The GameCube is Nintendo’s fourth game console, and it found itself in direct competition with the original Xbox and the PlayStation 2. While the GameCube was unable to compete with the hugely successful PlayStation 2 thanks to its built-in DVD player and third-party support, it did have many fantastic games. Unfortunately, many games were released on the GameCube that have yet to see a release elsewhere, causing them to be stuck on the console. With Nintendo remaking many of its classic games, there is a possibility that players may see a remake or remaster of some of the games on this list, but only time will tell.

Related

10 Nintendo GameCube Games With The Best Graphics

Graphics shouldn't be the defining quality of a video game, but they can enhance gameplay. Even today, we are looking for more detail & high quality.

It was a shame that the GameCube didn't really sell too many units, since the console houses some of the greatest Nintendo exclusives that fans will have a great time with. Unfortunately, a lot of them are trapped on this console, which is something that many Nintendo fans are used to given their stubbornness when it comes to their exclusive games. There are so many excellent GameCube exclusive games that have faded from the limelight, and it's a shame that the only way to enjoy these titles is via the use of emulation.

Updated October 15, 2023 by Ritwik Mitra: Nintendo has a lineup of some great consoles that are pretty legendary in their own right, with these systems being loaded with unique control schemes and incredible games that simply can't be enjoyed on any other console. However, while some of Nintendo's ideas can be pretty groundbreaking, there are times when the market just shifts to a point where they're left in the dust, with the Nintendo GameCube being a great example of the same.

Despite being loaded with a wealth of great exclusive games, the GameCube simply wasn't as attractive as the PlayStation 2, which led to Nintendo suffering a major loss in the console war. As a result, most people didn't even get to check the GameCube's extensive library of games, some of which have remained exclusives to this day!

14 Kirby Air Ride

Most Kirby games are meant to be as approachable as possible, with these games being geared towards kids who are casual gamers and don't appreciate challenging experiences. Such is the case with Kirby Air Ride, a fun if somewhat simple racing game that lets players control a wealth of iconic characters from the series in high-stakes races.

The game is easy to get into, but the lack of depth when it comes to the racing gameplay is quite noticeable. Regardless, players will have a great time competing in races with their friends, trying to attain victory as many times as possible. Given how simple this game is, fans are puzzled as to why this game has remained a GameCube exclusive for so long!

13 Mario Party 4

The Mario Party series continues to be one of Nintendo's biggest party games that is present on pretty much every console they've released. The GameCube was treated quite specially in this regard, receiving a whopping four Mario Party games that messed around with different gameplay mechanics to make for a unique and engaging experience every single time.

Related

Best 3D Nintendo GameCube Platformers, Ranked

Although not the bestselling Nintendo console, the GameCube had some pretty neat 3D platformers.

Many people consider Mario Party 4 to be the best of the bunch, simply because this game features classic Mario Party gameplay without any shenanigans added to the mix. The gameplay can be a bit slow-paced compared to modern Mario Party games, but players who look past this minor issue will enjoy one of the best Mario Party games that got the basics right and allows a group of four players to enjoy a simple yet competitive video game that could become quite cutthroat in no time at all!

12 Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour

Mario Golf is a long-running sports game on Nintendo consoles that has witnessed its fair share of entries. While Mario Golf: Super Rush was deemed to be a disappointment by many, the game still had solid gameplay once players ignored the huge price tag and the dearth of content, that is.

Many fans look back fondly to the series' past, finding titles like Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour to be a far better game in every way. While the game wasn't a revolution for the Mario Golf series in any way, the solid gameplay and fun visuals made for a great time as players tackled several unique golf courses with their friends.

11 Fire Emblem: Path Of Radiance

Fire Emblem is a series of amazing strategy JRPGs that have become synonymous with the Nintendo brand. Pretty much every major Nintendo console has featured at least one Fire Emblem game, and the GameCube is no exception to this golden rule.

In fact, Path of Radiance served as a huge change to the established Fire Emblem formula, being the first game in the series to feature voice acting, 3D graphics, and proper cutscenes to give the story more weight. This was a step in the right direction, with both fans and critics loving the expanded score of the series, even if there were times when the visuals were a bit too drab and uninteresting at times.

10 Pokemon Colosseum

Pokemon Colosseum builds up on the success of its predecessor, adding improved 3D graphics and featuring dual battles in a first for this popular spin-off series. The gameplay was as solid as ever, with the story mode being quite fun in its own right despite feeling somewhat threadbare compared to its parent series.

Related

10 Things You Didn't Know About The GameCube

The GameCube isn't Nintendo's most celebrated console, but there are many subtle facts and bits of behind the scenes trivia concerning it.

