Best games
Best GameCube games of 2002
The 26 best GameCube games released in 2002, ranked from 6,456 critic and player ratings.
The best GameCube game of 2002 is Metroid Prime, with a critic score of 95/100 — updated August 2026.
01
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
02
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
03
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
92
/100
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
02
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
03
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
92
/100
04
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
91
/100
05
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
91
/100
06
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
07
Super Mario Sunshine
Super Mario Sunshine is a Mario action-adventure 3D platformer. It follows Super Mario 64, and is the second 3D Mario platformer. Gameplay features a combination of action and puzzle solving, with numerous stages and multiple episodes to each stage, and plenty of hidden secrets and surprises. This game introduced many recurring characters and bosses in the Mario series, including Toadsworth, Bowser Jr., Petey Piranha, Gooper Blooper, Piantas, Nokis, Shadow Mario, and F.L.U.D.D. Super Mario Sunshine pays homage to Mario's Italian heritage and upbringing, with many of the locations in the game having Italian names and sometimes referencing Italian culture.
90
/100
08
TimeSplitters 2
90
/100
09
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
89
/100
10
Resident Evil (2002)
88
/100
11
Medal of Honor: Frontline
88
/100
12
Burnout 2: Point of Impact
88
/100
13
Resident Evil Zero
83
/100
14
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
81
/100
15
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
79
/100
16
James Bond 007: NightFire
78
/100
17
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
77
/100
18
Spider-Man: The Movie
77
/100
19
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
74
/100
20
Worms Blast
73
/100
21
Mario Party 4
70
/100
22
Conflict: Desert Storm
67
/100
23
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai
67
/100
24
Army Men RTS
67
/100
25
BloodRayne
65
/100
26
Red Faction II
64
/100
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
91
/100
05
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
91
/100
06
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
07
Super Mario Sunshine
Super Mario Sunshine is a Mario action-adventure 3D platformer. It follows Super Mario 64, and is the second 3D Mario platformer. Gameplay features a combination of action and puzzle solving, with numerous stages and multiple episodes to each stage, and plenty of hidden secrets and surprises. This game introduced many recurring characters and bosses in the Mario series, including Toadsworth, Bowser Jr., Petey Piranha, Gooper Blooper, Piantas, Nokis, Shadow Mario, and F.L.U.D.D. Super Mario Sunshine pays homage to Mario's Italian heritage and upbringing, with many of the locations in the game having Italian names and sometimes referencing Italian culture.
90
/100
08
TimeSplitters 2
90
/100
09
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
89
/100
10
Resident Evil (2002)
88
/100
11
Medal of Honor: Frontline
88
/100
12
Burnout 2: Point of Impact
88
/100
13
Resident Evil Zero
83
/100
14
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
81
/100
15
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
79
/100
16
James Bond 007: NightFire
78
/100
17
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
77
/100
18
Spider-Man: The Movie
77
/100
19
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
74
/100
20
Worms Blast
73
/100
21
Mario Party 4
70
/100
22
Conflict: Desert Storm
67
/100
23
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai
67
/100
24
Army Men RTS
67
/100
25
BloodRayne
65
/100
26
Red Faction II
64
/100
FAQ
What is the best GameCube game of 2002?
Metroid Prime currently tops the ranking with a score of 95/100 across 869 ratings. Ranking updated August 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.