When it comes toSwitchreleases,Nintendoand third parties have scarcely shied away from tapping into the libraries of their older consoles in one way or another. Whether it’s aXenobladeremaster orTrials of Manafacelift, there’s no shortage of callbacks from the Big N to round out Switch’s lineup.
Though more recent consoles like Wii and even DS have seen games appear in some form on Switch, the GameCube’s library remains relatively untouched and overlooked despite holding some true classics. Hits like the remasteredbundle of 3DMariorompsare a great reminder as to the Cube’s unique charm. Still, this is more of an exception than the rule — especially when it comes to full-on remakes from that console.
RELATED:10 Of The Best Exclusive Games Trapped On The GameCube
This list will explore some GameCube gems that would seem to hold the most potential for modern-day reboots.
10Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
Part platformer and part rhythmic romp,Donkey Kong Jungle Beatremains a uniquely delightful experience; one that would fit the Switch like a glove. Centered around bongo-banging controls, this game has players swing, leap, and smash their way across colorful sidescrolling worlds.
A crisper, more vibrant Switch remake could utilize its refined motion controls or translate to touch-screen inputs in handheld mode. It would really fit the pick-up-and-play sensibilities of the console, with its free-flowing gameplay that’s both simple and thrilling.
9Skies Of Arcadia Legends
Most would agree that the Switch is well covered when it comes to role-playing games, especially on the Japanese front. Still, it’s hard to deny the potential of a spruced-up version of thisalready lavish journey for Dreamcastand GameCube.
Nintendo fans would surely revel in the imaginative steampunk themes, rich atmosphere, and open exploration of this 42-hour epic from Overworks and Sega. Not only was its quasi-sandbox nature ahead of its time, but the combat of this 2000 RPG still holds up. This is thanks to a satisfying blend of thrilling action, turn-based tactics, and an intuitive interface.
Being somewhat akin toFinal FantasyandDragon Quest, aLegendsreboot would prove more than sufficient to satisfy the tastebuds of those fans on Switch.
8Pikmin
The third rendition of Shigeru Miyamoto’s plant-based RTS continues to flourish on Switch — so it would surely make sense to point fans in the direction of the classic that started it all. Though it’s received some flak for its fairly restricted time limits, there’s plenty to appreciate about this charming strategy romp.
The serene, colorful wilds of this alien planet just beg for a modern-day polish by way of a remaster or a ground-up remake. Not only this, but the addictive gameplay, simple controls, and deep exploration have allowed this delightful game to age gracefully.
RELATED:5 Strategy Games We Wish Were Ported To Consoles (& 5 That Can’t Be)
Perhaps the Big N could even sweeten thePikminpot by bundling this with its more robust sequel. Added DLC, online support, and timed events could further flesh out this gem. Much like Olimar’s reassembled rocket ship, the sky is the limit!
7Geist
Released in the heyday of the GameCube, Nintendo and FPS fans alike largely overlooked this swan song by n-Space. But for those who cared to look,Geistquietly proved to be one of the best shooters to hit the console — and perhaps one of the most inventive conceptually.
Fairly crude, muddled visuals aside, this sci-fi romp feels quite modern with its technological elements, cinematic flair, and dark, conspiratorial themes. The game leans on the concept of literal out-of-body experiences, as hero John Raimi’s soul is free to wander to and from the bodies of henchmen. This neat concept of body possession allows for some innovative gameplay mechanics and a cool premise to boot.
A flashier, more expansive remake of this FPS would help fill a rare void in the Switch library, especially if enhanced with online skirmishes.
6Super Monkey Ball
For most of theSuper Monkey Ballfaithful, theBanana Blitzremaster on Switch is suitable enough, though it also invokes a yearning forthisclassic to make a comeback. After all, most point to the arcade romp from ‘01 as superior on almost all fronts aside from the sheer quantity of minigames.
From the razor-sharp controls to the intense campaign to the fun party games, there’s much to love about this ape-tastic platformer. The trio of awesome minigames alone would be enough to draw fans and newcomers alike. Add highly complimentary motion controls and online play into the mix, and this could become one of the Switch’s greatest party games.
5Eternal Darkness
While this twisted psychological thriller wasn’t too well known on the kid-friendly GameCube,Eternal Darknesswould almost undoubtedly be a hit on Switch, which is no stranger to darker content.
The game mixes hack and slash action with a rewarding, nuanced system of magic, puzzle-solving, and a cinematic horror trip. Players are enticed with a rich tale of demonic entities, dark magic, and a slew of locales spanningthousandsof years in history.
But the true appeal of Silicon Knight’s eerie adventure is the inventive Sanity Effects, which plays with the minds of players themselves. The decaying sanity of the many protagonists is conveyed by everything from shrinking corridors to distant banging sounds — and even fake system errors. One’s imagination runs wild with the added potential of new trippy sanity effects, which can be used with the Switch’s hardware bells and whistles.
4Star Wars Rogue Squadron 2: Rogue Leader
This exhilarating action game was yet another reminder of the fun, gripping nature ofStar Wars, in an era when it wasn’t exactly flying high thanks to the tepidPhantom Menace.Rogue Leaderdazzled early adopters of the GameCube during its launch, and it’s managed to hold up nicely to this day.
RELATED:10 Best-Selling Star Wars Games Ranked (& How Much They Sold)
The Force is certainly strong here on a visual level, as Factor 5 and LucasArts immerse players withsome surprisingly detailed landscapesand ship models. But moreover, this X-Wing simulator enthralls with its arcade-style gameplay that’sboth exciting and grueling. The prospect of gyroscopic controls and online leaderboards would only further enhance this celestial ride on Switch.
3Mario Kart: Double Dash
It’s become the black sheep of the ever-growingMario Kartfamily, but there is a subset of fans that continue to swear by this distinct rendition of Nintendo’s racer. While not the prettiest to look at, the particularly colorful locales — and unique maps like Baby Park — continue to charm gamers.
ButDouble Dashprimarily stands out by playing with a few new concepts and mechanics. Included this time around are swappable two-person karts as well as character-specific items and refined drifting. These create a fun new spin on an established formula, especially when taking the wheel with a friend during races and battles co-op style.
2Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2
Being among the first online efforts to grace a Nintendo console, the lobbies of Sega’s hit sci-fi fantasy remain a ghost town. Though a slickened, robust remake on Switch would surely repopulate them in massive numbers.
Sonic Team keeps players hooked with a blend of arcade-style action and role-playing depth, along with ample rewarding loot and customization. Being somewhat ahead of its time, this expansive twofer would no doubt shine as a fun, addictive RPG for the console. Improved graphics and more streamlined online functionality would serve to polish the few weak points of this thrilling epic.
1Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Though itsrecent Switch successorhas earned much praise, many fans still regard GameCube’s version ofPaper Marioas the high watermark in the series. It’s not hard to see why, given its imaginative worlds, appealing art style, and fun combat. Intelligent Systems draws in players with a charming, cute presentation, balanced with a deceptively deep experience.
Tying this rich, lengthy campaign together is a surprisingly strong narrative — complete with memorable writing and characters. Dimentio is still viewed in some circles as Nintendo’s best villain since Bowser himself.
NEXT:8 SNES Games That Got Remakes (& What They Were Released For)
