GameCube games for Nintendo newcomers
Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 at 3:37pm by Derek
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem
Eternal Darkness is more than just a horror game, a genre painfully lacking in non-Resident Evil representation on Wii. It is a psychological thriller in the truest sense. Developed by Silicon Knights, Eternal Darkness transcends horror stereotypes to deliver genuine scares and thrills to the player, sometimes reaching beyond the confines of the television screen and into the real world. I won’t spoil anything by going into specifics, but rest assured that if you play this game alone in the dark with the volume turned up, your heart will race, your eyes will wander and your body will leap out of its chair. On several occasions, in fact. Blake and Scott both recommended this one on Saturday, and so have the majority of critics who’ve played it. You need to play this game.
Available for less than $20 on Amazon and eBay.
Super Mario Sunshine
Now that Super Mario Galaxy has reinvigorated platform gaming and brought Mario back into the spotlight, Sunshine stands perfectly suited for the Wii audience. Perhaps one of Nintendo’s most unfairly overlooked games, Sunshine takes Mario on a well-deserved vacation to tropical Isle Delfino, but unfortunately for the portly plumber, Bowser isn’t far behind. Sunshine follows the same basic structure as Galaxy; Mario visits ten unique Delfino locales, each with a challenging series of Shine Sprites to collect. One of the most colorful, vibrant GameCube titles ever made, Sunshine still looks stunning in 480p on Wii, and its classic platforming gameplay is as much fun today as it was in 2002.
Available for less than $20 on Amazon and eBay.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
While anticipation for Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Brawl reaches ludicrous levels of lunacy, Wii owners ignorant about the hype would do well to pick up Melee. While the original N64 classic Super Smash Bros. set the blueprint for Nintendo’s mascot brawling franchise, Melee set the standard. It offers 25 characters from Nintendo games past and present, as well as 18 character-themed stages for them to pummel each other upon. Add great music, huge modes and infinite unlockables, and you just start to get to the core of what makes Melee so special. There are a few quality fighters available for Wii, but none of them can touch the massive depth, sheer multiplayer appeal and addictive nature of Melee. Until, of course, Brawl hits in a few weeks.
Available for less than $25 on Amazon and eBay.
Metroid Prime/Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
While their once smooth gameplay has lost a step to the remarkable controls afforded by Wii in Metroid Prime 3, the first two Metroid Prime games are as perfect a gaming experience as one could hope for. They chronicle the first two chapters of the epic story of universal Phazon corruption, as concluded on Wii last August. Though there is virtually no dialogue and minimal cut-scenes, both games offer a compelling story for those invested in the action. They also boast unparalleled atmosphere, unguided exploration with a real sense of traversal and lots of intense first-person combat. New Metroid fans unable to wait for the franchise’s next step, as well as “hardcore” Wii gamers looking for more Corruption-like experiences, shouldn’t even think twice.
Available on Amazon (Prime and Echoes) and eBay.
Pikmin/Pikmin 2
There is a reason long-time Nintendo fans have been calling on Shigeru Miyamoto to bring his Pikmin series to Wii. If there were ever a Nintendo franchise capable of bringing out the best of the Wii hardware, it is Pikmin. Players assume the role of Captain Olimar, who has crash landed on a strange planet. If he wants to get back home, he’ll need the help of the Pikmin, small Elebits-like creatures with different abilities based on their color. These are beautifully assembled adventure games with lots of strategy and puzzle elements sprinkled throughout, and they are still one of the most fun, engaging options on Wii. Pikmin is the type of game new Wii owners owe it to themselves to play.
Available on Amazon (Pikmin and Pikmin 2) and eBay.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
Mario Kart is coming to Wii sometime this year, but given Nintendo’s track record of delaying hit titles, Wii owners shouldn’t hold their breath. Thankfully, Double Dash is the same awesome, raucous time it was on GameCube. And if you thought you had a great time with multiplayer Wii Sports sessions, just wait until you fire up Mario Kart. Players choose two characters among nearly 20 from across the Nintendo pantheon, pick a vehicle and hit the road, racing on 16 wacky, well-designed courses. Double Dash was harshly scrutinized when it released in 2003, but something was lost in the reviews and criticisms; Double Dash is an absolute blast with friends and really brings a gaming party to life, the embodiment of much of the Wii spirit. Every console needs a little Mario Kart.
