Top Nintendo GameCube Game Each Year Throughout Its Lifespan

Discover the standout titles that defined each year of the GameCube console's existence.
Top Nintendo GameCube Game Each Year Throughout Its Lifespan

Highlights

  • Super Smash Bros. Melee redefined fighting games with its engaging gameplay and iconic characters like Fire Emblem fighters.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker provided a delightful adventure with Toon Link, sailing across the seas in a charming and distinctive art style.
  • Mario Kart: Double Dash!! introduced an innovative co-op racing feature that brought a fresh twist to the beloved Mario Kart series.

Revisiting the era of the GameCube invokes nostalgia for many gamers, considering it as one of Nintendo's most remarkable consoles ever. This compact disc-based platform offered a plethora of outstanding multi-platform and exclusive games, featuring numerous timeless Nintendo classics.

While the Mario and Legend of Zelda franchises made significant appearances on this distinctive console, offering players more immersive journeys into enchanting realms of fantasy and adventure, the GameCube also catered to fans of horror with its selection of darker and more intense titles. With such a diverse and exceptional game library, pinpointing the best GameCube games is indeed a challenging task.

7 2001 - Super Smash Bros. Melee

A Game-Changing Crossover Fighter

The Super Smash series revolutionized the fighting game genre by seamlessly blending Nintendo's iconic characters with renowned gameplay mechanics from titles like Mortal Kombat and Tekken. In Melee, the second installment, players were captivated by the enhanced gaming experience and the introduction of characters from Fire Emblem. The game not only excelled in its fun and competitive multiplayer mode, accommodating up to 4 players in a quest for platform supremacy, but also offered an engaging single-player campaign, solidifying its status as a premier fighting game suitable for solo or group enjoyment.

6 2002 - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

An Enchanting Journey with a Cartoonish Twist

The Legend of Zelda franchise embraced diverse art styles, and the introduction of Toon Link in the captivating Wind Waker marked a whimsical turn in the series. Players embarked on a delightful and zany adventure with Link navigating the high seas, exploring various islands, conquering dungeons, and ultimately striving to rescue his sister from the clutches of the malevolent Ganon. Despite initial division over its unique art direction, the game has earned its place as a legendary title within the franchise, lauded for its splendid music, visually stunning aesthetics, and engaging gameplay enriched by the innovative Wind Waker instrument mechanic.

5 2003 - Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

Energetic Co-Op Racing Experience

The Mario universe ventured into diverse genres, with the immensely popular Mario Kart racing series leading the charge. The GameCube witnessed the arrival of the exhilarating Mario Kart: Double Dash, a beloved installment that injected fresh excitement into the franchise with its innovative gameplay mechanic.

Unlike traditional Mario Kart games where players race individually or against AI competitors across themed tracks, Double Dash introduced a novel concept of pairing characters, with one driving and the other managing items, allowing seamless character switching during races. This seemingly minor alteration significantly enhanced the gameplay dynamics, delighting Mario Kart enthusiasts with a refreshing experience.