The Absolute Best GameCube First Person Shooters of All Time

First-person shooters have been around since the 90s but didn’t really shine on consoles until the newer systems came along with more power. The GameCube is a good example of that, and the best GameCube first-person shooters still hold up well today. While the platform wasn’t known for a wealth of FPS titles, we’ve rounded up six of the top shooters gamers can still enjoy in 2022.   

5 Fun Facts about the Nintendo GameCube

• There were more than 600 games made for GameCube from 2001 to 2007.
• Panasonic released a hybrid version of the GameCube with a DVD Player called the Panasonic Q.
• The GameCube is in the 6th generation of home video game consoles
• Only a handful of GameCube games support network connectivity
• Luigi’s Mansion and Pikmin made their debut on GameCube.

First-Person Shooters on GameCube

The “shooter” genre has been popular since gamers began zapping ducks with on the NES. The styles have varied over the years, but the principle of these games remains the same – shoot anything that moves. The first-person viewpoint pulls you into the action, and if you owned a GameCube, there were around a dozen titles to choose from.

Compared to other consoles of the day like the PlayStation 2, the overall selection of shooters on Nintendo’s system is light. Some of the bigger names in the genre made an appearance, however, along with unique titles like XIII, Jude Dredd vs. Death, and Turok Evolution. While you won’t find those games on our list of the best GameCube first-person shooters, the titles below are widely regarded as the best at that time.

The Best GameCube First-Person Shooters

1. Metroid Prime

You can find first-person shooters on any console including the GameCube, but you can’t find some Nintendo games on other platforms. Metroid is an example of that, and Metroid Prime is a hybrid shooter widely regarded as of the best video games of all time regardless of the platform.

Is it a shooter or an action-adventure game in first-person? That was the question millions of gamers pondered in 2002 as Metroid Prime is the first 3D game in the franchise. It’s also the first game to put Samus into a first-person perspective, complete with a heads-up display. You can use X-ray vision and the scanner thanks to the helmet, and your view changes with each visor.

The helmet view is part of the charm of Metroid Prime, just like the Morph Ball which switches to a third-person view when in use. The gameplay in Metroid Prime pushed gamers to the limit, but the storyline was top-notch as well. It picks up after the first two games and is followed by Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, another highly-rated GameCube title.

With a 9.8 from IGN and high scores from other leading publications, it’s hard to argue how popular Metroid Prime was when the game launched. It’s just as good today, however, and one of the best GameCube first-person shooters, even if Nintendo initially billed it as a first-person adventure game instead.

Metroid Prime

$33.94

• On a distant planet known as Tallon IV, where a deserted space station leads to a nightmare discovery -- the Metroids have returned, mutated and more powerful than before!
• You'll play Metroid-hunter Samus, as you fight through tunnels against the deadliest creatures in the galaxy
• Use bombs, missiles, lasers, and your ability to morph into a ball strategically, as you navigate a desolate planet filled with deadly corridors
• You'll also be able to wear new suits that give Samus all-new powers
• Flawless camera angles, fantastic 3D graphics, and massively detailed game worlds all combine with gorgeous cutscenes that advance the story

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03/03/2023 08:29 am GMT

2. TimeSplitters 2

TimeSplitters 2 is the sequel to the original TimeSplitters, a highly-rated game for the PlayStation 2. The new game takes place in the future where you’ll play as Space Marines, who travel back in time to find Time Crystals lost across the ages. Each setting brings different elements into play, and there are a variety of skills and abilities.

You can take on Story Mode alone or with a friend via co-op. There’s also an Arcade and Challenge Mode which is where you’ll gain medals to unlock characters and cheats. Want to shoot paintballs like in GoldenEye? That’s an option, and you can set up a DeathMatch or play BagTag with up to four players through the game’s multiplayer features.

MapMaper is still a blast and allows gamers to create their own levels. We’re also a big fan of the mini-games you can play through the Temporal Uplink and fun weapons like the Monkey Gun. Story mode is split into 10 levels, but the possibilities are endless for this first-person shooter once you factor in cheats, unlocks, and the additional modes.

TimeSplitters 2 was a hit when it launched in 2002 and is still considered once one of the best GameCube first-person shooter games for the system. It’s also fairly affordable and easy to find compared to other vintage cartridges on the console like Conker’s Bad Fur Day or Goeman’s Great Adventure.

Time Splitters 2

$18.89

• This time you've got to stop the evil lords from collecting ancient jewels that will give them power over all time
• Battle through nine different time-travelling episodes -- from the Wild West to Tokyo in the year 2019
• Interact with over 90 unique characters, from the original characters to new renegades,and even the ancestors of previous enemies
• Take a tour through weaponry of the ages -- you'll get to use everything from crossbows to laser pulse rifles
• You can even create your own stories and new scenarioes, like deathmatch, capture-the-bag, escort, last stand, and more

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03/03/2023 12:35 pm GMT

3. Medal of Honor: Frontline

FPS games fall into many subcategories, but some take a traditional approach with both gameplay and the setting. Medal of Honor Frontline is a prime example of that, and one of the best titles for the GameCube when you’re in need of a realistic WW2 shooter.

Medal of Honor Frontline is the fourth game in the series and the first to make its way to the GameCube. When it arrived in 2002, gamers were able to jump into the boots of Jimmy Patterson again and storm the beach on D-Day. Things don’t slow from there as you battle the Wehrmacht through action-packed levels using authentic weaponry.

