6 Underrated GameCube Games No One Talks About

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The GameCube is a bit of an odd console in Nintendo’s history. It arrived after the Nintendo 64 didn’t perform as well as Sony’s PlayStation, and just as Microsoft was entering the console market. To top it off, the GameCube used small discs that were easy to misplace! However, despite these challenges, the system still had some fantastic games. This isn’t a list of those well-known titles, though. Instead, it highlights the hidden gems – the lesser-known games that are worth playing after you’ve experienced the GameCube’s biggest hits.

Here are the six underrated GameCube games no one talks about.

6) Chibi-Robo!

Originally planned as a traditional point-and-click adventure, the game Chibi-Robo underwent a major change when Shigeru Miyamoto took charge of development. In the game, you play as a small robot assigned to help the Sanderson family. You’ll navigate their house, completing chores and solving problems, but you’ll also need to carefully manage the robot’s energy by finding outlets to recharge its battery.

This game is a delightful platform adventure with a unique story that feels distinctly Nintendo. It received good reviews, but sadly didn’t attract a large audience. Luckily, Nintendo and the developers, Skip Ltd, continued the series anyway. While none of the sequels quite matched the magic of the first game, Park Patrol on the DS came the closest.

5) Gun

Gun was created by Neversoft, the studio famous for the Tony Hawk video games. It was their first game that wasn’t part of the Tony Hawk series in almost five years, released in 2005. Despite this, the team showed they could successfully create games in other genres as well.

While Gun originally came out on PC, PlayStation 2, and Xbox – it wasn’t just for GameCube owners. However, it’s one of the few games similar to Grand Theft Auto that was available on the GameCube, letting players enjoy that style of gameplay. It doesn’t quite reach the level of Rockstar’s open-world games, but it’s an enjoyable experience and a great addition to the GameCube’s 2005 lineup.

4) Geist

While many consider Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem the go-to example of a strange, mature GameCube title, it’s become quite well-known and may no longer be underrated. It’s still a fantastic and creative game, and most GameCube fans would agree it’s among the system’s best.

Geist is a unique game where you play as a spirit, unable to directly affect the world. Instead, you possess people and objects to interact with your surroundings. It blends shooting and adventure elements, but it feels like it was trying to do too much for the original console. Despite this, it has a really creative core that would shine with a modern update.

3) Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg

Sonic Team is famous for creating Sonic the Hedgehog, but they’ve also developed many other games. Besides the Sonic series, they’ve worked on titles like ChuChu Rocket, Phantasy Star Online, and, significantly for this discussion, the 3D platformer Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg.

Platforming games featuring recognizable characters are a staple on Nintendo consoles, and Billy Hatcher managed to shine with its great graphics, music, and the ability to play with friends. You play as Billy, but he needs help! You collect and use 72 different types of eggs to give him special abilities and navigate through seven unique areas. While it’s not flawless, Billy Hatcher is a fun platformer worth trying if you’re looking for something new.

2) Odama

The GameCube wasn’t afraid of unconventional games. Take Odama, for example. It was a unique strategy game that combined war tactics with pinball mechanics. But it didn’t stop there – Odama also came with a GameCube microphone, letting you yell commands at your troops to protect them from attacks. It was wonderfully strange!

Like Billy Hatcher, Odama isn’t without its flaws. It received mixed reviews when it first came out and isn’t often considered one of the best GameCube games. However, it’s a surprisingly innovative title that had the potential to be even better. Originally, Nintendo planned for a second player to use the DK Bongos to boost troop morale, but that feature was removed before release. Despite this, Odama remains a unique and interesting game that deserves more attention.

1) Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean

After Nintendo released the N64, a major challenge was a shortage of strong role-playing games (RPGs). The Super Nintendo had many classic RPGs, but most of the biggest developers moved to the PlayStation because it could store more data on discs. Even when Nintendo switched to mini-discs with the GameCube, it was still difficult for fans to find great RPGs. Fortunately, games like Baten Kaitos helped address this problem.

Released during the GameCube era, Baten Kaitos is a visually stunning game that feels like playing through a beautifully illustrated storybook. Its battle system is unlike most RPGs, combining elements of card games, poker, and quick action. While it might not appeal to all players, those who enjoy it will find it to be one of the best games on the platform. A prequel was released a few years later, but the series has been largely inactive since, as its developer, Monolith Soft, has focused on the Xeno series.

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2025-12-09 01:12