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Sold from 2001 to 2007, the GameCube wasn’t the most long-lived console.
Still, its distinct design and excellent game library – along with the high quality of its controllers and hardware – made it deeply memorable for those lucky enough to have owned one.
The GameCube isn’t exactly known for its daring, underground games. Instead, it’s the big names like TLoZ: Wind Waker, Super Mario Sunshine, and Resident Evil 4 that helped make the console what it is today.
That said, the GameCube is the home of several incredibly creative titles that really managed to push the envelope without sacrificing quality.
This ranking of unusual titles isn’t only about how weird they were, but also about the fun you could have with them.
If you’re on the lookout for an enjoyably unique experience from the GCN era, you’ll find it here.
12. Lost Kingdoms 2 (2003)
First up, we’re taking a look at the second installment in the Lost Kingdoms series, weird both because of its unique gameplay and the fact that it was developed by FromSoftware – now famous for the Dark Souls series.
Main character Tara can capture and summon monsters using magic cards, which has earned her fear and respect far and wide.
The gameplay is a sort of mash-up between Pokémon, Hearthstone, and a regular RPG.
And it’s not critical to play the first game to understand the sequel, so make sure to check out this exotic RPG if you’re into monster or card collecting.
11. Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (2005)
Next in line is Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, a unique side-scrolling platformer where you control the titular character by banging on your Donkey Konga bongoes.
Despite the seemingly insane control scheme, this rhythm adventure is actually one of the best in the Donkey Kong series – and the controls feel tighter and more responsive than most platformers out there.
Leave it to Nintendo to take a bizarre concept and somehow make it work!
Regrettably, the game was a bit overlooked by the fanbase due to uncertainty about the controls, and because you actually needed to get the bongoes to play. But a lot of fun if you can get it setup.
10. Alien Hominid (2004)
Some games are weird because of their gameplay, others because of their aesthetic – and Alien Hominid makes us raise an eyebrow because of its origins.
The game is a product of its time.
It began its life as a fairly successful flash game on the Newgrounds platform, where users were free to upload animations and little games created on Adobe Flash.
Eventually, mainstream game developers caught wind of it and further developed it into a full-fledged console title. However, they left the flash-like character designs and animations intact. So you can clearly notice its roots while playing through it.
Whether or not you had a chance to play it while still a simple Flash game back in the day, you’re missing out if you don’t try the GC version.
It’s a fantastic run-n-gun, and it’s an excellent choice for a couch co-op session.
9. Chibi-Robo! (2005)
Meaning literally “small robot” in Japanese, Chibi-Robo! tells the story of just such an automaton, and their struggle to make the Sanderson family happy.
To get those precious “Happy Points”, you’ll have to maneuver the tiny machine around the house, completing diverse tasks such as cleaning, organizing, and solving environmental puzzles.
You’ll also have to deal with robotic spiders by shooting them with your Chibi Blaster, because of course, the family that built a high-tech bipedal Roomba also went and created robotic arachnids.
This adventure-platformer with a generous sprinkle of puzzles on top is as cute as it is weird – and it’s also one of the best titles on Nintendo’s cube.
8. Geist (2005)
The early 2000s was a great time for experimental games such as Geist, a mature action-adventure FPS with a twist.
Rather than a super-soldier or some bounty hunter, you’ll be playing as John Raimi, a scientist-turned-ghost who’s trying to recover his physical body from the depths of the Volks Corporation’s facilities.
To achieve this, you’ll have to possess various people to get information and clear your path.
The game doesn’t have the greatest graphics for a game released in 2005 – and the performance is mediocre at best.
But the fantastic gameplay makes up for it in spades.
7. Gotcha Force (2003)
If you’re a fan of the classic Custom Robo, you have to try Gotcha Force – a robot combat game focused on numbers and planning along with actual fighting skills.
The game follows several kids who duke it out against one another by commanding armies of lil’ robots called Gotcha Borgs on diverse arenas that play on your sense of scale.
While the single-player campaign where you fight to stop an evil faction of Gotcha Borgs from invading the Earth is pretty solid, the game’s multiplayer is where most of the fun lies.