There are more than a dozen levels in Frontline along with eight multiplayer maps like Port Authority and Rubble Town. The soundtrack is fantastic, and if you’re a fan of weapons, you will not be disappointed by the arsenal in the game. There are pistols, submachine guns, and bazookas along with a variety of grenades.

From stealth missions to U-boat raids, Medal of Honor Frontline has something for everyone. You’ll need a lot of medkits if you want to make it through unscathed, and the gameplay will feel just as frantic today as it did in 2002.

Medal of Honor Frontline - Gamecube

$4.07

• Jimmy has been sent back behind enemy lines to steal the HO-IX flying wing, an experimental Nazi weapon
• To get it, you'll have to survive six major missions and 20 unique levels of gameplay
• There's all-new non-player Character animations, with superior 3D details -- even full facial expressions and lip synchs
• Use 20 authentic WWII weapons, from a Colt. 45 pistol to a German Panzerschrenk rocket launcher
• You can even drive vehicles like the motorized rail car, train, and mine cart

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03/03/2023 08:24 am GMT

4. Call of Duty: Finest Hour

Whenever there’s a “best” shooters list for classic consoles of the 90s and 2000s, you’ll always see an entry for Medal of Honor and Call of Duty. While the original COD never arrived on the GameCube, Call of Duty Finest Hour was the first entry from the franchise on the system in 2004.

Finest Hour is based on the original Call of Duty, so gamers will be familiar with the setting and gameplay. In this game, you’ll fight across several fronts as different characters in the American, British, and Soviet campaigns. The game features dozens of characters and locations spread across 19 levels with the North African campaign being the shortest.  

Unfortunately, gamers were not able to enjoy traditional multiplayer on the GameCube compared to the PS2 and Xbox ports. Split-screen local was a blast and still is, especially if you appreciate intense action on several continents. It’s one of the best GameCube first-person shooters for gamers who dig historical battles, and another classic game that’s easy to acquire thanks to its popularity.

Call of Duty: Finest Hour was well-received on the GameCube and other consoles upon release, even if a few areas felt a little unpolished at the time. When you complete Call of Duty 2 you can continue the adventure on your GameCube through Big Red One, a side story based on COD 2.

Call of Duty: Finest Hour

$7.35

• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Shooter

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06/03/2023 03:32 pm GMT

5. Red Faction II

First-person shooters have always had a home with gamers who like realistic action and locations they can recognize. Red Faction II takes a different approach as the game is set in 2080 in a time of super soldiers and nanotechnology.

Red Faction II takes place five years after the original game, and you play as Alias, a demo expert in the rebellion. The game action kicks off early in Red Faction II, and while the single-player campaign, isn’t the longest, it’s packed full of action. The boss battles sent plenty of gamers into fits of rage, especially an enhanced version of a particular villain.

As for the gameplay, there are 11 missions in the campaign and local multiplayer. In couch mode, you can battle against your friends in traditional modes like Deathmatch and Arena. There are some interesting additions as well with Bagman and Regime. Bot creation is top-tier with full stats including upgrades as they level up through gameplay. 

Red Faction II is a game that’s easy to get into and hard to put down once you get the hang of things. The ability to dual-wield should not be underestimated, and the world Volition and Cranky Pants created has plenty of depth thanks to destructible environments where an errant bullet can impact a building or a civilian. If you love action, it’s definitely one of the best GameCube first-person shooters.

Red Faction II

$29.00

• It is five years after the Red Faction rose up against its colonial masters. Chancellor Sopot oppresses the Commonwealth, and a small group of nano-enhanced soldiers have decided to rebel and join the...
• Work with a team of six super-soldiers as you fight in a completely interactive, immersive game environment
• Utilize all kinds of futuristic vehicles as you play -- tanks, hover-flyers, submarines and more Realistic AI has opponents act like real squads and react realistically to different events
• Use the specialized equipment and 14 different firearms to blow away the enemy - -you can also pick up the weapons of level bosses for unstoppable firepower
• Multiple endings depending on the choices you make - see how different choices lead to different outcomes

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03/03/2023 10:19 am GMT

6. Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast

Star Wars games have been a mainstay on consoles since The Empire Strikes back launched on the Atari 2600 in 1982. You can find plenty of Star Wars video games on Nintendo consoles, including Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast.

Unlike other titles on our best GameCube first-person shooters list, Jedi Knight uses the first and third-person perspectives. There is no shortage of ranged weapons you can fire, but lightsaber combat in first-person takes things to the next level as you can see in the video below.

There are also Force powers you can use on enemies through more than 20 single-player levels. The story is just as solid as you would expect, and while you play as Kyle Katarn, you’ll encounter plenty of familiar faces along the way. The gameplay isn’t quite as smooth on the GameCube as it was on the Xbox, but it’s still one of the best “shooters” on the console.

Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast is a must-play game for any Star Wars fan that owns a GameCube. Even with outdated graphics, the gameplay is still rock solid and you can lose yourself for hours in the campaign. If you want to try out this classic with a more unique control scheme, consider Jedi Outcast for the Nintendo Switch. 

Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast

$12.97

• Star Wars Jedi Outcast

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03/03/2023 11:38 am GMT