somewhat interesting. The gameplay and strategic aspects of the game were accessible and challenging at the same time. A quality sequel, Battalion Wars 2, was released on Wii two years later. Since then, Battalion Wars and its parent franchise, Advance Wars, have sadly remained dormant.
Pikmin 2
87%
Platforms
Wii, Nintendo GameCube, Wii U
Genre
Puzzle, Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Developer
Nintendo EAD, Nintendo
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
April 29, 2004
Captain Olimar, a dopey herder of half-plant, half-animal creatures, might just be one of Shigeru Miyamoto’s most smile-inducing characters. In case you don’t already know, Miyamoto made Mario and Zelda, so they clearly have a knack for producing adorably whimsical and irresistibly lovable characters. But a roster of charming characters isn’t all Nintendo fans get out of the Pikmin series, which are secretly among the best puzzle games out there. The game is both intellectually and artistically stimulating, involving creative ways to solve puzzles. The adorable characters are just a bonus, although you might find yourself getting attached to them. Pikmin 2 is the new and improved successor of the popular GameCube phenomenon, addressing any grievances players had with the original version, such as time restrictions for finishing a level. Pikmin 2 picks right up where the first one left off. However, the sequel made a note of the original game’s shortcomings, providing a longer-lasting and more difficult gaming experience. Pikmin 2 improves upon its predecessor in nearly every way, but the graphics and controls are especially outstanding. Using a classic isometric perspective, players find themselves moving through an immersive, colorful world. Traversing great distances, engaging in epic battles against villainous characters, and finding new lands provide plenty of entertainment and exhilaration. You can even engage in two-player showdowns with multiple challenge modes. While Olimar is the star of the show, the adorable Pikmin will steal your heart and leave you coming back for more.
