If you’re mad for all things Nintendo like me and the rest of the Retro Dodo crew crew, then this list of the best GameCube games of all time will take you back to the early 2000s with a huge smile on your face.
Peeling back that game wrapping, opening the box, reading the booklets, marvelling how small the game discs were – getting a new GameCube game was an exciting ritual that we still think about today.
And the titles in this list are the main reason why the GameCube will always be one of my favourite consoles.
A new look to Link, getting hands on with Fox Mcloud and a bunch of dinosaurs, Django Fett blasting pistols, and Captain Falcon punching opponents off the side of the screen.
This game had so many legendary moments that defined my teenage years, with hours spent playing games after school and then while I should have been revising for exams a few years later!
Table of Contents
1. The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002)
I was sceptical when I first saw the cell-shaded Link and the cartoony graphics in The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker, but boy was I wrong to be worried. Every copy of this game sold out in minutes in my local town, but I remember going with my Mum to look for a copy and found one in a second-hand game shop.
I don’t think it had even been opened, and it came with the Master Quest Ocarina Of Time discs too which was a great bonus!
For those of you who haven’t played it, go take a long hard look in the mirror and ask yourself why, and then come back to your computer and grab a copy.
The adventure starts on Outset Island where our green-garbed hero is still in his pyjamas. Ganondorf is searching for any girls who look like Princess Zelda so that he can take her part of the Triforce for himself. He sends a big bird over the sea to hunt for girls with pointy ears, and it ends up capturing Link’s sister.
To cut a long story short, Link befriends some pirates, gets washed up near a talking boat, and has to collect different items using the power of the wind to save his sister and defeat Ganondorf.
I’ve played this game so many times that I’ve lost count, but I always spot something new that I missed the previous time.
It might not be Ocarina or BOTW, but the story is incredible and the graphics allow for some amazing boss battles that will stick with you forever. Stop whatever you’re doing and go put it on now; you can thank us later.
2. The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)
If you’ve read any of my articles before, then you’ll know I’m a massive Zelda nerd. I love everything about this series of games, and if I had to choose one hero to be from any game, it would definitely be Link.
I’m going to be honest here; I did consider putting The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess at Number 1 in this list, though as it took the top spot in our article ranking the top Nintendo Wii games and was primarily a Wii title, I had to go with my gut and put a title that was made solely for the Cube in the top spot.
Still, second/honorary first is more than fine for one of my favourite Zelda games of all time. I hold Twilight Princess on a par with Ocarina of Time, which is high praise indeed. And in some respects, the Gamecube controller provides a better gameplay experience than the Wiimote!
Twilight Princess was the best-selling Zelda game of all time unto BOTW came out, beating Ocarina of Time by 900,000 copies It’s based many years after the events of Ocarina of Time and sits in between Majora’s Mask and Four Swords in the Zelda Timeline.
I wasn’t a fan of Clocktown in Majora’s Mask so much, so seeing a traditional take on Hyrule after Wind Waker felt incredibly refreshing and familiar at the same time. Hyrule itself looks amazing, and the return of Hyrule Castle Square was a nice touch.
Play as Wolf Link or Link himself, wielding amazing weapons and immersing yourself in a superb adventure alongside Midna, Zant, and other iconic characters. Honestly, I can’t recommend this game enough!
3. Star Wars Bounty Hunter (2002)
Jango Fett was always one of my favourite Star Wars Characters, especially seen as though his son was the only person smart enough to capture Han Solo.
Star Wars Bounty Hunter sees you play as Jango himself, following a mission from Darth Tyrannus in a bid to rid the galaxy of the Bando Gora. They’re basically a criminal gang who worship the Force, but they’re causing a lot of bother for old Tyrannus and Darth Sidious, and they want them out of the picture.
Jango goes on a mission to take down their leader and receives more money than he knows what to do
Jango uses a blaster pistol in each hand, so it’s easy to shoot down multiple enemies as you make your way through the different levels.
There are plenty of different power-ups to pick up along the way to improve your bounty hunting skills, as well as items that will help Jango to defeat the Bando Gora once and for all. You can also earn a little extra cash on the side by completing bounties that you find on Jango’s scanner as you go.
He never takes a day off!
I waited so long for this game to arrive as it got imported from a different country. At least that’s what my Mum told me when it didn’t arrive on my birthday, but maybe she just forgot. Either way, it has some special memories related to it and I loved it once it finally arrived, so I’m sticking it in the list.
4. Star Fox Adventures (2002)
Fox McCloud was badass enough up in the sky while flying his Arwing, but put him down on the ground with a load of dinosaurs and give him a staff to fight his way around with, and you’ve got yourself another of incredible game.
It’s eight years after Andross’ defeat, but there’s no rest for Fox and the gang. This time our furry-tailed friend is heading after General Scales and the Sharpclaw army in an attempt to save the Earthwalker Tribe and bring peace back to Dinosaur Planet.
He also teams up with a Lady Fox named Krystal who lost her home when General Scales attacked. Looks like life on the ground isn’t too bad after all, ey Fox?
Rare
Star Fox Adventures’ gameplay is very similar to the Zelda game series. You can use your staff to fight in melee-style combat, unlock hidden items, and solve puzzles that allow you to move onto the next area in a world.
Heart pieces can be collected to up your strength, and there are boss battles that you must complete in order to progress.
You can also fly in your Arwing to different areas of the planet once you get far enough through the story. Try your hand at dodging objects in space as you make your way from one part of the world to another.
It’s a great adventure game from the genius minds over at RARE and one that you should definitely give a try!
5. Luigi’s Mansion (2001)
From one plumber who can’t get a break to another plumber who can’t stop breaking out into a cold sweat!
I waited so long for Luigi’s Mansion to come out; I counted down the days until it’s release, reading all of the reviews and checking out sneak-peak videos all the while before the big day.
Luigi has always been one of my favourite characters as he’s never in the limelight. I always liked to imagine what he was getting up to while Mario was out saving the day, and it turns out he was trying to clean up mansions for Professor E. Gadd with a super hi-tech vacuum cleaner.
Who would have thought it!
This game is without a doubt one of the best on the console. Seeing Luigi creeping around the mansion and sneaking up on unsuspecting ghosts brings a whole new thrill-factor to our lesser-spotted green plumbing friend.
What Luigi lacks in courage, he makes up for in comedy value and job satisfaction. I’ve never seen anyone this determined to do such a dangerous and terrifying job!
Collect new upgrades for your Poltergust 3000; find coins and hearts along the way through your mansion; and suck up pictures, dust, leaves, tablecloths, and more to find secrets that will help you along your quest.
If you’re looking to get Luigi’s Mansion 3 for the Switch, then start from the beginning and check out the title that started it all off!
6. Mario Kart Double Dash (2003)
Mario Kart Double Dash is a pretty unique game in itself as it is the first to see players picking two characters per race instead of just one. One character races the player’s chosen car, and the other stands on the back and throws items at opponents.
It’s a slightly odd feature seeing as though we’ve done so well with just one character for so many years, but it’s a Mario Kart title, so we’ll let it slide.
Players can switch at any time and you can team up with a friend on the same kart instead of going head to head! Choose your friends wisely though, guys; you don’t want someone ruining all the good driving that you’ve put in!
Mario Kart Double Dash saw the introduction of even more new characters to the Mario Kart scene, along with new power
With the success of Mario Kart 64, Double Dash had to pull out all of the stops to improve on its predecessor. It went on to become the second-best-selling game on the GameCube, so it did pretty well!
Play through your favourite modes such as Grand Prix, Time Trial, and the much-loved Battle mode where players must use all of the weapons at their disposal to defeat their opponents. It’s a one-stop-shop for Nintendo racing madness, which is why it has cemented itself on this list.
