The GameCube isNintendo’s most unheralded console. It didn’t see the same mainstream success as its predecessor, the Nintendo Wii, nor did it leave a lasting legacy like its predecessors.
It also made an infamous first impression, with many feeling like the console was a childlike toy rather than something that would compete with the Xbox and PlayStation 2.
Don’t let that make you think that theGameCubedidn’t have plenty of good games. Spoiler alert: it has a lot of great games, from the ones you already know about to plenty of hidden gems that you missed out on.
I’ll be selecting one game per year to represent the console’s catalog based on critical reception, then will be ranking them from there based on what I think are the best games. Get those mini discs ready.
72007 - Madden NFL 08
A Similar Experience To The Xbox 360/PS3 Version
Madden NFL 08
The best thing Madden NFL 08 has going for it on theGameCubeis how well it compares to the next-gen versions of the game.
Let’s be honest here: if you were playing Madden on a Nintendo console at this point, you were more than likely playing it on the Nintendo Wii for the benefit of motion controls.
For those who grew tired of the gimmick or were still rocking a Nintendo GameCube, Madden 08 does an excellent job of being a solid NFL experience.
Is it one of the best GameCube games of all time? Absolutely not, but there weren’t many options available for the year’s releases.It’s also better than this year’s version!
62004 - Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
A Worthy Sequel To An All-Time Great
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
The biggest sin of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is that it’s notMetroid Prime.
That’s an incredibly unfair critique, as in a vacuum, Echoes is an excellent game. The multiplayer, while completely unnecessary, provided some good, harmless fun. At its core, the gameplay we all know and love from the original is back once again.
There are two major flaws with Echoes, though, and one of them comes from the original. With more challengingboss battlesand more focus on the action, the awkward control setup for Metroid Prime becomes a bigger issue. With combat being more challenging, there’s far less room for error.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes' other flaw is that, somehow, the game looks worse than its predecessor, especially close up. Don’t get me wrong; it’s still a great game, but it falls short compared to what came before.
52006 - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The “Mature” Zelda
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
By now, it should become clear that Nintendo knows what it’s doing with theZelda franchise.
Following the massive success of The Wind Waker, Nintendo changed things up once again with 2006’sTwilight Princess, which was also released for the Nintendo Wii.
The GameCube version is, ironically, my preferred way to play, as it’s the one without motion controls. This means that the gameplay itself, not a console gimmick, gets to be the star of the show.
My biggest gripe with Twilight Princess is that it lacked the wow factor and modern presentation of other similar titles, such as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Once you get past that, however, you’re in for a treat. Twilight Princess has some of the best boss battles, best dungeons, and best gameplay mechanics in the franchise’s history.
42003 - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
If you thought there was controversy over Metroid Prime turning into an FPS, have a seat and let me tell you the uproar overThe Wind Waker’s cel-shaded graphics.
Peoplehatedthe cartoony look and feel, but here’s the thing: it works perfectly for the vibe present in The Wind Waker.
There are so many unforgettable moments enhanced by the cel-shaded graphics, from the first time you explore the open sea to exploring Hyrule Castle.
It’s that wow factor that gives it the edge over Twilight Princess. The visuals help evoke feelings from you in ways few games can, showcasing the childlike wonder that exists within its world and characters, most notablyToon Link. With the game available on Nintendo Switch 2 as part of the GameCube library of Nintendo Switch Online, it’s a great excuse to dive back into the game, even if it’s not the HD version.
32001 - Super Smash Bros. Melee
Meet Me In Final Destination
Super Smash Bros. Melee
The original Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64 isn’t a bad game, but it’s lacking in depth.
Well, someone at Nintendo took that critique seriously;Meleeis jam-packed with so much content that, at times, it feels intimidating. Depending on who you ask as well, this is peak Smash Bros. gameplay.
The roster has been greatly expanded upon, featuring a wide variety ofNintendo mascots, both recognizable and obscure. Everyone has their own unique playstyle as well, keeping every fight fresh.
Melee’s stages are the real standout here, ranging from close-quarter combat, the massive battleground that is Hyrule Temple, and some pretty wacky stages as well.
22005 - Resident Evil 4
My Date With The President’s Daughter
Resident Evil 4
Never in my life did I ever think that we’d ever get a game likeResident Evil 4on the Nintendo GameCube.
That’s not to diminish these other games, but there’s something about RE4 that just feels different from most other titles of that era.
The fact that this is a third-party developer that’s delivering a genre-changing, groundbreaking experience is what stands out to me. This is normally Nintendo’s lane, as evident by the other games on our list.
Resident Evil 4not only changed the way we view survival horror, but video games as a whole. It’s a non-stop thrill ride from beginning to end, all taking place on the console that people ridiculed for being purple and having a handle.
12002 - Metroid Prime
One Of The Best Games Ever Made
Metroid Prime
The Xbox had Halo as a definitive FPS. The GameCube hadMetroid Prime.
Despite the controversy and uneasiness over transitioning the Metroid franchise to an FPS experience, Retro Studios were the ones with the last laugh. This is still the Metroidvania experience you know and love, just with a different point of view.
You’re still exploring a world, discovering its secrets, and unlocking upgrades that let you explore previously unreachable areas. The only real difference is that itplays more like an FPSthan a side scroller.
No other game for the Nintendo GameCube was as impressive, as good-looking, or as polished as Metroid Prime. Even in its original form, it remains one of the best games ever made.
