GameCube Games We Want on Switch
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VOICE OVER: Josh McLean
WRITTEN BY: Josh McLean
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 GameCube Games We Want on Switch! For this list, we'll be looking at GC era games that are currently not available on Nintendo's latest console. Be it remake or port, these titles most deserve to be renewed in the public eye once again. Our list includes "Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem" (2001), "Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door" (2004), "Donkey Kong Jungle Beat" (2005), "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" (2003), and more!
Script written by Josh McLean
#10: "Donkey Kong Jungle Beat" (2005)
Imagine the Joy-con functionality of this funky monkey score attack beat-em-up! The Switch’s HD rumble and motion features would be a perfect replacement for that crazy GameCube Bongo accessory. Heck, package the deal with “Donkey Konga” from 2003, and you have a double helping of DK rhythm goodness! Being that the leader of the Kongs hasn’t had any new titles recently, Jungle Beat would be a solid lead up for a new banana-based adventure without stealing any spotlight. Despite its gimmicks, the game is an incredibly fun title packed with memorable bosses that many of the Switch generation have yet to enjoy.
#9: "The Simpsons: Hit & Run" (2003)
Widely regarded as the best Simpsons game thus far, experience a GTA adjacent experience in Springfield USA. That’s right! Gamers wary of Grand Theft Auto 5 being released again could swap to Switch for a Hit & Run remaster! While this game was never intended to be played on a handheld, having an open world Simpsons title to play on the go has quite a lot of potential. Just don’t take the subtitle toooo literally. #Don’tGameAndDrive. There’s a full cast of characters, costumes and references ready to be explored by the modern Switch audience, and it’s sure to please fans, both new and old alike.
#8: "Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem" (2002)
Now there’s surprisingly no lack of horror IPs on Nintendo's latest console, but since the marketing of the Switch has been geared towards a slightly older audience, it makes sense that this sanity-themed spooky game deserves the chance to be ported. As legend goes, Eternal Darkness was a commercial flop, yet a cult classic for fans everywhere. Now if sales were of concern, it would be a perfect title to offer for free along with Nintendo’s online membership plans. All you need to know is that this game is reminiscent of Resident Evil meeting Doki Doki, while published under Nintendo themselves. Epic. Despite its unfortunate GameCube exclusivity, we wouldn’t be surprised if it were a match made in terror when brought to a successful console.
#7: "F-Zero GX" (2003)
If they're not planning to make a new one, as discussed many times, just give us the old one! Now even if there is a competing Mario Kart in development at the time of this recording, Captain Falcon’s 3D racing adventure would be a great appetizer for whatever comes next. While chunks of the game are said to be incredibly hard, a remaster could adjust and fine tune any of the old tech problems. Because, as always, anyone who grew up with the game would just be happy to see it again - this franchise's fans especially. Y’all may not know this, but F-Zero is incredibly weird… AND incredibly charming because of it. The Switch needs to let the Blue Falcon fly again.
#6: "Pikmin" (2001) & "Pikmin 2" (2004)
Juuust out of reach, while being stuck on the Wii U's virtual console, are these delightfully nature-based strategy titles. This packaged deal would reward long time Pikmin fans with the original two games while hopefully featuring the existing improvements of the Pikmin 3 remaster. GC fanatics will often cite that these games play so uniquely that no other has quite managed to replicate it. And out of all the games listed here, perhaps Planet Pikmin’s visuals would most benefit from an HD upgrade. Announce this sucker along with the release date of “Pikmin GO” by Niantic, and rake in all the potential Pikmin pocket money that one could ask for.
#5: "Mario Kart: Double Dash" (2003)
Tag team Mario Kart is back! Once again, if theeey won't give us a new oooone… (give us the old one!) Think about it. The Switch itself is readily a two player console, when passing off one Joy-con to your partner. Double Dash would feel second nature when running some of these crazy courses on new hardware. Unique character items, item holding and the ability to place rivals on the same kart differentiate it enough to warrant two different Mario Karts co-existing on one console. Plus double D… wait don’t call it that… had some of the best battle modes that are worth revisiting!
#4: "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" (2003) & "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" (2006)
These two titles, despite being opposite in stylization, would be welcome additions to the Zelda library on Switch. Since the successes of BOTW, Skyward Sword and Link’s Awakening, there really is no going wrong with Hyrule. Since they have both already been ported from their home console to another, we imagine all of the groundwork has been laid out to bring all the 3D Zelly games together. While Nintendo could release WW & TP in a 3D All-Stars fashion, either would be a nice lead up for the eventual release of BOTW2 next year. Especially if there are any hidden elements incorporated into the new title. Midna & the Twili anyone? And hey, Windwaker’s camera selfies would make so much more sense with the Switch’s social media features.
