Last week we featured Part 1 of the Top Ten Gamecube Games from a selective group of Vooks Community Members. This week we bring to you Part 2 which will shock, amaze and amuse you. Without further ado here are the Final 5 and for your chance to vote ...
The Gamecube included a library of over 200 games, varying from Survival Horror to Platformer. Our favourite blue box saw more hits than 20th Century Fox but it also suffered from a lack of 3rd Party Support which will hopefully be a thing of the past when the Wii launches later this year. We saw the end of an era with Rare and the beginning of a new age with Retro Studios, developers of the Metroid Prime series.
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Forum Member: Spirit (Sean Jones)
Game: The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
Controversy, controversy, controversy. Zelda fans were in an uproar over the new cel-shaded visual style, a giant leap from the Tech Demo shown during a Nintendo event. At the time this game was announced I couldnt have cared less for the world of Zelda and when the title launched in Australia I was more interested in Star Fox Adventures. (Bad choice I know). This was the game that ultimately drew me to the fantastic world of Zelda and in the end it all worked out swimmingly. The cel-shaded style was delicious eye candy; the story was deeper than the earlier Zelda titles and overall, despite some shortcomings like length and game difficulty the overall experience was quite fulfilling.
Forum Member: NX Monkey
Game: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Those who didnt waste their time bawling about the cel-shaded visuals witnessed yet another great instalment in the memorable Legend of Zelda series. Although a little easy, players were given the freedom to explore a vast ocean and all the islands in between however they wished. It has all the markings of what you love about Zelda with a little bit of cheesy humour served on the side. From start to finish the game really doesnt disappoint as you become enthralled in the world of our favourite hero with the green hood. If you need another reason, its Zelda.
Forum Member: ENKC
Game: Sega Soccer Slam
In a world full of FIFAs and Pro Evos, its good to see theres at least one title prepared to showcase the ugly side of the beautiful game. Its three-a-side soccer football with no rules and no bull. The characters are brilliantly designed and entirely over the top, the graphics are bold, bright and colourful, and the commentary is so silly its downright brilliant. This is sports gaming the way its meant to be.
Forum Member: Ninja Catfish
Game: Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem
This game chose the worst possible time to release, alongside the likes of Resident Evil and Super Mario Sunshine ED didn’t have much chance to make a name for itself. This is certainly a gem of a game though. It’s not very often that a game manages to successfully screw around with my mind. Not many games have given me enough to scare me from playing it, one particular scene got me once and I just had to turn it off and play something else. It’s that freaky. In a good way of course.
Forum Member: Takora (Andrew Proudley)
Game: F-Zero GX
A high speed racer, F-Zero GX didn’t leave me disappointed. With over 40 racers to choose from, a story mode following Captain Falcon, and the ability to customise character’s vehicles and even make some of your own made this one of the GC’s greats. The game got quite hard on higher difficulties, but the fun still remained. The GC’s best racing game in my opinion.
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Forum Member: Spirit (Sean Jones)
Game: Super Smash Bros Melee
Fortunately this article is for Gamecube games. If it had included 64 titles as well then sadly this game would have been pushed aside from the original of which I have many fond memories. While Melee excelled from the original with new characters, longer single player and a faster pace it never quite made that lasting impression on me that the 64 version did. Putting that aside, coming back to this title I have found a place in my heart for it and lavish at the opportunity to battle with mates as the unbeatable Fox McCloud.
Forum Member: NX Monkey
Game: Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
What first looked like just another Mario milker, the Paper Mario series has captured the hearts of many gamers, with its charisma and charm and the Gamecube version is no different. With an involving battle system and a bucket load of classic, witty Nintendo style humour any lover of RPGs cannot go past the paper-thin star. The title commands your attention from start through to finish, and the giggles along the way are truly unforgettable. Simply put, its a game that consistently reminds the player of everything that there is to love about the magic of Nintendo.
Forum Member: ENKC
Game: Soul Calibur II
The first Soul Calibur on Dreamcast ranks as one of the most critically acclaimed games ever made. Yet its Gamecube sequel improves on perfection in every respect.
From its massive story campaign to its diverse and interesting characters, huge selection of weapons, dozens of game modes and the most jaw-dropping graphics of its day, Soul Calibur II never put a foot wrong. The inclusion of Link as a fully playable character makes it a Nintendo fans dream come true, not to mention arguably the best 3D fighter ever made.
