The Video Game Critic

Hi all-

I just got a cube. I'm going to get Resident Evil 4, Eternal Darkness, Zelda Wind Waker, the MGS 1 remake, and maybe metroid prime and super mario sunshine.

So, any recs for underrated games? I'm not big on sports or final fantasy type RPGs.

[QUOTE=johnr]Hi all-

I just got a cube. I'm going to get Resident Evil 4, Eternal Darkness, Zelda Wind Waker, the MGS 1 remake, and maybe metroid prime and super mario sunshine.

So, any recs for underrated games? I'm not big on sports or final fantasy type RPGs.



[/QUOTE]

Well, I don't really know which of these are underrated, but I'll go ahead and list some fun games for you.

Resident Evil-This is the best remake I have ever played of anything. I've never played the original, but I know it looks like crap, and this one is gorgeous. Fun as well.

Timesplitters 2-Best FPS on the Gamecube.

Pikmin 2-The first one has a timer for finishing the game, but this one doesn't, so it's definitely the better choice. The first one is still a good game, but this one is overall more fun, and definitely worth picking up.

Super Monkey Ball-Great as a party game or for single player. The second one is good too, but if you only get one go with the first.

Mario Kart: Double Dash-I do hope you know what Mario Kart is.

F-Zero GX-This is a great game, but it's also the hardest game I've ever played. Just know that if you buy it (it's dirt cheap, like $7 on Ebay, or $10 used in a game store) you will lose your life to it.

Super Smash Bros.:Melee-This is a game you either love or hate. I for one love it. It's pretty cheap now so you probably wouldn't regret it too much if you picked it up and didn't like it.

 

Also, I've never played it, but Resident Evil 0-a prequel to the original and exclusive to Gamecube-is supposed to be pretty good. And just so you know, every game I listed is bargain bin at this point.

O.K. - thank you for the tips. I'm interested in Pikmin 2, but it's actually kindof expensive for a used cube game. Is the gameplay that different from the first one?

Also, thanks - I haven't even though about timesplitters... looks interesting even though I'm not big on FPS, either. Mainly I like strategy, rpgs, and high quality adventure/platformers without too much death by jumping.

Here is a short list of great GC games that flew under the radar.

 

Battalion Wars

 

Beach Spikers

 

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat

 

Ikaruga

 

Killer 7 (strange, but you might like it)

 

Sega Soccer Slam

 

Skies of Arcadia Legends

 

Plus you should also get the Resident Evil games.  I'm pretty sure you can buy a RE collection that includes RE1, RE0 and RE4 for $30. 

If you like strategy games, I suggest the new Fire Emblem.

"O.K. - thank you for the tips. I'm interested in Pikmin 2, but it's actually kindof expensive for a used cube game. Is the gameplay that different from the first one?"

 

Not the core of it.  The difference is the situation you start in. 

 

In the original you crash land on an alien planet and have thirty days to repair your ship before you die.  In the second game you travel to an alien planet with the intention of raising pikarmiis and raiding underground dungeons for treasure.  It gives the game a really different pace. 

 

In the first, you feel like you're stranded on an island doing whatever you can to survive.  The second feels more like leading troops into battle.

 

 

 

Something I'd like to add to the reccomendation list is: Product Number Three (P.N. 03).    I liked the style and level design in that game.  It's a lot like doom metal, very bleak, the world is ending type stuff.  The levels are a cross between McDonalds' playpins and a hospital.  The controls are hard to get used to, but they work well for the game.

 

If you like to sit down for long periods of time and play through a game to  the end, then you probably won't be able to get into it.  Most of the fun in Product comes from figuring out creative ways to destroy your enemies.

No, the core gameplay in Pikmin and Pikmin 2 is the same, but like I said, in the first one you have a time limit to beat it. I hate time limits in 3d games but if they don't bother you it's not too different from the sequel. Although the sequel also has multiplayer.

 

And I second Jungle Beat. If you like 2d platformers you'll love it, and it's pretty cheap even with the bongos.

[b]Resident Evil[/b] is definily one of the top 5 games for the system, and a must buy. Also by far the best game in the series if you, like me, was a fan before the serie completely changed direction with RE4 (which shouldn't have been called RE4 in the first place, given that it's nothing like the other games. Gun Survivor got a different name, so why didn't this?)

[b]Sonic Adventure 2 Battle[/b], enhanced Dreamcast port, a must play if you don't already own it. One of the best 3D platformers of the era.

[b]Mario Power Tennis[b], one of the best multiplayer games ever. Dull singleplayer, though.

[b]Legend of Zelda - 4 Swords+[/b]- Fun, classic Zelda gameplay, works great in multiplayer. Get the japanese version if you can, it includes the massive, frantic contest game Navi Trackers, which is even more fun then the main quest. Damn you, Nintendo, for cutting this.

Also, [b]Viewtiful Joe[/b] (also on PS2) and [b]Mega Man Network Transmission[/b], both excellent 2D platformers, a must if you like the genre.