7. Pikmin 2 (2004)
Pikmin 2 also made my list of epic GameCube multiplayer titles, not that I’m trying to instantly say how much more I like it than the original Pikmin…
Ok, I’ve already said how great the original Pikmin was and how much it’s a beloved GameCube title, but taking away the time pressure and allowing us to enjoy the game was exactly what we needed to make Pikmin even better, and the sequel delivered.
With new Pikmin to encounter, a new story to embark on, and no 30-day countdown, it’s perfect for fans of the original or people who want to get into the franchise for the first time.
We’re talking maximum exploring and zero stress, apart from the end of the day countdown, of course. Don’t leave a Pikmin behind, guys!
The multiplayer mode isn’t going to leave you swearing at each other or panting for breath with exhaustion; it’s a nice chilled mode for players to jump into for some friendly rivalry. Collect and steal marbles using Red or Blue Pikmin, simple.
Now make those other plant-headed losers eat dirt as you fight to victory!!
Ahem… I got a little carried away there. Let’s move on.
8. Super Mario Sunshine (2002)
After the success of Super Mario 64, his first solo venture on the new console had to be a great hit, and it didn’t disappoint.
While holidaying in Isle Delfino, Mario encounters an imposter ‘Shadow Mario’ who has been running amok and destroying the Island. Mario is joined by a water-jetpack type item called FLUDD who helps him to clean up Isle Delfino in a bid to find the 120 shine sprites needed to bring light back to the island.
The gameplay in Super Mario Sunshine is very similar to Super Mario 64, which is never going to be a bad thing, but the graphics have improved tenfold. It’s a fun game with all of the same collectible-gathering action that we’ve come to know and love from our favourite Italian plumber.
It’s nice to have a new location for a Mario Game instead of being based around the Mushroom Kingdom’s usual haunts, and the introduction of the Piantas and
You will, however, be pleased to know that you still have to save Princess Peach from Shadow Mario while cleaning up the mess that the islanders have blamed you for. Can’t a plumber get a break!
Looks like Mario’s going to have to wait a while longer before he can relax in the sun, but at least he can have a ride around on Yoshi when he gets bored and cool off with FLUDD when things get a little too heated!
Psst – If you want to check out an even better version of Sunshine, take a look at some of the GameCube ROM hacks we’ve covered here on Dodo.
9. Mario Party 4 (2002)
The next title in our list is, in my opinion, the best party game on not only our favourite cubed-console, but in the world.
The first Mario Party game on the GameCube is still my favourite to this day. The shop system was easy, the magic lantern and the accompanying Genie always felt like cheating even though it was part of the game, and handing over 20 coins for a star is still one of the best bargains in life.
For anyone who isn’t akin with Mario Party 4, it’s a board-game turn-based title in which players move around different courses and collect coins that they can trade for items and, more importantly, stars.
Players compete in mini-games at the end of each round, either in teams or against each other, and each course has different elements that are set to spice things up for the players.
There’s also a story mode where you can play against the computer and unlock
I’m lucky that I was blessed with a cool Mum while growing up, and we used to play Mario Party on an evening and try to determine who the Party Star really was. You can play as your favourite Nintendo Characters including Wario and Waluigi, and the premise of the game is so simple that it’s rated E for Everyone.
This is a great multiplayer game to play with friends or family, but it’s also super fun in the 1-player mode too. Everyone loves Mario, and everyone loves a party; it’s a guaranteed recipe for success.
10. Prince Of Persia – Sands Of Time (2003)
A mysterious Prince that uses a blade to rewind time when he makes mistakes or falls to his death; now that sounds like one gnarly game!
Based in Persia (the clue is in the title I guess), our unnamed prince sets out to right the mistakes that his father has made after ransacking a city on the behest of a treacherously wicked Vizier.
After releasing the sands of time by accident, the city’s inhabitants turn to evil monsters that the Prince must defeat in order to collect the sands and restore balance to the world. It’s a gripping platform game and one that has oodles of playability.
I still find Prince of Persia hard to put down!
The Prince Of Persia’s main move is to run along walls a little bit like Neo, but the prince was doing it way before wearing long leather jackets was cool.
I remember the first time that I did a wall run on this game to get to a higher platform; it was such a cool moment having a character do something that I had always wished Link could have done in Ocarina of Time.
The Water Temple would have been 1’000 times easier with that skill!
Anyway, back to the Prince! The graphics on this game were also pretty special, using Ubisoft’s Jade Engine to create some stunning Persian scenery from courtyards through to temple gardens.
Any game where you can turn back time is a winner for me, especially when it involves a kick-ass dagger and zombie-style foot soldiers!
11. Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001)
A Nintendo game where you can fight as Link, Captain Falcon, Ganondorf, Nes, Mr Game & Watch, Luigi and more – what is there not to love about Super Smash Bros. Melee?
Unlocking all of the different characters in this button-mashing classic was the best fun in the world, and as you didn’t know whether the unlockable players would appear in single or multiplayer mode, you just had to spend as many hours as possible playing both!
I can’t stress how amazing Super Smash Bros. Melee is; seeing Kirby stealing Link’s powers and wearing a green hat will never lose its appeal and the collectibles that you could pick up to make your fight easier were just insane!
Who can remember using the Barrel Hammer from Donkey Kong to K.O their opponents into next year?
Super Smash Bros. Melee is great for letting off a bit of steam, and the rounds are quite short, which means it always stays fresh and exciting. Sudden Death at the end of the match was always tense, and trying to survive till the end of the round with 250% damage took all of your skill to carry out.
Play as your favourite character and beat the ones you hate into a pulp, all in a friendly non-violent Nintendo way. It’s practically therapy!
12. Metroid Prime (2002)
Samus has featured in many titles over the years on a number of Nintendo platforms, but Metroid Prime was the one that made me want to don a cyberspace suit and fight crime right alongside her.
Collecting all of Samus’ different moves and defeating some of the weirdest alien creatures in existence along the way was mind-blowingly awesome, and the fact that this game uses a first-person format makes the whole adventure even tenser! You’ve never felt fear until you turn around and come face-to-face with the dude in the picture below.
After following up on a distress signal from a Space Pirate Ship, Samus battles Meta Ridley and loses her kick-ass abilities. You must navigate your way through the Chozo Ruins and find them all in order to defeat Meta Ridley and restore some sense of normality to the galaxy.
The scenery in the levels is stunning, twinning creepy tunnels and caverns with amazing outdoor locations and interesting enemies. Plus the sheer amount of upgrades that you can add to Samus’ suit will keep you playing until the very end!
13. Super Monkey Ball (2001)
The next title in my collection could well be the cause of multiple cases of what I like to call ‘Gamers Stress Syndrome’ all over the world. Usual symptoms are throwing your controller on the ground, shouting at the top of your voice, and gripping your controller so hard that you look like you’re on a white-knuckle ride.
But man, is Super Monkey Ball addictive!
Whoever thought that putting a monkey in a ball and making it roll around tilting courses would be such a ginormous hit! The challenge of nailing the perfect score and getting all the bananas saw me replaying levels over and over again, but that’s what being a dedicated gamer is all about!
Join AiAi, Meemee, Baby, and
Take a break from the main game to play some of the amazing party games such as Monkey Fight, Monkey Race, and Monkey Target. Try your hand at Monkey Billiards, Monkey Bowling, or Monkey Golf too!
I have some amazing memories of playing these games with my Mum, and she’s still pretty kick
14. Metroid Prime: Echoes (2004)
Is there anyone cooler than Samus Aran? You can keep your Captain Marvel, more people should know about how epic our favourite space heroin really is.
The second title in the Metroid Prime trilogy, Echoes sees Samus Return with another epic first-person shooter game. Expect gargantuan space monsters and more action than you can shake a plasma cannon at!
You may well see the first Metroid Prime game further down this list, though Echoes more than deserves it’s place in our list due to the multiplayer alone.
