Number 10 - Pikmin 2
I fell in love with the original Pikmin, a franchise that was birthed on the GameCube. We were all excited to see this brand-new idea from Shigeru Miyamoto, the mastermind behind so many of Nintendo's beloved franchises. We were all a bit nervous when we heard that the original game was inspired by Miyamoto's gardening habits, but those fears melted away once we got to jump into Olimar's world.
While the original was a fantastic outing, it was the sequel that really got things right. One of the greatest things Pikmin had going for it was the fun of exploring a new world. Too bad there was a timer to count down your fun-time. Thankfully, the sequel did away with the timer, which completely opened up the exploration elements from the first game. You could enjoy the music, build your Pikmin army, and wander the landscape at your own pace. This all came together into one of the most serene experiences the Cube had to offer.
Number 9 - Mario Kart: Double Dash
As I was saying above, Nintendo was trying some different things with their franchises. Mario Kart 64 was wildly successful, and Nintendo decided to build upon that idea for their next console outing. This time around we were going to have not one, but two characters in each kart. This gameplay mechanic lent itself to an even crazier feeling while driving. Holding items, switching drivers, and picking the best paired-up kart made for quite the unique kart experience.
Truth be told, I wasn't too happy with Mario Kart: Double Dash at first. I remember the first wave of reviews that were less than stellar. Still, I decided to give the game a shot. I went from being slightly let down to becoming absolutely addicted. Once you accepted what the game was doing, you could really get into the whole vibe. To this very day, we have a few staffers that call Double Dash the finest entry, as far as console Mario Kart titles are concerned.
Number 8 - F-Zero GX
This is my favorite F-Zero game, hands down. In my opinion, there has never been another entry in the series that really captured the speed that F-Zero was always supposed to be about. I remember sitting down for my first play to be blown away by the title. Not only did the soundtrack kick and the graphics pop, but the gameplay was extremely satisfying. This was futuristic racing at its best.
The best part is, this game was a combination of work from Nintendo and SEGA! Who knew that the two could team up and make such a fantastic F-Zero experience. Too bad Miyamoto thought the game was a dud. As far as we know, SEGA will never work on the F-Zero franchise again. I consider that a real shame, because this outing is the king of F-Zero racing. I think I'll go pop in my copy right now...
Number 7 - Soul Calibur 2
I'm not really into fighting games, but I was at my local GameStop on day-one to pick up a copy of Soul Calibur 2. Why was I so excited to have this game? Well, Namco saw fit to add in Link as a playable character in the Cube version. I'll fully admit that my Nintendo whore attitude convinced me to pick up this game. While Link was definitely the icing on the cake, the game itself is still one of the greatest fighters of that generation.
While the Cube had trouble with third parties, gamers spoke loud and clear with Soul Calibur 2. Fans were definitely ready to play as Link in their favorite fighting franchise, as this version of Soul Calibur 2 turned out to be the best-selling entry. That says a lot in a time when the PS2 and Xbox were thrashing Nintendo. It just goes to show that the perfect pairing of characters can make an already outstanding franchise that much better.
Number 6 - Super Mario Sunshine
For the life of me, I cannot understand why people dislike Super Mario Sunshine so much. I can see where people are coming from with their distaste of F.L.U.D.D. as a talking character, but after you strip away that small portion of the game, I think the rest is absolutely terrific. Using F.L.U.D.D. to soar to new platforming heights in a tropical-setting Mario title was like a vacation dream come true.
Playing Super Mario Sunshine actually makes me feel liek I'm going on vacation. The bright colors, warm setting and lovely locations have me ready to pop on my swim trunks and head to the beach. While the main levels were all a blast to play, it was the challenge rooms that really took things to another level. I think this is the real reason people were upset with Super Mario Sunshine. The challenge levels were sans-F.L.U.D.D., and they were arguably some of the most challenging and unique ideas in any Mario game!
5.) Resident Evil
There are quite a few remakes out there, but few can top Resident Evil for the GameCube. Capcom took the ugly looking PSOne original and gave it a gorgeous facelift, redesigning the entire mansion, the characters and all of the zombies, oversized spiders and hunters. Then the developers added new content, including the horrifying Lisa Trevor, and ditched the cheesy full motion videos for computer generated cut scenes. To add icing on this digital cake, they scored another soundtrack. The result is a game that we still think about playing, and would love to enjoy on the Wii (it's available for $29.99).
4.) Super Smash Bros. Melee
After wowing audiences with the first Super Smash Bros. on GameCube, we waited to see what Nintendo would do for a sequel. The publisher answered with Super Smash Bros. Melee, a furious and intense mascot brawler with prettier graphics and most importantly, 14 new characters. In addition to playing as Mario, Samus and Link, players battled with Bowser, Falco, the Ice Climbers and Ganondorf, among others. Throw four players into the mix, and you had a thoroughly entertaining party game that quickly became the system's highest seller.
3.) Metroid Prime
When Nintendo unveiled Metroid Prime as a 3-D first person adventure, we (and most of the gaming world) thought the company had lost its mind. Metroid had always been a 2-D series, and unproven developer Retro Studios seemed like a bad fit. That all changed the moment we got our hands on it. Metroid Prime, much like Super Mario 64, was a revelation, a remarkable adventure that felt like classic Metroid, despite the new perspective. Watching mist appear on Samus' visor, using the morph ball in 3-D and defeating intensely difficult bosses are but three of the many highlights of this superb offering, the first in the critically acclaimed Prime trilogy.
2.) Resident Evil 4
Despite achieving tremendous success with its Resident Evil series, Capcom was at a crossroads. The previous entries, Resident Evil 0 and Resident Evil: Code Veronica, used recycled and old concepts from previous games, and consumers were tired of the same old (and awkward) controls. It was clear that in order to keep the franchise, and its zombies, moving, Capcom needed to do something drastic.
Enter Resident Evil 4, without question one of the greatest video games of all time. Capcom went with an over-the-shoulder perspective and set the game in a brand new environment. In fact, the developers ditched those trademark zombies for infected villagers with pitchforks and chainsaws. The boss fights were more impressive (Bitores Mendez comes to mind), the controls were improved and the graphics looked amazing. We don't care which system (GameCube, PS2, Wii) you play it on. Just make sure that you play it.
1.) The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Much like Metroid Prime, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker drew plenty of criticism before its release, predominantly because of its unique art style. Instead of making it look like the beloved N64 classic, Ocarina of Time, Nintendo took things in a new direction with cell shaded environments and characters, essentially transforming the game into a cartoon. That didn't bode well with some of the fan boys, who refused to accept the new "kiddie" Link.
We hope they got over that, because The Wind Waker defined the GameCube. We were hooked the moment we first explored Link's home, rolling through the grass and learning the fighting mechanics. Then we stepped onto that boat, and Nintendo changed adventure games as we knew them. We loved sailing the high seas in search of treasure, then visiting different islands and meeting new characters (even Tingle). Actually, we spent more time wandering around than we did in the dungeons. Rest assured, however, that those dungeons were just as amazing as the ones from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. They just looked infinitely superior, thanks to smooth animation and timeless visuals.
http://www.gamedaily.com/games/resident-evil-4/gamecube/game-features/top-ten-gamecube-games/
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I like this list.....Zelda:WW deserves to win most definetely, it was so awesome!