#3: "Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door" (2004)
If the door only opens every thousand years, we may be waiting a little longer for this one. Regardless, she’s a solid RPG with a wide range of kooky characters and locations, one which has NEVER been re-released. Intelligent Systems simply rocked it! Because this title has left a lasting impact on the fanbase that many won’t soon forget. The storyline stands on its own for beginners, even those not familiar with Mario to begin with. Plus, the tight controls and action commands would feel amazing to perform on the oh-so ergonomic Switch. Unfortunately, original copies of TTYD can drum up a huge price tag, and since there are big themes of travel via: blimp, boat, train & you name it! - It only makes sense that this adventure should be able to go wherever you do… Please, I’m begging you man’ Nintendo.
#2: "Metroid Prime: Trilogy" (2009)
This… is a big one! Bigger than Ridley even. Folks are desperate to play the 3D Metroids in one convenient location. Physical editions would sell like hotcakes, and if Dread was the testing ground, then Metroid as a series has come out victorious! The Prime games could use the Skyward Sword treatment. If they were to include the motion controls of the Wii release, but with a finally useful second control stick of the Joy-con, button controls would no doubt feel better than ever. It’s, of course, the perfect game to release prior to Metroid Prime 4. Which should be around the corner in the next couple of years, and although we’ve been teased with a potential Trilogy release for ages, getting our hands on more space adventures with Samus is more realistic now than it’s ever been!
Finally, at number one. The iconic title that GameCube holds above all others…
#1: "Super Smash Bros. Melee" (2001)
What better way to celebrate Smash Bros.’ conclusion than with the title that drew in the most passionate crowd, second to Ultimate. We only just got Smash 64 via Nintendo’s online service. But Melee, with online gosh forbid, would be the dream. Fans would gobble it up, if anything, to avoid the massive fees of getting an older copy in hand. And could you imagine the Sheik-show if they were to rock the boat with buffs and nerfs for iconic characters… Lookin’ at you Foxy. ;) Now, it won't happen any time soon, but a big M re-release would be a good thank you to long time fans, after Nintendo's turbulent history of keeping this fighter locked up. We’ll have to wait and see!
#10: "Donkey Kong Jungle Beat" (2005)
Imagine the Joy-con functionality of this funky monkey score attack beat-em-up! The Switch’s HD rumble and motion features would be a perfect replacement for that crazy GameCube Bongo accessory. Heck, package the deal with “Donkey Konga” from 2003, and you have a double helping of DK rhythm goodness! Being that the leader of the Kongs hasn’t had any new titles recently, Jungle Beat would be a solid lead up for a new banana-based adventure without stealing any spotlight. Despite its gimmicks, the game is an incredibly fun title packed with memorable bosses that many of the Switch generation have yet to enjoy.
#9: "The Simpsons: Hit & Run" (2003)
Widely regarded as the best Simpsons game thus far, experience a GTA adjacent experience in Springfield USA. That’s right! Gamers wary of Grand Theft Auto 5 being released again could swap to Switch for a Hit & Run remaster! While this game was never intended to be played on a handheld, having an open world Simpsons title to play on the go has quite a lot of potential. Just don’t take the subtitle toooo literally. #Don’tGameAndDrive. There’s a full cast of characters, costumes and references ready to be explored by the modern Switch audience, and it’s sure to please fans, both new and old alike.
#8: "Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem" (2002)
Now there’s surprisingly no lack of horror IPs on Nintendo's latest console, but since the marketing of the Switch has been geared towards a slightly older audience, it makes sense that this sanity-themed spooky game deserves the chance to be ported. As legend goes, Eternal Darkness was a commercial flop, yet a cult classic for fans everywhere. Now if sales were of concern, it would be a perfect title to offer for free along with Nintendo’s online membership plans. All you need to know is that this game is reminiscent of Resident Evil meeting Doki Doki, while published under Nintendo themselves. Epic. Despite its unfortunate GameCube exclusivity, we wouldn’t be surprised if it were a match made in terror when brought to a successful console.
