Oh, the GameCube, a console from a simpler time. The GameCube is a favourite to many, and for good reason I might add. Nintendo released so many great first party games, and almost all of their major franchises got some love on the console. Not to mention it introduced the west to Animal Crossing and introduced the world to Pikmin, with not just one, but two entires in this new series.

Yet at the time, it was completely demolished by the PS2 and even got beaten in sales by the Xbox, which at the time had no brand recognition and was simply a newcomer to the console wars. It is so interesting to look back at that time as whilst there are many who fondly remember the PlayStation 2 and the original Xbox, that number dwindles in comparison to the amount of people I see reminiscing about the GameCube on what must be a daily basis. 

What’s more is that many of its games that are so well beloved now, were quite controversial at the time. Super Mario Sunshine was criticised for many aspects, the tropical setting, the story, the difficulty, and yet there are so many now who stand by this game as their favourite in the entire series. The Wind Waker, a contender for the best Zelda game, was also highly criticised for its art direction, which ironically is a major factor in why the game looks so good even today, especially in HD. Metroid made the jump to 3D via becoming a first person shooter, leading to many turned heads, heads that quickly turned back to discover the Metroid Prime games were some of the greatest games ever made, and another example of GameCube games ageing like fine wine, from the gameplay to the graphics.

Speaking of which, Nintendo 64 games did not age well. Whilst that blocky style evokes a sense of nostalgia in many of us, let’s be honest, it’s not the prettiest thing in the world. So many GameCube games however, even to this day, look stunning. Nintendo perfected their art direction at this time and were only limited by the technology of the time, which is especially clear when these games are made available in higher resolutions. 

Part of the reason GameCube games hold up so well is because Nintendo was in fact very focussed on the power of their consoles back then. In many ways, it was actually the “failure” of the GameCube that caused Nintendo to pivot to focus on other elements of their games consoles. That’s another reason why this console is so universally beloved, many consider this the peak of Nintendo consoles as it was simply a traditional console with no “gimmicks.” I’m also obligated to mention the controller, which is still rereleased to this day. The button layout may not always be the most adaptable setup, especially when playing older titles, but it was ideal for the games released on the system and was a great innovation.

The GameCube’s legacy has truly stood the test of time and truth be told, I am merely scratching the surface. Still I hope this piece provides a better understanding as to why so many love this console despite what the lacklustre performance upon initial release would have you believe. The Nintendo GameCube had great games, it had a unique and quirky design, it was a no nonsense, powerful console. It may not have been appreciated in its own time, but I’m glad it receives the love it does now, because no other console deserves it more… now if Nintendo could realise this and actually give us a way to play these brilliant games on modern hardware, that would be great!

What are your favourite memories of the GameCube and which games would you most like to see rereleased on the Switch? Seriously Nintendo, you’ve got to get on that…