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Post your top 10 favorite GCN (Gamecube) Games and why... [top ten]
 
I just love the purple(sometimes black and platinum) box!
03/17/11, 02:59    Edited: 09/30/13, 01:34
 
   
 
#10 Alien Hominid


Really fun game that came out towards the end of the GCN's life. Cel-shaded graphics mixed with side-scrolling beat-em-ups in the vein of Metal Slug and Contra. Fun mini-games as well. Plus its Aliens against the Feds, what more could a gamer ask for!
 
#9 Super Mario Sunshine


Recently changed this because I missed this on the list, and bumped out the previous. This game does have it all, and really pushed the GCN to its limits. Check it out!
 
#8 Ikaruga


Such a beautiful game, really should not be missed. Hard as heck though, but just such a gem.
 
#7 Timesplitters 2


Great game here! A lot of fun as far as the campaign modes, multiplayer modes, tons of missions, unlockables and customizable controller settings, this game is the best FPS to grace the GCN, and everyone should check it out. Made by the same people who did the original Goldeneye N64 game.
 
#6 Super Smash Bros. Melee


Knew this would make it! Such a fun game and the reason to own a GCN. Arguably the best in the franchise.
 
#5 Paper Mario 2: The Thousand Year Door



Really fun casual RPG. Just a great story with memorable characters and some Nintendo lovin', this game is too damn adorable to deny.
 
#4 Chibi-Robo!


Just can't get enough of this game, its a total blast, the story is epic and just a true original and gem. Take my word try this if you havn't.
 
#3 Resident Evil 4


Well theres no denying why this made the list, definitly as close to the top as I could personally get it. This game is awesome, maybe not scary for some, but still makes you jump! This game is really easy to control, the graphics are still top notch, and the gameplay/story is epic!
 
#2 F-Zero GX


Maybe the best racer ever. This game is so freaking fast and really difficult to master. Tons of unlockables and the most insane tracks you can imagine, this game has it all!
 
#1 The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker


My personal favorite Zelda game, slightly more-so than OoT, but that always causes uproar. I loved the graphics, the cartoony feel to the classic Zelda formula. I even enjoyed the 'horrible' fetch-quest of the piece on the map, I didn't even know it was such a big deal until I came online and read about it. Check this out, the reason to own a Gamecube IMO.
 
end. Let me know yours!

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03/17/11, 02:59   Edited: 09/30/13, 01:34 
 
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@GameDadGrant

Yes! Did you beat it? Do you remember anything about it?
I loved the no-name characters. And it was awesome when you could get a sasquatch on your team. How freakin' cool is that? I think we had a really nasty wolf and an awesome polar bear, too.

Satyrs..hate..dying...


@deathly_hallows

Haha!! I still gotta OPEN Assault!! I'm excitedish for it though..

@Zero

Hey Zero, here's that wallpaper you were asking about.
(Kinda NSFWish..)
03/17/11, 08:09   
Edited: 03/17/11, 08:33
I played Gladius. It was cool... until one fight at some point that I just couldn't win. That or I got bored. I honestly don't remember. But it was a difficult game.
03/17/11, 15:02   
@TriforceBun
Wait...you liked Eternal Darkness for the combat? It's my favourite GCN game and I found the combat to be a low point for the game. The atmosphere, writing, and "clever" design, as you said, are what made this one special to me.
03/17/11, 15:43   
TimeSplitters 3 is actually really good--it's got a lot of personality, variety and humor that really works for the game. I also dig the stylized character designs, which prove there're a lot of different ways to approach the visuals in a FPS. However, for the time, I think I played a lot more TS2 and was slightly burned out with Future Perfect came along. But the game's dialogue and characters were a heck of a lot more charismatic in the third game. And that zombie chapter was great.
03/17/11, 15:43   
By the way (and slightly OT), this thread made me realize how much Nintendo improved in their software output on the Wii versus the GCN. Twilight Princess was the beginning of much needed improvement, and a lovely swan song for the GCN.
03/17/11, 15:46   
@Mr_Mustache

Sadly, I never beat it. I may get around to it someday. Maybe.
03/17/11, 18:14   
Here is my list according to my ratings on here. Although I'm kind of surprised I rated some of these games the way I did.

10. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures- Honestly, this may be my favorite multiplayer game ever. Unfortunately, due to the hassle of link cables and yada yada I never finished it. And never really played it enough to say for sure whether it could stand with the best longterm. But still, awesome co-op mode, awesome battle mode... tons of fun.

9. Skies of Arcadia Legends- It's sometimes tough to justify why I like this game so much. It does a lot of things wrong (way too many random battles, boring battle system, etc.) But it does a few things very right, the main one being that it created a world that you can truly explore, and then kept expanding that world in a very interesting way.

8. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker- It's Zelda, of course it makes the list! I was kind of disappointed in some parts of this game, but the style was great, the world felt VAST and open for exploration, and it was a lot of fun in the end. Also the sailing song is one of the best video game songs ever.

7. Pikmin 2- I only kind of liked the first Pikmin, which is why I was shocked at how much I loved the sequel. It was just so packed. The main quest had so much treasure to find, and I found it all. And then there were the co-op bonus stages, tons of fun. And the battle mode. It was really just a total package. Where is part 3?!

6. F-Zero GX- Pretty much the best single player racing game ever made. So intense, so many awesome course designs, just loads of awesomeness. And the story mode was super fun and challenging. I just wish there were a way to make this franchise as good multiplayer as it is single player.

5. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes- I'm kind of surprised I didn't rate this higher. Or maybe surprised I rated other games higher. It wasn't really at the level of the first Prime for me, but it was still pretty darn awesome. And it did improve in some areas, such as the morph ball puzzles and mini-boss fights. I still think the swamp is one of the best areas in the Prime trilogy.

4. Super Smash Bros. Melee- Not much to say about this game that everyone doesn't already know. It's a really, really good multiplayer game that is packed full of options yada yada. And the core gameplay is just so fun and interesting to me. The massive nostalgia doesn't hurt either.

3. Super Monkey Ball- Yes, Super Monkey Ball makes my top 3. Why? It's tough to explain. I guess it hit the spot perfectly for me at the time. For starters, it is one of the few games that has equally compelling single player and multiplayer. I'm not even sure which I like more. So there is this whole huge challenging unique single player mode, but even when I finished that it was still pulled out for parties for Monkey Fight and Target and Bowling.

2. Resident Evil 4- Again, don't know what to say that everyone doesn't already know. This game amazed me though. It managed to be a 20ish hour "shooting" game that never got old. It was crazy to me how frequently Capcom changed things up, added new elements, yada yada. And the mood felt perfect as well. It's pretty much the best example yet of how to do an action game right.

1. Metroid Prime- Yeah, you knew it was coming, huh? One of my favorite games ever. I don't think I have played a game, before or since, with such a seamless YET INTERESTING world. It's not just eye candy, almost every area has tons of secrets to discover. The action was great, the exploration was great... totally immersive... gah. Perfect challenge level as well. OH GOD I LOVE THIS GAME.
03/17/11, 18:43   
10) Pikmin - It was a great game, running around with your pikmin trying to complete tasks as quick as possible. Until you figured out the you were behind so you start over and begin from scratch.


9) StarFox Adventure - a great starfox rpg, amazing environments, fun space and ground battles


8) Time Splitters : future perfect - this wacky game was the closest i could find to golden eye on the gamecube. The muliplayer was my draw, There was something about playing as a monkey and gunning down someone that made me smile!



7) Skies of Arcadia Legend - Sky pirates-Rpg-Sega, need i say more?


6) Killer 7 - just gorgeous


5) Resident Evil 4 - great controls and one of the best RE game out there


4) Metroid Prime - best thing that i didn't expect, Retro Studio Thank you for giving life back to this series


3) Beyond: Good and Evil


2) Wind Waker - great story, game really pulled me in.


1) Mario Kart : Double Dash - yet another GREAT Mario kart game, i couldn't put the battle mode down


honorably mentioned Mario Golf , Super Mario Sunshine, F-Zero, and Zelda Master Quest
03/17/11, 22:44   
Edited: 03/17/11, 22:50
Zero, if you still have FSA you should finish it. I think the single player is still really good. I was pleasantly surprised with how long the game actually was too.
03/18/11, 00:25   
ChuyMasta said:
Time splitters 3. WAY BETTER THAN TWO!