Multiplayer battles are especially engaging, with players using a ton of strategic thinking to employ their Pokemon's best moves and take out their opponent's roster of strong and imposing Pokemon. It's a shame that this game hasn't seen a release outside of the GameCube, and only time will tell if fans will finally get their hands on this title via Nintendo Switch Online.

9 Odama

The Nintendo GameCube had a few very odd accessories, with the mic being one of them. The mic was used for Mario Party 6 & 7, Chibi-Robo!,Karaoke Revolution, and Odama, with the latter possibly having the most unique use for it.

Odama is a pinball game where players guide their army of soldiers with voice commands so they bring the bell, or the Ninten-bell, to the other end of the screen. The pinball, called the Odama, can destroy enemies and their buildings as well as hit the Ninten-bell, which will knock over all of the enemy soldiers.

8 Wario World

Wario World was developed by Treasure, the team behind Ikaruga and Gunstar Heroes. It's a platformer and beat ‘em up hybrid where players guide Wario through levels to collect treasure. The premise of the game is that Wario’s money has all turned into monsters, and to get it to revert back to cold, hard cash he needs to take them out.

Wario can punch and butt-stomp enemies, as well as pick them up and throw them into other enemies. Each level consists of three parts, with all of them ending in a boss battle.

7 Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is the second game in the Paper Mario series that started on the Nintendo 64. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door tackles many subjects that other games in the series tend to avoid, like the death of a loved one and similarly dark themes.

Related

5 Best Nintendo GameCube Games (And 5 Worst), According To Metacritic

Nintendo GameCube was released with generally positive reviews. Here are the best & worst games for the console, according to Metacritic.

Like other Mario RPGs, in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door battles play out in a way quite like the battle systems in a Final Fantasy game. There's turn-based combat, but players can time button presses when attacking or defending to make things turn in their favor. Thankfully, this game is finally receiving an updated port on the Switch, much to the delight of fans who consider this game to be the best Paper Mario game to date.

6 The Legend Of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

The very first multiplayer The Legend of Zelda game, Four Swords Adventures can be played with up to three other friends. However, to play multiplayer, people need 2 or more Game Boy Advances, Link Cables, and multiple copies of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords for the Game Boy Advance.

If the game were to be rereleased, they could make playing with more than one player more feasible by adding online or couch co-op with a second controller.

5 Super Smash Bros. Melee

Super Smash Bros. Melee is the second Super Smash Bros. game and it adds many elements that are still being used in the most recent iterations of the series. Many new characters were added that weren’t included in the previous entry like Mewtwo, Falco Lombardi, Ganondorf, and more.

Also added to Super Smash Bros. Melee are trophies that include characters from across the entirety of Nintendo’s history, even featuring many characters that weren’t added to the game in full. The game is very popular in the competitive fighting game community and is still played heavily to this day.

4 Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes

Like the Resident Evil remake for the GameCube, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes is a remake of Metal Gear Solid which was originally released for the PlayStation. Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes is a stealth action game with a heavy emphasis on the story. The game was made using the same engine as Metal Gear Solid 2.

Related

8 Things The GameCube Controller Did Better Than Any Other Nintendo Gamepad

There are a lot of things that make the GameCube pad so special, though certain design choices appeal to fans a lot more than others.

While most of the game remains the same as the original, there is unique recorded dialogue as well as small Nintendo-related easter eggs, like Mario and Yoshi statues and a GameCube hidden away in an office.

3 Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem

Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem is a very ambitious game that takes inspiration from Resident Evil and the weird Eldritch tales of H.P. Lovecraft. Each chapter of the game is played with a different character in a different era, with each character finding the Book of the Dead - the Necronomicon.

When encountering monsters in the game, the character's sanity meter drains. Once it reaches zero, the game uses some very creative ways to scare players and make them feel like they're losing their marbles. This is done by tricking the player and breaking the fourth wall, using tricks like turning the GameCube off, deleting their save file, and muting the game! Of course, this is all just an illusion and the game's unique way of messing with the player.

2 F-Zero GX

The final entry to be released in the series, F-Zero GX takes the fast, futuristic racing established in previous titles and perfects it. Each track requires a generous amount of skill and good knowledge of the track if players want to finish in first place.

There are numerous characters to choose from, all with their ship, stats, and back story. There are a few different game modes including the Grand Prix mode, with each cup offering varying difficulty. The Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, and Diamond cups all become increasingly difficult as players progress further in the game.

1 Mario Kart: Double Dash

Mario Kart: Double Dash tries something entirely new with the series. Rather than having a single racer, players have two people in one kart instead. This feeds into the stat system that is heavily emphasized in the game.

If players choose two medium-sized characters, then they’ll have more balanced stats. Consequently, heavy characters will allow for higher top speeds and more stability on the track. Finally, lighter characters will improve the car's acceleration. There are many different combinations, allowing players to mix and match characters in a way that perfectly suits their play style.

MORE: The Best Platformers on the Super Nintendo