Available for less than $30 on Amazon and eBay.
F-Zero GX
For those who want a more intense racing experience than Mario Kart can provide and have already had their fill of Excite Truck and Nitrobike, there simply isn’t a better option on Wii than F-Zero GX. One of the fastest racers ever made, the futuristic F-Zero GX moves along at light-speed as players maneuver blazingly fast hover-craft through massive alien worlds, each with unpredictable twists and turns that even the most seasoned racer will find challenging. F-Zero GX offers lots of unlockables, insane difficulty, a challenging single-player mode, a garage for craft customization and more. “Hardcore” Wii gamers willing to put their twitch-reflexes to the test should look no further than F-Zero GX.
Available for less than $10 on Amazon and eBay.
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
Wii has been praised for getting players active and making gaming a more physical endeavor. But long before Wii-elbow was pandemic, Nintendo was increasing heart rates with one of its most beloved icons, Donkey Kong. In Jungle Beat, players control DK through massive jungle environments similar to the classic Donkey Kong Country series. Only this time, there is no directional pad or analog stick; DK is controlled entirely by the DK Bongos. Players must pound the drums to move and jump, and clap to collect bananas. One of the most physical Nintendo games ever, Jungle Beat boasts gorgeous environments, detailed character models, great level design and ingenious boss battles. It was also developed by the same team responsible for Super Mario Galaxy, which is kind of a big deal.
Available for less than $15 on Amazon and eBay.
Killer 7
Design mastermind Suda 51 and his Grasshopper Manufacture development studio have gained notoriety on Wii for their recent avant-garde gaming statement, No More Heroes. It provided one of the most unique, exhilarating and mature experiences on the console, and garnered Suda 51 some new fans in the process. Those new to the genius of Suda 51 would be well-rewarded to check out Killer 7. In this psychotic piece of adventure gaming, players control seven unique assassins on a mission to eradicate the Heaven Smile, an inhuman (literally) terrorist group, through wickedly surreal cel-shaded environments. Wii gamers mesmerized by the alluring insanity of No More Heroes will be shocked to find that Suda’s latest work is almost mainstream when compared to the irreverent, indescribable Killer 7.
Available for less than $15 on Amazon and eBay.
So there you have it. That’s our take on which GameCube games are still relevant and worth buying for the Wii owner who missed out the first time and is looking for some great experiences on Wii. Did we miss any? Any disputes? Let us know in the comments.
February 12th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
And yet, the Gamecube got a paltry 4% of the votes for best Nintendo console. That’s a lot of great games up there, guys.
February 12th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
awww yeah there are drew! quality games. course, notice how most are ninny produced. beyond good and evil is probably my best recommendation from that list, since most have plays ssb and whatnot. and the gamecube version looked gorgeous to boot.
though… yeah, the gamecube still doesnt compare to the other systems for me. snes for massive damage.
February 12th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Good Stuff!
I would also recommend MX Superfly for those disappointed by Nitrobike.
February 12th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
And WaveRace as well
February 12th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
And Prince of Persia Sands of Time!
February 12th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Gamecube was a fantastic, and dare I say, lovable, system. There was just something special about it, and it was very accommodating to the games that took advantage of both the system’s internal strengths as well as unique controller. Overall, it was a fantastic system.
February 12th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I’m glad you’ve included Killer7. That game was grossly overlooked.
Here are some other great games :
Animal Crossing
Prince of Persia : Sands of Time
F-Zero GX
Viewtiful Joe
Metal Gear Solid : Twin Snakes
Fire Emblem : Path of Radiance
Ikaruga
Resident Evil remakes
February 12th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
You have it pictured but not listed but uhm. Tales rox my sox. Me and my friend are trying to beat it before smash bros comes out.
February 12th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
mario tennis
timesplitters
February 12th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
The GameCube is being undeservingly underappreciated… Its legacy is being characterized by only the last two years of its lifetime. I think that during its first two years after launch, in contrast, it was the best system of its generation!
February 12th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Thanks guys. Gave me my own thread and everything.
I’d like to add Fire Emblem to that list. Great if you love strategy. Great if you don’t.
February 12th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Very good list. If Eternal Darkness didn’t make it on there, I don’t know what my brain would have done:)
February 12th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
The gamecube had some true gems that I would have been very disappointed to miss. I think it was definitely underappreciate. Baten Kaitos was one of the few RPGs on the system but it had the quality of an RPG from the snes days. It is currently one of my favorite games of all time.
