The Most Popular GameCube Game, Ranked

Choose the game you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:38
Picture a nostalgic evening, dusting off the old GameCube console, ready to dive into some classic gaming action. The question arises: which game to play? With countless memories etched into each cubic disc, choosing becomes overwhelming. Knowing the top-rated GameCube games as voted by fellow gamers can guide that choice, ensuring a delightful gaming session. This dynamic ranking system operates purely on your input. Every vote matters, shaping a continually updated list that reflects real-time preferences and opinions of a wide community of gamers. By voting for your favorites, you not only revisit your treasured gaming moments but also help newcomers identify which titles are worth experiencing.

What Is the Most Popular GameCube Game?

  1. 1
    83
    votes

    Super Smash Bros. Melee

    Masahiro Sakurai
    This game is widely considered one of the best games on the GameCube and is still played competitively today. It features a large roster of Nintendo characters and has a unique fighting system.
    Super Smash Bros. Melee is a highly competitive fighting game released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2001. It is regarded as one of the most difficult and technically demanding games in the Super Smash Bros. series.
    • Platform: Nintendo GameCube
    • Release Date: December 3, 2001
    • Genre: Fighting
    • Single Player Modes: Classic Mode, Adventure Mode, All-Star Mode
    • Multiplayer Modes: Versus Mode, Tournament Mode, Special Melee
    Super Smash Bros. Melee in other rankings
  2. 2
    31
    votes
    This game had a unique art style, which initially received mixed reactions, but is now considered one of the best games in the Zelda franchise. It has a large open world to explore and a compelling story.
    The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is an action-adventure game in the Zelda series, released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2002. It features a vibrant cel-shaded art style and takes place in a vast open world consisting of a vast ocean with numerous islands to explore. The game follows the protagonist, Link, as he embarks on a quest to rescue his sister and defeat the evil sorcerer, Ganondorf.
    • Release year: 2002
    • Platform: Nintendo GameCube
    • Genre: Action-adventure
    • Art style: Cel-shaded
    • Open world: Yes
  3. 3
    24
    votes

    Metroid Prime

    Retro Studios
    This game brought the Metroid franchise into 3D and was praised for its immersive world and exploration elements. It also received critical acclaim for its gameplay and soundtrack.
    Metroid Prime is a first-person action-adventure game in the Metroid series, widely regarded as one of the most difficult games in the franchise. It was released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2002 and developed by Retro Studios.
    • Platform: Nintendo GameCube
    • Genre: First-person action-adventure
    • Difficulty: Challenging
    • Release Year: 2002
    • Developer: Retro Studios
    Metroid Prime in other rankings
  4. 4
    14
    votes
    This game is considered one of the best in the Resident Evil franchise and was praised for its gameplay, graphics, and story. It was a huge success on the GameCube and has since been ported to numerous other platforms.
    Resident Evil 4 is a survival horror game developed and published by Capcom. It was released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2005 and is widely regarded as one of the best games in the Resident Evil series. The game follows Leon S. Kennedy, a government agent, as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of the President's daughter and uncovers a sinister plot involving a cult and genetically modified creatures known as Los Ganados. Resident Evil 4 introduced a new over-the-shoulder camera perspective and a more action-oriented gameplay style compared to its predecessors.
    • Release Year: 2005
    • Genre: Survival Horror
    • Platform: Nintendo GameCube
    • Modes: Single-player
    • Perspective: Third-person
    Resident Evil 4 in other rankings
  5. 5
    18
    votes

    Viewtiful Joe

    Hideki Kamiya
    This game was praised for its unique visual style and innovative gameplay mechanics. It also had a great sense of humor and was considered a standout title on the GameCube.
    Viewtiful Joe is a popular GameCube game that was released in 2003. It is a side-scrolling beat 'em up game with unique visual effects and a superhero theme. The game follows the story of Joe, an ordinary movie-loving guy who gains superpowers and becomes Viewtiful Joe to save his girlfriend from the evil organization. With its stylish visuals, fast-paced gameplay, and challenging levels, Viewtiful Joe quickly gained a loyal fanbase.
    • Release Year: 2003
    • Genre: Side-scrolling beat 'em up
    • Platform: GameCube
    • Publisher: Capcom
    • Number of Players: 1-2
  6. 6
    10
    votes
    This game was praised for its multiplayer mode, which allowed two players to control one kart. It also had a solid single-player mode and was a huge success on the GameCube.
    Mario Kart: Double Dash!! is a racing video game developed by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development. It was released for the GameCube console in 2003. This installment in the Mario Kart series features a unique two-character gameplay mechanic, where each kart is controlled by two characters who can switch positions. The players compete in races on various tracks while using items to hinder opponents and gain advantages. It offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, making it a popular choice among friends for multiplayer gaming sessions.
    • Platform: Nintendo GameCube
    • Release Year: 2003
    • Genre: Racing
    • Game Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
    • Players: 1-4 (up to 8 in LAN play)
    Mario Kart: Double Dash!! in other rankings
  7. 7
    8
    votes
    This game was praised for its humor, story, and gameplay. It has a unique art style and was considered a standout title on the GameCube.
    Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a role-playing video game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. It was released for the GameCube console in 2004. The game follows the story of Mario as he embarks on a journey to rescue Princess Peach and uncover the secrets behind the Thousand-Year Door. Featuring an innovative paper-themed aesthetic and a unique turn-based battle system, the game offers a mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, and RPG elements.
    • Release Date: 2004
    • Genre: Role-playing
    • Platform: GameCube
    • Gameplay Style: Turn-based
    • Publisher: Nintendo
    Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door in other rankings
  8. 8
    7
    votes
    This game was praised for its charming world and addictive gameplay. It has since become a popular franchise, but the original GameCube version is still considered a classic.
    Animal Crossing is a popular life simulation video game series developed and published by Nintendo. The game revolves around the player character, who becomes a resident in a village filled with anthropomorphic animals. The main objective is to live a peaceful virtual life, engaging in various activities such as fishing, bug catching, fossil hunting, gardening, and interacting with the villagers. The game has a real-time clock and calendar, with different events and activities occurring in sync with real-world time.
    • Platform: Nintendo Switch
    • Release Date: April 14, 2020
    • Genre: Life Simulation
    • Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
    • Art Style: Cute and vibrant
    Animal Crossing in other rankings
  9. 9
    5
    votes

