Someone asked online “What’s 5 games you wish got released on the Gamecube?” This is a question I always ask myself about for the N64 and Wii U. [In fact I already did a post about 5 games I wish had come to the Wii U. So check that out.] Anyway, here’s the deal. I’m going to try to not list games produced by Sony and Microsoft [for example, I’m not going to bother saying Halo. Obviously, that was never coming to the Gamecube.]

#1 Psychonauts

Psychonauts was developed by Double Fine Productions. It was one of the best 3D Platformers of this generation. However, it a commercial flop compared to Super Mario Sunshine, Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank. Still this game had a unique setting, taking place at a summer camp for kids with psychic abilities. Its story, gameplay, level design, and power ups were all greatly unique. I think it stood out even then in a sea of 3D platformers and holds up well even today.

I think it would have been a welcome addition to the Gamecube. It was offbeat and an oddball. Which is basically the motto of the Gamecube with other quirky 3D Platformers like Billy Hatcher already on the console. Something I learned only a few years ago is that Psychonauts was not an Xbox exclusive. In fact it was only exclusive to Xbox for roughly two months.

When Microsoft canceled [if that’s the right word?] publishing Psychonauts, Majesco picked up the publishing rights. With Microsoft out of the picture, Psychonauts was free to explore publication on other console. Of course they stuck with releasing it on OG Xbox, but it also got a Playstation 2 release. So why no Gamecube version?

I’ve heard three reasons. So if anybody can confirm or deny any of the reason, sound off below. 1. Majesco was a mid tier publisher. They didn’t have the resources of someone like Microsoft. As a result, they had to be selective about what consoles got it. 2. The Gamecube was failing this generation. Despite the head start and the brand recognition, they finished 3rd behind Playstation and Xbox. There was just no reason to port it to a losing console. 3. I saw some people say the Gamecube’s lack of 4 shoulder buttons would make it hard or impossible to port the game over to Gamecube. This is the reason I find hardest to believe. I can’t say I cross refernced this, but I just feel like surely other games that took advantage of the four shoulder buttons also released on the Gamecube. 4. That generation was already winding down. Psychonauts released early 2005. The Wii would release in 2006.

All four of these reasons I’m sure have some degree of merit. And if you mix it all in a blender, it would explain why no Gamecube port ever happened. It’s a shame a Wii port was never developed either. But hey, Psychonauts is great and you should go play it.

#2 Okami

To be fair, it is pretty obvious why Okami did not come to the Gamecube. It was released late into the 6th generation cycle. It was released roughly seven months before the Wii released. Also, from everything I read, Okami was designed for the PS2 specific. So there never any plans for the Gamecube or, heck, even the PS3.

They loved the art style and the graphics on the Playstation 2.  They loved the controller of the Playstation 2. The thought of designing it for another console never seemed to cross their minds.

Its a shame it never came to the Gamecube because I feel like the unique nature of it, the look of it, the appreciation of Japanese mythology would fit right at home with the Gamecube. Capcom and Clover Studios both have great relationships with Nintendo as well. Capcom had big plans for the Gamecube, originally working on the Capcom five, five games planned as Gamecube exclusives. Of those five, two were developed by Clover Studios [P.N.03 (Directed by Shinji Mikami) and Viewtiful Joe.]. But the Gamecube fell behind in marketshare, Capcom turned their attention to the Playstation 2. Clover Studios began making Playstation 2 exclusives with Okami and God Hand. However, upon the Wii’s unveiling, fans outcried for a Wii port to take advantage of the Wiimote. This one was just never in the cards for the Gamecube.

#3 Dark Cloud 1 and 2

It is funny to think about Dark Cloud 1 and 2 being Playstation exclusives now. Of course, when Level-5 began they partnered with Sony. So really, that’s the story. Dark Cloud published its first five games exclusive to Playstation systems before releasing Professor Layton and the Curious Village on Nintendo DS [more on that later]. I did not realize Level 5 developed Dragon Quest VII. Anyway, I think most people today would associate Level-5 with Nintendo, specifically the DS family of handhelds. Level-5’s most recognizable games these days are Professor Layton, Fantasy Life, and Yokai Watch. However, to me, Level-5 will also be the Dark Cloud series. My dad told me he found a game that was basically Zelda on the Playstation 2. Of course, childhood me was curious. When I saw the dungeon crawling, the weapons, the village building, the allies, and all these aspects coming together to make something truly unique beautiful.

