The Nintendo GameCube, released in 2001, may seem like a relic from a past generation of gaming. However, this innovative console was home to some of the most groundbreaking and memorable action games ever created.
An Introduction to the GameCube
The GameCube was Nintendo‘s entry into the sixth generation of video game consoles, competing with Sony‘s PlayStation 2 and Microsoft‘s Xbox. Despite being the underdog of that console war, the GameCube pioneered several key innovations:
- It was Nintendo‘s first console to use optical discs rather than cartridges, allowing for larger games with better graphics and sound
- The GameCube was the first Nintendo console with a built-in modem for online connectivity
- It also had four controller ports and was backward compatible with Nintendo 64 accessories
Most importantly for action gaming fans, the GameCube was a powerhouse – it outpaced the PlayStation 2‘s graphics with a faster GPU and more RAM reserved for the display. This hardware allowed developers to create fast-paced, silky smooth action gameplay that really made an impact.
Judging Criteria for the "Absolute Best"
With hundreds of titles released for the GameCube during its lifetime, narrowing down to the absolute 10 best action games is no easy feat. Here are some of the key criteria used to judge each game‘s merit:
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Graphics and Technical Prowess: How impressive was each game‘s visual impact at the time? Do the graphics, animation, and effects still hold up years later? Does it take meaningful advantage of the GameCube‘s advanced capabilities?
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Gameplay and Control: Is the core action gameplay finely tuned, responsive, and fun? Are the control mechanics intuitive and solid? How diverse and interesting are the abilities, moves, and strategies for the player?
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Entertainment Value: Most importantly – is replaying the game still just as fun today as ever? Does it have that magical spark of entertainment that keeps you coming back for more?
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Influence and Impact: Did the game make a meaningful impact on the action genre? Did it introduce innovative features that affected game design for years? Has it remained influential since its debut?
Using criteria like these, the following 10 games represent the absolute cream of the crop when it comes to GameCube action.
#10. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Released as a movie tie-in game back in 2003, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King accompanied the epic conclusion to Peter Jackson‘s legendary film trilogy. Developed by EA Redwood Shores and published by EA Games, this action-adventure game lets players fight their way through the iconic battles and locations from the films as Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and more.
While most movie licensed games tend to disappoint, The Return of the King was praised for capturing the overwhelming sense of scale and desperate stakes of The Lord of the Rings‘ final chapters. Iconic scenes like the Battle of Pelennor Fields and the Black Gate are adaptated as epic, multi-stage conflicts filled with orcs, trolls, Nazgul and more for the player to cut through. The combat itself is simple hack-and-slash fare, but pulling off combos feels suitably impactful thanks to the excellent sound design.
With drop-in local co-op, loads of unlockable content, and a compelling atmosphere true to the movies, The Return of the King proved itself as one of the few great film to game adaptations out there.
#9. Metal Arms: Glitch in the System
For lovers of third-person shooting action starring wise-cracking robots, Metal Arms: Glitch In The System is a cult classic. Released in 2003 by developer Swingin‘ Ape Studios and publisher Sierra Entertainment, the game transports players to a war-torn planet called Iron Star – inhabited entirely by robots.
You play as Glitch, a defective bot who breaks free from the oppressive rule of General Corrosive and joins a resistance movement against him. Metal Arms‘ gameplay is all about blasting enemies with a wild variety of absurd, over-the-top firearms like acid shotguns, ricochet rifles and homing rocket launchers. Glitch can even detach his own limbs to throw at enemies for quick ranged attacks!
While ridiculous, the shooting action itself has outstanding feedback, with enemies convincingly shredded into pieces from your attacks. Players can also hijack and pilot enemy vehicles, further adding to the chaotic, sandbox-style fun. With diverse locations across Iron Star, plenty of mission variety, and hilarious writing throughout, Metal Arms hits the spot for fans seeking some lighter hearted, more explosive shooting action.