With Goldeneye’s four-player split-screen action, players can battle it out for the accolade of the toughest bounty hunter in existence. Deathmatch plays in much the same way as games like Fortnite, and Bounty is a coin-collecting game that while not as high-octane, is still a great feature.
15. Pikmin (2001)
This game both infuriated me and filled me with pride in equal measure, and any game that can bring up such a strange mixture of feelings deserves a place in our article for sure.
In homage to Lemmings, Pikmin sees players pulling little flower creatures that follow you around aimlessly. They help to solve puzzles and problems in order to retrieve pieces of your broken ship.
Captain Olimar, an intrepid space adventurer with an oddly shaped head and a fatal Oxygen allergy, has 30 days to fix his ship before he dies on the planet in which he has crash-landed.
The plant
The game lasts for 30 days, each day lasting around 13 minutes in real-time. You can’t do anything at night because predators will eat your Pikmin, and if you don’t fix your spaceship in time, then it’s game over for you and your little plant friends.
Use red Pikmin to carry heavy objects and walk through
16. Gauntlet: Dark Legacy (2002)
Up next on our list is one of the best hack-and-slash titles that I have EVER played. Gauntlet: Dark Legacy remains the perfect couch-co-op multiplayer adventure of all time, teaming up with mates to destroy hordes of undead ghouls and demons.
I still remember entering the world hub for the first time, collecting treasure and battling it out to see who could reach food first.
To this day I still say ‘MMM, SUSTENANCE’, before eating a snack.
As well as collecting gold to trade for different abilities and stats, players can improve the look of their characters by levelling up. A lowly Wizard will eventually end up looking like a kick-ass Warlock, and the same goes for the other characters too!
Unlockable characters include a Valkyrie, a Minotaur, and a Jester amongst others. Fans of the Hyrule Warriors series and titles such as Castlevania and Dark Souls will love Gauntlet, and while it is a good game to play solo, nothing beats the couch-co-op multiplayer action!
Trying to keep them alive is like looking after 1000 children all at once and even more stressful because they’re always being eaten by monsters! Still, it’s a great puzzle game and one you should try if you have a strong disposition.
17. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle (2001)
Snowboarding down the streets of San Francisco on the City Escape level will never get old. Not only that, but finally coming face to face with Dr Eggman’s new super-weapon and ultimate life form ‘Shadow The Hedgehog’ blew my mind!
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle is another game that had an incredible multiplayer mode; racing
Man, this brings back memories!
Other than introducing new characters to the franchise, this game was one of the first Sonic games to introduce the idea of not just blasting from one end of the level to the next and actually having to solve things and pick up collectibles along the way.
And if you get tired of the story, you can always spend time growing your Chao garden with the items that you pick up and create the ultimate tiny hero or devil for more multiplayer action.
Chaos emeralds and rings return as collectibles in this game as you might expect. Unlike other Sonic titles, however, Adventure 2 Battle gives you the option of playing out the story as both the Good and Evil sides.
Gamers control Sonic, Eggman, Shadow, Rouge, Knuckles, and Tails in this game, playing out each scenario either in favour of saving the world or destroying it.
Completing all the campaigns as both sides opens up a final level in which all the characters work together. Even Nintendo characters like multiplayer action!
18. Pokemon Colosseum (2003)
Ever wanted to steal other trainers’ Pokemon instead of randomly catching your own? It’s a very specific feature, but now you can do just that!
Pokemon Colosseum sees players taking control of Wes, a former member of the evil group ‘Team Snagem’. They developed a machine to ‘snag’ other Pokemon, and now Wes is using it to free trapped Shadow Pokemon by snagging them, just like in his Snagem days…
There is a lot of reference to snagging in this game…
I know what many readers must be thinking, and no, this game isn’t just an updated version of Pokemon Stadium for the N64. The title certainly lends itself to the franchise; the Colosseum is, after all, the ultimate fighting stadium!
No, Pokemon Colosseum is an adventure in its own right. Only Shadow Pokemon, i.e Pokemon with closed-off hearts, can be captured from other trainers. Wes is essentially a vigilante freeing tortured souls!
Pokemon caught on Ruby or Sapphire can be transferred to Colosseum via the GBA link cable. It also features a multiplayer that is very similar to Pokemon Stadium with quick battle modes for fast-Pokemon-fighting action.
19. F-Zero GX (2003)
Fans of Hydro Thunder and Star Wars Episode 1: Racer will love this futuristic, fast-paced racing game. It makes Mario Kart look like a walk in the park and is filled with danger at every turn.
The gameplay and controls remain very similar to F-Zero X on the N64; both difficult and nail-biting!
I know that most players will opt for Captain Falcon because of the Smash Bros. series, but there are a whole host of racers in F-Zero GX, each with vehicles that perform differently.
Tracks can suddenly morph into tubes or pipes, and players must periodically heal their ships on special strips. Failure to do so might mean an imminent implosion!
GX differs from its predecessor with the addition of a story mode. Gamers control Captain Falcon through 9 chapters, completing various challenges along the way.
20. Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (2001)
Star Wars fans won’t need any convincing when it comes to buying the next title in our list.
Rogue Squadron for the N64 was an absolute blinder of a game, and Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader is no exception.
Spanning 10 missions across various planets and all three original Star Wars films, players control either Luke Skywalker or Wedge Antilles while blasting Empire ships out of the sky.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, could be cooler than controlling an X-Wing while blasting down gun turrets on the Death Star.
Ok, maybe shooting down a Star Destroyer using the Millennium Falcon or fighting the Rebel Alliance as Darth Vader… Who am I kidding, every ship and scenario in this game is pure brilliance!
With that oh-so-sweet Tie Fighter sound and tonnes of scenes and scenarios from the three best films in the series, Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader is a pleasure to play from start to finish.
21. Viewtiful Joe (2003)
Glorious 2D action in a movie-like comic book world. That might sound a little confusing, but that sums up the overall vibe of the next title.
Divided between Earth and Movieland, this side-scrolling brawler was one of the weirder games in my collection, but that made it all the more interesting!
Like Comix Zone, one of the Sega Mega Drive games everyone should play, Viewtiful Joe plays heavily on a ‘Marvel comic book’ movie-style theme and is a bit over the top, but that’s why I love it so much.
Use VFX to use crank out special moves, defeat monsters twice your size, and do it all while posing for the camera and knocking out slick catchphrases.
After Joe’s girlfriend,
Joe must use the V-Watch to transform into Viewtiful Joe, a super-hero that looks a little like the Red Ranger from Power Rangers, and navigate his way through the film world. He must defeat villains along the way in order to rescue his girlfriend and put a stop to all of this madness once and for all!
The ‘Chun-Li’ style kick was always my favourite
22. Burnout 2: Point of Impact (2003)
Burnout 2: Point of Impact has some of the nicest cars of any racing game, and unlocking them was always the best part in.
In ‘Pursuit mode’, players control a police car and must sufficiently wreck an opposing car in order to unlock it. It’s painful to watch, but the unlockable car comes out as good as new in the end!
Crash mode is also a classic, allowing players to rack up a massive score by basically destroying other cars on the roads and making a massive mess!
If crashing isn’t your strong point and you prefer to race, then Burnout 2 has some slick courses that look fantastic on the GameCube.
The all-important boost function is important if you want to stay ahead of the competition. Avoiding traffic, drifting, driving on the wrong side of the road, and landing big jumps all go towards filling your boost meter.
Fans of crashing will be pleased to know that the GameCube version featured 15 additional crash tracks to play around with. It’s a great game and the perfect racing title for a Saturday afternoon chillout session.
23. The Legend Of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004)
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventure itself is a bit of an amalgamation of three other Zelda titles; A Link To The Past, Four Swords, and The Wind Waker.
