Best games
Best GameCube games
The 100 best GameCube games, ranked from 18,367 critic and player ratings.
The best GameCube game right now is Super Smash Bros. Melee, with a critic score of 100/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 1970 to 2026.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 18,367 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 50
01
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. Melee is the second installment in the Super Smash Bros. series and the follow-up to the Nintendo 64 title. It includes all playable characters from the first game, and also adds characters from franchises such as Fire Emblem, of which no games had been released outside Japan at the time. Super Smash Bros. Melee builds on the first game by adding new gameplay features and playable characters: it's major focus is the multiplayer mode, while still offering a number of single-player modes.
100
/100
02
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was initially developed with the Nintendo GameCube in mind, but ended up receiving a Wii port when it was released to promote the new console. This version has motion control compatibility for the sword and pointer controls for the menus, the bow and the boomerang. This version of the game has a completely inverted map and locations when comparing with the GameCube release. The change in layout was meant to adapt Link's usually left-handed design to right-handed people, given the motion controls.
98
/100
03
Metroid Prime
A 3D exploration-focused metroidvania with first-person shooting mechanics and the first 3D entry in the Metroid series, Metroid Prime follows Samus Aran after the events of Metroid (1986) as she boards a Space Pirate frigate, then chases her escaping archrival Ridley into the intricately structured Tallon IV, a planet full of deadly wildlife and former home to the advanced and ancient Chozo race.
95
/100
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. Melee is the second installment in the Super Smash Bros. series and the follow-up to the Nintendo 64 title. It includes all playable characters from the first game, and also adds characters from franchises such as Fire Emblem, of which no games had been released outside Japan at the time. Super Smash Bros. Melee builds on the first game by adding new gameplay features and playable characters: it's major focus is the multiplayer mode, while still offering a number of single-player modes.
100
/100
02
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was initially developed with the Nintendo GameCube in mind, but ended up receiving a Wii port when it was released to promote the new console. This version has motion control compatibility for the sword and pointer controls for the menus, the bow and the boomerang. This version of the game has a completely inverted map and locations when comparing with the GameCube release. The change in layout was meant to adapt Link's usually left-handed design to right-handed people, given the motion controls.
98
/100
03
Metroid Prime
A 3D exploration-focused metroidvania with first-person shooting mechanics and the first 3D entry in the Metroid series, Metroid Prime follows Samus Aran after the events of Metroid (1986) as she boards a Space Pirate frigate, then chases her escaping archrival Ridley into the intricately structured Tallon IV, a planet full of deadly wildlife and former home to the advanced and ancient Chozo race.
95
/100
04
SoulCalibur II
SoulCalibur II is the third installment in the Soul series and continues the tradition of his predecessors with improved graphics, new characters and new levels. A majority of the action takes place in Weapon Master mode where you have to choose a character and travel a set map to fight the many other warriors through different levels and challenges. Console ports were released, including guest characters from other franchises. The Arcade version has a unique mode called "Conquest Mode". This mode, which uses a name and password system to save data, allows the player to select one army among four. The player then fights against enemies in a series of eight 1-round battles, win or lose (the first seven are based on the player's rank, and the eighth is chosen by the player – this can only be interrupted by a Versus challenger.) After each round, the player earns EXP and can be promoted, and the game also rates the player in four categories: Soul, Power, Wisdom and Skill. The game also keeps track of which moves the player knows and uses most often. After the eight battles, territory control is updated and the player has the option to fight a bonus round against their character played by the AI.
95
/100
05
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 is a 2001 skateboarding video game and the third installment in the Tony Hawk's series. Skate as the legendary Tony Hawk or choose from a dream team of 12 top pro skaters, including old favorites like Lasek, Thomas, Muska, and Steamer, as well as new talent like Gilfberg, Caballero, Koston, and Mullen. Travel from L.A. to Tokyo, Suburbia to Skater's Island performing challenges and meeting goals with new moves that include the Revert, which allows you to link vert tricks, and flatland tricks such as Caspers, the Primo, and Handstand Manual.