That's right! B's!
That's the truth. Future Perfect blew the doors off of 2.
03/18/11, 00:35   
@PogueSquadron The thing is, I'm kind of holding out on hopes that I'll get to finish it multi. Which will probably never happen. But we did play it at an ANNUAL NEGATIVE WORLD NEW YEAR'S DAY PARTY a bit over 2 years ago? Was it really that long ago?! Albeit we got stuck and couldn't even finish the one stage I had left off at.
03/18/11, 00:50   
Good list duke!

(oops, your Ikaruga image is not working).

Looks like some games I need to try out then, according to some of my fellow NW'ers here are: Gladius, Alien Hominid, Batman Begins (@deathly_hallows the game looks and sounds great, I wasn't even aware of its existence), and Time Splitters Future Perfect.

According to my Negative World Game Database ratings, my top 10 GCN games are

Tied for 1st:
-Metroid Prime
-The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
-Metroid Prime 2
-Super Mario Sunshine

5) Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
6) Resident Evil 4
7) F-Zero GX
8) Pikmin 2
9) Eternal Darkness
10) Resident Evil Zero (yes, I really loved this game)
03/19/11, 02:49   
thanks fixed it. Yeah this got me thinking about either of the Baten Kaitos games(I never tried), Prince of Persia(somehow missed out), and checking out TS3 again, since when I got it and beat it I swore that number 2 was still better, but maybe I need to play it again. Oh also Beyond Good and Evil, I never seem to get 'into' this game, havn't played it too much, but just lose interest.
03/20/11, 18:50   
Edited: 03/20/11, 18:53
10. Resident Evil
A.K.A. REmake. Having missed the original RE on PS1 and playing RE2 only half way, RE2 was held as the best RE game that was not RE4 in my list. REmake changed all that with the awesome presentation and classical survival horror gameplay. It was one of those rare cases where the experience was greater than the game mechanics.

9. Beyond Good & Evil
A great action adventure game with cool characters and excellent presentation. I always considered BG&E as Zelda lite, even though it doesn't have much to do with the Zelda gameplay and more to do with the Zelda "experience".

8. F-Zero GX
The best futuristic race game on both Gamecube and Wii to date. Silky smooth gameplay and 480p 16:9 Dolby Pro Logic II presentation. F-Zero GX is probably the reason why a new F-Zero Wii hasn't been made yet. F-Zero GX looks and plays on par with the very best on Wii and a sequel is probably better served on Nintendo's next HD console.

7. Super Smash Bros. Melee
All your favorite videogame characters smashed together in one big multiplayer game. Add all the extras and the abundance of fan service on top of a deeply engaging and balanced fighter, and you are left with one of the best fighters on Gamecube.

6. Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
One of my favorite games of all time and one of my favorite franchises of its generation, Sands of Time is an instant classic with buttery smooth mechanics, plenty of Arabian Nights magic and romance, epic soundtrack, and one of the best told stories in the interactive medium.

5. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
If A Link To The Past would actually be A Link To The Future, in space, and first person perspective, it would probably be titled Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (or something like that). Darker and more challenging than the original Metroid Prime, outstanding production values, memorable boss fights, fantastic levels (i.e. Sanctuary Fortress), and home to the first appearance of a 3D first person Screw Attack. Did I mention that it features the sexiest Bounty Hunter in videogame universe and FDR Zombies?

4. Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
The first and only game where you hear a deep announcer voice say "Nintendo", all while "Nintendo" logo appears in screen dripping blood. A giant white moon appears in the dark, all luminescent on a pale girl's face. Dark orchestrated music follows the titles and distant chants come from afar...

If you make it past the first 30 minutes of gameplay, you won't let the controller down. The best story in a GCN game, best soundtrack, a patented "sanity" system which was only replicated in some MGS games, and a system seller for all my gamer friends that played a little bit at my home or watched me play. 480p 16:9 Dolby Pro Logic II and a GCN/Wii exclusive.