It uses the top-down view and similar music used in A Link To The Past, while taking a lot of effects and gameplay style from Wind Waker and Four Swords. In this way, the game doesn’t feel wildly original, but it’s a Zelda title, which means it’s a must have!
Unusually for games in The Legend Of Zelda canon, Four Swords Adventure can be played by one to four players, allowing for co-op action against the evil forces that have overrun Hyrule.
Now that couch-co-op is essentially dead, this provides a nice means of nostalgic gaming with your mates, especially since the Game Boy Advance can be used as a controller via the included link cable.
That’s a cable that links your GBA to your GameCube or Wii, not a cable that looks like Link!
By releasing the Four Sword, Link creates three clones of himself. He also releases Vaati, that annoying Wind Wizard lad, giving him two enemies to deal with!
Team up and save the day!
24. Mario Party 5 (2003)
If Mario Party 5 had kept with the shop system rather than opting for the item capsule stations, then it would definitely be further down this list.
Still, the 5th title in the Mario Party series is a cracking multiplayer title and well worth investing in if you’re a mini game maestro!
For those readers who haven’t played a Mario Party game before, the premise is super simple. Roll a dice, move around a board, and try to win stars.
Players take part in minigames at the end of each turn, giving them a chance to win coins that can be traded for stars or used in other ‘table-turning’ features.
From the Dream Depot to the Bowser’s Nightmare boards, players can take control of all of their favourite Nintendo characters (bar DK and Bowser in this version) as they battle it out to determine who is the Party Star.
Play against the CPU or challenge your friends and family in the ultimate mini-game showdown. Mario Party 5 certainly is a feel-good game that the whole family can enjoy.
Though if I were you, I’d wait till you got to Number 9 on our list…
25. Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (2004)
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is one of those RPGs that is seriously hard to put down… just like every other RPG, really.
This is the first Paper Mario game that I ever played and I pretty played it solidly from start to finish. I get a lot of people telling me that Mario’s RPGs don’t count, and I wish I could hit them all with his massive hammer.
Flat Mazza in a 3D world – what’s not to love? Use his skills to sneak through cracks and turn into cool shapes!
There are tonnes of characters to interact with and loads of secrets to uncover too.
No wonder it won best RPG back in 2005!
Like the Mario & Luigi games on the GBA, this RPG is full of humour and memorable moments that will make you smile long after you’ve finished playing.
Ok, so you’ve still got to save Peach (some things never change), but the game feels fresh enough to make even the harshest Mazza critics happy.
26. Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets (2002)
if you loved Harry’s antics in The Philosopher’s Stone, then Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets is only going to make you smile more.
If anything, this game allows players to get into the magic of Hogwarts a whole lot more, taking part in specific classes and learning just like Harry and the gang would in real life.
That is, if the book was real life, of course…
Flying a broom around Hogwarts was a real nice touch too. Ok, so it’s not exactly open-world exploring, but you can go to loads of cool places as you canvas the school.
The Chamber of Secrets sticks really close to the book/film too, enhancing the gameplay with extras rather than deviating madly away from the plot. Take part in Wizard Duels, complete missions, and thwart bad guys with magical skills you’ve learned along the way.
Again, if you don’t like Harry Potter, this probably isn’t going to be very high on your list. But I do, and it’s still one of my favourite GC games that I regularly pull out!
27. Sphinx And The Cursed Mummy (2003)
Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy is a game that many readers may have come across on the Nintendo Switch recently. It first made its debut on the GameCube and is a great little action/adventure title.
Fans of ancient Egyptian culture will love this fictional tale. Gamers take control of not one, but two characters in the Cursed Mummy. Both the Demi-God Sphinx and the undead mummy of Tutankhamun must be used at various intervals to complete certain tasks.
Sphinx takes all of the action and fighting scenes, knocking back enemies with his sword and brute strength. The Mummy, however, uses his intellect to solve puzzles, some of which allow Sphinx to progress in certain stages
Conversing with Imhotep, Horus, Anubis, and many more Egyptian gods and characters felt so cool; the game is almost like a loose history lesson in a way, giving players a chance to learn more about these epic characters in their own time.
Wield the blade of Osiris and retrieve Canopic Vases in a bid to bring Tutankhamun back to life. Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy has all of the feels of Mario and Zelda with a little Banjo-Kazooie thrown in for good measure.
28. Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (2004)
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes is a brilliant remake of the original Metal Gear Solid game for the PS1 back in 1998.
And when I say remake, I mean a proper remake. We’re talking better graphics, improved gameplay, and brand new cutscenes! Pretty much all of the original voice actors from the original game came back to re-record too!
If that doesn’t make this title a must have for your collection, then I don’t know what will!
For those readers who never played the original title back in the day, Metal Gear Solid is a stealth/shooting game featuring Solid Snake and Liquid Snake. The gameplay in Twin Snakes feels more like the second game in the series, however, with better ways to take down enemies.
It’s a bit of an amalgamation of the first two games basically, but all of the original levels from the first game feature in the new remake.
Are you keeping up here?
The Twin Snakes also has brainier AI bots that team up to take you down. In my opinion, this title is the perfect remake of the individual, keeping all the classic elements but supercharging them to 11!
29. SoulCalibur 2 (2003)
If you enjoy playing as Link on Super Smash Bros. Melee, then you’ll love SoulCalibur 2!
SoulCalibur 2 released on Xbox, PS2, and GameCube, each with a different bonus character. The PS2 got Heihachi Mishima, Xbox got Spawn, and Gamecube gamers received the best of all; ‘ol Kokiri features himself!
Link comes equipped with all of his usual garb and weapons including the Fairy Bow, Master Sword and bombs.
As with all of the other characters in the series Such as Ivy and Yoshimitsu, Link can upgrade his weapons and costumes as players progress through the game.
The Razor Sword, Cane of Byrna, and Biggoron’s Sword can all be unlocked for use in battle. It’s the ultimate Zelda fan’s fighting game!
If you don’t like Link, however, then characters such as Astaroth and Nightmare will no doubt fulfill your button-mashing needs. The levels are all perfectly designed, and the game itself is exciting to play both as a single player or with friends!
30. The Simpsons: Road Rage (2001)
The Simpsons Road Rage took everything that I loved about Crazy Taxi and made it 10-times-more exciting. Simpsons characters driving other Simpsons characters around Springfield for money… now that’s what I’m talking about!
I loved everything about this title, from Mr Burns showing up to ram you off the road to the different levels and classic scenes from the TV show. Taking Apu to the Kwik-E-Mart or Reverend Lovejoy to the church before a timer runs out; it’s a recipe for success!
Did you have a favourite car or racer? Mine had to be Professor Frink in his flying car. And every character had their own catchphrases too! Groundskeeper Willie’s tractor was pretty cool as well!
And that question mark at the bottom of the character selection screen? That allowed games to play as special ‘holiday’ characters; Halloween (Bart), Thanksgiving (Marge), Christmas (Apu) and New Years (Krusty).
Obviously, players could mess around with their GameCube’s internal clock to access them, or they could wait until said day of the year and reap the rewards the good old-fashioned way.
31. Super Monkey Ball 2 (2002)
While the formula wasn’t new at this point, Sega’s second primape-rolling title brought new levels and features that kept fans of the series in high spirits.
It’s the first Super Monkey Ball game to be made specifically for a home console and not a port of an arcade title (i.e the first super Monkey Ball Game).
Super Monkey Ball 2 also brought a proper story mode to the party too. Dr Bad-Boon steals all of the bananas from Monkey Island, and it’s up to Ai-Ai, Gon-Gon, and the gang to get them back.
Sounds like Bad-Boon has taken a few lessons on life from King K.Rool!
Race along half pipes, traverse moving platforms, and hurtle down slopes through each of the game’s 100 levels. Thankfully, you can replay them as many times as you like; Monkey Ball is hard!
32. Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem (2002)
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem is up next!
