But after I played Sunshine for an hour or two, I went through my entire Cube collection. I organized them, put them in alphabetical order (something I haven't done in a long, long time), and sat down and really assessed the collection that I have. Fun fact: I own more Gamecube games than games of any other system, even the DS, which is in 2nd. I own 59 Gamecube games, and that's after a large portion of them were sold over the years to pay for bills or other games. Had I kept every Gamecube game I ever bought, I'd have close to 200. Yeah, I played that many. So, in short, I lied when I said I played more N64 games than games of any console. After falling into a slump about the decreasing interest in new video games (as seen in my last post) I tried to figure out where I felt the absolute pinnacle of gaming (or at least Nintendo) was. I eventually came to the conclusion it was the Gamecube. If I could include handhelds as well, I'd say the Gamecube and Game Boy Advance were spot on and a perfect pair. Even outside of Nintendo, I'd say the Playstation 2 is the pinnacle of gaming as a whole, if I want to be objective. I personally love the Gamecube more, but the Playstation 2 represents everything that gaming has ever done right. And after both of those consoles were discontinued, it was all downhill.
I often flip-flop between consoles when it comes to which console is my absolute favorite of all-time. For a very, very long time, it was the Super Nintendo. And by "long time" I mean from the time I first played the SNES back in 1992 all the way until about 4 years ago. Yeah. that's how long the SNES was my favorite system. But lately, don't know. I began to turn more towards the N64 for a while, and then to the Gamecube, then back to the N64, back to SNES, back to N64 again, and now...it just might be the Gamecube. I think the biggest issue here is the fact that I feel uncomfortable putting SNES and N64 at 2nd or 3rd, because to be quite honest, all three, in my eyes, deserve to be #1. And thus I call the SNES - N64 - GCN team the "trifecta of perfection" of gaming. Really, those are the only consoles I need. After selling my SNES and N64 and rebuying an N64, I realized I'd sooner give up my Wii U, PS3, and 3DS than I would my SNES and N64 again. I already made the mistake of letting my old consoles go (mostly because they're worth a lot more and I needed the money fast) but I won't make that mistake again. If I rebuy more N64 games or SNES and SNES games, it's for keeps.
With that all said, after that atrociously long intro, I can finally get to the point of this post. I decided to take another look at my (current) favorite game console of all time. In doing so, I realized I'm not done with gaming and probably will never be. I may be done buying new consoles but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the classics. So, here I am putting together my absolute Top 50 Gamecube Games that I have played. There are a ton of great games for the Cube, and I have not played them all. There were 666 (uh oh) Gamecube games that came out in North America, which is more than double what N64 had. Like I said earlier, I have played probably around 200 Gamecube games and enjoyed a large portion of them. I own just under 60 games but by no means am I done collecting games for the console. So, again, here I am, putting together a list of what I consider my absolute favorite Gamecube games that I have played. Enjoy!
50. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle
I loved this game back when it came out, especially since it was a port of the Dreamcast version which I never played. I would've ranked it higher but it didn't age fantastically. It's still playable of course but it still feels dated. However, this is one of the best 3D Sonic games (that I've played) and it was fun seeing both sides of a conflict and playing two separate teams. It's also a step up from the original Sonic Adventure, which I found to be too tedious with awkward controls. I think the highlight here is the music, but there is fun to be had within the levels and of course the Chao Garden mini-game could eat up a lot of your time as it did for me back in the day.
49. Ty the Tasmanian Tiger
This is very clearly aimed at kids, but you know what? I found it pretty enjoyable. The music is fun, the main character reminds me of Rocko from Rocko's Modern Life, and the levels are fairly well designed. It's nothing too innovative but as a rather standard platformer goes, this one is pretty good.
48. Billy Hatcher & The Giant Egg
A bit of a sleeper hit, Billy Hatcher was designed by Sega specifically for the Gamecube. It was a pretty creative and fun platforming game, but didn't break any records or do anything crazy really. It's still worth playing though.
47. Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat
I have mixed feelings for this one, since the game itself is great, but the fact that you *must* control the game with...bongos makes it a mixed bag. The actually remedied this with the Wii re-release and allowed you to use traditional controls, and it's very good. So if you want to play this, get the Wii version instead. But, I must say, for controlling a platforming game with drums...it actually works surprisingly well. It's just not at all ideal.
