From CAGwiki

For now, the Gamecube Wikipedia entry should provide adequate and comprehensive background information on Nintendo's 4th home console. This page will serve as a guide to the most significant Gamecube games and offer suggestions to which are of most interest.

Contents 1 Gamecube Games - Best of 1.1 The Best Exclusive Games 1.2 Great Exclusive Games 1.3 Good Exclusive Games 1.4 Niche Exclusive Games 1.5 Great Multiplatform Games 1.6 Good Multiplatform Games 1.7 Niche Multiplatform Games 1.8 Notable games to stay away from

Gamecube Games - Best of

The games listed here are presented in groups that would be relevant to a new Gamecube/Wii owner, and the categories are generally ordered from highest quality/most exclusive to lowest quality/least exclusive. "Exclusive" in this case refers to titles that either didn't appear on the XBox/PS2 or were heavily modified when they appeared on other consoles. Order within each category is aphabetical.

Note: A game's placement in this listing is based on a wide variety of factors ranging from general forum opinion to ratings by game review websites. That said, it is still purely opinion, and suggestions/corrections can be posted here.

The Best Exclusive Games

^{(Classic - critically and fan acclaimed, exclusive to Gamecube)}

• Animal Crossing - Fish, decorate your home, collect insects, talk to your oddball neighbors, and try to get out from debt in this zany life simulator. Words can't describe what makes it fun, but it most certainly is. Additional content (ranging from new decorative items to a variety of playable NES games) can be unlocked through eReader cards and Action Replay codes.
• Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess - Represents the Gamecube's swan song. While the Wii version has new motion-sensitive controls and widescreen "enhanced" resolution, the Gamecube offers perks of its own, including manual control of the in-game camera using the c-stick, traditional controls using the Gamecube controller, and Link as he should be: left-handed!
• Mario Power Tennis - The rare game that's easy enough that anyone can pick it up and play it well, but deep enough to keep you coming back again and again in an effort to master it. A great tennis simulation on par with Virtua Tennis and Table Tennis, despite its cartoon exterior.
• Metroid Prime I (and II) - The first Metroid Prime brought the classic 2D side-scroller into the third dimension while retaining most of the trademarks that made the series inherently Metroid. While it appears to be a first-person shooter on the surface, the well-designed control scheme means that puzzle-solving is as much in the spotlight as the shooting action is. Try part I first, and if you like it, feel free to dive into part II.
• Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door - Smartly written, hilarious dialogue coupled with fun gameplay and just enough challenge. A must-have for RPG fans.
• Resident Evil 4 (and 1) - Capcom surprised everyone with this reinvention of the Resident Evil series. It broke with some of the RE tradition, but only in ways that allowed the series to grow. By fixing what was broken with the RE series and leaving alone the great parts, Capcom was able to make what many consider to be the best game of 2005. Resident Evil 4 isn't strictly a Gamecube exclusive (the PS2 version game out later, featured less-impressive graphics, additional content, and true widescreen), but you can't go wrong by picking up this version. Resident Evil 1 (also known as REmake) serves as a great companion piece to RE4, as it matches RE4 in terms of impressive graphics but features the traditional gameplay that the Resident Evil series grew up on. The Gamecube versions of RE2, RE3, and Code Veronica X don't feature graphic updates. RE0 is an all-new game using the REmake engine, though it can't be recommended as highly as REmake.
• Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II (and III) - A title that both showed off the impressive power of the Gamecube at launch and continues to endear as one of the best games on the system, Rogue Squadron II allows you to fly the very best vehicles the Star Wars universe has to offer. Part III introduced ill-received "on-foot" missions, but is notable in that it allows you to play through the entirety of part II in an included co-op mode (however, single player mode isn't included, so you'll still have to get part II if you want to play it by yourself).
• Super Smash Brothers: Melee - The best free-for-all fighting game on the system, and one of the best party games ever.

