The Best Gamecube Games Under $10
I started the Cheapest Games series quite a while ago and I figured I should revise some of the posts to reflect some of the changing values and give more relevant recommendations. Hopefully, this revised list of Gamecube games will help you start or build up your collection without having to spend much.. (Prices listed are an average eBay price for US games, including shipping)
After a year or two of increased Gamecube game prices (to coincide with the Wii’s success and backwards compatibility), prices have started to come back down for most of the best games — with the exceptions of the rarities and RPGs. It also helps when some of the popular games receive sequels or re-releases. So if you want to round out your Gamecube or Wii collection on the cheap, take a look at these picks.
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Metroid Prime: $6 Metroid Prime 2: $8 Sure, it isn’t the 2D Metroid most of us would prefer, but Metroid Prime does a remarkable job keeping much of the feel of the original series to a 3D world. It also happens to be one of the most impressive and compelling games on the Cube. Shop for Metroid Prime on eBay Shop for Metroid Prime on Amazon.com |
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F-Zero GX: $8 When two innovative game-makers get together, good things happen. Even though F-Zero is a Nintendo franchise, Mario and Co. let Sega do most of the development work for this racer. Sega’s arcade experience paid off as F-Zero GX is a incredibly fast, challenging, addicting, and visually stunning piece of racing goodness. Dare I say that this game is my favorite racer of all time (I prefer arcade racers to simulations). Shop for F-Zero GX on eBay Shop for F-Zero GX on Amazon.com |
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Pikmin: $9 Leave it to Nintendo to take a rather complex and intimidating genre like Real-Time Strategy and make it something that a mainstream audience can fall in love with while keeping hardcore fans interested. This wonderful creation from Shigeru Miyamoto is such an engaging experience, you won’t even realize that you’re playing an RTS. The game was improved a bit in Pikmin 2 and it’s been re-released on the Wii with motion controls, so this original release is now extra-affordable. Shop for Pikmin on eBay Shop for Pikmin on Amazon.com |
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Viewtiful Joe: $5 Viewtiful Joe 2: $6 This lovable series from Capcom took old-school beatemup gameplay, threw in some interesting gameplay puzzles and mixed with trendy cel-shading graphics. Capcom may not have been able to improve greatly on the series later on, but the original is still a must-own for a modern retrogamer. Shop for Viewtiful Joe on eBay Shop for Viewtiful Joe on Amazon.com |
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Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader: $8 I can’t help but think back to the Gamecube’s launch and recall all the comments about this game and how the developers had to be careful to make the game look too much better than the actual movie it was based on. Rogue Leader II focuses on one of the more popular Star Wars gameplay mechanics, space combat. Shop for Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader on eBay Shop for Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader on Amazon.com |
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TimeSplitters 2: $9 If you want a high-quality FPS that is designed for consoles, you need to pick up TimeSplitters 2. Developed by the same team that worked for Rareware on the N64’s Goldeneye 007, Timesplitters 2 has killer level design, great weapons, and a variety of multiplayer and minigame options. It may not have the realism that some modern gamers crave or a fascinating storyline, but it tops Halo in my book in terms of gameplay and all-out fun. Shop for TimeSplitters 2 on eBay Shop for TimeSplitters 2 on Amazon.com |
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Super Monkey Ball: $7 Super Monkey Ball 2: $8 The Monkey Ball series was some of Sega’s last true example of pure creativity and genius as a multiplatform developer. Both games have a fun and challenging single-player mode, but also serves as a killer party title due to its diverse mini-games. Just stay away from Super Monkey Ball Adventure. Shop for Super Monkey Ball on eBay Shop for Super Monkey Ball on Amazon.com Shop for Super Monkey Ball 2 on Amazon.com |
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Resident Evil Zero: $9 This was not only the first Resident Evil game to really show off the Gamecube’s graphical capabilities, but it also provided fans with a bit more backstory to the series’s beginnings. RE0 also happens to be one of the most widely produced of the series for the Gamecube, so it’s not hard to find for a decent price. Shop for Resident Evil Zero on eBay Shop for Resident Evil Zero on Amazon |
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Soul Calibur II: $5 Anybody remotely interested in 3D fighters should not overlook the Soul Calibur series. After the rave reviews as a Dreamcast exclusive, the original Soul Calibur was followed up as a multiplatform sequel with a great deal of hype. The Gamecube version was an especially high seller due to The Legend of Zelda’s Link as a playable fighter. However, even though Soul Calibur III wasn’t much better, most gamers are selling off their copies and picking up newer installments. Now is your time to take advantage of this bargain. Shop for Soul Calibur II on eBay Shop for Soul Calibur II on Amazon.com |
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Wave Race: Blue Storm: $6 Blue Storm was a fan favorite after launch as it was essentially an enhanced version of an N64 classic (although many still swear by the original). Copies have become a bit more scarce the few years, but if you want a unique arcade racer, you may still be able to find it for a decent price. Shop for Wave Race: Blue Storm on eBay Shop for Wave Race: Blue Storm on Amazon.com |
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Pac-Man Vs. / Pac-Man World 2: $7 If you want a killer party game for retro freaks and non-gamers alike, look no further than Pac-Man Vs. Pac-Man vs. was actually a project of Shigeru Miyamoto, the mastermind behind Mario, Zelda, and most of Nintendo’s most successful game. It lets up four players battle it out in a Pac-Man “simulation”. One person take the role of Pac-Man while the others possess the ghosts and team up on Pac-Man. Having the platformer Pac-Man World 2 included in the package is just an added bonus. Shop for Pac-Man Vs. / Pac-Man World 2 on eBay Shop for Pac-Man Vs. / Pac-Man World 2 on Amazon.com |