46. Mario Party 7
Okay, so Mario Party is basically Mario Party - there's no escaping that. But if you were to play just one of them, play this one. It doesn't really do anything different than past entries but the gameplay is a bit streamlined and more fast paced, making it more enjoyable for solo play as well as with other people.
45. Custom Robo
I haven't spent much time with this one so I might be overrating or underrating it, but this is one I want to play a lot more just because it's a great concept. You customize little robots that you fight in 3D arenas, and that's about all there is to it. There are a lot of parts to use for customization and the gameplay is solid. I want to comment more on it but my play time with this one was fairly short. But the fact that I really want to play it again makes me believe it definitely has me sold on the idea of the game and that's a good thing.
44. Super Mario Strikers
I have zero interest in soccer as a sport but this game is surprisingly fun. The Wii version is even better with more characters. It gets kind of boring after playing for more than an hour but this is definitely fun game to put in your Cube every once in a while for a quick round of soccer or two.
43. Mario Superstar Baseball
I don't really watch or follow baseball (or any sport beyond football, really) but Mario's first baseball outing is a good one. I love the variety of characters you get, and that everyone has different stats. This is easily the most fun I've ever had playing any version of baseball - digital or real life. It's kind of slow paced just like the real thing but there is enough to keep you playing and from getting bored.
42. Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life
Harvest Moon games have been very hit or miss for me. I loved the Super NES original game, Harvest Moon 64, and Friends of Mineral Town on GBA, but haven't really liked any of the newer ones. A Wonderful Life is one of the good ones in the franchise. It plays like a combination of a farming simulation and a social simulation, like Animal Crossing with a lot more farming. Unlike Animal Crossing, the game time does not reflect the real world time, which is either good or bad depending on how you look at it. It gets repetitive after a few seasons but it's got strong replay value if you like this sort of thing and it's surprisingly addicting for something whose premise sounds very dull.
41. Cubivore: Survival of the Fittest
This is easily one of the weirdest games I've ever played. Probably second weirdest only to Katamari Damacy on PS2. Basically, you play as these little cube shapes, and as you defeat the lower-end enemies, you gain points to upgrade your character to include more limbs and power. By that, I mean you can upgrade your speed, your bite power, your jumping power, etc. It's an abstract look at evolution. The graphics are pretty bad, even back then they were, but it's somewhat excusable seeing as though it was originally a Nintendo 64 game called Animal Leader, which eventually got pushed to become a Gamecube game. It sells for a lot of money, and it's a really niche title, but it's also one of the more interesting and experimental games on the console.
40. Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean
I actually haven't played this more than a few hours, and had I finished it, I'd probably rank it even higher. It's a great throwback to PS1-era RPGs with pre-rendered backgrounds (beautiful ones at that) and classic turn based gameplay. This game takes a unique turn by using card-based gameplay. It still works like any turn based RPG so it's still pretty familiar. From what I've experienced, the story is solid, and the music is fantastic. The Gamecube never got too many RPGs but the majority of the genre on the system is well liked. Baten Kaitos represents a great Gamecube exclusive RPG.
39. Skies of Arcadia Legends
Another solid RPG for the Gamecube, this game was a port of the Dreamcast version, with a few additions (which I actually don't know what they are at the moment). Looking at it now, it actually feels a bit dated but it's still a very good game design and fun story. I love the addition of the ship battles even if they do feel like they drag a bit. If you haven't played this in any form before, you could do a lot worse than play this game.
38. Kirby Air Ride
Kirby in a racing game? Blasphemy! Only uses the control stick and the A button for controls? More blasphemy! I thought this game was going to suck (no pun intended) but in actuality, it was pretty fun. It's probably the most shallow racing game I've ever played, but somehow it works. You automatically accelerate, and all you do is steer and press A to brake, and release A to boost. That's it! And believe me it's a lot more fun than it sounds.
37. Alien Hominid
This game was the creation of The Behemoth, whose lead designer was Tom Fulp from Newgrounds. Alien Hominid started out as this tough-as-balls Flash game on Newgrounds.com that became so popular they decided to make a full-fledged semi-sequel and put it on consoles. During a time when 3D gaming reigned and 2D gaming was almost nonexistent on consoles, Alien Hominid was a breath of fresh air. It was still tough-as-balls but it was also very well done, proving that 2D action games were just as fun as ever.
