Once we look again on the GameCube’s operations yr after yr, it turns into clear that this was a extremely underrated system.
Anybody who has talked to me previously is aware of that I really like Nintendo’s purple dice. Regardless of not making the most effective first impression because of the console’s literal look and lack of a correct Tremendous Mario title at launch, many individuals ignored the GameCube earlier than giving it an opportunity.
Anybody who misses out on that chance is lacking out on an important sport that rivals the Xbox and PlayStation 2. Tremendous Smash Bros. Melee, Rogue Chief, Metroid Prime, and The Wind Waker. The primary few years of the GameCube have been all nice.
However have been these the most effective years in GameCube enterprise? Let’s dive in and discover out!
We’ll use the North American launch date for these video games.
7
2007
Madden NFL 2008
A whopping 5 video games have been launched within the GameCube’s closing yr: Madden, Ratatouille, Surf’s Up, Meet the Robinsons, and TMNT.
With Nintendo shifting all of its focus to the Nintendo Wii, it would not be too shocking if this yr was all about sports activities sport and film tie-ins.
To be honest, this yr’s Madden was truly fairly good. However different video games weren’t like that. It isn’t prefer it’s a licensed sport. There’s loads of great things on the market (thanks Madagascar in 2005). Nonetheless, it was clear that Nintendo was prepared to shut the doorways on the GameCube.
Do not waste any extra time than crucial in 2007 and transfer on to a greater yr.
6
2006
The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess, Chibi Robo, Harvest Moon Magical Melody
Once more, one factor could be very clear right here. That meant Nintendo was prepared to maneuver on to the Nintendo Wii.
Twilight Princess initially shipped as a launch title for the Nintendo Wii and finally made its solution to the GameCube by the top of the yr. It was actually effectively definitely worth the wait. To be sincere, I am certain this is able to have been the popular solution to play the sport. My roommate and I on the time had loads of discussions in regards to the execs and cons of the Wii and GameCube variations, however ultimately, the novelty of the movement controls shortly wore off.
In addition to Twilight Princess, there have been some large releases for the simulation crowd in Harvest Moon: Magical Melody and Chibi-Robo. Nonetheless, it was nonetheless clear that the GameCube was not a precedence. 2006 was actually a greater yr than 2007, but it surely was nonetheless one of many worst years for the console. However don’t be concerned. Higher instances are coming.
5
2005
Resident Evil 4, Fireplace Emblem: Trails of Shining, SSX on Tour, Killer7
Let’s have a fast historical past lesson. “Capcom 5” is a gaggle of 5 video games launched by Capcom completely for the Nintendo GameCube within the early 2000s. 2005 noticed the discharge of two of his greatest works. It is Resident Evil 4 (and the cult basic Killer7 that catapulted Suda51 to stardom).
Sarcastically, Resident Evil 4 and Killer 7 have been each ported to different consoles, however I digress. They’re nonetheless nice video games.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t simply the 2005 Capcom present. Fireplace Emblem: Trails of Radiance is likely one of the greatest Fireplace Emblem video games ever made, and SSX On Tour combines the model of SSX, numerous metallic, and even the look of Mario, Luigi, and Peach as playable characters.
Sports activities video games additionally did effectively this yr. NBA Road V3 (additionally that includes Mario and pals), MVP Baseball 2005, Combat Night time Spherical 2, and extra.
4
2001
Tremendous Smash Bros. Melee, Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3, Star Wars Rogue Squadrons: Rogue Chief, Pikmin, Tremendous Monkey Ball
The GameCube’s launch window was truly fairly good, regardless that there have been no Tremendous Mario video games.
Luigi’s Mansion is a sport that will have been higher obtained if it wasn’t meant to switch conventional Mario video games. It is enjoyable, but it surely would not make or kind a system vendor in any approach.
Fortunately, there are many different launch window video games to maintain us busy till Tremendous Mario Sunshine and Metroid Prime arrived in 2002. Pikmin was an important console RTS, but it surely was the right weekend sport, albeit a bit missing. Rogue Chief is the most effective of the Rogue Squadron trilogy, and I implore Nintendo to carry this sport to Swap On-line.
After which there are the video games that preserve us hooked, not only for months, however for years to return. Tremendous Smash Bros. Melee is the most effective within the collection, Tremendous Monkey Ball is extremely addictive, and Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 continues firmly within the legacy of its predecessor.
3
2002
Metroid Prime, Everlasting Darkness, Tremendous Mario Sunshine, Animal Crossing
I really like the GameCube, however one factor that turns into clearer every year is the shortage of depth. For all the nice video games launched on the Nintendo 64, third-party builders have been beginning to transfer elsewhere.
Granted, that appears counterintuitive to what I stated about Capcom 5, however preserve that in thoughts. The most effective video games from that group (Resident Evil 4, Lovely Joe, Killer 7) have all been launched on different platforms.
What does this need to do with the GameCube period of 2002? That is one other case of lack of depth. Metroid Prime is the most effective sport of all time, and Everlasting Darkness is the most effective sport I’ve by no means performed this console technology. There are lots of different sturdy hits apart from the highest two. Tremendous Mario Sunshine ages like wine, Timesplitters 2 is a good FPS and non secular successor to GoldenEye: Excellent Darkish, and it is the debut entry within the Animal Crossing franchise.
However past that, there is a stable group of video games which can be good however not nice, and 2000 falls wanting the GameCube’s greatest period.
2
2003
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soul Calibur II, Lovely Joe, F-Zero GX, Mario Kart Double Sprint
Now comes the tough a part of GameCube’s annual rankings, 2004 and 2003.
Each years have precisely what you need: blockbusters, depth, first- and third-party video games, and a wide range of genres.
The Wind Waker will win over skeptics, Lovely Joe is likely one of the greatest side-scrolling beat-em-ups you possibly can play, and people who have jumped into Nintendo Swap On-line know all too effectively how good Soul Calibur II and F-Zero GX are. This was additionally the yr Mario Kart for the GameCube was launched.
2003 has the particular bonus of that includes one other nice sports activities sport in SSX 3 and Tony Hawk’s Underground, in addition to a Madden sport which is definitely fairly good.
However there’s one factor lacking right here. It is an RPG. This can be a style that was lacking all through the GameCube’s whole lifespan. That is why I’ve this sport since 2004. These sports activities video games could be performed elsewhere, however what about RPGs? They needed to be performed on the GameCube.
1
2004
Metroid Prime 2 Echoes, Pikmin 2, Tales of Symphonia, Paper Mario Thousand 12 months Door
That is all. That is the most effective yr for the GameCube.
You can simply level to Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Pikmin 2, and Paper Mario: Thousand Years’ Door as excessive factors, and you would be proper. However for me, it is all about RPGs.
Baten Kaitos is not for everybody (it is a turn-based card JRPG with horrible voice appearing), but it surely’s nonetheless an excellent time. However Tales of Symphonia stays one in all my all-time favourite video games. I did a week-long marathon with this sport over the summer time and mainly simply did not keep it up. I had a satisfying week.
I am additionally not ashamed to confess that I spent over 100 hours on Ultimate Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. No, it wasn’t good, and utilizing the Sport Boy Advance connection was fairly a ache, but it surely was good old school co-op enjoyable with pals.
If solely the GameCube may sustain the momentum it had in 2003 and 2004.