It’s hectic, sometimes unpredictable, and very intense. Perfect to keep you going for hours.
6. Ribbit King (2003)
Golf is one of those sports that translate really well to the gaming realm.
But that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved by, say, replacing the balls with living, breathing frogs.
You may be worried about their safety after being struck by a golf club – but don’t worry.
Frolf(the name of this bizarre sport) is played by safely launching the amphibians from a catapult. Don’t ask us about the landing, though.
The rest of the rules in Ribbit King’s frolf are pretty much regular golf… except for the fact that getting your frog to swim or be eaten by a snake might put you some steps closer to victory.
With cutesy Animal Crossing-like characters and simple, quirky gameplay, Ribbit King is a weird game you can’t miss out on.
5. Killer7 (2005)
What hasn’t been said about Killer7?
It’s a fantastic on-rails shooter that rises above the competition thanks to its smart use of cel-shaded graphics, intriguing narrative, and some seriously engaging gameplay.
What makes this game worthy of a mention on our weird ranking is precisely that intriguing narrative, which follows a team of hired killers known as the Smith Syndicate.
The twist?
All seven of them exist within the main character, thanks to a psychological/magical condition known as Multifoliate Personae Phenomenon. Think of it as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on LSD.
Add to that writer and director Suda51’s dark humor and interest in deep, thought-provoking themes, and you have an instant classic.
4. Phantasy Star Online Episode III: CARD Revolution (2004)
The Phantasy Star Online series was already pretty unique back in the day thanks to its focus on online gaming in an age where most consoles weren’t even equipped for the feat.
That said, the release of PSO III: Card Revolution took the weirdness up a notch even for PSO standards by changing the gameplay entirely.
Instead of an action-focused MMORPG, gamers were greeted with a turn-based deck-building game in the same vein as Yu-Gi-Oh!.
While unusual, this competitive card-based gameplay was surprisingly engaging both offline and online. All things considered, this unique title is actually a solid game. Even if it wasn’t what fans were expecting at the time.
3. Pikmin 2 (2004)
It may be one of the greatest and most well-known games on the system, but that doesn’t make Pikmin (and its fantastic sequel) any less weird.
Like the first game, Pikmin 2 follows the adventures of Olimar – now joined by his friend and co-worker Louie – on the mysterious planet where Pikmin live.
The gameplay consists mostly of directing these organisms around to achieve diverse objectives. These intelligent plant-like creatures will follow Olimar and Louie to hell and back, helping them acquire as many treasures as they can, including batteries, trump cards, bobble-heads, and all sorts of curios.
Fun fact: It’s never directly addressed, but it’s suggested that Pikmin takes place on Earth after some apocalyptic event wiped out all of humanity. Eerie.
2. Cubivore (2006)
I’ve always been a fan of games that mimic the process of natural selection and evolution as a game mechanic. And Cubivore is the most charming example in the GameCube’s roster.
In this weird mash-up of Spore, TLoZ, and Minecraft, you’ll play as a cuboid lifeform fighting to become the apex predator in its environment.
Each level will have you completing some objectives, defeating – and eating – some other lifeforms, and finally reproducing so your now-stronger offspring can continue the journey on the next stage.
With hilarious character designs and a charming aesthetic, it’s a shame this game wasn’t more well-known back in the day.
1. Odama (2006)
Games inspired by the age of feudal warlords in Japan are a dime a dozen.
You read that right: this title’s gameplay revolves around wielding the Odama, a massive black ball that’s the protagonists’ clans’ secret weapon.
You do this by playing pinball on the battlefield – destroying enemy defenses and decimating their forces with the Odama – while simultaneously using a special microphone peripheral to bark orders at your foot soldiers at the same time.
It takes a lot of time to get used to.
But once you do, you’ll love this challenging and unusual experience.
Nelson Chitty is a Venezuelan expat living in Argentina. He’s a writer and translator passionate about history and foreign cultures. His ideal weekend is spent between leisurely playing games of Civilization VI and looking for the next seinen anime to marathon.