36. Beyond Good & Evil
When it comes to hidden gems, this game gets brought up a lot. It's a lot like Zelda but you don't do so much fighting as you do picture taking. It's a very well made game, with an entertaining story and very solid gameplay. Somehow, it sold like crap and almost everyone missed this game. By no means a masterpiece, but this game offers some of the best gameplay of its respective generation. Luckily, they re-released this game in HD on PSN, so you can redeem yourself from not playing it to begin with. Seriously - go play it!
35. Sonic Heroes
This was one of the more unique and memorable 3D Sonic games in my opinion. It took everything that was right with the Sonic Adventure series and went a bit further by adding the "trifecta" of character teams - speed, power, and flying. It worked out pretty well to be honest. I also enjoy how you play as Team Sonic, Team Rose, Team Dark, and Team Chaotix. I loved seeing the Chaotix guys again, as they're my favorites. The level design was very solid and felt like a nice blend between old and new. The music was also a blast to listen to. So, for those who think the Sonic series died after Sonic & Knuckles, check this game out. It's one of the best 3D Sonic games to date.
34. Wave Race: Blue Storm
While I didn't enjoy this game as much as I did on Nintendo 64, this one isn't without merits. It's basically more of the same, which isn't a bad thing, but it doesn't do anything new. Sometimes that's a good thing though. The water effects look impressive, even after 13 years. The gameplay is solid and a lot of fun. It's not the best racing game ever made, but it's a fun diversion for a while if you're into racing.
33. Super Monkey Ball
Ever play Marble Madness on the NES? Yes? Well this is basically a 3D version of that with monkeys inside the balls. Haven't played it? It's basically a puzzle game designed as an obstacle course in which you control the ball, kind of like a hamster ball but with a monkey inside of it, to try and navigate your way through each level. It starts off easy then quickly progresses to challenging and then frustratingly hard. But it makes you think and it makes you try and try and try again even when you keep failing. "Just one more try..." has been uttered many times while playing this game. Recommended for fans of puzzle games.
32. Super Monkey Ball 2
Just like the original Super Monkey Ball, this game was a lot of fun. The puzzles are both creative and frustrating. But they're not unfair, which is a plus. It really doesn't do anything new that the original didn't - it's just more of the same. But there is no need to play both to experience the fun to be had. Objectively I'd say this sequel is better, but really, take that with a grain of salt. They're both great puzzle games.
31. Mario Power Tennis
I really don't enjoy sports games but if you throw in Mario and company, I'll probably love it. That said, Mario Power Tennis is my favorite of the Mario sports titles. Strikers and Superstar Baseball were great, as previously stated but I think Power Tennis takes the cake. The fantastic thing about Mario is that he can make you like things you wouldn't otherwise. I hate Madden games, but I'm sure if they made a Mario game based on American Football, I'd definitely buy it. Likewise, I never played a single tennis game before Mario Tennis on N64, but this is the definitive Mario Tennis game here, on the Gamecube. At least until they make a better one.
30. Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
I'll be honest - I haven't played this game in over a decade. But that just goes to show you how memorable it was. I only played it once, and that's all I needed to know this was a classic. It was a different kind of survival horror. Not "jump out of your skin" horror like Resident Evil, but rather a more psychological "fucks with your mind" type of scary. I don't want to spoil any of the scares because honestly, they need to be experienced. But the story takes place over many centuries and you play as different long lost relatives of the main character. Each chapter connects to one another despite taking place decades, sometimes centuries apart. A cool story combined with the unique psychological scares makes this game a must-play for survival horror fans.
29. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
People put this franchise on a pedestal but I'm really not that big a fan of the series. However, this is probably my favorite entry in an otherwise average strategy-RPG franchise. It doesn't do anything new, but to my knowledge it is the first 3D Fire Emblem game. The story is pretty decent and the gameplay is simple but solid. It's fun and can be frustrating at times, but could work as a great entry point into the series, if you're into games such as Final Fantasy Tactics or Advance Wars, in which this is pretty much a blend of the two of those franchises.
28. Pikmin 2
This game would probably be higher on my list had I played it more. This game was a bit deeper and lengthier than the original. It was less innovative, but more people seem to prefer this to the original. I, on the other hand, loved the original, but did not dedicate enough time to get to know the sequel. That said, play the original first if you haven't already. You'll see it further down on the list. But on the short, it's a charming blend of adventure, strategy, and puzzle and aside from the original, it is unlike any other game you've played before.