    Pikmin 2

    Nintendo
    This game was praised for its unique gameplay mechanics and charming world. It also had a solid multiplayer mode and was considered a standout title on the GameCube.
    Pikmin 2 is a real-time strategy video game developed and published by Nintendo for the GameCube console. It was released in 2004 and serves as the sequel to the original Pikmin game. In Pikmin 2, players control Captain Olimar, an astronaut who crash-landed on an unfamiliar planet and must recover valuable treasures with the help of plant-like creatures known as Pikmin.
    • Platform: GameCube
    • Genre: Real-time strategy
    • Release Year: 2004
    • Players: 1-2 players
    • Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
  10. 10
    10
    votes
    This game was praised for its unique gameplay mechanics and storytelling. It also had a great sense of atmosphere and was considered a standout title on the GameCube.
    Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem is a psychological horror action-adventure game for the Nintendo GameCube. It was developed by Silicon Knights and published by Nintendo in 2002. The game tells the story of Alexandra Roivas, who uncovers a book called the 'Tome of Eternal Darkness' that reveals the history of a powerful ancient evil and the struggles of various individuals against it.
    • Genre: Action-adventure
    • Setting: Historical and supernatural
    • Game Modes: Single-player
    • Platform: Nintendo GameCube
    • Release Date: June 20, 2002

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Ranking factors for popular game

  1. Sales figures
    The number of copies sold is an important indicator of a game's popularity. Compare the sales figures of different GameCube games to see which ones performed the best in the market.
  2. Critical reception
    The average review scores from respected video game publications and websites can give a good idea of which games were well-received by critics. Games with higher average scores are usually considered better and therefore more popular.
  3. Player reviews and ratings
    User ratings and reviews on websites such as Metacritic or GameFAQs provide valuable insight into how actual players feel about a game. Popular games will generally have higher ratings and more positive reviews.
  4. Awards and recognitions
    Games that have won industry awards or have been included in lists of the best games for the console can be considered popular and important.
  5. Longevity
    A game that continues to be played and discussed years after its release is a good indicator of its popularity. This can be measured through active online communities, fan-made content, or mentions in articles and forums.
  6. Influence on other games
    The popularity of a game can also be gauged by its influence on other titles within the industry. A popular game may inspire other developers to create similar experiences or explore the same themes and genres.
  7. Nostalgia and cultural impact
    Some games become popular due to their nostalgic appeal or the cultural impact they had at the time of release. These games may not necessarily have the highest sales figures or critical reception, but they are remembered fondly by players and continue to be discussed and appreciated.
  8. Replayability
    Popular games tend to be those with high replay value, meaning that players return to them time and again after completing them. This can be due to engaging gameplay, multiple endings, or various side quests and challenges.
  9. Accessibility
    Games that are easy to pick up and play tend to be more popular than those with steep learning curves or complex controls. This doesn't necessarily mean that popular games are simple; just that they are approachable and easy to understand.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular GameCube game. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or game is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1703 views
  • 209 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each game once every 24 hours. The rank of each game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular gamecube game

The GameCube, released by Nintendo in 2001, was a beloved console that featured a variety of classic games. It was known for its unique controller design, which included a joystick and four main buttons, as well as two shoulder buttons and a start button. Over the years, the GameCube has become a nostalgic favorite among gamers, with many still holding onto their original consoles and games. With so many great titles available, it's no wonder that the question of the most popular GameCube game is a hotly debated topic among fans. From Super Smash Bros. Melee to The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, there are plenty of contenders vying for the top spot. So, which game will come out on top? Let's take a closer look at the contenders and find out!

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