The Nintendo GameCube had no shortage of interesting video game characters during its six-year run as one of Nintendo's flagship consoles. Continuing many of the brand's classic franchises such as The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros., the GameCube also sported a variety of new and intriguing titles in its day.

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Like most great gaming characters, the GameCube's finest enjoyed extensive, well-developed backstories and personalities. Many of its most colorful figures were exceptionally well-designed, providing players with distinctively unique appearances, attitudes, abilities, and behaviors. From brave, noble heroes to cunning villains and powerful, monstrous entities, the console provided a little bit of something for everyone in its wide array of entertaining titles. Of the many great characters to come and go at the time, a select few who had never appeared before managed to light the console up. From sharp dialogue to providing challenging setpieces for players, these characters all managed to set themselves apart as fresh faces in the GameCube era.

5 The God of Harmony Is A Great Antagonist In Lost Kingdoms 2

• Lost Kingdoms II was released on May 21, 2003.
• The game was developed by FromSoftware.

After numerous teases in 2002's Lost Kingdoms, the dreaded God of Harmony finally made its presence felt in the 2003 sequel. Presented as a gigantic, monstrous being, this powerful deity serves as the climactic big bad of the game's campaign.

Set long after the original, Lost Kingdoms 2 focuses on Tara Grimface, a thieves' guild member who utilizes a powerful True Runestone to startling effect in combat. An investigation into the origins of the runestones reveals a terrifying monster is behind their creation. In a neat bit of subverted expectations, the monster in question is in fact the God of Harmony, seemingly going against its optimistic-at-a-glance title. Powerful and intimidating, this plot-driving menace is compelling for its lore, aesthetic, and dangerous boss fight.

4 Ike Is A Likable, Effective Playable Character In Fire Emblem: Path Of Radiance

• Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance was released on April 20, 2005.
• It was the first Fire Emblem to feature 3D graphics and voice acting.

After eight installments without him, the popular Ike finally made his way into the Fire Emblem series with the release of Path of Radiance in 2005. Introduced as a rookie and eventual leader of the Greil Mercenaries, Ike is a gutsy, battle-tested swordsman when players first meet him.

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Along with his work with the Greil Mercenaries, Ike functions in the important role of protector to Princess Elincia for much of the game. Ike's compelling backstory is a perfect fit for the fantastical action of the Fire Emblem series. The son of the mighty Greil himself, Ike must grow up and master the art of combat fast after his legendary father is shockingly slaughtered by The Black Knight. His journey to leadership sees him overcome and humble a team that initially does not respect his efforts. An effective, well-written hero, Ike was a hit with players and critics alike.

3 Zant Is A Fascinatingly Odd Villain In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was released on November 19th, 2006.
• It was originally a launch title for the Nintendo Wii.

This seminal Legend of Zelda release introduced players to one of the most unnervingly crazed antagonists in the series' rich history. Zant, the Usurper King, recently took over the Twilight Realm in the game and serves as a deadly wizard working with long-time series villain Ganondorf.

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Immensely powerful and unpredictable, the mysterious Zant causes all manner of trouble for Link as the land of Hyrule is enveloped by the dreaded Twilight. Much of the plot at that point revolves around just how exactly to defeat the maddened foe, with Zant, unsurprisingly, making simply finding his weaknesses a tall and exhausting ordeal. The game's closing boss fight provides an intriguing look at a villain who is simply out of options, as the once deadly, fearsome king crumbles under the weight of numerous setbacks. Overall, Zant is one of the series' most unconventional and memorable rogues.

2 Alastor Is An Intriguing, Demonic Figure In Viewtiful Joe

• Viewtiful Joe was released on June 26, 2003.
• The series was created by Resident Evil 2's Hideki Kamiya.

One of Viewtiful Joe's most colorful antagonists first arrived on the scene with the series' original 2003 installment. Presented as a sinister swordsman, Alastor is a recurring baddie who has also served as an exciting player character option at certain points.

Utterly obsessed with battle and conflict above all else, Alastor is a dangerous, volatile warrior seemingly born to fight. The mysterious warrior belongs to Jadow, the secretive group that all the original game's antagonists stem from. Interestingly, though, Alastor fearlessly makes clear that the organization's beliefs and objectives mean nothing to him, and he's simply around to seek out new militant challenges. This devil-may-care attitude and eccentric obsession with fighting make Alastor one of the most memorable figures in the game, and a classic character from the days of the GameCube.

1 Midna Became An Immediate Fan Favorite In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was initially created as a GameCube exclusive.
• Midna's speech pattern was made by scrambling recordings of English phrases.

First arriving on the GameCube back in November 2005, Twilight Princess introduced players to the seminal Midna character. A powerful princess of the Twili, Midna hails from the Twilight Realm, a place where her supernaturally powerful race was banished many years prior.

For Link, Midna initially serves as a volatile ally, seemingly wanting the hero to act more as her servant than her equal. Unlike most of the player companions who had come before, the powerful Midna functions as a more distinct lead character, with much of the game's core narrative revolving around her. Sporting her own complex objectives and schemes, her rich, lore-building past, colorful dialogue, and distinctive design all add to why Midna has become such a beloved character in the long-running Legend of Zelda series.

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