Every Year of The GameCube’s Run, Ranked

Once we look again on the GameCube’s operations 12 months after 12 months, it turns into clear that this was a extremely underrated system.

Anybody who has talked to me up to now is aware of that I really like Nintendo’s purple dice. Regardless of not making the perfect first impression as a result of console’s literal look and lack of a correct Tremendous Mario title at launch, many individuals ignored the GameCube earlier than giving it an opportunity.

Anybody who misses out on that chance is lacking out on an incredible sport that rivals the Xbox and PlayStation 2. Tremendous Smash Bros. Melee, Rogue Chief, Metroid Prime, and The Wind Waker. The primary few years of the GameCube had been all nice.

However had been these the perfect years in GameCube enterprise? Let’s dive in and discover out!

7

2007

Madden NFL 2008

A whopping 5 video games had been launched within the GameCube’s ultimate 12 months: Madden, Ratatouille, Surf’s Up, Meet the Robinsons, and TMNT.

With Nintendo shifting all of its focus to the Nintendo Wii, it would not be too shocking if this 12 months was all about sports activities sport and film tie-ins.

To be truthful, this 12 months’s Madden was truly fairly good. However different video games weren’t like that. It is not prefer it’s a licensed sport. There’s a whole lot of good things on the market (thanks Madagascar in 2005). Nonetheless, it was clear that Nintendo was prepared to shut the doorways on the GameCube.

Do not waste any extra time than vital in 2007 and transfer on to a greater 12 months.

6

2006

The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess, Chibi Robo, Harvest Moon Magical Melody

Once more, one factor may be very clear right here. That meant Nintendo was prepared to maneuver on to the Nintendo Wii.

Twilight Princess initially shipped as a launch title for the Nintendo Wii and ultimately made its technique to the GameCube by the tip of the 12 months. It was definitely properly well worth the wait. To be sincere, I am certain this could have been the popular technique to play the sport. My roommate and I on the time had a whole lot of discussions concerning the execs and cons of the Wii and GameCube variations, however in the long run, the novelty of the movement controls shortly wore off.

Moreover Twilight Princess, there have been some large releases for the simulation crowd in Harvest Moon: Magical Melody and Chibi-Robo. Nonetheless, it was nonetheless clear that the GameCube was not a precedence. 2006 was definitely a greater 12 months than 2007, nevertheless it was nonetheless one of many worst years for the console. However don’t fret. Higher instances are coming.

5

2005

Resident Evil 4, Fireplace Emblem: Trails of Shining, SSX on Tour, Killer7

Let’s have a fast historical past lesson. “Capcom 5” is a bunch of 5 video games launched by Capcom completely for the Nintendo GameCube within the early 2000s. 2005 noticed the discharge of two of his greatest works. It is Resident Evil 4 (and the cult basic Killer7 that catapulted Suda51 to stardom).

Paradoxically, Resident Evil 4 and Killer 7 had been each ported to different consoles, however I digress. They’re nonetheless nice video games.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t simply the 2005 Capcom present. Fireplace Emblem: Trails of Radiance is among the greatest Fireplace Emblem video games ever made, and SSX On Tour combines the fashion of SSX, numerous metallic, and even the look of Mario, Luigi, and Peach as playable characters.

Sports activities video games additionally did properly this 12 months. NBA Avenue V3 (additionally that includes Mario and pals), MVP Baseball 2005, Struggle Evening Spherical 2, and extra.

4

2001

Tremendous Smash Bros. Melee, Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3, Star Wars Rogue Squadrons: Rogue Chief, Pikmin, Tremendous Monkey Ball

The GameCube’s launch window was truly fairly good, despite the fact that there have been no Tremendous Mario video games.

Luigi’s Mansion is a sport that might have been higher obtained if it wasn’t meant to switch conventional Mario video games. It is enjoyable, nevertheless it does not make or kind a system vendor in any method.

Fortunately, there are many different launch window video games to maintain us busy till Tremendous Mario Sunshine and Metroid Prime arrived in 2002. Pikmin was an incredible console RTS, nevertheless it was the right weekend sport, albeit a bit missing. Rogue Chief is the perfect of the Rogue Squadron trilogy, and I implore Nintendo to carry this sport to Swap On-line.

After which there are the video games that hold us hooked, not only for months, however for years to come back. Tremendous Smash Bros. Melee is the perfect within the collection, Tremendous Monkey Ball is extremely addictive, and Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater 3 continues firmly within the legacy of its predecessor.

3

2002

Metroid Prime, Everlasting Darkness, Tremendous Mario Sunshine, Animal Crossing

I really like the GameCube, however one factor that turns into clearer annually is the shortage of depth. For all the good video games launched on the Nintendo 64, third-party builders had been beginning to transfer elsewhere.

Granted, that appears counterintuitive to what I stated about Capcom 5, however hold that in thoughts. The most effective video games from that group (Resident Evil 4, Stunning Joe, Killer 7) have all been launched on different platforms.

What does this need to do with the GameCube period of 2002? That is one other case of lack of depth. Metroid Prime is the perfect sport of all time, and Everlasting Darkness is the perfect sport I’ve by no means performed on this console era. There are various different robust hits apart from the highest two. Tremendous Mario Sunshine ages like wine, Timesplitters 2 is a good FPS and non secular successor to GoldenEye: Excellent Darkish, and it is the debut entry within the Animal Crossing franchise.

However past that, there is a strong group of video games which might be good however not nice, and 2000 falls in need of the GameCube’s greatest period.

2

2003

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soul Calibur II, Stunning Joe, F-Zero GX, Mario Kart Double Sprint

Now comes the tough a part of GameCube’s annual rankings, 2004 and 2003.

Each years have precisely what you need: blockbusters, depth, first- and third-party video games, and quite a lot of genres.

The Wind Waker will win over skeptics, Stunning Joe is among the greatest side-scrolling beat-em-ups you’ll be able to play, and those that have jumped into Nintendo Swap On-line know all too properly how good Soul Calibur II and F-Zero GX are. This was additionally the 12 months Mario Kart for the GameCube was launched.

2003 has the particular bonus of that includes one other nice sports activities sport in SSX 3 and Tony Hawk’s Underground, in addition to a Madden sport which is definitely fairly good.

However there’s one factor lacking right here. It is an RPG. It is a style that was lacking all through the GameCube’s total lifespan. That is why I’ve this sport since 2004. These sports activities video games might be performed elsewhere, however what about RPGs? They needed to be performed on the GameCube.

1

2004

Metroid Prime 2 Echoes, Pikmin 2, Tales of Symphonia, Paper Mario Thousand Yr Door

That is all. That is the perfect 12 months for the GameCube.

You possibly can simply level to Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Pikmin 2, and Paper Mario: Thousand Years’ Door as excessive factors, and you would be proper. However for me, it is all about RPGs.

Baten Kaitos is not for everybody (it is a turn-based card JRPG with horrible voice performing), nevertheless it’s nonetheless a great time. However Tales of Symphonia stays certainly one of my all-time favourite video games. I did a week-long marathon with this sport over the summer time and mainly simply did not keep it up. I had a satisfying week.

I am additionally not ashamed to confess that I spent over 100 hours on Ultimate Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. No, it wasn’t good, and utilizing the Sport Boy Advance connection was fairly a ache, nevertheless it was good old style co-op enjoyable with pals.

If solely the GameCube might sustain the momentum it had in 2003 and 2004.