Nintendo used to be known for their family-friendly games, but Eternal Darkness was one of the first M-rated games that the company produced for the GameCube.
Fans of Hellblade and Dark Souls will be all over this psychological thriller, and Resident Evil lovers will also feel right at home in the dark and spooky levels throughout this game.
Sanity’ Requiem was hailed by critics all over the world as being a groundbreaking title, but it just didn’t sell as well as Nintendo had hoped.
The truth is, I think people buy Nintendo games because they like Zelda, Mario, Banjo-Kazooie etc. Eternal Darkness felt like it would have belonged better on the PS2.
Still, I liked it at any rate! Solve puzzles, fight evil monsters, and stop an evil force from taking over humanity, all while wetting your pants over and over again.
When the sanity meter starts to drop, the level will alter and things will appear that aren’t really there. It’s a very clever game, just not one for those afraid of the dark!
33. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 (2001)
What can I say about Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3? Well, skating through those amazing levels and pulling off tricks that I could never manage to do in a thousand years felt great!
Tony Hawk’s Games usually have tonnes of hidden nest eggs in them, and Pro Skater 3 didn’t disappoint.
I mean, what could be better than kickflipping as Darth Maul while holding his lightsaber, or grinding down a stair-set as Kelly Slater riding a surfboard?
All of my favourite skaters from Rodney Mullen to Bam Margera were available to play from the off. It certainly had an impressive cast, with plenty of choice when it came to the multiplayer modes.
Who can remember playing SKATE or HORSE with their mates? I would spend hours on this game, trying to pull off the best moves in Tag and finding all the hard-to-reach collectibles.
This is one game that you don’t want to miss out on!
34. Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness (2005)
Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, finally!
As the sequel to Pokemon Colosseum, this RPG follows a similar system of capturing shadow Pokemon and healing their spirits.
One of the main differences between the two games is that Pokemon in Gale Of Darkness have Shadow Abilities at their disposal. These are moves that don’t require PP and are super-effective when used.
Like every Pokemon game, Gale Of Darkness has that one Pokemon that everyone wants to get a hold of. In this case, it’s Shadow Lugia, though it’s really hard to purify and snag!
Players can purify the souls of Shadow Pokemon by walking around the world and battling other trainers. They can also use a purification chamber if that sounds like a bit of a drag!
This title is like a cross between Pokemon Stadium and the main Pokemon RPG series that we all know and love for the Game Boy/DS/Switch. It is an adventure in its own right, however; the Pokemon Stadium influence can be felt in the Mt. Battle trainer fighting mode.
35. Super Mario Strikers (2005)
Nintendo
I spent countless hours on this game, knocking out the special moves and trying to come back from 2-0 down to claim the title of the ultimate striker on the
What other game can you play football against an army of robots and blast a ball into a net with a fireball kick?
I bet Rooney or Griezmann can’t do that!
Mario Smash Football will always be one of the best Gamecube games because of its sheer silliness and endless play value.
Unlocking the different characters and courses is one thing, but trying to beat your smug friends who just never seem to lose will make the hours soar by.
Use items to impede your opponents, punch and kick players without the ball, and work up to that perfect Super Strike to try and knock Kritter into the back of the net.
36. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (2004)
In a weird and wonderful move, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat sees players using the Donkey Konga Bongo controller to move DK through a side-scrolling platform game!
Jungle Beat carries the title of a ‘score-attack’ game. This means that getting to the end of the level isn’t the only thing you need to worry about.
Like Crash Bandicoot and Sonic games, racking up a score of collectibles is also part of the process. Players collect beats as they pull off certain moves or collect bananas throughout the game. Lose all your beats, and you have to start the level again.
The left bongo moves DK left, right bongo right, and both bongos make DK jump. Clapping in front of the mic sends a shockwave. It’s a different method for controlling DK, but the gimmick is certainly entertaining and gives bongo owners another title to use with the popular peripheral.
The enemies in Echoes are superb too, as is Samus’s strange dopplegänger, Dark Samus. Fans of the original Metroid games will go crazy when they see Samus in glorious 3D, and the game has so many twists and turns that you’ll find it insanely hard to switch off!
37. Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings And The Lost Ocean (2003)
Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings And The Lost Ocean is a game with a whole new take on how we might live in the future.
Up in the sky on floating islands, and with wings to travel between them as we wish.
Yeah, it’s pretty mad, right?
Players take a guy with one real wing and one hand-made wing out into the world on a mission to find the person who murdered his family, which is a hard enough task while on the ground!
As well us uncovering harsh realities and secret plots, players also have to pose as the main character’s conscience.
Oh yes, there’s a morality element to this game, and you know how much I like those!
Depending on the guidance you give throughout the game, your character picks a certain demeanour and acts differently in battles too. Every action has a consequence, so pick wisely!
Oh, and battles are card-based, which has instantly made Yu-Gi-Oh videogame fans sit up and pay attention. I’m saying no more; buy the game and get stuck in. You won’t regret it!
38. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (2005)
Speaking of kick-ass RPGs, Final Fantasy: Path of Radiance is one of the best in the bunch! It’s the 9th title in the series overall and the 3rd game to reach Western gamers.
Fire Emblem champions tactical-based strategic battles. It’s like a cross between Risk and Chess with a plotline that would make any Dungeons and Dragons campaign feel like having a tea party with your little sister.
Path of Radiance is also the first title to use 3D graphics and include both cut scenes and voice acting.
As with every RPG, the storyline is a treat for the senses. It’s set in the Beorc nation of Daein in a place called Tellius and features lots of people with names like Greil, Ashnard, and Elincia.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl fans may recognise Ike, the game’s main protagonist. Players must move Ike and his group through the game’s many levels, solving puzzles and battling back evil forces.
There are 46 characters to communicate with and recruit, as well as more collectibles than you can shake a stick at! Fans of Final Fantasy should be pressing the Buy Here button right about now!
39. Resident Evil 4 (2005)
Leaving Racoon City behind, Resident Evil 4 sees players travelling to a village in Spain to combat mindless villagers infected by a brain-eating parasite.
It’s hardly fun in the sun though; these guys are ruthless!
Now one of our favourite GameCube titles on the Nintendo Switch, RE4 was originally meant to be a GameCube-only title, though it went on to sell over 10 million copies on multiple consoles! Talk about a winner!
Resident Evil 4 differs from the other Racoon City offerings due to the brilliant ‘over the shoulder’ shooting view when gunning down Las Plagas cretins. It’s jam-packed full of action and brutal gun-toting action, and the new camera angle really draws gamers into every battle.
The villagers in Resident Evil 4 are much smarter than in previous titles too. They can work together to try and take you down and wield an array of weapons from chainsaws to grenades.
They also respond differently depending on where you shoot them, though I mostly aim for the head. I don’t want no Las Plagas infecting me!
40. Tales Of Symphonia (2003)
Everyone loves a meaty RPG, and Tales of Symphonia provides a welcome change from other role-playing titles such as Fire Emblem and Phantasy Star Online.
This game has feels of Holy Magic Century/Quest 64 about it, with all of the usual turn-based battle antics that we’ve come to know and love from this genre.
Symphonia marks the fifth title in the ‘Tales’ series and has a great storyline and brilliant characters that are sure to resonate with gaming fans across the globe.
Set in Sylvarant, players control Lloyd Irving, the game’s main antagonist. Finally, a character name to match good ‘ol Keith Courage!
Lloyd and his pals plan to save Sylvarant, but little do they know that saving one world will put a parallel world in danger.
Fly or travel through the overworld on foot, exploring dungeons, caverns, and towns as you go. Symphonia is an immersive adventure for gamers to jump straight into, and it’s one of our favourite games and one of the GameCube’s best role playing games ever made!