February 12th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I wish they released a gc in that color for the us, I feel the same about the orange spice one.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Viewtiful Joe was already mentioned. Good job.
Also, I must again profess my love for IO Interactive’s Freedom Fighters. Killing Commies never gets old, viscous Red bastards that they are.
WOLVERINES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 12th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
yay for Beyond Good & Evil Love!
February 12th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
tales of symphonia is also a great game for the cube.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Three third party games thats ummmm great. I was going to suggest Resident Evil 4 but I guess you guys would recomend the Wii version. Other than that KillerHeroes has got the rest covered IMO.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I tried getting into some gamecubing recently, only to find that I couldn’t find a memory card anywhere.
Stores here in the UK will still in some cases carry a few Gamecube games which is certainly nice, but they sure as hell aren’t ‘wasting’ the shelf space on accessories. This goes for Controllers too. Unfortunately, the card and controller are a necessity, and the card is still something Nintendo hasn’t seen fit to enable on the internal Wii memory yet.
I’m sure plenty Wii gamers brand new to gaming would love to get into all these existing oldies but goldies. It’s an instant install base with instant high calibur games, but the retailers aren’t interested one bit. At least not in the UK.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Yes, I second Viewtiful Joe. Awesome game! As well as the sequel. But don’t get the third, its a turd.
February 12th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I would definitively add Soul Calibur 2 to that list. Besides SSBM, it is the best fighting game in the Cube.
And I will endorse once more Pikmin 1&2. It was the best surprise I had on Gamecube. Very challenging and addictive game, as I haven’t experienced in a long time.
Best!!
February 12th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
While I fully respect your choice of the INCREDIBLE GREAT Eternal Darkness over Resident Evil 4…
…Resident Evil clearly was a ‘defining game’ of the last generation, so it is wrongly missing from the list.
February 12th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Just a note about Resident Evil 4…
I would be the first to argue that RE4 is not only one of the best games in the GameCube library, but also one of the very best games ever made, regardless of platform.
However…this list is NOT a “best of GameCube” list. If it were, RE4 would be at the top of the list, right behind Metroid Prime.
This list is more a look at which GCN games are still relevant for people who never owned the console and looking for great games to play on their Wii. RE4 is now available, new and improved, as a Wii title. That’s why it isn’t included on this list.
February 12th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I have fun playing Legend of Zelda: Master Quest, and the collector’s edition. Having the chance to play Dreamcast ports like Skies Of Arcadia and Ikaruga was a great experience both exciting (SOA) and unforgiving (Ikaruga).
Replaying Resident Evil and Metal Gear Solid remakes on the GC made forget about the blocky ones on the original Playstation. There are plenty of Japanese import games that I bought and enjoyed like Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen 3 and Castle of Shikigami 2.
No matter how unappreciated was GC, to me I had more fun than on the PS2, in matter fact, I even have more games on the GC than on the PS2 and the XBOX, because to me that’s were the games are really at.
I would love to start to play the GC, if only, I can find those DAMN MEMORY CARDS!!!!!
February 12th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Animal Crossing
Ikaruga
Metal Gear Solid : Twin Snakes
Soul Caliber 2
These games have already been mentioned, but definitely warrant a look on your Wii if you haven’t already played them… ESPECIALLY Soul Caliber 2 – it’s a shame to leave that fighting masterpiece off the original list, especially when the closest thing that Wii has right now is the shameful Legends spin-off.
February 12th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
(Great article, by the way. And it’s nice to see GameCube fans stand up and shout out about their favorites!)
February 12th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I gotta mention two games that logged a lot of time around here on multiplayer extravaganzas: Timesplitters 2 and Smuggler’s Run.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
TimeSplitters 2 is missing along with Baten kaitos: Eternal wings and the Lost Ocean, Aggressive inline, Capcom vs. SNK 2: EO, Freedom Fighters, Metal arms: Glitch in the System, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, P.N.03 (it is a very fun game, despite harsh reviews, the level design is just devoid of creativity)
Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, Resident Evil Zero (which remains a gamecube exclusive, even though it kicks total ass and still looks amazing), second Sight (the the protagonist from manhunt 2 looks a lot like john Vattic, the m.p. of this game), Soul calibur II, SSX 3 (this game is very fun, and loads almost twice as fast as it does on the ps2), Tales of Symphonia
True Crime: Streets of New York (this game is by no means perfect, but when not having it forcibly compared to GTA, it stands on its’ own as a very fun game, it does have slowdown problems when driving at top speeds, and every know and then a weird glitch will pop up, you can usually save your game while glitching), Viewtiful Joe 1 and 2, WWE day of Reckoning 1 & 2, XGRA (there are some slight control issues that will cause you to over or under steer until you can figure the game out, it takes about 10-30 minutes depending on how good you are at tweaking settings).
