10 Greatest GameCube Games of All Time, Ranked

Okay, so the GameCube didn’t exactly top the charts when it came out, but it’s got a seriously dedicated fanbase now. Honestly, I think the biggest reason people like me still play it is just the amazing games it had. There were so many classics!

Man, looking back at GameCube games, so many of them still hold up today! Titles like Super Smash Bros. Melee and Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes aren’t just some of the best games on the GameCube, they’re honestly all-time classics that I still enjoy playing.

Super Mario Sunshine Is an Underrated Mario Game

In the action-packed game Super Mario Sunshine, Mario is falsely accused of making a mess all over the beautiful Isle Delfino. To make things right, he’s assigned to clean up the island with the help of a water-jet backpack named FLUDD, and along the way, he tries to uncover the real culprit.

While not as consistently polished as some other games, this one is still a blast to play. Using the FLUDD water jet to clear obstacles is incredibly satisfying, and the colorful worlds and upbeat music really keep you hooked.

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes Is a Near-Perfect Remake

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes is a reimagining of the original Metal Gear Solid for PlayStation. While the main story remains the same – Solid Snake’s mission to prevent the terrorist group FOXHOUND from acquiring weapons of mass destruction – the game features several updates and changes.

This remake is actually better than the original Metal Gear Solid. It was updated for the GameCube with improved graphics and gameplay, giving it a fresh, modern feel. The updated story sequences are clever and self-aware, making this version feel like its own unique game.

Star Fox Adventures Is Fox McCloud’s Greatest Adventure

Star Fox Adventures is an action-packed game that combines beat ’em up combat with the fast-paced shooting of rail shooters. The story follows Fox McCloud and his team as they journey to Dinosaur Planet, a world connected to their home system. They must protect it from destruction, as its loss could threaten the entire Lylat system.

This new Star Fox game is a significant change from previous installments, and that’s a good thing – it really makes it different. While you’ll still find the classic on-rails shooting, this game adds more opportunities to explore, solve puzzles, and battle enemies directly. It feels like a new direction for the series, but it still retains some familiar elements.

Resident Evil 4 Changed the Survival Horror Genre

Resident Evil 4 is a scary action game where you play as Leon S. Kennedy, an American agent sent to Spain to save the President’s daughter. He quickly discovers a dangerous cult controlling the undead through a deadly parasite that’s spreading throughout the countryside.

Resident Evil 4 isn’t simply frightening or exciting; it fundamentally changed the survival horror genre and left a lasting impact on gaming. The game’s distinctive over-the-shoulder camera angle became a standard for many titles that followed, like Dead Space and The Last of Us, demonstrating how much more engaging that viewpoint could be.

Viewtiful Joe Is One of the Hardest GameCube Games

Viewtiful Joe is an action-packed game that combines platforming and beat ’em up elements. The hero, Joe, dives into a movie world to save his girlfriend, Sylvia, and teams up with Captain Blue to battle through creatively designed levels based on film themes.

Like many action games, Viewtiful Joe is challenging and takes some getting used to. However, its fast-paced action and flashy style make it really enjoyable. It’s one of the more demanding games, but it’s definitely worth playing.

Metroid Prime Revitalized the Metroid Franchise

Metroid Prime is an action-adventure game played from a first-person perspective, a new direction for the series. In this installment, bounty hunter Samus Aran explores the Space Pirate ship Orpheon, which has been taken over by a deadly organism the pirates were researching. If this organism spreads, it could endanger the entire surrounding area of space.

This game offered a great, family-friendly experience, similar to popular sci-fi games like Halo. It was more action-packed than previous Metroid games and let players use a wider variety of weapons. The biggest drawback was that it didn’t have online multiplayer.

Animal Crossing Became One of Nintendo’s Biggest Franchises

The first Animal Crossing game came out in Japan on the N64, but most people worldwide first experienced it on the GameCube. It’s a social simulation game where you build relationships with animal neighbors by giving them presents and helping them with their requests.

Although newer Animal Crossing games offer more things to do, the original remains incredibly enjoyable. It’s never boring, and getting to know the animal villagers is a real highlight. Plus, with events happening throughout the year, there’s always a good reason to revisit the game.

Pikmin Is One of the Coziest GameCube Games

Pikmin is a strategy game where you control Captain Olimar and tiny creatures called Pikmin. Together, they work against the clock to collect spaceship parts so Olimar can repair his ship and escape.

Despite having a time limit, Pikmin is often considered one of the most relaxing and charming games for the GameCube. A big part of its appeal is exploring its world, and the Pikmin themselves are incredibly cute.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Gave the GameCube a Worthy Sendoff

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is an action-packed adventure game originally released for both the Wii and GameCube. The game centers on Link’s quest to save Hyrule from being consumed by the Twilight Realm, a mysterious parallel world unleashed by the villainous Zant and his followers.

Twilight Princess was one of the last major games released for the GameCube, and it was a fantastic way to conclude the system’s life cycle. The game is enjoyable on both GameCube and Wii, but some players find the GameCube controls to be more precise and comfortable, especially during battles.

Super Smash Bros. Melee Is Still the Series At Its Peak

Super Smash Bros. Melee is a fighting game that brings together characters from different Nintendo franchises, and it’s the follow-up to the original Super Smash Bros. It featured a much larger cast of characters and gave players more ways to play. For many gamers, it was also their first experience with series like Fire Emblem.

When people remember the GameCube, Melee is often one of the first games they think of. It’s still incredibly popular today and remains a key part of the competitive fighting game community. With its beautiful stages and fantastic music, Melee is easily one of the best games ever released for the GameCube.

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2026-02-04 21:43