41. Need For Speed Underground (2003)
I have a tonne of memories of playing this game with my dad when I was younger. Need For Speed Underground came out for just about every console under the sun, but this thing was hardly ever out of my GameCube!
For those who haven’t played the game before, the core gameplay revolves around street racing in souped up cars. Expect rival gangs, insane speeds, and lots of challenges along the way.
Need For Speed Underground makes use of multiple racing styles. Players might be challenged to a no-holds-barred street race in one instance or a drag race in another.
There are also challenges such as getting to an area in a certain time to be photographed by a photographer for a fictional magazine cover. It glamourises the rough, tough world of illegal street racing all from the comfort of your living room.
Though where this game really shines is the customisation options for the various vehicles. Add new skins, decals, paint jobs, spoilers – you name it, and Need For Speed Underground shall provide!
42. Enter The Matrix (2003)
Enter The Matrix allowed gamers to experience bullet time, wall runs, and insane jumps without breaking a sweat, and boy, was it exciting!
Instead of playing as Neo, Trinity, or Morpheus, players control Niobe or Ghost, the captain and first-mate of the Logos rebel ship.
Don’t let that disappoint you though; these guys are super bad-ass and have a whole host of tricks up their sleeve. What’s more, gamers can enjoy over an hour of original footage too!
It’s a Matrix fan’s dream!
Ghost and Niobe both have similar storylines, though each character has a couple of missions that differ from the other.
The game mostly follows a third-person perspective, with gameplay consisting of shooting and fighting levels. Both characters are skilled in hand-to-hand combat, so there’s no shortage of ass-kicking action in this game.
Fight agents, bust out killer moves, and follow the story of the two Logos pilots in this off-shoot from the main Neo storyline. It’s a brilliant game and one that certainly needs to be in your collection.
43. Donkey Konga (2003)
Every console has one of those games that starts off as a bit of a clever gimmick and goes on to become a title that never leaves the disc tray. Donkey Konga was the GameCube’s offering; whoever thought a bongo beat game would work!
But work it did!
I had four sets of bongos for this game and would spend hours playing with my mates. For any younger readers, this was when people played in the same room and not online… and it was much better!
Donkey Konga works just like Guitar Hero or Rock Band. Players hit bongos along with a track, hitting left, right, or both pads together. Clapping in front of the microphone is also required on some songs.
Tracks from Queen and REM were included, as were classic gaming tunes from the Zelda and Mario series. It’s multiplayer madness from start to finish and a great game to have a laugh with!
44. Beyond Good & Evil (2003)
Some of you may well have come across this title when we listed the top titles every original Xbox owner needs, but it was a bit of a classic on the GameCube too!
If you like solving puzzles and sneaking around, (we’ve all played Zelda games, that’s what we love!) then this is one of the games that should definitely be in your collection.
In all honesty, it’s no surprise that this title was such a hit; it’s made by the same mind that created Rayman, after all!
Along with a burly-looking pig called Pey’j, players must fight their way through richly designed levels set in the year 2435. Expect robot warriors and evil villains a’plenty!
Jade’s on a mission to rescue a bunch of captured orphans. She’s a martial arts expert but also a photographer and can use her camera to collect currency that can be spent along the way.
Characters can work together to pull off double-team moves and Jade is a dab-hand with her combat staff. Run, climb, push, pull, sidle, sneak, and fight your way through this epic game; you won’t be able to put it down!
45. Resident Evil Zero (2002)
It might not be as much of an influential classic as the other Resident Evil title further down this list, but it definitely still packs a serious punch.
I wouldn’t want to be caught down a dark alley with it chasing me, put it that way!
Some of you will have already guessed that it’s called ‘Zero’ because it’s a prequel from before the first Resident Evil game. Take both characters on missions, with the team splitting up in sections to solve puzzles and pump enemies full of lead on their own.
Don’t worry; this might be a prequel, but there’s al the same gruesome, gorefest action that you’ve come to know and love from the previous games here for you to sink your teeth into.
Probably a poor choice of words given the zombies trying to kill you.
Death is literally around every corner as you witness the lead up to the happenings that made Racoon City more dangerous than The Upside Down.
46. 1080 Avalanche (2003)
I’ve loved 1080 ever since Diiiiooooon Blassssterrrrrrr arrived with the gang on the N64. 1080 Avalanche is just as good… better, in fact, as the graphics look even cooler.
That was definitely a ‘cold’ joke… because there’s lots of snow… cool… get it?
(Tough crowd…)
Unlike the original 1080, there isn’t as much emphasis on getting points through performing tricks, though gamers can still pull off some epic moves while catching air, including the highly coveted 1080.
Avalanche is more about racing, and up to four people can play through one GameCube. Heck, up to 16 people can play via LAN play with 4 GameCubes connected.
One new feature is the Avalanche mode, where (you guessed it) players have to outrun an avalanche on dangerous courses.
There are 20 courses all in all, and weird and wonderful snowboards such as a NES controller can be unlocked too!
47. Mario Superstar Baseball (2005)
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, but is there nothing that this guy can’t do? Tennis, Golf, Baseball, Goomba-stomping; the man’s a pro at everything!
Mario Superstar Baseball was, and still is, a corker of a game. If you’re a fan of Number 16 in our list (no scrolling ahead!), then this game will be right up your street. Nothing beats knocking balls ‘outta the park’ with one of your favourite Nintendo characters!
Players compete in different cups through a challenge mode, with Bowser being the final opponent to face. Like Mario Golf, a charged swing can be used to give the ball a bit more ‘oomph’.
Bowser’s bat looks as though it might puncture the ball, never mind knock it out of the stadium!
Exhibition mode provides a friendly match between custom teams, and mini-games provide that classic Mario multiplayer fun as well as offering taxing challenges to spice things up a little!
48. James Bond 007: Nightfire (2002)
After Goldeneye for the N64, James Bond 007: Nightfire is one of my favourite Bond Games of all time.
Why? Two words; Oddjobs Hat!
I’m going to be honest, I can’t really remember the single-player mode on this game. It has all of the same first-person shooting elements that made Goldeneye such a game great, and there was a level with a truck that I quite liked. But the multiplayer; now that I’ll never forget!
Hiding in a cable car with a sniper rifle or perching on top of a mountain and sending heat-seeking missiles to obliterate my mates; it just doesn’t get much better than that.
And as I’ve already mentioned, Oddjobs hat was my go-to weapon in this game. People never saw it coming!
Players could also control Jaws too, though he didn’t have a cool hat….
49. Madden NFL 2004 (2003)
Madden NFL 2004, a classic American Football game that packed a serious punch!
EA Sports certainly knows how to produce amazing games, and Madden 2004 brought all the excitement of American Football into living rooms without any ‘hut hut hut’ calls or smashed windows.
A new feature to the game was an owner or manager mode. Fans of Football Manager games will love this, with players choosing everything from the price of a hotdog to game fixtures.
The main event itself was great to play, with lots of realistic moves and actions, including all of the best players in the business.
Everyone knows Michael Vick, and his character was so powerful in this game that they had to tone him down in future versions. The 2004 Madden Vick now appears on super teams, like the Gold Racer from F1 Grand Prix on the N64!
And let’s not forget the awesome soundtrack. Nothing gets gamers pumped up for a football brawl like the best Hip-hop and Rock classics. Am I right?
NFL games are notoriously big on storage, so make sure to grab a memory card that can store all that data!
50. Mario Power Tennis (2004)
Mario Power Tennis is one of the multiplayer sports fans out there. If you loved Mazza’s tennis title for the N64 or have recently got into it via the Nintendo Switch Online platform, then get this GC game on your wish list.
Pull off different shots and utilise signature smashes while playing against famous faces from the Mushroom Kingdom.
And, as you might expect, there are some weird and wonderful modes and settings to spice things up too.
Fire Mario Kart-style items at your opponents ala the Mario Football games, or create pictures using paint balls.
