The Nintendo GameCube often gets overshadowed by the PS2 and Xbox—but it shouldn’t. With groundbreaking exclusives, couch co-op perfection, and brilliant hardware features most players missed, the purple cube deserves a second look. Here’s why every retro gamer should still own one.
The Table of Contents
A Few Reasons why every retro gamer should own a GameCube
The Console Has Legendary Sequels & Spin-Offs
GameCube is home to some of Nintendo’s most polished entries:
- Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
- Super Smash Bros Melee
- Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker
- F-Zero GX.
These aren’t just fun—they’re often the best entries in their franchises.
- We dive deeper into these multiplayer classics in our GameCube party game list.
GameCube Has the Best Console Exclusives of Its Generation
You’ll only find gems like
- Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem (featured in our retro horror roundup)
- Pikmin
- Chibi Robo
- Baten Kaitos
- Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance on this platform.
It Supports Excellent Third-Party Hits
Unlike the N64, GameCube welcomed third-party hits like:
- Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes
- Viewtiful Joe
- Tales of Symphonia
- Resident Evil 4
- Skies of Arcadia Legends, and more.
Local Multiplayer Was a Priority with Nintendo
- The GameCube didn’t just allow 4-player gaming—it perfected it.
- Games like Double Dash, Four Swords Adventures, and Super Mario Strikers brought pure couch co-op joy.
The Nintendo GameCube Avoided the Gimmicks of Later Consoles
- While the Wii leaned heavily into motion controls, GameCube kept gameplay tight and tactile.
- It’s often the preferred version for Twilight Princess and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.
So Many Ways to Play
- With the Game Boy Player, you can run GBA games on your TV.
- The GameCube also supports up to 60 different GBA-linkable titles using the Game Boy Advance Cable. Read more in our GameCube expansion port guide.
The Nintendo GameCube, Still Has Online & LAN Capabilities
- Only a handful of games supported online play, but LAN play is still viable.
- You can host 16-player Mario Kart sessions with 8 GameCubes and broadband adapters.
Retro Gamers, Don’t Miss Out
Whether you’re collecting, trading, or reliving the golden age, the GameCube is essential.
✔ Ready to sell? Start with our GameCube game trade-in page or sell your console here.
✔ Curious about condition rules? Read our quality requirements.
✔ Wonder who pays better? Compare in our Decluttr vs Game Vault guide.
✔ Want to see how it stacks up against other systems? Check our best retro consoles list.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is the Nintendo GameCube worth buying?
- Yes, the GameCube is still worth buying today for retro gamers, collectors, and fans of couch co-op classics.
- It offers unique exclusives, LAN support, and GBA connectivity not found on other consoles.
Why are GameCube games so valuable?
- Many GameCube games were released in low quantities, never reprinted, and remain exclusive to the platform—driving up collector demand and market prices.
How much is a GameCube worth today?
- Nintendo GameCube consoles typically sell for around $65.
- At The Old School Game Vault, we buy them for $50 with less hassle and trusted trade-in service.
What is the rarest GameCube game?
- Cubivore: Survival of the Fittest is widely considered the rarest North American GameCube release due to its extremely limited print run.
What is the most sold GameCube game of all time?
- Super Smash Bros. Melee is the best-selling GameCube game of all time, with over 7 million copies sold worldwide.
Why is Disney Sports Basketball on GameCube so expensive?
- Disney Sports Basketball had a very low print run, making it one of the harder-to-find and more expensive titles on the GameCube.