Forum Member: Ninja Catfish
Game: Killer7
This is certainly one game you either love or hate with a passion. For me it was less of a game and more of an experience. It is quite simply so different to anything else I’ve ever played, you really need an open mind for this one. But once you accept it and get into the story, it’s one you will not likely forget very soon. Though this is certainly not intended for kids/immature adults.
Forum Member: Takora (Andrew Proudley)
Game: Metroid Prime
One of the 2 games that brought Metroid back to Nintendo fans, Metroid Prime was a tour de force. An incredible blend of the FPS and Adventure genres, Metroid Prime is a truly unforgettable game. The atmosphere generated by this game was great as well. If you own a Gamecube, you absolutely must get this game.
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Forum Member: Spirit (Sean Jones)
Game: Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat
Compared to previous Donkey Kong games Jungle Beat is short and lacks the depth of its predecessors. However, taking full advantage on the Bongos created for the Donkey Konga series I was swept away by the sheer enjoyment this game delivered to me for countless hours. Whether bashing the Bongos to pull off some sick combos or looking like an idiot as my parents watched me clapping and waving my arms around as if I had gone mental, something about this game really shined onto me.
Forum Member: NX Monkey
Game: Metroid Prime
It was the first jump for the Metroid series to 3D and although the game was somewhat controversial, those who saw it for what it was were treated to something quite special. Prime was its own adventure, not an FPS in the traditional sense, but an experience of its own. The claustrophobia of the narrow tunnels and the brooding lonely atmosphere all survived the transition to three dimensions. Metroid Prime is truly an experience for the seasoned gamer, a treat for those who can appreciate the immaculate detail to puzzles, environments and the sheer atmosphere. The game marks the birth of a great new instalment in the much beloved series, and showed us all a type of gaming many had not experienced before.
Forum Member: ENKC
Game: Tony Hawks Underground 2
Some people will tell you that the Tony Hawk series jumped the shark long ago and has never lived up to its early incarnations. These people are idiots who wouldnt know quality if it leapt up and bit them in the face.
If you look past the Jackass idiocy that makes up a miniscule fraction of the game, youll see that THUG 2 has developed the legendary skating system to the point of perfection. This was the title that turned Tony Hawk from a past-time to an obsession for me, and also features the greatest modern soundtrack of any game.
Forum Member: Ninja Catfish
Game: Metroid Prime
One of the greatest examples of a 2D to 3D transition ever. Probably on par with Zelda: Ocarina of Time in terms of the 2D/3D transition. One element that Retro Studios certainly got right was the story pacing. Story wasn’t told through cut-scenes or direct text storytelling, but the player was able to reveal the story as much as they wanted to. Scanning in this game revealed back-stories to the world of Talon IV in a way that no other game has since Prime. And everyone remembers the first time they walked into Phendrana Drifts.
To right you are Ninja. No game has since matched the jaw dropping factor when you first step out into Phendrana Drifts.
Forum Member: Takora (Andrew Proudley)
Game: Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings And The Lost Ocean
One of several RPGs by Namco for the Gamecube, Baten Kaitos was a stunning game, artistically and gameplay wise. The game featured gorgeous backdrops to play against. One of the main features of Baten Kaitos is its battle system, which used cards. I personally thought that this system worked really well, as you could make stunning combo’s using the card numbers that would obliterate an opponent or shield you from harm. Baten Kaitos is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s well worth taking a look at.
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Forum Member: Spirit (Sean Jones)
Game: Timesplitters 2
While not an exclusive title for the Nintendo Gamecube, Timesplitters 2 just had a certain amount of quirky fun to it that made this a great party game. After a sad Christmas to find that the disc hadnt been put in the case from the wonderful people at K-Mart I spent tireless months playing this game, both in Single and in Multiplayer. While the game didnt excel beyond other First Person Shooters it just did everything right. Map Maker was a blast and trading created stories with Cubeoid proved twice as fast. For a moment there we even had our own series of mini stories happening there. The Snowman Wars shall live on forever.