February 12th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Anyone have Burnout 2, Fight Night 2, or Alien Hominoid?? I’ve been thinking of picking these up if I see em cheap.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:52 am
Yeah, aggressive inline was a great game. Tons of great games on that system. It was the gamecube that got me interested in gaming again.
February 13th, 2008 at 1:41 am
The lack of Viewtiful Joe, Viewtiful Joe 2, Ikaruga, Skies of Arcadia 2, Star Fox Adventures and Star Fox Armada saddens me!
Also,
“Yes, I second Viewtiful Joe. Awesome game! As well as the sequel. But don’t get the third, its a turd.”
There sadly is no Viewtiful Joe 3. Are your thinking of Red Hot Rumble? RHR was awful. Double Trouble on the DS is passable but still not very good.
February 13th, 2008 at 1:56 am
The GameCube brought me back to gaming as well. Legend of Zelda: Four Swords. Perfect 4 player game…if, of course, you can find 4 GBA’s and GC/GBA link cables. If you got’em then this game perfectly fits the Wii mold. Crazy fun.
February 13th, 2008 at 2:51 am
Beyond Good and Evil is a great game (although it’s not exclusive to the GameCube).
February 13th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Dudes, Rogue Squadron III over II, it has these cheesy on-foot missions, I know, but it also includes the entirety of RSII as multiplayer co-op.
Also of note, the ENTIRE Resident Evil series is available only on the ‘cube. (RE0, RE remake, RE2 & RE 3, RE 4)
MGS the Twin Snakes – Hardcore MGS fans knock it for the first person mode, but it doesn’t bother me, its the overblown cutscenes that char my biscuits.
Alright, more exclusivey.
Ah yes, Wave Race Blue Storm, I recently picked up that launch title fro 2 bucks. Great game.
Animal Crossing!
February 13th, 2008 at 10:42 am
“There sadly is no Viewtiful Joe 3. Are your thinking of Red Hot Rumble? RHR was awful. Double Trouble on the DS is passable but still not very good.”
Yes, since its the third iteration, I call it part three, instead of its long title. Hopefully they bring this game pack for the Wii. Maybe as a first person fighter using the wiimote controls to punch in slow mo, that would be SWEET!.
February 13th, 2008 at 11:18 am
there are a few of those i would like, but here in the UK some of those games had very few copies released, so games like Pikmin 2 and Chibi-Robo will cost as much on eBay as a new Wii game.
I definetely want to get Wind Waker and the Zelda collectors edition sometime soon
I was lucky enough to spot the PS2 version of Beyond Good & Evil brand new for £7 ($3.50) last month tho.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
What makes no sense about this list:
Lloyd’s face is ON the gamecube in the picture. It’s the special edition TALES OF SYMPHONIA gamecube.
So why again isn’t Tales on this list? It’s probably one of my favorite games of all time. And for a long while it was GC exclusive. Seriously.
February 13th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
[...] Infendo has the best GameCube games for ‘Cube-deprived Nintendo newcomers. Remember the Wii can play GameCube games and you can find them really cheap. [...]
February 13th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
[...] Infendo has the best GameCube games for ‘Cube-deprived Nintendo newcomers. Remember the Wii can play GameCube games and you can find them really cheap. The ones in bold are ones everyone would like. [...]
February 13th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
The GameCube revived my love for Nintendo after the N64 killed it.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:34 am
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, one of my favourite games on the game cube
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:21 am
gamecube wuz my first major nintendo console.
awesome games
wish the kept makin them
GC rocks
July 7th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Killer 7 was the worst game I’ve ever played in my entire life.
July 13th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Talk about dredging up an old article! Still, it’s still as relevant now as the day it was posted; except, the games are probably cheaper now.