List: Best 30 Gamecube Games (What do you want on yr shelf)

[Sarge]

I need to dig through my collection to nail down what I think should be on the list.

Everyone knows, though, that Zelda is fantastic, both of them. (Yes, I know Four Swords Adventures is out there, but I'm passing over it.) Also, Star Fox Adventures is a secret-great Zelda. And although it's multiplatform, Beyond Good & Evil is fantastic on the 'cube. Also, while I'm thinking of Ubisoft, Sands of Time came out about the same time and was also excellent, but also multiplatform plus a remade trilogy version on PS3.

The best RPGs on the system are Tales of Symphonia, Skies of Arcadia, Baten Kaitos, and Paper Mario: TTYD. They're almost the only ones, actually. That's a pretty good success rate, though! (Baten Kaitos Origins is good, too, but I never beat it.)

I really enjoyed Eternal Darkness. RE4 has better versions elsewhere, but this is the one that drew all those initial rave reviews. Viewtiful Joe was hard as all get-outs, but excellent.

We all know the Metroid Prime games deserve a nod. They're freakin' awesome. Yes, even Echoes.

Given the popularity of Melee with the hardcore crowd, it probably deserves a spot.

[alienjesus]

Chibi-Robo!! is one of my top 5 favourite games of all time and should be on this list.

[mjmjr25]

Kururin Squash is an excellent game. A combination of Irritating Maze and Star Trigon; but I don't think many people are into JP GCN games they way the are into JP SAT / DC / PS2, etc and I would be genuinely curious as to how many folks would have it on their shelf.

I'm going to start plugging the list now, at least the first 15...

[laurenhiya21]

+1 Magical Melody (I don't like it as much as Another Wonderful Life, but I still think it's pretty good and pretty different from a lot of the other Harvest Moon games)
+1 Double Dash (forgot about this since I don't own a copy :/)

Kururin Squash! - A fairly unique and fun puzzle game that is exclusive to the Gamecube.

This looks so fun... Wish I could play it without having to mess with region locking though :l

[retrosportsgamer]

I'm good with it being on this list, but was curious - is Super Monkey Ball Deluxe on the PS2 the definitive version of both games?

[Luke]

Ribbit King

More than likely the most bizarre, fun, and self aware game I've ever played.

[fastbilly1]

Going for Cube exclusives only makes this tricky, but heres a shot for 20 in no particular order:
1. Zelda Four Swords Adventure - When played by yourself this is a silly title. But when played with two or four players this is a brilliant example of how good local coop can be. It has a b movie story line, simplified puzzles, and some of the same issues that plagued Twlight Princess. But it more than makes up for it with gigantic boss fights and a vs multiplayer that is as good as any Bomberman. The technical hurdles are not nearly as bad as they use to be, with the cost of the hardware mostly coming from the link cables or gameboy players.

2. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles - Like Four Swords, there are technical hurdles that will invalidate this title to most people. However this is the best coop ARPG on the generation. Despite my love of the Gauntlet, FFCC trumps it in every aspect - gripping story, teamwork is necessary, and a stupid pot that if you walk outside of its ring you die!

3. Fzero GX - Obvious

4. Cubivore - A perfect example of give someone a mile. Originally slated for release on the N64DD, cubivore is a bizarre mix of genres that is inheritly Gamecube. Its a combat based collectithon dating simulator with RPG elements and a punishing difficulty curve. It is not the best game ever made by any stretch, but it is a bizarre title that is very intriging. I view it like a Dali painting. You are not quite sure what is going on, but man is it neat.

5. Batallion Wars - Nintendo Wars given to the players as a 3rd person shooter with RTS/RTT. Command the troops, be the troops, and show those Xylvanian's whos boss. It is a solid and underated title with a horrid sequel on the Wii.

6. Eternal Darkness - Obvious

7. Go Go Hypergrind – Take the ever popular Tony Hawk engine, make a knock off of it based on rollerblades, and give it an art style done by the same company that brought us Ren and Stimpy (Spumco) and you have Go Go Hypergrind.

8. GT Cube – The best arcade styled sim racer on the console. It is the fifth of in the GT series (the first was a Japanese only Gameboy Pocket release and the next three were GBA only titles) and was redesigned on the Wii where they added motion controls. But the Cube title is slicked down racing. You have a plethora of real car choices, aswell as upgrades.

9. Luigis Mansion - Obvious

10. Mario Golf - Toadstool Tour – Still the best Mario Golf. Great selection of maps, good group of characters, and still Camelot developed. The GBA link is just icing.

11. Mario Kart Double Dash - First console title of the series to support more than 4 player races, and is a perfect 8 player game on two tvs. While the mechanics have been trumped by Mario Kart 8, double Dash still gives us the best battlemode.

