We cycle back to the magical world of Nintendo here (and actually for the next good while) for this week’s installment of ‘Remembering The…‘. This time, we’ll be looking at that silly little box with a handle, the GameCube.
Let’s get into it!
The Console
I mean…it certainly is a Cube that plays Games.
I hardly know what else to say about this console design that isn’t immediately obvious when looking at its simplicity and presentation. It’s a petite (but admittedly powerful-enough) cube with a handle that makes it look like a lunchbox. It’s sleek, it’s simple, and it even still fits in the space for two different memory cards and four controller ports. The top that pops open is neat too, even if it limits where you can put the GameCube to not hit drawer ceilings (as addressed in an earlier article).
In terms of power, it’s basically on par with the Xbox and PS2, which marks the final time that Nintendo managed to compete graphically with its console competitors. Because of its power, the GameCube had a massive library of games, as practically all multi-platform releases hit the system, plus it then had the benefit of Nintendo-exclusives. On top of this, it worked with such accessory attachments as the GBA player, a snap-on accessory that allowed easy connection with your GBA for some fun bonuses.
The Controller
Nintendo is always one to march to the beat of their own drum, and that’s apparent in this controller design.
You can definitely see the trace elements of modern controller design on display here, even if they aren’t fully realized. The goofy C-Stick nubbin is a sore spot, as while it gets the job done it just can’t quite compete with an actual second analog stick. The arrangement for the four face buttons is also obviously unique, and while some are fans of it, I always found it a bit odd (and genuinely could never manage to remember which was X and which was Y). Having only one shoulder button also hurts my inner symmetry-lover.
But let it never be said that Nintendo mindlessly makes controllers. For all their occasional faults, the actual games that release on their systems always perfectly take advantage of the controllers, so while they may stumble in broad strokes, they excel within their particular vacuum. I do like the flicky feeling of the primary analog stick, and the super clicky triggers, and it’s comfortable enough to hold. Far from the worst controller ever designed.
Cultural Impact
So, notably, the GameCube didn’t actually sell all that well, effectively being considered a failure. And yet, most gamers wouldn’t consider the console a failure in the same way they would something like the Virtual Boy. Why is that? Well, it really just has to do with the enduring legacy of the games that released on the system, making this the first console we’ve covered where the console itself is somewhat secondary (heck, the Wii is backwards-compatible with literally every GameCube game, meaning you really don’t even need a GameCube), but the games are in a league of their own.
A new 3D Mario game, Pokémon giving us not one but two full-length adventures in the wide world of 3D (Colosseum and Gale of Darkness), the Metroid series gracing us with the inimitable Metroid Prime, two entire mainline Zelda adventures (even if I feel Twilight Princess is better on the Wii), the grand return of Star Fox with the Assault game (let’s pretend Adventure doesn’t exist), a plethora of Mario-themed sports games that are much-beloved, the debut of the Pikmin series, and so much more. It’s crazy how much gaming goodness is available on this little purple box. These games are still readily enjoyed to this day, and talked about constantly online.
Favorite Games
Despite not playing all too manner GameCube games in the grand scheme of things, I still dabbled in a handful, and those that I did play remain some of my favorite games to this day!
Super Mario Sunshine
So let’s lead with one that isn’t a favorite of mine, though that’s being a bit harsh. There was actually a period of time where this was my favorite Mario game, though in hindsight that simply had to do with me going through a bit of a ‘hipster‘ phase where I convinced myself I loved this game simply because many others often overlook it a bit. With a more clear head…yeah, there’s a reason this game gets some flack these days. It’s just about the jankiest and most frustrating Mario game you could ever play.
And yet, at the same time, it’s somehow the coziest. The bright colors, the upbeat catchy tunes, the tropical vacation aesthetic…it can really be relaxing to play. And don’t even get me started on how satisfying it is to just walk around and spray water to clean up gross messes across the island (there’s a reason that mechanic became an entire game in PowerWash Simulator). And, even with its flaws, it’s still a very charming game with plenty of genuinely fun moments amidst the hair-pulling difficulty spikes.
Super Smash Bros Melee
Just take a look at that character roster, and how small it is compared to the available selection in Super Smash Bros Ultimate. Now, for something like a fighting game, I’ve always been someone to champion the idea of ‘bigger is better’, but I can still muster up some pleasant nostalgia for the times when things were simpler in this franchise. And there’s still some standout characters in this bunch, like Peach and Marth (even if, of course, I’d prefer my ‘Marth‘ to simply be a monikered donned by Lucina). A lot of fun stages in this game that never came back too.