Great Exclusive Games

^{(Almost classic - critically or fan acclaimed, exclusive to Gamecube)}

• Donkey Konga 1 (and Jungle Beat) - Great rhythm game that requires the (usually included) drum-like Bongo controller. Both DK1 and Jungle Beat are good games, though DK1 is multiplayer while Jungle Beat is not. Donkey Konga 2 was not as well-received by fans, as the music selection is generally considered inferior to that of part 1.
• F-Zero GX
- A great evolution of the F-Zero franchise. It has an incredible sense of speed, but is a little too challenging at times.
• Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance - Great strategy RPG in the spirit of Final Fantasy Tactics and the Ogre Battle series.
• Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker - Nintendo controversially re-imagined Link using cel-shading in Windwaker, much to the chagrin of some Zelda veterans. It still has very good traditional gameplay and pretty (though non-traditional) graphics, and is still a very good game. One caveat: you'll be frustrated by the later sailing sequences, guaranteed.
• Legend of Zelda: Four Swords - A great group puzzle/adventure game. You can play it alone, but it's a lot more fun with several people. Unfortunately, multiplayer requires each player to have both a Gameboy Advance and Gameboy-to-Gamecube cable.
• Mario Kart: Double Dash - Some Mario Kart pros lament some of the changes and fine-tuning that Nintendo performed on this edition of their cart series. For the casual player, though, this game offers some great racing fun.
• Mario Party 4/5/6/7 - You certainly don't need all 4, but you should have at least one to fill in your party game needs. 6 and 7, coming later in the series, are generally better than 4 and 5.
• Mario Superstar Baseball - The Mario sports game that had to happen. Not quite perfect, but still very very good.
• Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes - A graphical update of the first Metal Gear Solid, with a few other modifications. If you haven't played MGS1 before, you should definitely pick this one up.
• Pikmin 1 or 2 - Chances are you'll only like one or the other, not both. Pikmin 1 features a time limit and shorter overall gameplay, while the sequel removes the time limit and is a little longer.
• Super Mario Strikers - It originally seemed like yet another milking of the Mario franchise, but turned out to be a very good soccer game. If you like fútbol, this is for you.
• Super Mario Sunshine - While not a Mario classic, it still features a lot of the great gameplay that made Mario 64 epic and has solid, colorful graphics.
• Tales of Symphonia - Excellent RPG from the Tales series. While it's pretty much a standard RPG, the art style is endearing and the combat system is competently handled.

Good Exclusive Games

^{(Best of the rest - fan favorites, exclusive to Gamecube)}

• Baten Kaitos - Great-looking RPG with unforgiving, card-based gameplay.
• Battalion Wars - Real-time strategy in the spirit of Nintendo's Advance Wars series for the Gameboy Advance and DS.
• Beach Spikers - Basically a simplified version of Virtua Tennis. Good graphics and solid gameplay - if you even remotely like volleyball, you'll like this.
• Chibi-Robo - Ever wanted to be a tiny robot housekeeper? Now's your chance! Much more fun than it sounds.
• Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles - A great group game for RPG fans, though surmounting the additional hardware requirements (a Gameboy Advance and a Gameboy-to-Gamecube connector per player) makes it difficult to recommend universally. It's possible to play it alone, though it's not nearly as much fun.
• Geist - A first person "ghost" simulator. The hyped killer feature was the ability to "possess" and control people, animals, and objects, though the execution fell short. Still pretty good.
• Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition - A great way to experience four Zelda classics (Legend of Zelda I, II, Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask), though eBay prices for this collection may make garage sales and the Virtual Console cheaper options for picking up the four included games. Majora's Mask is playable, though as a result of poor emulation it has quite a few audio and graphic glitches.
• Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time/Master Quest - This disc includes the same version of Ocarina of Time included on the Collector's Edition as well as a "Master Quest" version that has different and more complex dungeons.
• Luigi's Mansion - A very solid launch title, though a little short. The graphics are colorful and the concept is fairly amusing.
• Mario Dance Dance Revolution - A little too easy for those with lots of DDR experience, but still a very good game for what it is.
• Pac-man Vs. (w/ Pac-man World 2) - Pac-man Vs. was originally a bonus disc available with certain games, though it's now widely available as a Player's Choice double-pack with Pac-Man World 2. It's a fun party-style twist on the classic Pac-man game, with one player controlling Pac-man via a Gamecube-connected Gameboy Advance while 1-3 other players control individual ghosts in a limited-view 3D rendering of the same maze.
• Skies of Arcadia Legends - A port of the great Dreamcast RPG. Frequent random battles mar an otherwise solid game.
• Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut - A decent port of the Dreamcast Sonic Adventure with a few minor tweaks. Some prefer the original to this newer version, but the Gamecube version isn't bad. All but the Sonic diehard should pass on Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, though.
• Sonic Gems Collection - Though released for PS2/XBox in other regions, Sonic Gems remains Gamecube-exclusive in the US. The standout in the collection is the classic Sonic CD, though it also includes six Sonic-related Game Gear games, Sonic the Fighters (Arcade) and Sonic R (PC/Saturn), and unlockable versions of Vectorman 1 and 2. The six Game Gear games included here do not overlap with the six included in Plus edition of Sonic Mega Collection released on the XBox and PS2.
• Starfox Adventures (and Starfox: Assault) - While there are detractors for both Gamecube Starfox games, they both have their merits. Much of Adventures takes place on-foot, leaving some fans wanting more space combat like previous titles in the series. Assault improved the quality and quantity of space combat, but fell short on the on-foot portions.
• Wave Race: Blue Storm - Challenging water racing game that rewards the patient and dilligent. Detailed graphics and good ambient sound make this a fun racing experience.