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Star Fox Adventures: $7 This game was initially a let-down to Star Fox fans as it doesn’t let you do all the space battling that you would normally expect from a Star Fox game. Instead, Star Fox Adventures plays more like a Zelda game with its action, adventure, and exploration. If you know this going in, you should find Star Fox Adventures an affordable treat. Shop for Star Fox Adventures on eBay Shop for Star Fox Adventures on Amazon.com |
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Sonic Mega Collection: $7 If you’re like me and love the two-dimensional days of Sonic the Hedgehog, you really need to look into picking up the Mega Collection. It has every Genesis Sonic game and some extra goodies. Unfortunately, if you want the wonderful Sonic CD, you’ll have to pick up the Sonic Gems Collection. Shop for Sonic Mega Collection on eBay Shop for Sonic Mega Collection on Amazon.com |
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Alien Hominid: $8 If you don’t mind a few cheap shots here and there, this Metal Slug-inspired shooter with a slick style and sense of humor is worth the price of admission. Actually, even the bonus games (with multiplayer support) is worth the price tag in my book. Shop for Alien Hominid on eBay Shop for Alien Hominid on Amazon.com |
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Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour: $9 Sure, many Nintendo gamers have moved on to golf games with Wii motion controls, but sometimes its nice to have a game with an old-school control scheme. The Gamecube installment of Mario Golf is a solid title with classic Nintendo polish. Shop for Mario Golf on eBay Shop for Mario Golf on Amazon.com |
Other Cheap Favorites
- Megaman Anniversary Collection: $9 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Animal Crossing – $8 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Battalion Wars: $8 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Sonic Adventure DX: $8 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Sonic Adventure 2: Battle: $9 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Sonic Heroes: $9 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Killer7: $9 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Tony Hawk’s Underground 2: $4 - eBay / Amazon
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Series: $5-$6 each - eBay / Amazon
- SEGA Soccer Slam: $8 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles: $6 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg: $7 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Lego Star Wars – $8 - eBay / Amazon
- X-Men Legends: $7 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Red Faction II: $5 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Simpsons: Hit & Run: $9 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Robotech: Battlecry: $8 – eBay / Amazon.com
- X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse: $9 – eBay / Amazon.com
- SSX On Tour: $8 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Bloody Roar: Primal Fury: $7 – eBay / Amazon.com
- Midway Arcade Treasures: $7 – eBay / Amazon.com
17 Comments:
Wii owners: Take Metroid Prime and Pikmin off the list, the Wii versions are enough better that it’s worth paying full price for them. Resident Evil Zero Wii is no better than the GC version, so that can stay.
I saw F-Zero at Gamestop for 5 bucks the other day. Battalion Wars is awesome and worth the 8 bucks. I still think Metroid Prime 2 is the best overall game on the Cube and Mario Golf is the best sports game. Alien Hominid is just weird.
Granted I have the PS2 version, but the shuttle launch protection/escort mission killed it for me. I love Macross, but that level was an exercise in frustration and I completely stopped playing the game after it pissed me off too much. = [
Its a good list and I’m going to have to check out Starfox Adventures.
Covarr, keep in mind that this list is targeted for cheap games. Those Wii releases aren’t that cheap.
And, some people including myself aren’t real keen on motion controls. So I stand by my recommendations (and I own the games myself and have no immediate intention of getting the remakes)
No love for Killer7? Sigh… Great list otherwise!
That’s right, I got Killer 7 for 5$ new the other day. Insane game. Is Starfox Assault kinda rare? When I do see it, it’s both expensive (30$+) and destroyed by water damage and / or missing the manual.
Sonic Mega Collection doesn’t include any Game Gear games. You’re probably thinking of Sonic Adventure DX or Sonic Gems Collection. However, there are a couple unlockable non-Sonic Genesis titles (Ristar and Flicky).
I vote F-Zero as not just the best cheap game, but the best gc game period.
Nice list. I won the first Baten Kaitos game for about $6.75 on ebay not too long ago. Most of the RPGs do got fore more then $15 though, so I do see why they were excluded.
Fixed a couple things and added Killer7 (I still have my sealed copy on my shelf)
Thanks!
I’d pop The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker on there. It is cheap and awesome!
I would have, but it’s typically more than $10
Why would you not be keen on motion controls when they work incredibly well? I understand not enjoying games where they’re tacked on, but the Wii versions of both Pikmin and Metroid are large upgrades in control alone. It just makes sense for both titles.
Tangent aside, while it makes the list for price, I’m still a little surprised to see TimeSplitters 2 on the list, simply because it was multiplatform for every major console at the time and is cheap for those other systems as well. If other multiplatform games are any indication, the Xbox version is likely superior.
I’m sure they “work” better, but I just don’t like using the Wii-mote. It’s just a personal preference. I try to use the Wavebird with my Wii whenever possible/practical.
And I’m not really concerned about the multiplatform issue much with these posts. And TS2 happened to be one of my personal favorites
No Wario World?
I really wanted to add Wario World as I loved the game, but it’s still more than $10 in most places.
I would humbly have to add the Lord of the Rings Games for some serious hack and slash fun. Currently the Two Towers is used from $2.62 and the third age is not bad either.
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