As one of the most well-loved consoles of all time, the GameCube has given us classics like Super Mario Sunshine, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, and of course, Super Smash Bros. Melee. But even though this tiny console is known for granting gamers with some of the greatest titles in Nintendo history, there are plenty of underrated GameCube games that are still worth picking up today. It's understandable that when you have such generation-defining titles, there are bound to be plenty of others that fall by the wayside. However, that doesn't mean that any of them deserve to be forgotten! Whether they're intense cult classic survival horror titles like Eternal Darkness or action-adventure RPGs like Custom Robo, these hidden gems are definitely must-haves in any fan's collection. Vote up all the overlooked and underappreciated GameCube games you think deserve more attention, and vote down the titles you think are best forgotten. And if you know of a few great criminally overlooked GameCube games you’re still playing today, add them to the list so other players can give them a try.
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What makes it so special: Most franchise-based games suck (or at least they used to), which makes Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee all the more special. This super fun fighting game pits players against giant monsters based (sometimes loosely) on the film franchise.
What makes it so special: The N64 is known for having some of the greatest FPS games of all time, GameCube had some sweet titles too. This gem from Capcom featured great animated graphics with extremely fluid controls—resulting in one of the better shooter games of the era.
What makes it so special: Released at the tail-end of the GameCube's career, Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean successfully blends traditional role-playing elements, giving players a lot of replay value long after they've finished.
What makes it so special: One of the few Sega games to see a GameCube release, Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg was proof perfect that two different companies could put aside their differences and come together to make something truly great.
What makes it so special: Everyone loves battling robots, and Custom Robo offers it up in spades as players get to customize their bots and then drop them into the arena for an all-out battle royale. While the game was all but snubbed upon its initial release, it's since gone on to become a hidden gem.
What makes it so special: A feverish turn-based strategy game is both easy to pick up and difficult to master. It successfully carries Nintendo's long-standing tradition of multiplayer war games.
What makes it so special: Developed by Lucasarts, Gladius is an epic role-playing game that received a fair amount of praise during its initial release but has since faded into retro console obscurity. Players build schools of gladiators as they engage in various conquests and battles.
What makes it so special: P.N.03 (or Product Number Three) is a fast-paced first-person shooter developed by Capcom. While TimeSplitters 2 is often regarded as the best first-person shooter for GameCube (and rightfully so), P.N.03 is still a blast to play today.
What makes it so special: Chunky graphics, fun gameplay, and a few RPG tactics tossed in for good measure, Cubivore: Survival of the Fittest is easy to pick up and extremely hard to put down.
What makes it so special: Released on the GameCube and PlayStation Portable, Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble a fun beat 'em up with a twist: instead of just engaging in basic brawls, players need to complete missions in order to advance.
What makes it so special: Doshin the Giant is unlike any other GameCube game. For starters, it was never released in the States (giving it a sort of cult-like status). Second, you play as a giant banana-type character who likes to go around helping other people. What's not to love?
What makes it so special: Mario Tennis made waves when it came out, but Super Mario Strikers is equally as fun (if not more so). In classic Nintendo fashion, players are able to select from a large roster of Nintendo favorites as the battle it out on the soccer field.
What makes it so special: Sporting surprisingly good graphics (considering the 2003 release), Gotcha Force is a highly addictive fighting/FPS game where players collect little gacha toys and then use them to battle one another.
What makes it so special: Both engaging and frustrating at the same time, Ikaruga is easily one of the best shoot 'em ups to come out of the GameCube era. It's no wonder the game has been ported so many times since.
What makes it so special: One of the best fantasy games on the GameCube, Lost Kingdoms was developed by legenardy company FromSoftware (Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice), and mixes a great storyline with fluid controls. A sequel was released the following year.
What makes it so special: Published in 2006, Odama is a pinball game that's actually a lot of fun. Blending strategy elements with classic controls, it takes place in feudal Japan and is a blast to play.
What makes it so special: Probably one of the greatest video game crossovers of all time, players get to play as such hip hop greats like Snoop Dogg, Method Man, Redman, as they take the action to the streets. Unlike the original Def Jam, Fight for NY included various fighting styles, as well as new gameplay mechanics.
What makes it so special: In the old days it was rare for two competing companies to team up, but Sega Soccer Slam is yet another example of how two heads are better than one. This fun and easy-to-pick-up game features great graphics and super-addictive gameplay.
What makes it so special: Developed by Acclaim Entertainment, Vexx is an engaging platformer that's often—unfairly—compared to Super Mario 64. While this game may not be able to stand on the same pedestal as Mario and co., it remains a fun, little adventure game to this day.
What makes it so special: It's no surprise Serious Sam made this list. With subsequent releases on the Xbox 360, GBA, and more, it's a fun if not meandering title where players go face to face with evil extraterrestrials.