Forum Member: NX Monkey
Game: Super Smash Bros Melee
In short, best multiplayer game ever across all genres on any console, Nintendos definitive title takes the cake. Featuring all the stars from all your beloved Nintendo franchises, the game is packed to the brim full of content and challenges from the casual to the seasoned hardcore smasher. To be honest who owns a Gamecube and hasnt gotten together to play Smash bros with their mates? No-one thats who. Melee captures everything about the original N64 title and expands on it. The level of enjoyment from playing Super Smash Bros Melee has been approximated at 9.8 x 10 to the power of 36 barrels of monkeys, but further testing is required to determine the exact value.
Disclaimer: NX_Monkeys statistics are not endorsed by Vooks in case of any legal mumbo jumbo
Forum Member: ENKC
Game: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
While The Wind Waker has never reached the lofty heights of critical and commercial success of its illustrious forebear, Ocarina of Time, it is nevertheless a true masterpiece of gaming design. Its controversial art style is a thing of tremendous beauty in action, while its strong story, powerful characters, freedom of exploration and memorable boss encounters make it an experience you will never forget.
Forum Member: Ninja Catfish
Game: Resident Evil 4
This game took the series simply where nobody expected it to go, and breathed a breath of fresh air into a franchise that was unfortunately growing stale. This game was one of the most blood pumping action games I have ever played, both action packed and sh*t yourself scary at the same time.
Forum Member: Takora (Andrew Proudley)
Game: Resident Evil 4
This game blew me away. My first ever Resident Evil game, and it was amazing. Very atmospheric and epic feeling to it, but the most important thing of all it was fun to play. Blasting the heats off villagers with the shotgun is just priceless. This game gave an experience that probably will never be replicated.
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Forum Member: Spirit (Sean Jones)
Game: Metroid Prime
For me Metroid Prime was the definitive experience on the Nintendo Gamecube. I expected very little from this title and was completely blown away but how epic this game ended up being. Not only did it prove that 2-D to 3-D transitions could still work but it also proved that there was still a more mature side to Nintendo. Featuring epic battles against old foes like Ridley and new ones like a pile of rocks and the infamous Metroid Prime, massive worlds and plenty of interesting puzzles this title easily deserves the number one spot in my books.
Forum Member: NX Monkey
Game: Resident Evil 4
Without a doubt one of my favourite gaming experiences ever, and hands down my favourite Gamecube game of the lot. Resident Evil 4 revitalised a franchise suffering from generic gameplay and created a fresh new experience. The game is generally unparallel for its atmosphere and gaming experience. It hit every nail on the head perfectly, from gameplay, to graphics and sound. Resident Evil 4 is truly a benchmark in the world of gaming and I will surely never forget the excitement of my heart racing as battled hordes of estranged villagers in the encapsulating darkness of the stormy night.
Forum Member: ENKC
Game: Eternal Darkness
With the exception of Fahrenheit, I regard this as the single greatest game of this console generation. Far from being a mere Resident Evil clone, Eternal Darkness is a richly detailed, atmospheric adventure through a sinister world inspired by the writings of HP Lovecraft. One of the greatest examples of narrative storytelling in gaming, it is at once innovative and intensely compelling. A true classic.
Forum Member: Ninja Catfish
Game: Super Smash Bros. Melee
The fact that I still play this game regularly today 4 years after it was released is a testament to just how good this game is. Get a bunch of people together that know how to play, and you can be playing for hours. Not only good in multiplayer, SSBM gave the series a worthwhile single player component, and the trophy system is great as well. The N-Fanboy’s ultimate game, a celebration of Nintendo.
Forum Member: Takora (Andrew Proudley)
Game: Tales of Symphonia
Another one of Namcos RPGs, and my favourite game on the Gamecube. Tales of Symphonia boasts Cel-Shaded Graphics, over 50 hours of gameplay, and unlike most RPGs it has a real time battle system, which lets you jump into the fray. With a slightly clichd but compelling storyline, Tales of Symphonia truly is a great game that I would recommend to anyone interested in RPGs.
That wraps up our Two Part article on the Top 10 Gamecube Games. Now youre all probably sitting there at your computer and thinking that these guys have no clue what there talking about. Well now you have your chance to say what were your Top 10, which will ultimately be the Vooks Top 10 Gamecube Games. Results will be posted on the front page so go to our forum and start pumping out those lists.
Thanks for reading.
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