#8. Freedom Fighters
This alternate history third-person shooter imagines a United States conquered and occupied by the Soviet Union. Playing as Chris Stone, you join the resistance group fighting back against the invasion as a Freedom Fighter. Released in 2003 by IO Interactive and EA Games, Freedom Fighters captured GameCube owners‘ attention with its gritty, guerilla warfare action letting you liberate New York City block by block.
While the shooting controls are solid, the unique hook in Freedom Fighters is giving squad commands to AI teammates. Successfully completing side missions earns you Charisma points, which you use to recruit more rebels to your cause. With a huge squad at your command, you can outflank and overwhelm enemies across urban battlefields. Calling out ambushes and flanking maneuvers feels very empowering and adds immensely to the tactical depth.
The game builds wonderfully on this core mechanic with a strong dose of atmosphere too – the initially bright and cheerful New York City slowly transforms into a war-ravaged husk covered in snow and propaganda posters. Giving players commanding squad gameplay backed up by strong art direction, Freedom Fighters deserves its place as one of the most unique and memorable GameCube shooters.
#7. James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing
Released in 2004, James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing is a hugely cinematic third-person action shooter developed by EA Redwood Shores and published by Electronic Arts. Pierce Brosnan himself reprised his role as James Bond for both character voicework and likeness – giving the game a wonderfully authentic 007 feel.
The game weaves an original high stakes spy story worthy of a Bond film, filled with globe-trotting locations, famous Bond girl companions like Serena St. Germaine, and diabolical supervillains like Nikolai Diavolo. Diavolo‘s nanotechnology doomsday device must be stopped, and players have an enjoyable mix of gadgets, firearms, and vehicles at Bond‘s disposal to take down terrorists in intense climatic gun battles.
Everything or Nothing also spices up the traditional third person shooting with fun minigame distractions – players can defuse bombs, rappel down buildings, and even control RC vehicles on secret spy missions adding welcome variety throughout the campaign. With stellar presentation and production values, cinematic set pieces, and plenty iconic 007 moments, Everything or Nothing is certainly one of Bond‘s finest GameCube adventures.
#6. TimeSplitters 2
A sequel to the hit PS2 launch title TimeSplitters, 2002‘s TimeSplitters 2 brought its trademark chaotic first-person shooter action to the GameCube with style. Created by Free Radical Design and published by Eidos Interactive, TimeSplitters 2 took the basic "kill everything and everyone" approach to old school FPS games, but dialed the insanity up to 11 with a plethora of madcap weapons, diverse time traveling levels, and outlandish characters.
With settings ranging from Wild West frontier towns to neon-bathed cyberpunk cities to secret vampire castles, variety is the name of the game. You wield assault rifles, rocket launchers, plasma guns, crossbows and more to blast away at the imaginatively designed enemies across stages with branching paths and secrets. Players can even create their own custom characters with different attributes to take into battle.
The pacing rarely lets up once the bullets start flying, and TimeSplitters 2 rewards you for aggressively blasting away rather than taking cover. Add in over-the-top challenge modes like virus, monkey assistant, and shrink mode and TimeSplitters 2 proves the GameCube could deliver fast and frenetic FPS thrills with the best of them.
#5. Super Mario Sunshine
No list of the greatest GameCube action titles is complete without mentioning Mario‘s sophomore effort on the console – 2002‘s Super Mario Sunshine. Developed by Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo, Sunshine transported Mario and friends to a tropical island vacation gone wrong thanks to the nefarious polluting magic of Shadow Mario.
Armed with a powerful water cannon nicknamed F.L.U.D.D., players spray awayenemies, hover through the air, launch themselves high into the sky, and clean up ooze and toxic goop throughout stages. Mario‘s acrobatic jumps have never felt more free and dynamic thanks to F.L.U.D.D.‘s possibilities – gamers can pull off spins, strafes, rocket jumps and more.
Vibrant, colorful graphics bring the sunny resort locale to life beautifully and levels grow increasingly challenging and unpredictable in layout later on. With 120 Shine Sprites to hunt down, loads of hidden secrets, and a memorable vacation tone throughout, Super Mario Sunshine captures Mario platforming action at its peak.
