The GameCube era was full of pure magic games. It was a time when Nintendo was wildly creative (and a little bit weird, too). While the Switch Online service has slowly been drip-feeding usretro gems, the GameCube library remains maddeningly MIA.
While we don’t expectallthe GameCube games to become available, having a few of our favorites would be great. From genre-defining classics to underrated oddballs, these are some GameCube games we need on Nintendo Switch Online. Yesterday, preferably.
Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat is a masterclass in innovation. You use bongos as the primary controller, transforming the traditional platformer into a rhythmic, percussion-based adventure.
The game’s energetic soundtrack and intuitive controls create an experience that’s as much about feeling the beat as it is about strategic movement and timing. It’s a unique title that captures the spirit of the GameCube’s experimental era. Adding Jungle Beat to NSO would let new players discover its charm and let veterans rediscover why it left such a resounding impression.
Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg is one of the quirkiest platformers of its time (or all time, really). You’ll guide Billy through fantastical levels full of imaginative puzzles, eccentric enemies, and vibrant worlds built around the notion of rescuing and hatching giant eggs. Its unconventional premise is matched only by its cheerful presentation and inventive gameplay mechanics.
While it may not be standard fare, this title remains a nostalgic curiosity for many gamers.
Baten Kaitos offers an unforgettable blend of card-based battle mechanics and rich storytelling set against the backdrop of a gorgeous, melancholic sky. This RPG invites you into a world of floating continents, intricate politics, and epic battles that unfold in mesmerizing, hand-painted cutscenes.
This game had little initial commercial success and is relatively rare today. However, the game’s deep lore and innovative gameplay have gained it a devoted following. Bringing Baten Kaitos to the NSO would mean opening it up to a new generation without having to hunt down elusive physical copies.
There isn’t anything quite like Skies of Arcadia Legends. It has airships, sky pirates, and evil empires, all wrapped up into one classicJRPG. This Sega RPG on a Nintendo console was already weird, which is exactly why we want it to hit the NSO. It has just about everything you’d want in a JRPG: a lovable crew, turn-based battles, and a world made completely out of floating islands.
It’s optimistic and not terribly difficult. Plus, it’s packed with enough charm to stick with you foryears. Yet, it’s been left in the void of IP limbo.
If you’re reading this article, you probably know Super Smash Bros. Melee (and you probably broke a controller or two because of it). Melee is more of a cultural institution than a game. It’s fast, precise, and quickly competitive, so much so that it’s still being played at tournamentsover 20 years later.
Nintendo seems allergic to porting this one, but imagine the absolute chaos if Melee showed up on NSO with online play. It’s a legend waiting to happen.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles marked a high point for multiplayer action RPGs on the GameCube. In this co-operative experience, you and your friends band together to vanquish a mysterious miasma threatening your idyllic world. Its real-time, team-based combat and easy resource-sharing made it a fun, communal twist to the usual Final Fantasy formula.
It’s complete with charming visuals and inventive puzzles and just calling for a release on NSO to bring the magic of dungeons, battles, and strategic planning to a new generation.
Viewtiful Joe is a kinetic, stylish action-platformer that perfectly encapsulates the over-the-top spirit of early 2000s gaming. With its hand-drawn comic style, slow-motion mechanics, and a gameplay rhythm that rewards slick combos and cinematic flair, this cult classic pushes players to perform like movie heroes.
It’s an inventive game that makes every level feel like an action scene. Between the challenging boss fights and quirky narrative, this game is perhaps one of the most memorable of the era. It’s equal parts fun and frenetic.
You haven’t experienced true fear until your game pretends it’s deleting your save file or turns your TV volume down by itself. Eternal Darkness broke the fourth wall before it was trendy, with a sanity system that’s still unmatched. It’s a Lovecraftian fever dream full of ancient gods, haunted relics, and a playable cast that spans centuries.
Mature, mind-bending, and mysteriously forgotten by Nintendo, this cult classic deserves a resurrection of its own.
1Super Monkey Ball 2
Super Monkey Ball 2 invites you to roll, bounce, and leap your way through a dazzling assortment of courses packed with quirky charm and relentless arcade fun. This sequel puts you in control of a nimble primate that’s trapped inside a transparent ball as you guide them through gravity-defying platforms and intricate obstacle courses.
It has exceptionally colorful visuals and tight controls, plus very fun multiplayer modes. It’s perfect for short bursts of play or long sessions with friends. This GameCube classic is a testament to just how fun physics-based puzzles can be when they’re done correctly.
