The Nintendo GameCube is not the company’s most celebrated console, though it was also far from a failure. Despite its place between the Nintendo 64 andNintendo Wii, two mammoths notable for the best games from the company, the early aughts console still has a lot going for it.
Related:10 GameCube Games That Still Look Amazing In 2020
The strong library of titles includes classics likeSuper Smash Bros. MeleeandMetroid Prime. However, more games were supposed to make it to the platform,but were canceled for one reason or another. Most of these were first-party exclusives, while others were set to be multiplatform releases. Surely the developers had agood reason to cancel these projects, but it still stings to know they got the ax.
10Diddy Kong Racing
Before Rare was purchased by Microsoft, the team was working on a follow up to the Nintendo 64 kart racer,Diddy Kong Racing. The game was looking to be more ambitious than any other entry in the genre prior. Also in development was a Donkey Kong racing game.ConsideringDiddy Kong Racing’slegacy, it is a shame to know it never received a proper sequel.
9Super Mario 128
This is a weird one, since most seeSuper Mario 128as a GameCube tech demo. However,all signs point to aSuper Mariogame in development which never came to proper fruition.All evidence suggeststhat elements from this cancelled game made it intoSuper Mario Galaxyand its sequel, but it would have been better for Nintendo to put these ideas into practice during the GameCube generation.
8Starcraft Ghost
Starcraftis one of the most legendary RTS games of all time. While gameplay is the main focus of the series, it has a surprisingly deep plot, something players would have received a new perspective on ifStarcraft Ghosthad made it to consoles in the mid-2000’s.
Related:10 best RTS Games To Play If You Love Starcraft
Game Informer even used the project for a cover story.Blizzardcanceled the project after it entered development limbo, and footage from the project leaked a couple of years ago, showing gamers what could have been.
Another victim of Rare’s acquisition by Microsoft,Conker’s Other Bad Daywas meant to be a proper sequel to the raunchyNintendo 64 platformer. Once the studio left Nintendo, Microsoft instead had the company remake the original game and add an extensive multiplayer component. While it was nice to have a remake on the Xbox, fans would have more heavily appreciated a proper follow up.
6Kirby Tilt ‘N’ Tumble 2
A neat idea on the Game Boy Advance,Kirby Tilt N' Tumble 2was meant to expand this idea to the GameCube, using Game Boy Advance connectivity to act as a sort of second screen Kirby could fall into. After its initial reveal, the game showed up at a different event without theKirbylicense before dropping out of existence all together. The GameCube was a tough time for the pink ball, who saw few releases during this time.
5Stage Debut
While this game never saw the light of day, one can see a clear connection betweenStage Debutand the introduction of Miis for the Nintendo Wii. Using theGame Boy AdvanceGameEye camera, players could snap a photo of themselves and put it in the game. The avatar would then partake interact with famous Nintendo characters. The accompanying peripheral never came out, dooming the project.
4Action Adventure
While probably not the actual title of this project, it never received a proper name after Retro Studios abandoned the project in favor ofMetroid Prime. All evidence points to the title being a action game following three female protagonists in a post-apocalyptic future.
Related:10 Nintendo GameCube Games With The Best Graphics
The company had several other unfinished projects in the works, all of which it canned once the company decided todedicate all its efforts to Samus Aran’s adventure.
33D Kirby Games
SeveralKirbygames went through development troubles on the GameCube, explaining why a proper 3D entry for the character never came to light on the console. Three unreleased platformers were in development; two 3D games and one 2D adventure. While these never came out, the Wii saw the character come back in full force withKirby’s Return to DreamlandandKirby’s Epic Yarn.
2Pilot Wings
Factor 5 is known for the legendaryStar Wars: Rogue Squadronseries. During the GameCube era, the developer also worked on aproper reboot to thePilot Wingsfranchise.While the project was never officially announced, it was heavily rumored during the GameCube’s life and was eventually revealed as truly in development only recently. It would have used the Cold War as a backdrop for the gameplay and had a more involved story.
1Earthbound
While this game never entered proper development, a concept was made for a pitch, which itself has an associated story. Then Nintendo President Satori Iwuata set up a meeting between Yasuyuki Honne, who had asequel idea toEarthbound, and Shigesato Itoi, the original director the SNES cult classic. Funnily enough, it was set up as a typical lunch with no inkling of it being anEarthboundpitch. Unfortunately, Itoi was not interested in making a follow up to the game, though stills from the concept exist on the Internet.
