Released in 2001, the GameCube was the second 3D console to be released by Nintendo in the age of the PS2 in the original Xbox. Selling over 21 million consoles, the GameCube is home to many classic and genre-defining titles such as Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Mario Sunshine, and The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker.Â
While there are several widely beloved GameCube game out there, there are countless lesser appreciated games that were unable to reach as many players. So today, we're going to examine the hidden gems of the GameCube and explore the ten most criminally underrated games for the console.
10 Viewtiful Joe
A side-scrolling beat-em-up developed by Campcom, Viewtiful Joe is a game that oozes personality and it's among the most stylized games for the Gamecube. Following the namesake Joe as he fights to rescue his girlfriend, Silvia from the alternate world of "Movieland," Joe adopts the superhero persona of Viewtiful Joe as he works under the guidance of Captain Blue. While Viewtiful Joe's Gameplay is that of a traditional beat-em-up, not opting to reinvent the wheel, the game is made quite memorable through its personality and style.
9 Ultimate Muscle: Legends Vs. New Generation
Released in 2002, Ultimate Muscle: Legends Vs. New Generation is a wrestling game based on the anime, Ultimate Muscle. Rather than focusing on realistic wrestling gameplay, the game is full to the brim with with over-the-top super moves that would be physically impossible to perform in real life.
In addition to its single-player modes and a character creator, the game features numerous multiplayer options, supporting up to four players.
8 Legend Of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures
When players think of Legend of Zelda games for the Gamecube, most tend to associate Wind Waker and Twilight Princess with the console. Despite this, the Gamecube is home to one of the most unique entries in the series in the form of Four Swords Adventures. Rather than being a single-player experience like most entries in the series, Four Swords Adventures is co-op game that is playable with up to four players. Requiring players to use Gameboy Advances and link cables, the Four Swords Adventures's gameplay is akin to a four-player variant of Link to the Past.
7 Kirby Air Ride
When it comes to racing games released by Nintendo, it's hard for a game to get out of Mario Kart's shadow. Despite this, Kirby Air Ride is an incredible and memorable Kirby kart racer that leans into the Kirby franchise to make a game that is quite distinct. Allowing players to choose from several ridable "stars," players are able to glide through the air for additional mobility options and shortcuts.
In addition to traditional racing, the game featured other playable modes such as the fan-favorite City Trial that has players roam a city as they attempt to find power-ups and additional rides.
6 Tales Of Symphonia
While the Gamecube was not a console known for its RPGs, Tales of Symphonia is a stellar action RPG and one of the best the Gamecube has to offer. Part of the Tales Of franchise of JRPGs, Tales of Symphonia features engaging real-time battles and a sizable story that notably spans two discs. Unlike most JRPGs which are single-player adventures, Tales of Symphonia allows one's party members to be controlled by other players, allowing nearly the entire game to be played co-operatively with up to four friends.
5 Pokemon Colleseum
Though the Pokemon franchise had long found its home on Nintendo's hand-held consoles, Pokemon Colleseum was released for the Gamecube in 2003 and is one of the most underrated entries in the series. Putting a larger focus on story than most other Pokemon games, the player assumes the role of a former member of the villainous Team Snagem. A departure from traditional Pokemon games, in addition to exclusively featuring double battles, Colleseum allows the player to "snag" corrupted shadow Pokemon from other trainers rather than catch wild Pokemon.
4 Custom Robo
The fourth entry in the Custom Robo franchise, the game simply localized as Custom Robo was released in 2004 and was the first entry in the series to be released outside of Japan. An RPG with fast-paced arena battles, Custom Robo allows players to assume control of tiny yet powerful customizable robots called Robos, augmenting them to fit a player's tastes. In addition to containing a solid single-player story mode, the game also allowed for up to four players to battle each other at once.
3 Fire Emblem: Path Of Radiance
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is a unique case, in which while it is beloved by the Fire Emblem fanbase, it is an otherwise obscure game that few have played. The first entry in the Fire Emblem series to contain 3D visuals, while the game features the series staple perma-death mechanic, Path of Radiance has one of the most forgiving and gradual difficulty curves of any game in the series. Between these elements of its gameplay and its great cast of characters, Path of Radiance is a great game for fans of the series and newcomers alike, easily serving as one of the best tactical RPGs of the mid-2000s.
2 Billy Hatcher And The Giant Egg
A standalone action game designed by Sonic Team, Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg is the answer to the question: "what if you combined the gameplay of Sonic the Hedgehog and Katamari Damacy." While the player character, Billy can do very little by himself he is able to grow eggs he finds to massive sizes, using them to crush and roll over enemies. In addition to the core story mode, the game features several optional missions as well as a multiplayer versus mode.
1 Cubivore: Survival Of The Fittest
Easily one of the most underappreciated games for the Gamecube, Cubivore: Survival Of The Fittest is an action-adventure game that has the player assume the role of the game's namesake cubivore, a carnivorous cube. The cubivore is always changing, as players are able to evolve and mutate it through eating various other polygonal creatures. Despite its unique aesthetic and blend of action and RPG elements, the game has never received any kind of sequel or modern port.