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5 - Shikigami No Shiro II
A somewhat obscure (in the west at least) Japanese arcade port, Shikigami No Shiro II is a lovingly-crafted bullet-hell shooter to be savored. With an insane difficulty level (for those who wish play it with a single credit), it is also special in that it can work as a fairly relaxing shooter as well as a deep and challenging one. Shikigami No Shiro II encourages risk taking and demands skill and concentration: it's a game that involves the player more than many similar games of the genre and is considerably more tense (and therefore thrilling) than the likes of Ikaruga. A superb example of why shooters offer such a deep and rewarding gaming experience, and this is the best the GameCube has to offer.
4 - The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Another blummin' Zelda makes the list? As the final game to be released on the system, and adopting a completely different art-style from The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess had a lot to live up to. Zelda games rarely (if ever) disappoint, but few could have predicted just quite how good this was to be. It's a true return to form for the series, an almost faultless action-RPG that delights with each new area discovered, each new character encountered and every dungeon conquered. With astonishing attention to detail, Twilight Princess is also the most graphically-advanced game on the Cube, bar none. Forget the Wii interpretation - this is the definitive version - and if you can afford or find it, go for the Japanese version instead. You'll likely find this the most consuming game you've ever played.
3 - World Soccer Winning Eleven 6: Final Evolution
The series continues to evolve, of course, but this 2002 edition (which still feels like a miracle it even appeared on the GameCube in the first place) contains all of the elements that make this Konami football game something very special. World Soccer Winning Eleven 6: Final Evolution offers a deep and rewarding experience that never seems to tire. It's testament to the game's depth that it still throws up unique touches and variations on goals, years into its lifespan. The CPU matches (as with most of the Winning Eleven series) often become too predictable after a while, but it is when playing against a friend or two that the game really comes alive. A seemingly infinitely-playable football game, Winning Eleven 6 always has that compulsive "one more go" feel.
2 - Metroid Prime
Although arguably one of the most seamless transitions from 2D to 3D ever seen, Metroid Prime is an essential videogame in its own right. Retro Studios' reworking is an instant masterpiece, from its astounding graphics and sound, the rock-solid control system and level design, every aspect positively shines with polish - even the overworld map is brilliantly designed. An eerie and consistently engaging experience, Prime is a lesson in progression and multi-layered game design, in much the same way as Super Metroid was for the Super Nintendo. It shouldn't (and probably wasn't expected) to be this good, but Metroid Prime effortlessly exceeds every expectation placed upon it. It's that good. An essential experience.
1 - Super Monkey Ball
SEGA's first game to appear on a Nintendo console was special for more than just history. With a perfect and intricate sense of control, Super Monkey Ball is a throwback to pure arcade gaming sensibilities. Since nothing stands between the player and perfection other than the solitary analogue control method, SMB is an undiluted, insanely playable videogame, and thankfully never pretends to be anything else. It's nothing less than expected from a recently rejuvinated SEGA, and it elevated Nagoshi-san to genius status. The addition of mini-games ensures the title is a firm multiplayer favourite (which bizzarely became the focus for many lazy reviewers at the time), with Monkey Billiards and Monkey Target being the standout modes. But make no mistake, it's within the single player game that Super Monkey Ball delivers a zen-like "in-the-zone" experience, up there with the best shooters or skill-based games you can think of. The underrated sequel conveys a more difficult and random array of levels, but the original remains the purer game, and the undoubted highlight of the GameCube's software library.
Runners Up... the one's that almost made it:
Star Soldier, Mr Driller: Drill Land, Super Monkey Ball 2, The Legend Of Zelda: Four Swords+, Pikmin, Made In Wario, Radirgy GeneriC, Resident Evil 4, Pac-Man Vs., Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes, Doshin The Giant, Burnout 2, TimeSplitters 2, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time.