3. Resident Evil 4
Best action game on Gamecube and one of the best of its generation. That has little to do with its legacy and plenty to do with the uniquely fun gameplay. The game kept you at the edge of your seat and it was a fun ride from the beginning to the very end. Crazy enemies, giant bosses, fantastic locales, and (new age) ZOMBIES! The production values were over the roof and the GCN version was a timed exclusive.

2. Metroid Prime
Metroid Prime did for the Metroid franchise what Ocarina of Time did for the Legend of Zelda franchise. Than it went one step farther. It made everything gel together and was truthful to the Super Metroid 2D gameplay. Now, in first person perspective! The game elevated Retro Studios as one of the best in the industry and raised the expectations accordingly. Retro Studios today is much revered by Nintendo fans and it is considered just as good, if not better, than Nintendo's own EAD teams. Metroid Prime's gameplay has stood the test of time even 9 years later. Metroid Prime Trilogy disc is better than 95% of the Wii's library, and that is in large part thanks to the timeless gameplay of MP1.

1. Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
The most debated Legend of Zelda to date was also the best game on Gamecube, until Twilight Princess came along. But since the GCN's impact of TP was not nearly as big as WW's impact, I will get TP disqualified from this list.

Wind Waker takes a while to get going, but once it gets going, it doesn't let go. The cel-shaded graphics complement the gameplay perfectly, though Link's and other NPC designs leave a lot to be desired. The big wide open ocean brings back some of the long lost Legend of Zelda feelings of exploration and discovery, but it also introduces a rather linear plot development. There is a lot that can be said about the game, but let's just say that at the end of the day, WW managed to overcome the negativity of the disillusioned Zelda fans, and In many cases, it became their favorite. All Nintendo needs to do now is to come up with a 480p 16:9 "Wii Play Control" version and watch the money roll in.
03/23/11, 00:12   
Edited: 03/23/11, 00:28
@gencid
Nice list. Good to see Eternal Darkness up there, I really need to replay that in 480p widescreen but I've already finished the multiple endings.
03/23/11, 02:30   
@anon_mastermind

I know what you mean. I got all three endings and I think I have played it over 6 times already. I cannot even fathom what an Eternal Darkness sequel would be or look like on Wii 2 (HD). Good times.
03/23/11, 05:13   
*looks at the lists*
Killer 7, Skies of Arcadia, Ikaruga, and Tales of Symphonia. Even after all this time, I still have some catching up to do on the 'Cube!

My Top 10:

10
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Via Wii or Gamecube, it's a fine adventure game that just happens to take a little too much inspiration from Ocarina of Time. In it's defense, dungeons are the meat of the game and and incredibly fun to explore, and this iteration of Hyrule did have it's own appealing sense of adventure to it.

9
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
A game worth sore, red palms. I really enjoy games that take a specific gimmick and run with it well (Drill Dozer, Warioware Twisted!), and the bongos added that extra layer of enjoyment to this solid platformer.


8
Resident Evil 4
Like many have said, one of the finest and most inventive action games of the last generation. The village part will always be my favorite, but throughout the game there are incredible set pieces and a few good freak out moments. Extras, like The Mercenaries, add to the deep lasting appeal too. Also gotta love those one-liners.


7
Viewtiful Joe
It's visually 3D, but I was glad to finally play something that sticks with to a 2D plane on a gameplay perspective. Like Resident Evil 4, the story is corny awesome, and it's just hard not to feel rad playing this, even on the "kids" setting! Yeah, I should man up and play through the harder difficulty sometime....

6
Resident Evil
One of the scariest games I've played, well, probably the only scary game I've played. The mansion is rich in a sinister atmosphere that still captures my attention, and the maze-like architecture makes for a great adventure game with a strong sense of mystery and satisfaction when you're on the right track.

5
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
A hilarious RPG in so many ways, not to mention it's just a blast to play. Each chapter feels like a fresh, goofy episode that builds up a very cool story with likable characters. The paper gimmick is used quite well too.


4
Super Smash Bros. Melee
One of those timeless multiplayer games and a huge love letter to all things Nintendo. I can play this anytime.

3
F-Zero GX
One of the first racing games I really got sucked into. The sense of speed is just amazing, and the controls feel as tight (or loose) as you want them to be. It's an incredibly well-designed thrill ride.