94
/100
06
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
An exploration-driven 3D metroidvania/first-person shooter hybrid and sequel to Metroid Prime (2002) in which Samus lands on Aether, an intricate planet torn into light and dark versions of itself, to help its remaining inhabitants defend against the invaders from its dark incarnation by traversing both the light and dark worlds, acquiring new power-ups and braving oppressive environments.
92
/100
07
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Drop into the ultimate challenge. In the next chapter in the Tony Hawk series, pros challenge you to make your mark in huge free-roaming levels, taking on 190 progressively harder goals with no time limits to hold you back. Decide when you're ready to take on your Pro Challenge and move into the pro ranks, where it's a whole new game. Build your skills, perform all-new tricks, play up to eight players online, and show that you've got what it takes to go Pro.
91
/100
08
Beyond Good & Evil
Beyond Good & Evil is an action-adventure game with elements of puzzle-solving and stealth-based games. The player controls the protagonist, Jade, from a third-person perspective. Jade can run, move stealthily, jump over obstacles and pits, climb ladders, push or bash doors and objects, and flatten herself against walls. As Jade, the player investigates a number of installations in search of the truth about a war with an alien threat.
91
/100
09
A
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is the first Zelda game for the Nintendo GameCube and also the first in the series to employ cel-shading, a lighting and texturing technique that results in the game having a cartoon-like appearance. Like its predecessors, The Wind Waker is an action game with puzzle-solving and light role-playing elements. Basic gameplay mechanics are similar to those found in Ocarina of Time, but it differentiates itself with its massive Great Sea which must be explored using a boat named King of Red Lions.
90
/100
10
A
Resident Evil 2 (1998)
Resident Evil 2 is a sequel to the first Resident Evil title. Like the previous game in the series, Resident Evil 2 is a 3D action-adventure using three-dimensional polygon characters over two-dimensional pre-rendered backgrounds, with the action viewed through a variety of cinematic fixed camera angles in each room. Players can choose to play as one of two possible characters; each goes through the same initial scenario but with differences in the type of weaponry they find and the people they meet along the way.
90
/100
11
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
90
/100
12
Super Mario Sunshine
90
/100
13
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
90
/100
14
Tony Hawk's Underground
90
/100
15
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
90
/100
16
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
89
/100
17
Resident Evil (2002)
88
/100
18
Medal of Honor: Frontline
88
/100
19
Pikmin 2
87
/100
20
Animal Crossing
87
/100
21
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
85
/100
22
The Sims
85
/100
23
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
85
/100
24
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
85
/100
25
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
85
/100
26
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
85
/100
27
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
85
/100
28
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
84
/100
29
Tony Hawk's Underground 2
84
/100
30
Ikaruga
84
/100
31
Resident Evil 4 (2005)
83
/100
32
Resident Evil Zero
83
/100
33
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
83
/100
34
Crazy Taxi (1999)
82
/100
35
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
82
/100
36
Broken Sword 3 - The Sleeping Dragon
82
/100
37
FIFA Soccer 2005
82
/100
38
The Suffering
82
/100
39
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
81
/100
40
S
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
81
/100
41
Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones
80
/100
42
Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie
80
/100
43
Lego Star Wars: The Video Game
80
/100
44
Sonic & Knuckles
80
/100
45
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
80
/100
46
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent
79
/100
47
Sonic Adventure 2
79
/100
48
Need for Speed: Underground 2
78
/100
49
Luigi's Mansion
78
/100
50
James Bond 007: NightFire
78
/100
SoulCalibur II
SoulCalibur II is the third installment in the Soul series and continues the tradition of his predecessors with improved graphics, new characters and new levels. A majority of the action takes place in Weapon Master mode where you have to choose a character and travel a set map to fight the many other warriors through different levels and challenges. Console ports were released, including guest characters from other franchises. The Arcade version has a unique mode called "Conquest Mode". This mode, which uses a name and password system to save data, allows the player to select one army among four. The player then fights against enemies in a series of eight 1-round battles, win or lose (the first seven are based on the player's rank, and the eighth is chosen by the player – this can only be interrupted by a Versus challenger.) After each round, the player earns EXP and can be promoted, and the game also rates the player in four categories: Soul, Power, Wisdom and Skill. The game also keeps track of which moves the player knows and uses most often. After the eight battles, territory control is updated and the player has the option to fight a bonus round against their character played by the AI.