#4. Super Smash Bros Melee
The GameCube entry of Nintendo‘s iconic mascot fighting series has gone down in history as one of the greatest multiplayer fighting games ever made. Super Smash Bros Melee took the simple, accessible formula of the Nintendo 64 original and dramatically expanded the gameplay depth, tightening up controls to a new level of precision for hardcore players.
With a roster expanded to 26 Nintendo all-stars, breakneck fast combat, and intricate recovering mechanics, high-skill Melee matches at top level tournaments resemble fierce fighting game battles rather than a silly mascot party game thanks to the immense technical depth. Yet Melee hasn‘t alienated casual players – its array of iconic Nintendo stages full of references, sprawling single player modes, and items/power-ups keep free-for-alls extremely replayable.
Years later, Melee remains beloved and played competitively for its unmatched balance of precision and chaotic excitement. GameCube owners recognized they had lightning in a bottle; nearly 20 years later Melee still reigns as arguably the definitive entry in the Smash series.
#3. Viewtiful Joe
This stylistic side-scrolling beat-em-up comes courtesy of famed Capcom designer Hideki Kamiya, better known for his work on Devil May Cry. Viewtiful Joe packs a wonderful sense of humor and strong cartoon art aesthetic with excellent brawling action. Players step into the shoes and signature red superhero costume of Joe as he fights his way through Movieland to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend.
Armed with the ability to slow down or speed up time, Joe unleashes flurries of punch and kick combos on gangs of zany enemies across levels inspired by classic movie genres. Stringing together combos while expertly dodging attacks makes you truly feel viewtiful. Bosses are particularly impressive spectacles – ranging from an alien mothership to a creepy stop-motion unicorn to a laser-blasting robotic shark.
Difficult yet entirely fair, Viewtiful Joe provides old school side scrolling action with a very distinct look and feel. Joe proved himself so popular that Capcom produced several sequels and spinoffs across PS2, GameCube, and DS – but Double Trouble on GameCube remains his finest superhero adventure.
#2. SoulCalibur II
The SoulCalibur franchise has a strong claim as the greatest 3D weapon-based fighting series, and SoulCalibur II remains a genre highlight amongst fighting fans. Produced by Namco and released on GameCube in 2003, SoulCalibur II refined the outstanding 8-way movement and combat mechanics of the Dreamcast original to new heights while introducing thrilling new characters and game modes.
All 19 colorful fighters wield totally unique weaponry – from Cervantes‘ pistol sword to Astaroth‘s enormous axe. Mastering ranged attacks, well-timed side steps, guard impacts, and vicious critical finishers proves immensely satisfying. Meanwhile Weapon Master mode provides an engrossing adventure spanning multiple worlds, and the Tales of Souls storylines showcase gorgeous mission backdrops powered by the GameCube.
Exclusive to the GameCube version, Link from the Legend of Zelda even appears as a playable guest character – and his Master Sword and Hylian Shield make for brutally effective weapons! Considered a hallmark title not just for GameCube but for 3D fighters overall, SoulCalibur II remains utterly stellar in every respect.
#1. Metroid Prime
Crafted under Nintendo‘s watchful eye by Texas studio Retro Games, 2002‘s Metroid Prime took the classic 2D Metroid formula into stunning first-person 3D for the first time – and the results were utterly groundbreaking. Metroid Prime retained the lonely, atmospheric exploration of Samus Aran‘s previous adventures, but the change of perspective immersed you deeper into the barren alien worlds than ever before.
Isolated areas gradually open up as new weapons and abilities like the Morph Ball and Grapple Beam unlock new paths for sequence breaking. Taking in the sights of Tallon IV from within Samus‘ visor feels wondrous, and small environmental details make its abandoned caverns and ancient structures feel hauntingly real on GameCube hardware. Cryptic lore details and FPS-style combat round out an incredible, unforgettable atmosphere unique among action games.
With dozens of twists and set-pieces spanning more than 15 hours of questing for item upgrades, Metroid Prime raised the bar astronomically high not just for future Metroid titles, but the action-adventure genre overall. Nearly 20 years later, Prime‘s design remains the gold standard in atmospheric first-person experiences.