2
Pikmin 2
A whimsical and highly adventurous strategy game. The concept of the Pikmin series really captures my imagination. Managing an army of adorable and colorful pikmin through expeditions underground, scavenges on the surface, and into enemy encounters is highly entertaining.

1
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Easier choice on the list! One of the highlights of the amazing Zelda series and Gamecube in my opinion. It's such a treat just roaming the land and sea and taking in the wonderful art direction, and I really enjoyed the pacing overall. The story was surprisingly moving, and I had an unforgettable time playing through this one.
03/23/11, 21:01   
Edited: 03/23/11, 21:02
After #6 it gets too difficult for me to put them in order, so:

6. Metroid Prime

5. Resident Evil 4

4. REmake

3. Wind Waker

2. Paper Mario and the Thousand Year Door

1. Smash Bros. Melee
03/24/11, 02:00   
10. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

When I first played this game, I was impressed by the animation and the game design - I was hooked on the series since. Even though I played the original PC version so long before that - this game made me a true fan.

9. F-Zero GX

F-Zero was good...X was better and GX just - it's just awesome. Go Play it now.

8. Beyond Good and Evil

I bought this game brand new at Block Buster for $10. Word of mouth made me take the inexpensive plunge and I'm glad I did. It's a rare gem and has a bit of everything (exploration/collecting/action/racing) and shouldn't be missed.

7. Time Splitters: Future Perfect

Time Splitters 2 was great - made by the original GE64 team and it was fun. But TSFP was better in almost every way. You can even play as some of the TS2 characters in multiplayer. Quick and easy to play.

6. Soul Calibur II

One of my favourite fighting games - Smash just edges this one but not by much. The long adventure/quest mode just keeps going and going and really gives this one great lasting appeal.

5. Smash Bros Melee

I played this game for hours - something about Nintendo characters beating on each other seems to have really stuck with us. Some argue it better then Brawl in terms of control - I'm not that much of a hardcore fighter to really believe that but Melee is still one of the best games on Cube.

4. Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem

The GameCube had quite a few games I would consider system seller games - this is one of them. 3 'paths', multiple characters to play through, an engaging story, and wonderful graphics. The Bathtub scene is still one of the scariest since the dogs jumped out the window in the original Resident Evil.

3. Tales of Symphonia

Gentlemen (and lady) - This game is one of the best RPG games out there - I have played this game all the way through at least 3 times and I am surprised at how drawn in I am to the characters in this story. There is lots to do in here. The back cover of the game says it's a quest of over 80 hours. This is no lie. You could finish it in 50 but why cheat yourself?

2. RE4

I no longer have this game on Cube - I sold it and bought the Wii Version because of greater controls (you can play with the wavebird if you want to anyways) and extra content plus WS mode. I was never really a RE fan so I rented it after all the great reviews about it and boy was I amazed. One of the best games ever made for sure.. Buy the Wii version - do it now.

1. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

I was still in GameDesign school when this game came out - I asked my classmate who bought it how the game was and he said "Smerd..it's so amazing - I found myself wandering around the main island for hours.." That was enough for me. That told me that the magic that was in Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time was in this game too. Even though the game is very forgiving challenge wise and the sailing is a bit of a bother in the beginning, there are too many other positive qualities in this game. Go play Celda now..
******
Yes yes... I'm here to stir up the pot a bit as well. Good lists everyone! Metroid Prime didn't make the cut and other notable mentions are James Bond: Everything or Nothing, Splinter Cell, Mario Kart DD, Super Monkey Ball 2 and Spider Man 2. The GameCube might of been a 'failure' in critics eyes but to me, it's been one of the best Nintendo Consoles.

S
03/25/11, 03:31   
Smerd said:


3. Tales of Symphonia

Gentlemen (and lady) - This game is one of the best RPG games out there - I have played this game all the way through at least 3 times and I am surprised at how drawn in I am to the characters in this story. There is lots to do in here. The back cover of the game says it's a quest of over 80 hours. This is no lie. You could finish it in 50 but why cheat yourself?

Hooray, Smerd!
03/25/11, 11:45   
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