There is a reason some gamers still hold onto their Gamecubes. There are still good games that are only on that console! The console’s lifespan was from 2001 to 2007 and has been discontinued since. In those six years though, it became a big part of the Nintendo legacy and is still well-remembered by video gamers who now play on their Nintendo Switch.
Luckily, a lot of games that started on the Gamecube that were popular got remakes for future consoles. These include Luigi’s Mansion, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Metroid Prime, and more. However, there still are good games that are trapped as Gamecube exclusives. Here are ten of them.
4 10. Pokémon Colosseum And Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
Shadow Pokémon did not start with Pokémon Go. They were actually a major part of the stories of Pokémon’s Gamecube games: Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness. In these games, you did not get gym badges or even capture wild Pokémon. Instead, it was about saving Shadow Pokémon and using technology to steal them away from their owners. That’s right, you could capture Pokémon in the middle of a battle against another trainer!
The Orre Region is also one of the most fascinating of the Pokémon world too. It is definitely worth keeping a Gamecube to play this game if you are a big Pokémon fan.
3 9. Super Mario Sunshine
This was a critically acclaimed game, getting a 9/10 or a perfect store in nearly every major review by critics. The fact that it is still exclusively on the Gamecube and nothing else is a major tragedy. At least it influenced nearly every Mario game to come after due to its major success.
The game debuted Petey Piranha and Bowser Jr., who have been recurring characters in the series since. It introduced Shine Sprites, which then appeared in future games. It was also the first 3D Mario game to include the ability to ride Yoshi.
2 8. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
The 9th installment of the Fire Emblem series is a Gamecube exclusive. However, the for Western side of the world it was only the 3rd installment. It was the first time in the series that it sported 3D graphics, full-motion cutscenes, and voice acting.
It was widely received with positive reviews. According to some publications such as Gamesradar, it is one of the best Gamecube games of all time. It has been well remembered too, having come out in 2005 but listed as one of Fire Emblem’s best games in 2013 by Destructoid.
1 7. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Released in 2004, The Thousand-Year Door is the 2nd installment of the Paper Mario series. Like many games on this list, it’s stunning reviews and love from video game fans leaves a lot to wonder as to why the game is still only playable on the Gamecube. It even won the “Role Playing Game of the Year” award at the Interactive Achievement Awards in 2005.
The storyline and characters were especially whimsical and the paper-theme was more than a style, but cleverly blended with the mechanics.
6. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures
This was a game you could link to the Game Boy Advance with a Gamecube link cable, which made it so you used the Game Boy Advance as a controller. The story was also popular enough to get a manga novelization of the game.
5. Star Fox Adventures
4. Super Smash Bros. Melee
3. Eternal Darkness
2. Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour
Released in 2003, this game was the sequel to Mario Golf for the Nintendo 64. It had 16 playable characters with different stats and golfing styles. While it was well-loved by both fans and critics, it was very similar to its predecessor. It was well-reviewed overall but many did admit that it was not very ambitious.
That may be part of why it stayed on the Gamecube with no remasters. Also, another huge reason for this is likely due to that it was just a stepping stone for future games of the Mario Golf series.