And despite the small roster, you can’t fault this game for content. It’s got your typical Classic Mode, but also introduced the idea of Adventure Mode (which spiced up the fun with platforming and exploration stages). It has All-Star Mode and Event Mode for the first time in the Smash Bros series, introduced the addicting Trophy system, and has a plethora of silly little side modes and options you can tweak for the battle system. I don’t wholly adore it’s twitchy style of gameplay, but I certainly did put a lot of time into this gem back in the day.
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
(Yes, I know that’s a screenshot from the recent remaster, it was a high-quality pic, okay?)
My first true foray into the world of RPGs, most especially turn-based RPGs (as I had prior experience with Shining Force, of course). And I cannot stress enough how bad I was at this game as a kid, which is crazy considering how relatively easy it is, and how effortless it can be nowadays with just a fraction of knowledge and common sense. I struggled immensely on boss fights and puzzles I can now clear in seconds without a hint of trouble, and even performed so horribly the final boss became practically unwinnable, and required an entire new playthrough from the beginning to actually conquer!
And yet, even amidst my struggles, I still loved the game! That’s a testament to just how fun this game can be, that even when I was having a hard time, I was also having a fun time. Charming visuals, extremely funny writing, an engaging-enough story, a super unique and addicting battle system, and one of the best Mario soundtracks of all time. There’s a reason a lot of people rank this as one of their absolute favorite Mario games even outside of the RPG realm, and a reason why the internet lost their minds when the remake was announced/released. It’s super good.
Sonic Adventure 2: Battle
Some days I feel more partial to the original Sonic Adventure, and some days I lean towards this one, but in the spirit of the recently-released Sonic 3 movie, I figured I’d give the spotlight to the sequel! And, truthfully, I played both games basically equally! Again, it’s crazy to think about given how rarely I play Sonic games these days, but Sonic was just-as-big (if not bigger) in my gaming life as a child than Mario. I couldn’t get enough of Sonic, and that was especially true about the Adventure duology here on the GameCube.
Whether it’s ‘running around at the speed of sound‘ through city streets as Sonic and Shadow, exploring labyrinthine ruins for emeralds as Knuckles and Rouge, or blasting robots with glee as Tails and Eggman, Sonic Adventure 2 has got it all. Add in a Chao-raising minigame so engrossing you could spend dozens of hours with it, and a chaotic and hilarious multiplayer mode, and you’ve got one of the ultimate Sonic games of all time right here. And who could forget the impeccable soundtrack, including the most beloved Sonic vocal song of all time, ‘Live and Learn‘?
Gaming Memories
Like I said earlier, I didn’t altogether play that many GameCube games, though I certainly dabbled in quite a few. Beyond the ones listed above, I remember getting lost in the sprawling, ring-filled levels of Sonic Adventure DX. I remember legitimately having nightmares after my first time playing Luigi’s Mansion (I scared easily as a kid, alright?). I remember endlessly racing against my friends on the chaotic Baby Park track in Mario Kart Double Dash, and I remember 100% completing my playthrough of Pikmin 2, even when the latter dungeons in that game got extremely challenging and unforgiving!
I also keenly remember the Christmas that I got the GameCube, and how excited I was to try it out! Especially because my good friend had just sold his GameCube, and was looking to sell some of his games too, and so I was able to trade some of the Christmas money I’d gotten from my grandparents directly into bolstering my initial roster of GameCube titles to enjoy during the Winter break from school! A super-duper win-win!
Conclusion
To wrap up, the GameCube is a system that is heavily bolstered by the enduring strengths of its games. It might not’ve sold a billion copies in comparison to the opposition (especially the PS2, still the highest-selling console of all time), but the games that this system had were almost second-to-none. A revolutionary new Metroid, the most-beloved Paper Mario, a highly-ranked Mario Kart and Smash Bros game, Luigi’s best solo venture, and the inimitable Wind Waker, plus so many more. There’s a reason this is one of the most emulated consoles ever, because people just cherish this era of gaming so much more than a simple glance at the sales sheet of the GameCube might lead you to believe.
The Contrarian Corner 