Revisiting games from your childhood is such a fun thing to do with the power of emulation. You can beat impossible games that made you angry as a kid with cheats or save states, or even see if they hold up now. I am going to do the latter with the GameCube, which was a console I loved as a kid. I did something similar with the Game Boy, which can be read here.
Simpsons Hit and Run
I stayed up all night on Christmas with my sister playing this game. It was so much fun, and honestly, it still holds up. This is if The Simpsons and Grand Theft Auto had a baby. The game has you controlling various Simpsons characters as you drive around Springfield and kick the occasional civilian.
The game has some jank, but I still really enjoyed my time with it. The graphics are fun, and the gameplay is even more fun. I think for this one, it for sure holds up today and is worth checking out, especially if you are a fan of The Simpsons.
I-Ninja
I have no idea why I had this game or where it even came from. It did not fit the kind of games I was into as a kid, but I am glad I had it. The game has you controlling a little ninja that goes around and slices up enemies, and I remember enjoying it.
Playing it now, the game has some really satisfying and varied animations and moves. It is fun to uppercut enemies, slice them in half (vertically and horizontally), run up walls, and even use your sword as a little helicopter to clear large gaps. This for sure held up, and I recommend it for anyone who wants a lesser-known platformer.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
This game really does not need an introduction because it is so well known. When it came out, though, people HATED it purely because of the new art style. I remember seeing so much trash talk about it when it came out. It is hilarious now, because the art style is very much praised.
I recently played through the HD version of this one for Wii U, so this was a little jarring to return to. The HD version has so many great improvements that it is difficult to come back to this one. Luckily, there is an improvement hack for the GameCube version, so if you play this game now, I recommend the HD version or the new hack for the original.
Super Mario Sunshine
The only 3D Mario platformer for the GameCube, and it was an interesting one. Instead of a lot of fun platforming moves you had in Super Mario 64, you now have a water jetpack. I remember as a kid, this was fun to explore, but it was really difficult.
Playing this game now, I think it is still difficult. The use of the analog triggers is nice, but I don’t enjoy it overall. The game requires you to complete a ton of challenges to complete the game, and some are very annoying. There are levels where they take your jetpack, and they can be rough. There is also the water raft level and the pachinko one. All of them are frustrating. I do not enjoy this game in the series much.
Time Splitters 2
I never played the original Time Splitters as a kid, but I had 2! I remember loving this game as a kid. It had a co-op campaign, and the multiplayer was fun as well. The characters and environments were so different and fun, with a ton of unlockables as well.
I really enjoyed coming back to this one. It was just as enjoyable to revisit as I thought it would. The campaign is fun, and there are different challenges depending on which difficulty you choose. It is so cool seeing the different time periods and using different weapons from that time as well. If you want a unique FPS, this one is for you.
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Can we please stop hating on Super Mario Sunshine, it’s not perfect by any means, but it’s still a great game, you could’ve removed Sunshine from this list and replace it with another game, I feel that Star Fox Adventures should’ve been the game that’s more hated because it changed the Star Fox format into a Legend of Zelda wannabe, Super Mario Sunshine retains the gameplay from Super Mario 64 but does it in it’s own way, this vocal slander on Mario Sunshine needs to STOP, now, immediately.
Sorry, I didn’t own Star Fox as a kid and not a big fan of Sunshine. It’s not a bad game, but it has things that I don’t enjoy, which are listed.
dude, the article is about games the author had as a kid, and revisting them. if Star Fox Adventures wasn’t one of them, then… connect the dots.
it’s okay for people to like (and conversely, dislike) different things. that’s what makes discussion and articles like this useful and interesting. breathe deep, touch grass, live and let live?
I’ve never played i-Ninja but I’ve played the rest, great games I’m actually a big fan of Super Mario Sunshine…. seeing that for the first time blew my mind, granted the camera can be a bit janky at times but it’s still great imo