There’s even a game where players must feed tennis balls to Chain Chomps. Either those things will eat anything or they are biding their time until they can chew your hand off as punishment.
It’s bright, it’s colourful, and it’s a great 4-player game to kick back and play with your mates nd a few beers on a Saturday night. It’s a Mario game; what’s not to love?
51. Wave Race: Blue Storm (2001)
Fans of the classic Wave Race game for the N64 will no doubt love Wave Race: Blue Storm, one of the GameCube’s epic launch titles.
Ditching the competitive pro wetsuit look for incredibly short shorts and every day gear, the characters in Blue Storm add a cooler edge to the sport, with plenty of gnarly tricks to pull off along the way.
Each player has a turbo meter that fills up when passing coloured buoys in the right order. Races consist of three laps, though their difficulty will depend on the weather in most cases.
Rain and waves can push players off-course all to easily, and straying outside of the course boundary line for too long can result in disqualification.
If you enjoy multiplayer games and are looking for an alternative to karting or party titles, then Blue Storm is a safe bet that the whole family will enjoy!
52. Bloody Roar: Primal Fury (2002)
Bloody Roar: Primal Fury could well be one of my favourite ‘conventional’ style fighting games of all time. Any game where fighters can turn into beasts is a winner in my book!
Every time the words ‘Beast Change’ appeared over the Beast Gauge, my mates and I knew that a beat-down was imminent.
Or should that be ‘Beast Down’!
It added another twist to a fighting game style that we all knew and loved; a half-tiger-half-female warrior would kick Chun Li’s ass any day!
Players button-mash their way to victory in this fast-paced beat-em-up, twisting the control stick left and right while pulling off special moves and throwing opponents into next week!
Beast Mode gives fighters stronger attacks, including two Beast Drives accessed through the Beast Button. Like the finishers in Mortal Kombat, these are accompanied by a short cinematic clip jam-packed full of awesomeness.
There’s also a Hyper Beast mode too where time stops, allowing you to pummel your opponent while they sit and cry. What a game!
53. Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles (2003)
A remastered version of Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles released for the Nintendo Switch back in August 2020, but we’re here to talk about the GameCube classic.
Almost every gamer will have some idea of what Final Fantasy is. These titles have epic storylines, brilliantly designed characters, and RPG-style battles against hordes and hordes of enemies.
Crystal Chronicles is no different. Players choose an avatar from one of four races and embark on an adventure covering everything from meteorites to Myrrh. Expect level-ups and character customisation aplenty!
Crystal Chronicles was heralded as being a great RPG multiplayer. Playing alone was fine, but we know from games such as Phantasy Star Online that gaming with friends is much better.
The best bit about this game is that the multiplayer took place in the same room, so you could congratulate mates for epic moves or hit them really hard on the arm if they messed up.
Critics went ape for this title when it first came out, with Crystal Chronicles amassing well over 1 million sales. Fans of the franchise won’t need any convincing, and newbies to the Final Fantasy series won’t be disappointed!
54. Mario Party 7 (2005)
I came to Mario Party 7 a little later in life, and I had to pay a pretty sum to get hold of a copy too!
I’m not a huge fan of talking to computer games because they never understand my accent. It’s bad enough trying to talk to Siri, never mind getting Luigi to perform properly in a mini-game!
Still, the microphone attachment and associated games did provide players with another interesting gimmick and worked with both Mario Party 6 and 7.
For the first time, 8 players could play modes in Mario Party 7 together using four controllers. I never usually had that many people around the GameCube at once, though it came in handy at Christmas when family members came around.
Mario Party 7 features all of the same manic mini-game action as the other titles in the series, with 88 new mini-games on offer to tempt fans back for another slice of the party pie…
…Is that even a thing?
It differs from other games in the canon as players have to compete to resolve a set objective. It’s not my favourite Mario Party title, but it’s still worth a look if you enjoyed the others.
55. TimeSplitters 2 (2002)
TimeSplitters 2 remains one of the most iconic shooting games of all time to this day.
Yep, before Destiny, PUBG, and Overwatch came to the table, TimeSplitters 2 was keeping trigger-happy gamers occupied with multiplayer madness and a plot ahead of it’s years.
Which as a game about time travelling is kind of to be expected…
For anyone who can’t get enough of those old-school Goldeneye multiplayer feels, TimeSplitters 2 will provide.
What better praise can I give it than that?
Play as a Space Marine trying to stop TimeSplitters from screwing up time.
Move from the Wild West to the distant reaches of space in this explosive title with more firepower than Duke Nukem on a bender.
56. Fifa Football 2005 (2004)
With create-a-player mode, a 15-season career mode, and a whole host of your favourite players, this Fifa title for the GameCube is still a great game to play today. What title are we on now, Fifa 303 or something?
Brit’s love their football, and you could usually tell when a new Fifa game came out at school as half of the students would be missing from classes!
The gameplay is pretty much the same as other Fifa titles, with the top-down view that I first encountered on International Superstar Soccer 98 for the N64.
Commentators, career modes, and tonnes of other features help to bring players as close to the 04/05 football season action as possible.
If you’ve got a GameCube and like football, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t give this game a try. If you hate football, however, then keep scrolling (you’re bound to find something you like soon!).
57. The Simpsons: Hit and Run (2003)
Imagine GTA but with the Simpsons as the main characters; that’s The Simpsons: Hit & Run in a nutshell.
And yes, it is as great as it sounds.
With the actual voice cast of the TV show voicing the characters in game, this is an immersive Simpsons adventure with over fifty missions to work through.
Control Bart, Homer, Lisa, Marge, and Apu as you battle robotic bees, chase cabs, and stop people from drinking Buzz Cola.
Unlock collectibles and awards, and play multiplayer with your Simpsons-mad mates too!
With this and Number 42 below, every Springfield fan should be kept happy as Lenny for years to come!
58. Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (2003)
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour is up next. It’s also one of the best 4 player GameCube games for the system too, making it a must have title for your next Ninty night!
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the biggest fan of golf. Yet for some reason, adding Donkey Kong, Piranha Plants, and some Mushroom Kingdom themed courses, and I can’t get enough of it.
Funny, right?
Keep your finger steady, smash your A button at Mario’s hands and then again on the A-line to get that super-sweet power shot.
Mess around with back spin and top spin, and keep your eye out for the weather and wind conditions.
And just look at that image above; it still looks great today. Grab a HDMI cable for your GameCube and you’ll be even more surprised!
59. SSX Tricky (2001)
SSX Tricky a true snowboarding epic with the full might of EA Sports behind it!
Snowboarding fans will know that SSX was a multi-platform title that mimicked many of the features that we’ve come to know and love from Tony Hawk’s games.
Earn points from tricks, get collectibles, and compete to be the gnarliest rider around.
Compete and win to get cool new boards and costumes. Keep an eye on that boost bar and pull off super-swish tricks that make you feel like an absolute pro.
Seriously, if I could pull off some of this stuff without face-planting the snow, then I’d be a happy guy.
Just check out the graphics on this game too; the scenery is phenomenal and makes me want to head to the hills in real life.
Yep; SSX Tricky is a perfectly crafted game that board fans will never get bored of. And it was one of the titles that we played the most as kids, so it’s got that nostalgia factor times 10!
60. Chibi Robo!: Plug Into Adventure (2005)
I think Chibi-Robo could well be the cutest little game character that I’ve ever seen. The fact that he’s carrying his charging plug around with him on the front cover is enough to melt the hearts of even the toughest cynics.
Your mission is to keep the members of your household family by performing tasks. Still, Chibi-Robo doesn’t have an infinite battery source, so you need to keep looking at that power gauge and charge whenever possible.
Doing little chores as a little person is harder than you might think, especially when you’re about as big as a dog footprint.
just imagine how tough it’s going to be for you to get around the house and tackle stuff like stairs!