95
/100
05
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 is a 2001 skateboarding video game and the third installment in the Tony Hawk's series. Skate as the legendary Tony Hawk or choose from a dream team of 12 top pro skaters, including old favorites like Lasek, Thomas, Muska, and Steamer, as well as new talent like Gilfberg, Caballero, Koston, and Mullen. Travel from L.A. to Tokyo, Suburbia to Skater's Island performing challenges and meeting goals with new moves that include the Revert, which allows you to link vert tricks, and flatland tricks such as Caspers, the Primo, and Handstand Manual.
94
/100
06
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
An exploration-driven 3D metroidvania/first-person shooter hybrid and sequel to Metroid Prime (2002) in which Samus lands on Aether, an intricate planet torn into light and dark versions of itself, to help its remaining inhabitants defend against the invaders from its dark incarnation by traversing both the light and dark worlds, acquiring new power-ups and braving oppressive environments.
92
/100
07
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Drop into the ultimate challenge. In the next chapter in the Tony Hawk series, pros challenge you to make your mark in huge free-roaming levels, taking on 190 progressively harder goals with no time limits to hold you back. Decide when you're ready to take on your Pro Challenge and move into the pro ranks, where it's a whole new game. Build your skills, perform all-new tricks, play up to eight players online, and show that you've got what it takes to go Pro.
91
/100
08
Beyond Good & Evil
Beyond Good & Evil is an action-adventure game with elements of puzzle-solving and stealth-based games. The player controls the protagonist, Jade, from a third-person perspective. Jade can run, move stealthily, jump over obstacles and pits, climb ladders, push or bash doors and objects, and flatten herself against walls. As Jade, the player investigates a number of installations in search of the truth about a war with an alien threat.
91
/100
09
A
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is the first Zelda game for the Nintendo GameCube and also the first in the series to employ cel-shading, a lighting and texturing technique that results in the game having a cartoon-like appearance. Like its predecessors, The Wind Waker is an action game with puzzle-solving and light role-playing elements. Basic gameplay mechanics are similar to those found in Ocarina of Time, but it differentiates itself with its massive Great Sea which must be explored using a boat named King of Red Lions.
90
/100
10
A
Resident Evil 2 (1998)
Resident Evil 2 is a sequel to the first Resident Evil title. Like the previous game in the series, Resident Evil 2 is a 3D action-adventure using three-dimensional polygon characters over two-dimensional pre-rendered backgrounds, with the action viewed through a variety of cinematic fixed camera angles in each room. Players can choose to play as one of two possible characters; each goes through the same initial scenario but with differences in the type of weaponry they find and the people they meet along the way.
90
/100
11
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
90
/100
12
Super Mario Sunshine
90
/100
13
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
90
/100
14
Tony Hawk's Underground
90
/100
15
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
90
/100
16
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
89
/100
17
Resident Evil (2002)
88
/100
18
Medal of Honor: Frontline
88
/100
19
Pikmin 2
87
/100
20
Animal Crossing
87
/100
21
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
85
/100
22
The Sims
85
/100
23
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
85
/100
24
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
85
/100
25
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
85
/100
26
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
85
/100
27
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
85
/100
28
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
84
/100
29
Tony Hawk's Underground 2
84
/100
30
Ikaruga
84
/100
31
Resident Evil 4 (2005)
83
/100
32
Resident Evil Zero
83
/100
33
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
83
/100
34
Crazy Taxi (1999)
82
/100
35
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
82
/100
36
Broken Sword 3 - The Sleeping Dragon
82
/100
37
FIFA Soccer 2005
82
/100
38
The Suffering
82
/100
39
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
81
/100
40
S
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
81
/100
41
Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones
80
/100
42
Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie
80
/100
43
Lego Star Wars: The Video Game
80
/100
44
Sonic & Knuckles
80
/100
45
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
80
/100
46
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent
79
/100
47
Sonic Adventure 2
79
/100
48
Need for Speed: Underground 2
78
/100
49
Luigi's Mansion
78
/100
50
James Bond 007: NightFire
78
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best GameCube game?
Super Smash Bros. Melee currently tops the ranking with a score of 100/100 across 1,071 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.