27. SSX 3
Before I played this game, I had no idea just how much I'd enjoy playing a snowboarding game. Okay, so I played Snowboard Kids on N64 but that was more of a Mario Kart clone than snowboarding game. But this was a very good racing game. It opened me up to a new style of racing game, which of course already existed, but it allowed me to become interested in it. No snowboarding game has since come close to the greatness of SSX 3 but this game is still fun years later. I love the open world exploration of different mountains too. It was a new approach for the series at the time and one that worked extremely well. I just wish there were more snowboarding games this great.
26. LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
A follow-up to a great action-adventure game, this game accurately and humorously recreated the original Star Wars movies in Lego form. This game is great for just about anyone - young or old, casual or hardcore. There was lots to do and the gameplay was a blast. A must-have for Star Wars fans. The original Lego Star Wars and this sequel are about equal in my eyes, so take the one-place-ranking difference with a grain of salt. And speaking of which...
25. LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game
This one was a surprise hit and appealed to a wide audience for its simple "pick-up-and-play" gameplay that was great for kids but deep enough to be enjoyed by adults and more hardcore players. This game is a must-have for Lego fans and Star Wars fans alike. Like I stated in the previous entry, this game is an awesome recap of the prequel trilogy but in hilarious and fun Lego form.
24. Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles
The first time I played this game, back in 2004, I played it with three of my friends. That's exactly how the game is meant to be played, too. I really enjoyed it a lot despite the requirement of everyone needing a GBA and a GBA-GCN Link Cable. But it was a great dungeon crawler with a fantastic soundtrack. So because of my initial enjoyment, I tended to put this game on a pedestal over the years. However, I recently played it as a single player adventure, and let me tell you, it is not the same. My enjoyment decreases significantly, and because gameplay is not adjusted according to how many people you play with, this game was quite difficult. You're almost kind of limited to how much stuff you can buy and what items you have access to. As a multi-player experience, this game is great. As a single player adventure, not so much. But the graphics are great and hold up well, and the soundtrack is one of my all-time favorite video game soundtracks of all time. So I do recommend it to anyone with friends that have a GBA and the link cables, but I don't advise you play it alone. That said, the gameplay is solid, if a bit shallow, and the dungeons are varied. The game design is overall pretty good, but I just wish they didn't handicap the single player mode. Had they made it just as enjoyable as a solo adventure, this game would be closer to the top of the list.
23. Sonic Mega Collection
This may be cheating a bit since these are classic games, but they're all great games, even today. Although I enjoyed some Sonic games that came after, Sonic Mega Collection encapsulates everything that made the franchise great in the first place. And really, it includes everything you need, with the small exception of Sonic CD, which appears on Sonic Gems Collection. Unfortunately, that collection isn't nearly as great as this one. For those interested in Sonic's roots or if you just want to relive the glory days of the blue hedgehog, this collection is essential to your library.
22. Soul Calibur II
This was one of the best fighting games at the time of its release. I never really liked fighting games beyond Smash Bros Melee, Mortal Kombat 3 and Street Fighter II. But this game made me more interested in fighting games as a whole. I loved fighting with weapons and the game was very well balanced. Oh, and did I mention Link is in it? That's right - Soul Calibur II on Gamecube had Link exclusively, while the PS2 version had Heihaci from Tekken, and the X-Box version had Spawn. Honestly, Link was the best choice of the three and as such, the Gamecube version sold the best. While I loved the create-a-character feature in subsequent games, I still feel Soul Calibur II is the best in the franchise. After all, they did re-released it on PS3 and X-Box 360 in HD.
21. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
While I never finished this game, and didn't enjoy it as much as the original, it was still a great follow-up to a fantastic game. It didn't really innovate and it was a bit more challenging than the original, but it was pretty much just more of the same greatness. Rest assured, Metroid Prime is further up on my list. One day I plan on going back to this game and finishing it, but I can say if you enjoyed the original Metroid Prime, you will enjoy this one as well.