#7: "F-Zero GX" (2003)
If they're not planning to make a new one, as discussed many times, just give us the old one! Now even if there is a competing Mario Kart in development at the time of this recording, Captain Falcon’s 3D racing adventure would be a great appetizer for whatever comes next. While chunks of the game are said to be incredibly hard, a remaster could adjust and fine tune any of the old tech problems. Because, as always, anyone who grew up with the game would just be happy to see it again - this franchise's fans especially. Y’all may not know this, but F-Zero is incredibly weird… AND incredibly charming because of it. The Switch needs to let the Blue Falcon fly again.
#6: "Pikmin" (2001) & "Pikmin 2" (2004)
Juuust out of reach, while being stuck on the Wii U's virtual console, are these delightfully nature-based strategy titles. This packaged deal would reward long time Pikmin fans with the original two games while hopefully featuring the existing improvements of the Pikmin 3 remaster. GC fanatics will often cite that these games play so uniquely that no other has quite managed to replicate it. And out of all the games listed here, perhaps Planet Pikmin’s visuals would most benefit from an HD upgrade. Announce this sucker along with the release date of “Pikmin GO” by Niantic, and rake in all the potential Pikmin pocket money that one could ask for.
#5: "Mario Kart: Double Dash" (2003)
Tag team Mario Kart is back! Once again, if theeey won't give us a new oooone… (give us the old one!) Think about it. The Switch itself is readily a two player console, when passing off one Joy-con to your partner. Double Dash would feel second nature when running some of these crazy courses on new hardware. Unique character items, item holding and the ability to place rivals on the same kart differentiate it enough to warrant two different Mario Karts co-existing on one console. Plus double D… wait don’t call it that… had some of the best battle modes that are worth revisiting!
#4: "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" (2003) & "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" (2006)
These two titles, despite being opposite in stylization, would be welcome additions to the Zelda library on Switch. Since the successes of BOTW, Skyward Sword and Link’s Awakening, there really is no going wrong with Hyrule. Since they have both already been ported from their home console to another, we imagine all of the groundwork has been laid out to bring all the 3D Zelly games together. While Nintendo could release WW & TP in a 3D All-Stars fashion, either would be a nice lead up for the eventual release of BOTW2 next year. Especially if there are any hidden elements incorporated into the new title. Midna & the Twili anyone? And hey, Windwaker’s camera selfies would make so much more sense with the Switch’s social media features.
#3: "Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door" (2004)
If the door only opens every thousand years, we may be waiting a little longer for this one. Regardless, she’s a solid RPG with a wide range of kooky characters and locations, one which has NEVER been re-released. Intelligent Systems simply rocked it! Because this title has left a lasting impact on the fanbase that many won’t soon forget. The storyline stands on its own for beginners, even those not familiar with Mario to begin with. Plus, the tight controls and action commands would feel amazing to perform on the oh-so ergonomic Switch. Unfortunately, original copies of TTYD can drum up a huge price tag, and since there are big themes of travel via: blimp, boat, train & you name it! - It only makes sense that this adventure should be able to go wherever you do… Please, I’m begging you man’ Nintendo.
#2: "Metroid Prime: Trilogy" (2009)
This… is a big one! Bigger than Ridley even. Folks are desperate to play the 3D Metroids in one convenient location. Physical editions would sell like hotcakes, and if Dread was the testing ground, then Metroid as a series has come out victorious! The Prime games could use the Skyward Sword treatment. If they were to include the motion controls of the Wii release, but with a finally useful second control stick of the Joy-con, button controls would no doubt feel better than ever. It’s, of course, the perfect game to release prior to Metroid Prime 4. Which should be around the corner in the next couple of years, and although we’ve been teased with a potential Trilogy release for ages, getting our hands on more space adventures with Samus is more realistic now than it’s ever been!
Finally, at number one. The iconic title that GameCube holds above all others…
#1: "Super Smash Bros. Melee" (2001)
What better way to celebrate Smash Bros.’ conclusion than with the title that drew in the most passionate crowd, second to Ultimate. We only just got Smash 64 via Nintendo’s online service. But Melee, with online gosh forbid, would be the dream. Fans would gobble it up, if anything, to avoid the massive fees of getting an older copy in hand. And could you imagine the Sheik-show if they were to rock the boat with buffs and nerfs for iconic characters… Lookin’ at you Foxy. ;) Now, it won't happen any time soon, but a big M re-release would be a good thank you to long time fans, after Nintendo's turbulent history of keeping this fighter locked up. We’ll have to wait and see!
