Here’s a lowdown on the best multiplayer GameCube games which you can lay your hands on right now. These GameCube games have been infused with tremendous amounts of addictive multiplayer action which is facilitated brilliantly by Nintendo’s sixth-generation console. Equipped with toyish looks, the machine was a beast when it came to running high quality games of its time. Its controller too was a revolutionary one, and the console’s ability to support four of them locally just amplified its appeal furthermore. Also, this is Nintendo’s first ever gaming system to feature online capability with the help of separate adapters. This brings in incredible scope for multiplayer, and today we’ll be looking at all the titles which have managed to make the most of it.
1 – Star Fox: Assault
The awesome Star Fox series received this GameCube iteration in 2005, and it was the game’s multiplayer component which grabbed more limelight than the single-player campaign. Star Fox: Assault has been blessed with split-screen support for up to four players. It features advanced game design with perfectly placed vehicles, large and lively maps, a large quantity of weapons and more. Developed by Namco, this wonderful offering will definitely manage to delight you with its multiplayer brilliance.
2 – Mario Kart: Double Dash‼
No one can deny that Mario Kart games are excellent multiplayer experiences. For those not familiar with the Mario Kart series, it allows you to race karts, while playing as classic Nintendo characters. This GameCube classic is one such game which managed to provide us with countless hours of addictive four-player races. And furthermore, it’s even able to support 8 players via system link. Mario Kart: Double Dash‼ has been blessed with lots of awesome features such as selectable karts, a large character roster, improved controls and more.
3 – Soulcalibur II
Now here’s a title for all you fighting game enthusiasts out there. Soulcalibur II was released to widespread acclaim in 2003, as it managed to retain the series’ heavy focus on weapon-based fighting. This game contains seven modes including Arcade, Time Attack, Survival Mode, Versus Mode and Team Battle. The series’ familiar characters as well as completely new ones make their way into Soulcalibur II, equipped with new moves and abilities. Moreover, the GameCube version guarantees and exclusive character in the form of Link from The Legend of Zelda.
4 – Mario Party 5
The Mario Party series is all about a board game which is interspersed with mini-games. Mario Party 5, which was released for the GameCube in 2003 contains unlimited multiplayer fun for up to four players who can assume the roles of Nintendo characters. 3D boards were introduced by this game for the first time in the series, whereas over 70 new mini-games and a fresh single-player story mode also formed part of it. While players are even allowed to square off against friends and AI in mini-game tournaments and the fantastic Super Duel Mode, they can also jump into three bonus modes, namely Card Party, Beach Volleyball and Ice Hockey.
5 – The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures
Few things spell delight to Nintendo fanboys as effectively as a Legend of Zelda game does. It’s the overall charm of the series and Nintendo’s continuous commitment towards delivering completely marvelous experiences time and again that work in its favor. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures was launched for the GameCube in 2004, and it was quick to grab immense acclaim for its novel offerings. It allows you and three more friends to embark upon adventures together, while moving through eight distinct worlds filled with unique scenarios, dangerous creatures and engaging boss battles, which were provided a whole new meaning by the game’s cooperative multiplayer model.
6 – Super Smash Bros. Melee
There are very few things that can go wrong when Nintendo decides to release a Smash Bros. game. This 2001 offering is a masterpiece in every sense of the term. It takes items, stages, music and trophies from other Nintendo franchises such as Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, Pokemon and more, and blends them with a unique approach to fighting gameplay. Instead of health bars, you have damage percentages which decide who wins. Up to four players can treat themselves to this multiplayer classic at a time, and see for themselves how wonderfully delightful the game is.
7 – TimeSplitters 2
TimeSplitters 2 whips up some incredibly addictive two-player co-op gameplay that’s found in its campaign. And moreover, it even features an Arcade mode for four-player gameplay consisting of various different multiplayer-based modes including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and more. This frantic first-person shooter tells the story of two time-travelling heroes who’re after some evil aliens that are travelling through time. Their journey enables them to enter different periods of time which include 1930s Chicago, the American Old West, the Cold War and more.
8 – Pikmin 2
Released for the GameCube in 2004, Pikmin 2 is a real-time strategy offering which is focused on exploring the surface of an unknown planet. You are needed to take control of a microscopic group of tiny plant-like creatures called Pikmin, and direct them to perform tasks like destroying obstacles, defeating enemies and retrieving objects. Pikmin 2 enables you to control two different creatures at once. Its multiplayer portion includes co-op challenge missions as well as an awesome competitive mode you can treat yourselves and your friends to.
Conclusion:
With that we end our rant on the best multiplayer GameCube games, and leave you with these incredible titles. All these games contain excellent multiplayer experiences which in no doubt will consume a lot of your time.