20. Tales of Symphonia
This was the only Tales game that I played and it was a great one. I picked this up on a whim shortly after it came out, and had read such great things about it. The Gamecube was pretty short on RPGs but this was one of the best. It has since been re-released on PS3 but even in its original Gamecube form the game still holds up well. The music is great, the gameplay is fun, and the story is pretty good too. Definitely one of the best RPGs I've played in the last ten years. The battle system is also refreshing, though I've heard it was similar to other Tales entries. It's not turn based, you take direct control of your character and can switch characters on the fly. Think of it almost like a fighting game battle, except you gain new skills as you go along. If you enjoy JRPGs and have not played this game, check it out on either the PS3 or Gamecube.
19. Mega Man Anniversary Collection
Mega Man is a classic franchise - one of the all-time greats. What better way to experience those gems than in an all-in-one collection? Of course it doesn't include Mega Man 9 or 10 but those came out several years after this collection came out. But it does include perfect renditions of Mega Man 1 through 8. 8 classic games in one? Sign me up! The graphic are laughably outdated but the gameplay is very solid and these games are still fun even after all these years. If you have not played them yet, you would be doing yourself a disservice not to.
18. Mega Man X Collection
Okay so I never played this game as the collection here, but I've played all the games individually. I love Mega Man but I think I might prefer the Mega Man X games by a tiny margin. I would own this one except it's pretty damn expensive nowadays. This collection includes Mega Man X through X6 and each game has its merits and is fantastic. My personal favorites are X2 and X5 though X and X3 aren't far behind. This collection is especially great for people who never played these games in their original form. The graphics are a bit dated but the gameplay really holds up well.
17. Star Fox Adventures
This game receives way more hate than it deserves. Sure it's a huge departure for the Star Fox series, and it wasn't even originally a Star Fox game, but that doesn't make it any less fun. The game runs off of the Zelda engine, so right there you know it's good. It plays a lot like Zelda only you play as Fox and explore a planet that is ruled by dinosaurs. Honestly, if you like Zelda at all, there is no reason you wouldn't like this game. I also remember that when this game came out, the graphics were state of the art, and even still look great today. So stop judging this game as being "different from Star Fox 64" and just play it already!
16. Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures
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What an experimental game this was! It was a cool departure for the series, and one that I, nor anyone else, expected. Sure they tried this on the Game Boy Advance with A Link to the Past + Four Swords, but the latter part couldn't be played alone, so I never got to play it til recently. This game, on the other hand, was adjusted to play solo. It's more enjoyable with more people, sure, but it works quite well as a solo adventure too. It brought back beautiful renditions that resembled A Link to the Past and the adventure was in a different format but overall it was a great game. Instead of having a big open world, the game was divided into levels, almost like a Mario game, but it still played like Zelda for the most part. The only drawback is that in order to play with other people, each player needed their own GBA and a GBA-GCN link cable. Other than that, this game was fantastic and should not be missed by any Zelda fan.
15. F-Zero GX
F-Zero, as a franchise, has been dormant for a decade. Its last game came out in 2004 on the Game Boy Advance and was Japan-exclusive. As for home consoles, F-Zero GX was the last of its kind. No one knows if another F-Zero game will be made but it's sad to think that there may never be another in the franchise. With that said, this game is a fantastic game, and one of the best racing games of the last 20 years. It's also insanely difficult. You want to be challenged? Play this game. You thought F-Zero X on N64 was hard? Ha! That was nothing compared to this game. But the challenge only makes me want to play it more. I actually never finished it completely but one day I want to. What an accomplishment that will be. Seriously, though, if you're into fast paced futuristic yet brutally difficult games, this one is for you.
14. Luigi's Mansion
Not the greatest console launch title ever, but a very fun game nonetheless. It's very short, and on the easy side, but it still warrants a playthrough or two. It's almost like a Resident Evil for kids. Maybe more along the lines of Ghostbusters even. People would have preferred a Mario game for its launch, but for what it was, Luigi's Mansion was a very fun game. It also showed off the power of the Cube fairly well. This game could not have been made on the N64, that's for sure. Not like this anyway. Its sequel, Dark Moon, on the 3DS is good as well, but in my mind the original is better. The story is cheesy and makes no sense but let's be honest, no one plays Nintendo games for the story. I think this game holds up pretty well today too.