Niche Exclusive Games

^{(Off the beaten path, exclusive to Gamecube)}

• Chaos Field - Decent shooter for the Gamecube (also released on the Dreamcast). Not as good as Ikaruga (discussed below).
• Cubivore - Quirky "food chain RPG." Must be played to be understood.
• Eternal Darkness - Horror game which pushes the limits of player interactivity.
• Ikaruga - Port of the Dreamcast shump/shooter, and arguably the greatest vertical shooter of all time. As of this writing, eBay prices for Ikaruga were pretty high, but you should still pick it up if you can find it for a reasonable price.
• Lost Kingdoms I (and II) - Decent card-based action RPG, though not very impressive graphically. The second is generally more impressive than the first.

Great Multiplatform Games

^{(Excellent games that also appeared on the XBox or PS2)}

• Def Jam: Fight for NY (and Vendetta) - Hip-hop inspired wrestling. A very good choice for fans of wrestling, fighting, or hip-hop in general. The Gamecube version lands slightly behind the PS2 and XBox version in terms of graphics, though the experience is otherwise identical.
• Freedom Fighters - Probably the best squad-based action game on the Gamecube. The graphics are close to the PS2 version and aren't quite on par with the XBox version, thought the gameplay is the same across all three consoles.
• Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life (and Another Wonderful Life) - A farming life-simulation that is much more fun and addicting than it sounds. Another Wonderful Life, the sequel, features identical gameplay but from a girl's point of view, and the PS2 version combines the two into one game.
• Lego Star Wars I (and II) - The combination of two geek favorites. Part I is based on the recent Star Wars prequel trilogy, while part II has slightly better graphics and is based on the fan-favorite original trilogy. Both games look and play similarly across the Gamecube, PS2, and XBox (with the new-gen 360 version of part II looking slightly better than all three).
• Mega Man Anniversary Collection - Features perfectly emulated versions of the first eight Mega Man games including a few welcome tweaks. The Gamecube version has "fire" mapped to the A button, much to the chagrin of some fans. The PS2 version includes a full episode of the Mega Man animated series, while the Gamecube version instead has interesting producer interviews. The XBox version trumps them all by including both. All feature identical graphics.
• Mega Man X Collection - Although not as great as the Anniversary Collection, this compilation still features spot-on emulations of Mega Man X through X6. The disc also includes a mediocre unlockable racing game and some unlockable artwork. The PS2 version is identical, and there was no XBox version made.
• Metal Arms - A very good first-person shooter whose childish exterior belies deep, exciting, and challenging gameplay. Better framerate than the PS2 version but worse than the XBox version.
• Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, Warrior Within, and Two Thrones) - Three very good action adventure games in the spirit of the Tomb Raider series. Warrior Within wasn't as well-received as the others were with critics and fans due to the odd "dark" tone that it took, though it is still a very good game. The Gamecube versions are generally the same or better than the PS2 versions graphically, while they are slightly worse than the XBox versions. If you have a Wii, then you might be best served waiting for its version of Two Thrones, due sometime in 2007.
• Soul Calibur II - An excellent 3D fighting game with Link as a Gamecube-exclusive character, and widely considered to be the best 'traditional' fighter on the Gamecube. The Gamecube version trails the XBox version only slightly in terms of graphics.
• Splinter Cell 1 - Excellent covert ops game. Has worse graphics than the XBox version but retains most relevant gameplay and adds a few worthwhile features
• SSX 3 - The current pinnacle of the great SSX snowboarding series. Offers the same rush and thrills as the other two console versions.
• Super Monkey Ball 1 (and 2) - Though it's not as exclusive as it once was since similar games eventually came out on the XBox and PS2, it all started here. Both 1 and 2 include great fun in the form of rolling a clear plastic ball containing a monkey through obstacle courses and mazes, though the second is more puzzle-oriented than the first. Super Monkey Ball Deluxe on the PS2/XBox contains all content from both Gamecube editions.
• Tomb Raider: Legend -
• Viewtiful Joe 1 (and 2) - Cel-shaded side-scrolling action. The Gamecube version features better graphics than the PS2 version but lacks Devil May Cry's Dante as an unlockable character.
• X-Men Legends I (and II) - A very good action RPG with emphasis on action, and one of the few good X-Men games to come to consoles. The Gamecube version is a very close second to the XBox in terms of graphics and sound, while the PS2 brings up the rear. If you like the first, the second is more of the same (except you're teamed up with the bad guys).

