5 Great GameCube Games With Even Greater Stories

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The Nintendo GameCube faced a difficult challenge following the Nintendo 64. While the N64 was good, Sony’s PlayStation took a large portion of the market, largely because it used discs which offered developers more storage space. The GameCube also had to compete with the Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft’s Xbox, and the very popular PlayStation 2. Despite ultimately finishing in third place in sales, the GameCube still had a number of fantastic games, some of which are considered classics.

Here are five great games on the GameCube that impressed fans with an excellent story.

5) Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

The Paper Mario games are known for being funny, but The Thousand-Year Door is where the series truly shines. It has a charming story filled with silly moments, memorable characters, and some surprisingly inventive sections.

It’s true this game requires a lot of reading, which might not appeal to everyone, but it’s well worth the effort. Luckily, if you didn’t play the original on GameCube, Nintendo released a complete remake for the Nintendo Switch in 2024. This version has improved features, updated graphics, animations, and music. If you’re searching for a fantastic RPG that’s also funny, this is the one to choose.

4) Killer7

Killer7 was Goichi Suda’s first game to be released outside of Japan, and it showcased the unique style he later became known for with the No More Heroes series. While No More Heroes gained him a larger following, Killer7 originally brought Suda’s vision to the GameCube in a truly distinctive way.

In Killer7, you control a team of assassins tasked with unraveling a series of conspiracies. The story takes unexpected turns, and it’s best to go in without knowing too much. While the shooting mechanics aren’t the game’s strongest point, it’s visually striking with its unique art style and features a deeply intricate plot. Though a sequel hasn’t been made, the original game received an updated version in 2018.

3) Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem

Though it never got a sequel, Eternal Darkness remains a well-known GameCube title. This is largely due to the innovative ‘Sanity Effects’ developed by Silicon Knights, which were truly unique for their time.

The game wasn’t just about sudden shocks; the creators were incredibly clever. They used all sorts of unexpected techniques, like showing you a false trailer for a sequel or even making it seem like your TV was malfunctioning. It’s considered one of the most original horror games ever made, which is a shame because nothing quite like it has come out since.

Just like the Nemesis system, Nintendo had a truly beloved game but didn’t fully explore its potential. The studio behind it, Silicon Knights, eventually closed down. Although the former director, Denis Dyack, attempted to revive the series with a Kickstarter campaign, it wasn’t successful. Hopefully, we’ll see Eternal Darkness available on Nintendo Switch Online in the future.

2) Tales of Symphonia

The Tales series started way back in 1995, and new games are still being released – a remastered version of Tales of Berseria is planned for 2026. While the series had a dedicated fanbase for a while, Symphonia is often credited with helping it gain wider recognition, especially outside of Japan. It was still more popular in Japan itself, but Symphonia began attracting English-speaking fans.

The game’s strong story is a major reason for its success. Every character felt well-developed and significant, with their own unique backstory and arc. Some critics even drew comparisons to the memorable cast of The Lord of the Rings, which is a fitting assessment.

The story itself is fairly standard, but it’s greatly enhanced by the charming characters you encounter. Combine that with a fantastic combat system and a beautifully designed world, and you’ve got one of the greatest games ever made for the GameCube.

1) Beyond Good & Evil

Jade, the main character in Beyond Good & Evil, is incredibly versatile – she’s a journalist, a skilled martial artist, and a secret agent determined to expose a huge conspiracy. Luckily, the game itself lives up to her potential, offering one of the best experiences on the GameCube with a captivating story, beautiful visuals, and engaging gameplay that blends puzzles and stealth.

Beyond Good & Evil is often called a GameCube classic, despite not selling well when it first came out. It’s become popular over time because people love the character Jade and her adventure. Ubisoft has been trying to make a sequel for many years, but it’s uncertain if it will ever be released.

We’ve had glimpses of a sequel over the years, with the last trailer released in 2017. After that, news dried up. While it was reportedly still being worked on in 2021, it’s looking unlikely that BG&E 2 will ever be released. Luckily, you can still enjoy the original game thanks to the 20th Anniversary Edition Ubisoft released in 2024.

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2025-12-21 01:12