Best Local Co-Op & Split-Screen GameCube Games, Ranked

The GameCube is one of the best consoles of all time, with its unique design and excellent hardware allowing some of Nintendo’s flagship titles to become bigger and more engaging than ever before. While the console struggled against the PS2, many people still consider the GameCube to be one of Nintendo’s best consoles despite not selling all that well.

There are many split-screen and co-op games that players can check on this console, which are all pretty engaging in their own right. Whether players are going through a game together or actively fighting to trounce the other, there’s no denying that these games are excellent in their own right and some of the best social gaming experiences that players can enjoy on the GameCube.

Updated on January 13, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: The Nintendo GameCube is a console that featured some amazing video games, and it’s a shame that the console didn’t sell as many units as it should’ve. Regardless, this shouldn’t take away from the console’s legacy in the slightest, especially with the wealth of amazing games released on the platform that deserve a ton of love and adoration in their own right. Players who own this console and want to check out some great co-op and split-screen games to have a blast with their friends will be more than pleased by the wealth of amazing experiences on offer here.

10 Kirby Air Ride

Metascore: 61

A racing video game featuring Kirby front and center, Kirby Air Ride is a great title that fans of simple arcade racing games can check out. Some people may argue that this game is a bit too simple for some people to enjoy, which is understandable since there are racers with more depth on this console.

However, what Kirby Air Ride lacks in mechanical excellence, it more than makes up with a charming aesthetic and approachable gameplay. Kirby games are known for being easy titles anyway, so it’s no surprise why Kirby Air Ride was such a hit with fans of this adorable mascot.

9 Super Mario Strikers

Metascore: 76

The Mario sports games have all been pretty engaging in their own right, and Super Mario Strikers is no exception to this golden rule. Engaging in a game of soccer with Mario characters makes for a ton of fun, especially with players unleashing a wealth of powerups to decimate their opponents.

The scoreline can change in a flash in Super Mario Strikers, making it important for players to stay on top of their game at all times. It’s a fun party game where players can team up or battle against each other to win as many matches as possible.

8 James Bond 007: Nightfire

Metascore: 78

Nintendo consoles and James Bond games have been a great match, with GoldenEye 007 establishing itself as one of the most important console shooters ever made. So, it’s easy to see why fans were elated to play Nightfire on GameCube.

The competitive multiplayer mode present in this title allows for hours of enjoyment as players try and take out their foes as quickly as possible. It’s a pretty simple FPS when people look at it from a modern lens, but many people still can’t get enough of sitting in front of the GameCube to try and take out their friends in scintillating multiplayer confrontations!

7 Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles

Metascore: 80

The idea of playing a co-op Final Fantasy game is enough of a draw to convince most fans to check out Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, a highly underrated game that deserves its time in the spotlight and then some. The game’s story is as simple as they come, with four adventures being tasked with protecting crystals — a common theme in most Final Fantasy games.

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However, it’s the co-op gameplay that ends up being the saving grace of this title, with players loving the act of clearing out a dungeon together while engaging with classic Final Fantasy elements. It’s a shame that the remaster of this title removed any local co-op since that was a huge part of what made the experience so special.

6 TimeSplitters: Future Perfect

Metascore: 83

There’s a reason why so many fans are clamoring for the TimeSplitters series to make a comeback. The amazing shooting action and relentless charm of this series won the hearts of many fans who loved the many shenanigans and hijinks these over-the-top games sent them through.

Future Perfect is the last game in the series, featuring a single-player campaign that could be enjoyed in co-op along with another friend. There’s also a multiplayer mode with some great bots that could be configured to the player’s liking in whatever manner they desire.

5 Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

Metascore: 87

Mario Kart: Double Dash!! is one of the best games in the series and a brilliant kart racer that players will never get bored of. The game is another great addition to the long list of Mario Kart games that have continued to be some of the most beloved and highly played games of all time.

The game experimented around with a unique mechanic where two players could sit on one kart. One of them controlled the kart itself, while the other used a wealth of powerups to try and take out opponents. It made for a unique gameplay loop, even if this gimmick was removed in later titles.

4 F-Zero GX

Metascore: 89

Players who love fast-paced racing titles will love what F-Zero GX has to offer. The idea of zooming past racers at lightning-fast speeds while trying to avoid any damage made for a great time, making it clear why so many people loved F-Zero GX with such a passion.

The game can be pretty hard, but that’s precisely what makes it so much fun. Trying to get through a track without being totaled was a huge achievement in itself, with this game forcing players to optimize their run through a circuit and get the best times possible if they wanted to stand a chance of completing the hard-as-nails single-player campaign.

3 Pikmin 2

Metascore: 90

The Pikmin series features some unique gameplay, with players having to control the titular Pikmin and direct them to do everything from solving puzzles to battling against any aggressive enemies. It’s a hard sell, but Pikmin‘s stellar design and engaging gameplay make it worth checking out for fans of unique titles that mix and match elements from other genres.

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Pikmin 2 and its prequel have been remastered for the Switch, making these titles playable on a console that is fairly widespread at this point. With Pikmin 4 finally out after a long time, fans are glad to see this series get the respect it deserves. The second game features a split-screen competitive mode where two players engage in a unique Capture the Flag-esque minigame that is pretty engaging in its own right.

2 TimeSplitters 2

Metascore: 90

It’s a shame that Free Radical Design was dissolved before they could revive the TimeSplitters series since players would’ve loved any excuse to jump into this legendary series once again. At its peak, TimeSplitters was an excellent FPS franchise where the multiplayer modes were a blast to engage with.

TimeSplitters 2 is considered by many to be the very best in the series, with both the single-player and multiplayer modes being a thing of beauty. The game is a certifiable classic that fans can jump into if they want to enjoy some mindless fun and take out their friends in fun split-screen battles.

1 Super Smash Bros. Melee

Metascore: 92

The fact that Super Smash Bros. Melee is still considered by many to be the very best game in the series despite the games evolving with each successive entry shows what this title got right. Even now, most players prefer playing this masterpiece over the modern Smash games.

Super Smash Bros. Melee brings many improvements to the table over its predecessor that have set the bedrock for future games in the series. Teaming up with a friend to take out tough AI opponents in this game can potentially be more engaging than the regular 1v1 matchups that this series encourages.

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