It’s hard to believe that the Nintendo GameCube came out almost 25 years ago. Even though the GameCube struggled to keep up with the PS2 and Xbox, its game output was incredible, and many of its best games are still beloved today.
GameCube games are slowly being added to the Nintendo Switch Online service, and titles like Metroid Prime have been remastered, but many of the best GameCube games are still stuck on older consoles. These games have held up beautifully over the years, and they should be more accessible than they are.
Mario Party 6’s Day and Night Cycle Is Brilliant
There are 4 Mario Party games on the GameCube, but the best of the bunch is Mario Party 6. This title introduced a brand-new gimmick to the series: a day-and-night cycle. Two new characters, Brighton and Twila, influence outcomes and events based on what time of day it is.
Even beyond that mechanic, the boards and minigames in Mario Party 6 are among the best. The Faire Square board is particularly fantastic. It focuses on the day/night dynamic with the stars, and the chaos it produces is pure Mario Party fun.
Since Mario Party 6 used the GameCube microphone accessory, it might be a little harder to bring it to modern consoles than other titles in the series. However, since the Nintendo Switch 2 has a built-in microphone, it’s the perfect time to bring it back. Mario Party 6 is one of the best party games of all time, and it deserves to impress gamers all over again.
The Original Animal Crossing Is Still a Classic
Animal Crossing games have consistently innovated, adding new features and villagers to the series. Still, nothing can top the original title. All of its villagers had real personalities, and while they wouldn’t always be nice to players, having mean villagers is part of the game’s charm.
The classic Animal Crossing formula worked right from the start. There’s no shortage of daily events to keep players engaged and motivate them to return to the game. There are even unlockable NES games, which were a rarity at the time. Since the next Animal Crossing appears to be a long way off, now is the perfect time to bring back the original.
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader Is an Underrated Star Wars Game
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader features some of the best flight combat in any Star Wars video game. Even though it was on the GameCube, its visuals still hold up, and it leaves players feeling like they’ve jumped into one of the movies.
This title is also incredibly immersive thanks to appearances from many classic locations from the Star Wars franchise. Star Wars games are entering a new era, and now is the perfect time to return to the past and bring back a classic title.
Skies of Arcadia: Legends Is a Fan-Favorite JRPG
One of the best pirate games of all time, Skies of Arcadia is easily one of the greatest games in the Dreamcast library. While it struggled to find an audience on the ill-fated Sega console, it got a second chance when it was ported to the GameCube as Skies of Arcadia: Legends. Sadly, the series hasn’t been revisited since then.
Part of Skies of Arcadia‘s lasting appeal is its sense of exploration. There’s something special about sailing through the skies in search of treasure, especially when there’s the occasional pirate battle to break things up. Many fans would love to see a sequel to this classic title, but a Nintendo Switch Online port would be just as good.
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem Should Get a Remake
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem is one of the best horror games ever, thanks to its sanity mechanics, which challenged players’ grip on reality. Sometimes, players would receive messages that their controller was unplugged or their save file had been deleted, but it was all part of the game.
While the original GameCube sanity effects wouldn’t make sense on a modern system, a full remake could create new scares that would catch players off guard. Eternal Darkness is a cult classic GameCube game for a reason, and many fans would love to see it make a comeback/
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Is the Series At Its Best
Trying to follow up the massively popular Mario Kart 64 was a tough job, but Mario Kart: Double Dash!! made it look easy. Its main appeal is the ability to have two characters in one kart. There are the obvious pairings, like the Mario Bros. or the princesses, but the real fun comes from mixing characters to create unexpected combinations.
Each character has a special item, and pairing different teams can increase the chances of getting both in a single race. That also affects the kart and its weight class, depending on who is riding together. Every course feels like its own adventure, with secrets hidden throughout.
Many of its classic tracks returned as retro courses in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, but that still isn’t the full package. Fans have long wanted a Switch port, though a place in the GameCube Classics lineup would be just as exciting. Battling through Luigi’s Mansion or on a GameCube in Battle Mode is peak fun. Hopefully, Nintendo adds Mario Kart: Double Dash!! to the service soon.
Super Smash Bros. Melee Is Still One of the Best GameCube Games of All Time
There’s one game fans have been begging Nintendo for, and that’s Super Smash Bros. Melee. It has the best gameplay in the entire series, as casual players can pick it up easily while dedicated fans can master it to a ridiculous degree.
Melee‘s roster also expanded in exciting ways with characters like Bowser, Mewtwo, and more. Even underrated characters like the Ice Climbers and Marth from the Fire Emblem series get their moment to shine. The title has remained popular in the eSports scene, and that’s a testament to its enduring appeal.