Nintendo managed to surprise even itself with the success of its miniature replicas of iconic NES and Super NES. For some, these serve as nostalgic trinkets, largely considered glorified emulators which house dozens of the best games the consoles have to offer.
These supposed novelties – called the “Classic Editions” – reminded older Nintendo fans just how fun many of these games were and still are. Though they also drew younger gamers; many of whom could now experience them for the first time in all their glory. This success spawned similar efforts from companies like Sony and even Sega, while getting Nintendo fans buzzing about other potential console renditions.
While this is currently just a pipe dream, the whispers and speculation regarding mini versions of the N64 and GameCube remain. The latter has fans particularly excited, given the purple box’s range of fun, often overlooked games, many of which remain pricy or rare.
While there are plenty of gems to choose from, which ten titles would be considered essential?
10 Super Monkey Ball
Often considered one of GameCube’s most underrated games, Super Monkey Ball gets the ball rolling on our list with its fun precision-based platforming and party gameplay. The game brought an arcade-style charm to home consoles with its pure, fast-paced platforming, along with a handful of addictive multiplayer minigames.
The experience proves both simple and deceptively tough as it progresses. You’re tasked with guiding a ball-piloting ape through a series of stages rife with traps, drops, narrow paths, and pitfalls.
The campaign itself offers hours of white-knuckle thrills, but the party games are what truly make this a timeless classic. Players can face off in various multiplayer showdowns, ranging from billiards and golf to racing and the fan-favorite “Monkey Target.”
9 Pikmin 2
Soon after the GameCube’s launch, Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto reaffirmed his game-design wizardry with this inventive console take on the RTS genre. Pikmin has gamers embark on an other-worldly journey as they lead gaggles of anthropomorphic plants, banding together to reassemble the captain’s crashed ship.
This charming sequel draws from the user-friendly traits of the first game while building on its foundations and refining certain areas, including axing the 30-day time limit. Pikmin 2 injects life with more detailed, lush locales, as well as two distinct new Pikmin colors and a multiplayer mode.
This distinct strategy romp would certainly help round out the library of a theoretical GameCube Classic, bringing an experience rarely explored in console gaming.
8 Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem
Given that this dark, gritty survival-horror was somewhat ahead of its time, Eternal Darkness would prove a great fit for a GameCube Classic. It may seem a bit crude graphically, which makes sense given that it began as an N64 game. Still, its rich atmosphere and innovative gameplay truly go above and beyond.
Silicon Knights takes you on a chilling, psychological journey through history as you explore the eerie mansion of a deceased relative and unearth clues about his murder. Its range of ancient, Medieval, and modern-day locales set the stage for a memorable adventure through time.
Though it excels thematically, the game’s limb-hacking combat and unique magic system offer plenty of enjoyable gameplay too. Then there’s the real highlight of Eternal Darkness – the inventive and downright spooky sanity system, which plays with your mind and keeps the thrills coming.
7 Tales Of Symphonia
While Bandai Namco looks to take its classic RPG series in a darker direction, Tales of Symphonia gives gamers a fond reminder of the franchise’s vibrant, whimsical roots.
It engrosses you in a colorful, captivating fantasy world while keeping you enticed with its likable characters and rich narrative. But the star of the show has to be its fun, fast-paced combat, which feels akin to a 3D fighter more than a typical RPG battle system.
Though the GameCube wasn’t exactly known for its RPGs, it did have the distinction of offering what many fans consider to be the Tales series at (or near) its peak. This is an ARPG gem that deserves a spot on a GameCube Classic.
6 F-Zero GX
Even though this unforgiving game was the cause of many a thrown controller, Sega’s take on F-Zero just might be one of the most underrated games in the genre.
This futuristic romp can be partly described as Mario Kart on ‘roids, with its roller-coaster-like courses and frantic gameplay that pits you against 29 other racers. Fast speeds, crazy course layouts, and tons of car-bumping combat ensure there will rarely be a dull moment here.
With some addictive, fast-paced gameplay and sleek visuals that still hold up, GX would surely wow newcomers on a GameCube mini while giving vets a boost of nostalgia.
5 Mario Kart: Double Dash
Like many Cube titles, this version of Nintendo’s famed kart racing series is a bit overlooked compared to most others of its ilk. But while some were turned off by the game’s dual-character setup, many embraced these fun new concepts. Two characters take control of the small, zipping karts this time, which can be swapped into the driver’s seat on the fly.
Double Dash is also known for its slew of distinct, colorful courses – such as the bite-sized Baby Park – along with a range of character-specific items. This entertaining romp would surely be a hit at parties if it earned a place on a GameCube Classic.
4 Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Put simply, there’s a reason many yearned for the Switch’s Origami King to draw from this Paper Mario game on GameCube. Fans of this colorful Mario spinoff series often regard this as the franchise at its best, an opinion that continues to persevere even generations after its release.
In 2004, gamers were pleasantly surprised at how much the series had grown up from its simpler predecessor on N64. Not only had the gameplay been fleshed out and honed, but both the visuals and story are a degree richer and more interesting.
The Thousand-Year Door is also quite expansive, comprising over 30 hours just to tackle the core campaign.
3 Metroid Prime
Some were rather uneasy when hearing Nintendo’s famed sci-fi series was to be helmed by Western developer Retro Studios as the studio took Samus into uncharted FPS territory. However, most doubts were swiftly blasted away once fans actually got their hands on this fun, immersive take on Metroid.
The series would go in a darker direction and adhere to motion controls with Metroid Prime 2 and 3 respectively. Still, it’s tough to match the immensely dense atmosphere and nostalgic charm with this breakthrough hit.
Metroid Prime’s sci-fi themes, appealing mechanics, and delightful soundtrack would no-doubt hold up on a GameCube Classic today.
2 The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Big N’s more whimsical take on Zelda brought a mixed reception, to put it mildly. While some enjoyed the cell-shaded charm and ocean sailing of Wind Waker, many sought a more epic, gritty rendition of the famed fantasy series. Enter Twilight Princess – the culmination of classic 3D Zelda.
This game simultaneously ushered in a new era on Wii and made a worthy swan song for GameCube. With its satisfying combat, sleek visuals, and diverse gameplay elements, Twilight Princess remains one of the console’s most epic, memorable games.
GameCube and Wii fans alike would no-doubt yearn to relive this gem, allowing them to venture through Hyrule as Link and wander the Twilight Realm in wolf form.
1 Super Smash Bros. Melee
The Big N has since amped up this beloved series with the ever-expanding Smash Bros. Ultimate on Switch. But in the eyes of many fans, at least, the GameCube version of this party-fighter still reigns supreme.
Super Smash Bros. Melee’s balance of accessibility and depth gives it a sweet spot that’s still highly appealing, while its quick, super-sharp mechanics set the stage for tons of fun and excitement. Given the timeless nature of this classic, and its fairly steep price elsewhere, a GameCube Classic version of Melee would be a no-brainer.
NEXT: 10 GameCube Games That Were Held Back By The Hardware
