The Nintendo GameCube is home to some of the most iconic video games of all time, particularly from Nintendo's historical library. There were unique takes on the Mario franchise with Luigi's Mansion and Super Mario Sunshine, as well as memorable titles like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Metroid Prime, and Pokemon Colosseum.

However, there were plenty of video games, both first-party and third-party, that didn't receive as much love as they deserved at the time. This lack of appreciation extended to the game's characters, many of whom - such as the ones on this list - have been branded as underrated, as they had all the potential to become household names but fell considerably short and were thus forgotten by many gamers.

1 Tak

This Hero Has Been Dormant For Over A Decade

It really seemed like Tak from Tak and the Power of Juju had the potential to be an ongoing presence in the video game world. The 3D platformer resembles the likes of Banjo-Kazooie and Sly Cooper, centering on the young tribe boy Tak on a mission to save the prophesied hero of the Pupanunu people from an untimely transformation into a sheep.

Although Tak and the Power of Juju received numerous sequels on platforms like GameCube, Nintendo Wii, and PlayStation 2, as well as a Nickelodeon animated series, the character has long since been abandoned and likely won't return thanks to THQ filing for bankruptcy. It's sad, considering Tak deserved a long legacy on Nintendo consoles.

2 Chibi-Robo

Nintendo's Household Robot Never Caught On

Chibi-Robo has a curious place in Nintendo's history of first-party games, considering it was originally released for the GameCube in 2005, a year before the debut of the Wii. The game, which stars the titular miniature robot covertly assisting in the daily lives of a family, launched a franchise that never seemed to catch on outside of hardcore Nintendo fanboys.

Chibi-Robo's most recent appearance was in Chibi-Robo: Zip Lash! for the Nintendo 3DS, which received mixed reviews and, based on its lackluster sales, ultimately canned the series altogether. It's a mystery why video game audiences didn't latch on to the wholesome fun of a robot heroically protecting an average family from everyday obstacles.

3 Viewtiful Joe

Capcom Abandoned This Stereotypical Hero

Developed by Capcom, Viewtiful Joe came out on the GameCube in 2003, featuring a movie fanatic named Joe whose girlfriend is kidnapped, forcing him to become the crime-fighting titular superhero and adventure through a 2D sidescrolling adventure in Movieland.

Although Viewtiful Joe was critically acclaimed, its sales were disappointing. After further sequels, an anime adaptation, and a Marvel vs. Capcom appearance failed to turn the character into a video game icon, the series was abandoned.