12. PN03 – Rhythm shooter with a killer soundtrack that does not overstay its welcome.

13. Pacman Vs – 4 player title where one player is the Pacman, and three are ghosts. An excellent party game no matter how you shake it. I still wish it had

14. Odama – Pinball and voice controlled RTS. The only game of its kind that I know of.

15. Paper Mario - Obvious

16. Star Fox Assault – I felt it was a great followup to Starfox 64. It gave you more of the same, with an excellent multiplayer.

17. Rogue Leader - Obvious

18. Mario Sunshine - Obvious

19. Smash Bros Melee - Obvious

20. Donkey Konga Series – Excellent Nintendo made rhythm game series. Playable with a standard controller, but best with four sets of bongos and a ratchet strap.

Imports
1. Kurinrin Squash – spin your helicopter through the map. Excellent GBA launch title made into a dynamite Cube exclusive party game. It is a hoot in 4 player.
2. Nintendo Puzzle Collection – 4 player Dr Mario, Yoshi Cookie, and Panel De Pon/Tetris Attack. 4 player Tetris Attack is money.

Now if you are just looking for games on the console, this all changes.

[prfsnl_gmr]

I'm good with it being on this list, but was curious - is Super Monkey Ball Deluxe on the PS2 the definitive version of both games?

No. The perfectly-tuned analog controls - which are critical to enjoying a SMB game - did not translate well to the PS2. Accordingly, the original SMB games remain the best.

.....

Here are my picks for the list:

Donkey Konga - A fun music game that can only be played with the Gamecube's bongo controller.

Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles - This interesting FF offshoot can only be played properly using the Gamecube's unique hardware.

F-Zero GX - An exceptionally difficult racing game that still looks great.

Killer 7 - This unique game has its flaws, but it is certainly unique. Moreover, the Gamecube version of this game is the best version.

Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventure - Like FF:CC, this fun game can only be played properly using the Gamecube's unique hardware.

Luigi's Mansion - A charming adventure that remains a Gamecube exclusive.

Mario Kart: Double Dash - I have not yet played Mario Kart 8, but until I do, this game remains my favorite kart racer on any system.

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes - This is the best version of the best game in the MGS series.

Metroid Prime - Despite a slightly-enhanced Wii port, this exceptional game still plays best on the Gamecube. Moreover, the Gamecube contains some immersive graphical flourishes that had to be eliminated from the Wii version.

NBA Street V3 - Since you can play as Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach, the GC version is the best version of the best game in the NBA Street series.

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door - This game still looks great, and despite some late-game fetch quests, it is arguably the best game in the Paper Mario Series.

Phantasy Star Online Eps. I & II - The fact that you can still play it offline - combined with local multiplayer - push the Gamecube port above the Xbox port of this tremendously influential game.

Skies of Arcadia Legends - An enhanced version of one of the greatest JRPGs remains, to my knowledge, a Gamecube exclusive.

Sonic Gems Collection - This collection was exclusive to the Gamecube in North America. It is a great way to play Sonic CD, and it also includes some of Sonic's more obscure adventures.

Soul Calibur II - The best version of the best game in the Soul Calibur series is on the GC. Link is a solid, balanced addition to the roster, and the GC's "distinctive" controller works remarkably well in this 3D fighter.

Star Wars Rogue Leader: Rebel Strike II - This excellent Star Wars game remains exclusive to the GC; it is better than its sequel; and it is arguably Factor 5's masterpiece.

SSX On Tour - This is arguably the best version of the best SSX game, and it features the option to snowboard as Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach.

Super Mario Sunshine - A solid 3D platformer that plays like a refined version of Super Mario 64.

Super Monkey Ball - The GC original remains the best game in the SMB series.

Super Smach Bros. Melee - This is the only Smash Bros. game I have ever really enjoyed, and it remains a fighting-game tournament staple.

Viewtiful Joe - Although this game was ported to the PS2, the GC version is better. It is also a lot of fun. (The sequel is also very good, but it did not feel as "fresh" as the original.)

.....

The problem with selecting a list of definitive GC games is that the overwhelming majority of multi-platform games were better on the Xbox. Moreover, many of the best games that were exclusive to the system at release, such as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Pikmin, Resident Evil, Resident Evil 4, etc., received upgraded ports on other systems (such as the Wii and WiiU). Accordingly - and IMO - this list should focus on games that: (1) remain exclusive to the GC; or (2) that have not received a superior port to any other system.

Finally, I have not played every Gamecube game, and I am certain that there are some I have not played - such as Cubivore, Lost Kingdoms, Pac Man Vs., Swingerz Golf (?), etc. - that probably belong somewhere on the list.

[foxhound1022]

+1 Battalion Wars - Great game with the ability to switch between RTS and 3rd person shooter.

+1 MGS: The Twin Snakes - To me, this is the definitive version of the 1st MGS.
Updated visuals, control enhancements, and added content.

[Blu]

Question, outside of the little sleeve version, is the only way to get Pac-Man Vs. with the Player's Choice - PacMan 2 PacMan vs. Bundle? DEALBREAKER!