Summary
Even decades after it launched, theNintendo GameCuberemains the king of multiplayer games. While it doesn’t have as extensive a library as its biggest competitor, the PlayStation 2, the iconic gaming lunchbox left an outstanding legacy of diverse co-op and competitive video games.
The fact that many of the GameCube’s multiplayer titles still have a major presence in the esports and speedrunning communities speaks volumes about the console’s timelessness. Whether you want a fun party title to bring laughs to your next game night or a more strategy-based experience, Nintendo’s sixth-generation console has something to suit your tastes.
Number of Players
Two - Four
True to the series' standard,WarioWare Inc. has you play a series of bizarre, fast-paced minigames in rapid succession. These can involve anything from jumping on a goomba to shooting pinballs up Wario’s nose.
There are eight modes to choose from, each with a silly twist. A key example is Outta My Way, where you attempt to distract your friends by moving your character around the screen while they play microgames. The comedic tone provides plenty of laughs, and the easy-to-learn gameplay is perfect for all skill levels.
Two
Based on the classic arcade game, Soul Calibur 2 stands out from other GameCube fighters by featuring 3D movement and weapon-based combat. Matches are intense one-on-one battles, and thanks to the versatile movesets and customizable weapons, there’s plenty of room for strategy and devastating combos.
The diverse character roster is brimming with powerful fighters, ranging from the mummy-like Voldo to the axe-wielding executioner Astaroth. You can even play as Link from The Legend of Zelda. Everything is presented in a gorgeous art style, with detailed environments and eye-catching animations.
TimeSplitters 2 is a sci-fi first-person shooter with a mix of action and comedy. Up to four people are dropped onto a series of battlefields, ranging from the Aztec ruins to a nightclub. The goal is to scavenge for weapons, armor, and health upgrades to annihilate the competition.
There are a staggering 126 characters, including some delightfully silly options, like a human-sized gingerbread man and an Elvis impersonator. While it may seem simple compared to modern FPS games, the gameplay holds up surprisingly well, and the humor is just as funny as ever.
TheMario Partyseries is known for its chaotically fun board game premise and minigames. The sixth entry mixes things up with a day-and-night cycle in which aspects of the stage, such as available paths and the star’s price, change every three turns.
Each board offers a different twist. One minute, you’re riding Chain Chomps to gobble up your friends in Snowflake Lake. The next, you’re stealing coins with a massive vacuum in E. Gadd’s garage. You never know what to expect, making it a blast for game nights.
Widely regarded as thebest F-Zero game, GX is a fast-paced futuristic racer where you zoom through tracks at the speed of sound. Races are action-packed fights for survival, since you can win by getting first place or running your opponents off the road.
Each course takes advantage of the sci-fi theme, with plenty of anti-gravity segments to keep you on your toes. With 30 hover cars to choose from, each with unique stats, there are hours of high-speed content to enthrall you and your pals.
While Pikmin 2 is best known for its single-player campaign, it also offers an excellent two-player mode. You and a friend explore open areas as Olimar and Louie to scavenge for marbles, with bonus points if you steal some from each other.
The gameplay loop makes for a satisfying competitive scavenger hunt, as you and a buddy pelt each other with Pikmin and attempt to steal collectibles. You must also watch out for hungry enemies ready to devour your army. Thanks tothe Switch port, Pikmin 2 is more accessible than ever.
As one of the rare multiplayerZeldagames, Four Swords Adventures lets you explore Hyrule with up to three friends. The gameplay is similar to Link to the Past but more linear. Every world is divided into three levels, each with iconic Zelda items to find, puzzles to solve, and bosses to defeat.
Four Swords Adventures is one of a few GameCube titles that use the Game Boy Advance link cable, which allows gameplay to switch between the TV and the handheld. It’s a departure from the usual Zelda format, but well worth it if you may get a small group to play.
Super Monkey Ball 2 is the way to go for a challenging party game. The main attraction is the arcade mode, where you and your friends roll adorable monkeys through obstacle courses to see who can get the farthest. The more you progress, the more twists are introduced to crank up the difficulty.
However, Super Monkey Ball’s best features are the minigames, each with a unique gameplay style. These include fan favorites like the action-packed free-for-all Monkey Fight and the strategy-based flight simulator Monkey Target.
Often considereda top-tier Mario Kart game, Double Dash stands out thanks to its dual-racer gameplay. You can pick two characters per car, each with unique items and stats. There are endless combinations, adding a refreshing element of strategy to the series.
Races are as chaotic as you’d expect, with the new Bowser shell and Chain Chomp items providing plenty of ways to hilariously mess with your pals. However, the battle modes take the cake, allowing you to steal rivals' collectibles in Shine Thief and throw explosives at opponents in Bob-omb Blast.
Super Smash Bros. Meleemade such an impact when it launched in 2001 that it’s still played competitively today. The combination of versatile attacks, randomized items, and colorful stages creates a perfect balance of strategy-based fighting and cartoonish chaos akin to Mario Kart.
The best Nintendo series from the 90s are represented, including groundbreaking titles like Pokemon and more obscure properties like Game & Watch. With so many modes to choose from and accessible gameplay, both newcomers and experienced gamers can pour countless hours into thisGameCube masterpiece.
