Best GameCube Game Other Than Super Smash Bros., Zelda, or Metroid

[Louie]

Good question! The Gamecube generation really was the first gen when games felt modern and generally could compete with today’s titles.

A few games come to mind:

- Resident Evil Remake
- Resident Evil 4
- Pikmin 1 (+ maybe 2)
- Sonic Adventure 2 Battle
- Super Mario Sunshine

What these games have in common is their gameplay, which still feels modern, and their replay value. Also, their atmosphere! I think atmosphere is a very important gameplay aspect that is often overlooked: How does a game make you feel while playing it? For example, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom may share an overworld map but the atmosphere in BotW is way better than in TotK because the latter gives you so many, often silly, means of traversal while BotW is a lot slower and thus lets you explore the map and soak in the environment.

As for the games mentioned:

RE Remake is a game I can’t get enough of and that beats out most modern Resident Evil games for me. The setting is amazing, I love the atmosphere and music. Just beat it again a few months ago on Xbox Series S.

Resident Evil 4 is still better than RE4 Remake in my opinion. The remake is great but the gameplay in RE4 (especially on the Wii!) is so arcadey and fast.

Pikmin is just infinitely replayable for me, as well. Every other year or so I beat it. It’s fun to collect ship parts in a different order and beat your own high score. It’s also fun to watch for my wife who loves the series. And its atmosphere is very serene at times.

Sonic Adventure 2 Battle is peak Sega, quick to learn but hard to master. And the Chao Garden is very addictive.

Super Mario Sunshine is often criticized, but I love Isle Delfino. Every other year or so I feel the urge to go back to Sunshine. It’s like a virtual vacation. I know about its flaws but I’d rather chill at the beach than walk Bob Omb Battlefield. And Mario’s movement is the best of any 3D Mario in my opinion.