Dark Cloud 2 is currently one of my obsessions, I’ve put in over 30 hours so far and feel like I am still just scratching the surface. It keeps the formula of visiting new locations. Once you arrive, you venture deep into dungeons, collects parts of the town, and rebuild each city. Some aspects have changed like party configuration and the way city building is handled, but I am fine with that. The camera invention, time hopping, and the plethora of city goers add so many layers to the original Dark Cloud mythos. Dark Cloud 1 would have been nice on the Gamecube, but Dark Cloud 2 looks like it could have fit right in on the Gamecube. Dark Cloud 2 is beautiful. I think its graphics would have absolutely popped on the Gamecube.

#4 Kirby: Return to Dream Land

Kirby: Return to Dream Land was considered the best game in the series for a good while (but the Kirby series has been on fire lately!). There was a time when this was considered a momumental entry in the franchises, a must play, the GOAT of Kirby games… and it almost didn’t exist! That’s such a wild thought to me. I loved Kirby 64 and desperately wanted the Wii Kirby games as a kid. I never got them and had to wait until I was an adult to buy them for myself. But all I ever heard about growing up was how fantastic this game was. So imagine my surprise to learn this iconic entry almost didn’t happen.

The Gamecube was a great experimental time for a lot of Nintendo franchises. Mario got water nozzle, Samus went first person, and Donkey Kong got some bongos. The same was true for Kirby. Coming off of Kirby 64, Kirby would get a combat racer titled Kirby Air Ride. This game, to me, was wildly unique and totally fun. However, Kirby wasn’t done with the Gamecube. In 2005, Nintendo revealed a trailer for Kirby GCN. The hype was real. We were going to get a traditional side scrolling platforming Kirby Adventure with cool allies and neat power ups.

This is one I’m going to do more research for myself. I am very curious to read more about why they canceled this one. They also waited six years to reveal what would become Kirby Return to Dreamland for Wii. It would have been really cool to see this one to come to life on the Gamecube and just have Kirby Return to Dreamland act as a sequel. Unfortunately, that is not the timeline we got. Did you know there was a canceled Kirby game for Gamecube?

#5 Star Wars Battlefront 1 and 2

Star Wars was extremely popular during the Gamecube era thanks to the Prequel being in full… force. The Gamecube got a hefty seven Star War’s title including fan favorite Rogue Squadron 2 and 3 and the Lego games. However, noticeably missing from the line-up were the Star Wars Battlefront games. Melee and Halo get credit as the best versus games of the generation, but Battlefront has that Goldeneye energy of the N64. If I went over to a friends house and they had the Battlefront games, then you already knew what we were playing. While Star Wars certainly had console exclusives, Battlefront wasn’t even one of them. It released on Playstation 2 and Xbox.

I couldn’t find a definitive answer for why LucasArts didn’t release these games for the Gamecube. I saw people mention the controller not having enough buttons (like with Psychonauts, I am not sure whether this is a legitimate reason studios gave or just fan theories?), or that the games were too big for the Gamecube disc (this seems like it could have been a reason but games launched with two discs all the time.), and that LucasArts simply abandoned Gamecube support towards the end of its life. Possibly. Pandemic Studios released Star Wars Battlefront 1 and 2 around 2004 and 2005. This means the Gamecube still had a good year or two left before the Wii arrived. More so, Star Wars would still release Lego Star Wars 1 and 2 after Battlefronts release. Maybe they just trusted the Lego series to sell fine on the Gamecube? Maybe they didn’t think Star Wars Battlefront’s gritty, darker aesthetic would vibe with Gamecube owners?

I don’t know. If you have more official information let me know. Either way, it is sad these gems never came out on the Gamecube. The Gamecube had four controller slots, two more than the Playstation 2. This is childhood series I really want to return to. I’ll probably end up buying them on OG Xbox since Battlefront 2 on Xbox supports 4 players.

So that’s 5 Gamecube games I wish I had come to the Gamecube. I could have named more like Katamari, Grand Theft Auto, or Devil May Cry, but these are the five that I feel like could have truly made the library better. Anyway, what games would you have liked to see released on Gamecube. Let me know! Thanks for reading and have a great day!