Good Multiplatform Games

^{(Good games that also appeared on the XBox or PS2)}

• Mega Man X: Command Mission - Given the limited number of RPGs available on the Gamecube, Command Mission is given a little more consideration here than it might on other systems. While it's pretty short and easy, it might appeal to those looking for a respite from typical heavy RPG fare. The Gamecube version has better graphics and GBA-Gamecube connection features, while the PS2 version includes an unlockable demo of Mega Man X8.
• Midway Arcade Treasures 1, 2, and 3 - While the emulation isn't universally loved by critics, all three compilations offer decent renditions of arcade classics. Both of the first two feature a collection of more than 20 games spanning the length of Midway's history, and the third includes eight racing games from the Midway vault. All three are nearly identical across the three major consoles.
• Sonic Mega Collection - Includes a variety of Genesis Sonic games in addition to unlockable versions of Flicky and Ristar. The "Plus" version available on the PS2 and XBox includes The Ooze, Comix Zone, and six Sonic-related Game Gear games as well.

Niche Multiplatform Games

^{(Off the beaten path and also appeared on the XBox or PS2)}

• Alien Hominid - Side-scrolling mayhem that holds its own against the classic Metal Slug series.
• Beyond Good and Evil - An action-adventure game where your primary weapon is a camera. Praised for being both a unique game and a very good game, though the praise didn't turn into success in terms of sales.
• Killer 7 - Originally a Gamecube exclusive, this guided (re: "on rails") first-person shooter was eventually ported successfully to the PS2. While not for everyone (and definitely not for the young), it features a very unique art style married to a dark, violent and weird storyline.
• Red Faction II - One of the few good first-person shooters available for the Gamecube, though the PS2 version is generally superior.

Notable games to stay away from

• All-Star Baseball 2002, 2003, 2004 - A very mediocre baseball simulation. If you need a baseball fix, MVP '05 is probably your best bet on the Gamecube and is definitely better than any All-Star Baseball.
• Tom Clancy Series (Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six, Splinter Cell) - Tom Clancy games typically feature great tactical combat and interesting espionage, but not on the Gamecube. Almost uniformly, the Gamecube versions are poorly excecuted ports that feature poor graphics and gameplay reworking that often hacks up significant portions of the games. The only exception to this rule is the first Splinter Cell, as noted in its description above. While not perfect replacements, Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes and Freedom Fighters might provide some covert action that you'll otherwise miss with the Gamecube.