13. Chibi-Robo!
There's just something I love about being an inch tall and wandering around a normal sized house and exploring everything as something the size of a bug. This game is certainly an oddball but it's charming, fun, and memorable. It almost didn't even make it to North America but I'm glad it did. It's unlike anything I've ever played before. It's basically a platform puzzle game in which you explore a family's house as a little tiny robot. The more you explore the house, the further you can go and eventually explore the whole thing. For the open-minded or those who enjoy puzzle platforming games and don't mind the weirdness, check this game out.
12. Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
You know, I don't think I give thus game enough credit. It's not my favorite Zelda by any means but it was still great and did a lot of things right. My main grievance with this game was that initially, I played it on the Wii and the pointlessly tacked-on motion controls made me dislike the game much more than I should have. Okay, so I never actually played the Gamecube version, but I really want to get my hands on a copy and replay it on the Cube. I honestly think I would enjoy it much more than I did the first time. The game itself is very solid, and even rivals some of the best Zelda games in design. I found it a tad bit easy and Link turning into a wolf wasn't my favorite idea in the franchise but overall this game is a very good entry in the series and one that I absolutely want to revisit with a more open mind.
11. Resident Evil Zero
Fun fact: this started as a Nintendo 64 game but was delayed to become a Gamecube game. This was possibly the best case of delaying a game, because this would've been horrible on the N64. Luckily we were treated to two Resident Evil games the same year (2002) with the remake of the original in April and a new entry, Resident Evil Zero, in November. This game took everything that made the remake fantastic and made a completely original and just as fun, though less scary, prequel. There was immediate backlash by the fanbase concerning this entry since it rewrote the origins of the franchise, but overall this game was excellent. I loved the innovation of switching between two characters and using a team effort to advance in certain areas. The creepiness factor was definitely there although it had significantly less "jump out of your seat" scare moments. I thought the story was pretty good and the characters were likeable. This is one of my favorite entries in the series as well. Too bad it's never been re-released outside of the Wii port.
10. Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
If you know me, you know I love Mario Kart. I love every single entry in the series. At the time, Double Dash was my absolute favorite. Since then, its been eclipsed by every new game in the franchise but at one point this game was the pinnacle of the franchise. It still holds up very well today, too. In some ways I prefer it to Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii. I enjoyed the tag-team kart racing and character-specific items. It brought a new element of strategy to the franchise, something that has yet to be revisited. It also offered some of the best new courses in any Mario Kart game to date. Admittedly, the track list looks small nowadays since every game afterward included 16 new and 16 old tracks. But if you're looking for a fun multiplayer game for the Gamecube, you can't go wrong with Double Dash!
9. Pikmin
When this game was announced at launch, I wasn't sure what to make of it. It was something completely different than anything Nintendo had previously done. It's a genre of its own. Part strategy, part adventure, part puzzle, it turned out to be quite a charming little gem. By no means a perfect game, but this game has stuck with me ever since I first played it. It's memorable and fun, and has a lot of personality. Games with personality gets bonus points with me. Admittedly, this game is not for everyone but if you're open to new styles of gameplay I absolutely recommend you check this game out. I personally enjoyed this more than its sequel, but you can't go wrong with either one.
8. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Paper Mario on the N64 was one of my favorite N64 games. And thus Paper Mario for the Gamecube is one of my favorite Gamecube games. To pick one I like more is like choosing a favorite child. They're both near-masterpieces. The charming graphics also hold up very well today. It might seem a bit shallow compared to other RPG franchises but Paper Mario is fantastically enjoyable and the Thousand-Year Door is just as amazing as the original. I can't say the same for the games that followed in the franchise but if you haven't played this game yet, you really should. It's fantastic!
7. Super Mario Sunshine
Okay, so it's no Super Mario 64. But the game holds up better than its predecessor today, and has a slightly less annoying camera system. It's a bit of an oddball in the Mario franchise but overall it's a fantastic game. There's so much to explore and do, and it does manage to have some innovations that was never seen again in a Mario game, such as the jetpack. It's pretty challenging, too, if you want to get 100%, which was so time consuming that I only did it once and will never do again. It did manage to retain a lot of what made Super Mario 64 special such as open world gameplay, fantastically design levels, and tight controls. Akin to Super Mario Bros. 2, it's not everyone's favorite, and it is a bit different, but still very much worth playing, and a game I still love today.