Spoiler alert – very hard.
This game will win you over incredibly quickly. It’s well thought out, smart, addictive, cutesy, and challenging all in equal measure.
61. Battalion Wars (2005)
Battalion Wars is definitely one for the Advance Wars fans out there. It’s tactical warfare that requires you to both be in the battle and command troops on the battlefield.
It’s like that dream where I was in a Risk/Jumanji-hybrid has finally come true!
Join the action as the Tundras head up against the Frontiers – things are about to get serious!
Command from afar or get up close and personal in the action with your troops. Capture areas held by the enemy, move between sites, defend territories, and basically get as close to war as you can without being in danger.
Or leaving the sofa.
Go up against different nations, create the ultimate army, and rain down justice among your enemies. Honestly, I shouldn’t be getting this excited about the concept of war, but it’s all sounding pretty fun to me!
62. Shadow the Hedgehog (2005)
Shadow the Hedgehog is like Sonic in a world where rules don’t apply. He has a gun, he’s a bad-lad, and it kind of feels like he’s got nothing to lose.
So he’s the Max Payne of the Hedgehog world… that actually makes a lot of sense!
Shadow has a choice to make, and when I mean Shadow, I really mean you.
Players have different paths to go down on their mission to discover who Shadow is. Side with Eggman or choose to join the evil aliens that are causing all of the havoc.
Or, just fight for yourself and discover answers the hard way.
Hover, dash, jump, and shoot your way through these epic levels. Shadow will forever be the ultimate life form (until we discover if anyone has an actual T-Rex in deep freeze), and his GameCube game provides a nice break from the standard Sonic formula.
63. Skies Of Arcadia: Legends (2003)
If you loved the Dreamcast title, then think of this as being a little like Steve Rodgers after he became Captain America.
Same thing, just beefed up and better in every way.
We’re talking huge weaponry, enemies from space, brutal monsters, and open world gameplay that was pretty revolutionary for back in 2003!
One of the things I love about this version is the reduced number of random encounters. I’ve had enough dealings with Zubats while playing Pokemon Red to never need a random battle ever again!
Add in the extra detail in the GC version and the improved frame rate, and this game suddenly has a whole new lease of life that makes it a pleasure to play through again!
64. Killer7 (2005)
Killer7 has one of those plot lines that we spend our lives daydreaming about. Mutants have formed a terrorist gang led by a wheelchair user that is 7 assassins in 1.
Do you need a moment to take that in?
7 Killers, 1 man… mutant gang.
Ok, let’s move on.
We’ve spoken about racers that have added depth, and now we’ve got a shooter with multiple layers too.
Killer7 requires players to think on their feet, solving puzzles while gunning down enemies and also taking part in gameplay with RPG elements.
Take charge with an invisible albino, a guy that brings dead personalities back to the land of the fun and living, and a blind man with super-fast skills.
It’s mad, it’s genius, it’s too complex for me to fit into a few paragraphs. Killer7 needs to be a game that all of you play at least once, and the ones that are a little bit unhinged will probably play it again and again!
65. Crash Nitro Kart (2003)
There are usually two types of people in this world – Mario Kart fans, and CTR fans, which is why Crash Nitro Kart being on the GameCube is about to bring everyone together.
Or maybe I’m secretly thinking ‘Double Dash rules’ but don’t want to start a fight. Who knows!
Nitro Kart feels like a cross between Mario Kart and Diddy Kong Racing. It’s all-racing action with multiple modes, one of which the players need to race to save the earth, literally.
Use weapons against foes and do whatever you can to get to the front of the pack.
The level settings are nicely detailed, and if you love the Crash Bandicoot series, then racing as key characters will feel like all your birthdays have come at once.
The adventure mode does provide something different to Double Dash, so if you like your racing games with an extra dose of depth, then give this one a shot!
66. Sonic Mega Collection (2002)
7 games, 1 disc. In other words, it’s a must-have Sonic collection for anyone who owns a GameCube…
Which should be every single person reading this list.
So which games made the cut?
Well, it would be ridiculous to assume that Sonic 1, 2, and 3 weren’t on the menu (so I’m glad that they are!).
Sonic & Knuckles makes, 4, and Sonic 3D-Blast takes the 5th spot.
But what about some Sonic spinoff titles, I hear you cry!
Well, Sonic Spinball (literally a spinoff) and Dr Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine finish up procedings.
The collection also comes with a ton of cool content for fans to check out such as a digital comic and some hidden levels and games too!
67. Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone is the first computer game I ever got for the PC. I could never remember what keys did what back in the day, so when I replayed this game on the GameCube I had a much better time!
Getting to run around Hogwarts Castle for the very first time is one of those feelings that never leaves you. Talking portraits, learning how to use spells, meeting famous characters…
Can you spot the Potterhead?
One thing I should say right now is that the game does deviate from the film slightly in places. I mean, the film is only 90 minutes, and that wouldn’t make for a very long game!
Some tasks are a little more drawn out and give players chance to use the spells they learn along the way to solve puzzles and fight baddies. Get health from chocolate frogs, hang out with Ron and Hermione; it’s what dreams are made of.
Anyone excited by Hogwarts Legacy needs to jump back into the first title ever made from the Potter series!
68. Wario World (2003)
Wario World is up next, Wario’s solo-adventure title on the GameCube and a chance for him to take on Mario’s antics on Isle Delfino.
Ok, it was never going to be as good as Super Mario Sunshine, but this game has a lot of fun points in it and provides some challenging moments that really keep players on their toes.
We all know much Wazza likes his treasure right? Well, one of the jewels that he’s ‘obtained’ is now turning all that treasure into badguys, and our garlic-loving hero has to put a stop to it!
If you like Mario games but wish that Wario was the main character, then this is going to be right up your street. The same pounding and punching of enemies occurs throughout; player’s even need to collect spritelings!
There’s also the need to obtain Wario coins throughout too, currency that players use to buy upgrade their health and grab some sweet bonuses.
All in all, it’s like when Wario becomes a playable character in Super Mario 64 DS; same blueprint, new face. I like Wario, so this game will always be a winner with me!
69. Ikaruga (2001)
Ikaruga remains one of the most iconic shooting titles on any console. Everything about it screams an updated version of R-Type with that same side-scrolling progression through the levels, but looks can be deceiving.
This is a vertical-scrolling shooter and follows the same style and gameplay as Radiant Silvergun. Remember that classic from our catalogue of epic games for the Sega Saturn list?
If this was a list of classic shooter titles, then Ikaruga would be up there at the very top. Instead of offering traditional R-Type side-scrolling gameplay. this is a vertical-scrolling shooter that sees the player continually moving up the screen as all hell breaks loose around them.
I’m not going to lie; keeping up with the madness takes the skills and senses of 1000 hawks. It’s sometimes hard to follow but always fun to play, which is a great cocktail, right?
The main premise is to watch out for colours; the player’s ship has a black side and a white side. If black bullets hit the black side of your ship, there’s no damage.
If black bullets hit black enemies, however they won’t be destroyed. So, you’ve got to open yourself up when attacking… fate is a cruel mistress!
Ikaruga really makes you work those grey cells alright!
70. Pool Paradise (2004)
Say what you will about pool, Pool Paradise is a brilliant game. It’s easy to play, the rules are simple, and it’s super addictive.
From visiting the pool shark to buy new cues and custom items to working your way through tropical locations, this simple game brought me hours of joy with my mates.
My mum is still brutal at this game, knocking back trick shots like you wouldn’t believe!
The game mechanics are simple; hit the white ball at spots or stripes, and be the first to pot all of your balls!
It’s quite weird seeing a disembodied cue playing pool as opposed to having a person there, but once you get used to the game, you don’t really notice the difference.
It might not be as action-packed as some of the EA Sports titles, but it’s a nice relaxing game to kick back with!