6. Resident Evil
This game scared the shit out of me at the time. It still looks beautiful nowadays but the scare factor isn't as prominent as it once was. Still, this is the game that got me into survival horror games, as well as the Resident Evil franchise. I had played RE2 previously on PS1 but never got into it until after I played this remake. While I prefer RE4's gameplay, this game has a certain creepiness factor going for it. The mansion is expertly designed and if you play this game for the first time, with the lights off, late at night, this game will make you jump. If you say otherwise, you're a liar. Along with RE4, this game represents the pinnacle of the franchise.
5. Super Smash Bros. Melee
The original Smash Bros on N64 was a surprising hit. At the time it was pretty experimental and Nintendo had no idea how insanely popular the game would be become. So of course they made a sequel, and it blew everyone away! Super Smash Bros Melee was the game to play multiplayer in college. This game came out right before I finished my first semester of college and played this game nearly non-stop with my friends all through college. This is my single favorite multi-player game of all time. I don't even want to know how many hours I plugged into this game over teh years, but I would seriously bet it is second to only World of Warcraft. Of course with Super Smash Bros Brawl on Wii and the upcoming Super Smash Bros on 3DS and Wii U, there have been more characters and stages added in, but Melee was the one I played and enjoyed the most. It has aged incredibly well and I strongly recommend anyone with a Gamecube go play it if they haven't already.
4. Animal Crossing
I cannot accurately put into words just how hyped I was for this game. In fact, I was more hyped for this game than I ever was for any game in video game history. I mean, I was obsessively hyped for Animal Crossing. This game came out right after I was hugely into The Sims, and I was desperate for another life simulator. So this game was the right thing at the right time for me. I absolutely adored this game. There is still so much I haven't done in the game, that's how big the game is. Of course with superior sequels like Wild World on DS and New Leaf on 3DS there is no real reason to revisit Animal Crossing on Gamecube other than pure nostalgia but man did I love this game. There was something about a game that lived alongside you, celebrating in-game holidays alongside your own holidays, watching the seasons change with your seasons, and basically doing whatever the hell you want with no consequences whatsoever. This game was pure bliss.
3. Metroid Prime
Fun fact: I never liked the Metroid series. Up until I played this game, that is. No, I didn't like Metroid on NES, nor Super Metroid on SNES. Blasphemy, I know. The fact is, I do love them now because of this game. I don't even like First Person Shooters all that much but this is probably my absolute favorite one. When this game came out, no one knew how well the exploration-based gameplay of the Metroid series would mesh with an FPS. I really didn't care at the time because I didn't like Metroid or FPS's. But once initial reviews praised this game I decided I needed to try it. And wow, I was blown away! This game is an absolute masterpiece! Easily my favorite Metroid game, and one of those rare games that takes a big chance that people are unsure about yet somehow blows everyone away. All it took was one fantastic game and I was converted into a Metroid fan.
2. Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Wow, talk about a game that took me by surprise! I'll be honest - I never fully enjoyed a Zelda game til I played Ocarina of Time. Afterwards I went back and played the older games, then Majora's Mask, and when Wind Waker was announced, I wasn't sure I really wanted to play it. Unlike other fans, it wasn't the graphics that put me off, but I felt like nothing would be Ocarina of Time and it will just be another boring rehash of the same game. Only I was wrong. Completely wrong. I already stated in a previous post that this is my favorite Zelda game. It is a pure masterpiece. The graphics even hold up extremely well today. The soundtrack is a blast. The gameplay is wonderfully executed. To me, this is the pinnacle of the Zelda franchise. I have not enjoyed another Zelda game nearly as much ever since this came out. If you have not played it - play it. It absolutely needs to be experienced by everyone, Zelda fan or not. If you have a Wii U, get the HD version but the Gamecube version still holds up better than most games of that era. It's not often I use the word "masterpiece" to describe a game but it is absolutely necessary in this case.
1. Resident Evil 4
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Here it is. One of my absolute favorite games of all time. You will see this game as high ranking on anyone's Gamecube list. This game was the pinnacle of the series and the pinnacle of the Gamecube. Even before its release I knew it was going to be something special and became extremely hyped about this game. This game also gave birth to my term "the RE4 syndrome". By that, I apply it to a game that I am extremely hyped for and despite all that hype the game still managed to exceed my expectations. That really hasn't happened again but in the event that it does, I will be ready to apply that term to that game. In short, Resident Evil 4 is an archetype for action adventure games, and will be for many, many years to come. Yet another absolute masterpiece for the Gamecube.
