http://www.notworksafe.com/50gcgames.jpg> The Nintendo Wii is doing spectacularly well, but let’s not forget about the fact it can also play some great GameCube games! The best thing about some of the GameCube games is that you can get some of the better titles for only $5-$15 making for some great gaming for much, much less than the price of some of the newer Wii titles. Playing through Metroid Prime again, I was amazed at how well the game held up in the sound and graphics department and when compared to some of the Wii titles that are out, you might have more fun buying these five games from the GameCube days than one $50 Wii title. Here’s my picks for five games that rocked on the GameCube; all of which can be had for around $50 combined and links to all of their ratings from GameRankings.com and where to buy them from GameStop. 1) Metroid Prime - $6.99 (used) at GameStop - 96% from GameRankings.com Sure we're all playing Metroid Prime 3 on the Wii, but there is no reason why you shouldn’t check out the original Metroid Prime! Under the guidance of Shigeru Miyamoto, this version of Metroid was the first to venture into the 3D realm and made the crossover gracefully with great graphics, sound, and that keen attention to classic Metroid game play. Starting with the graphics, Metroid Prime surpasses a few of the Wii launch titles I can name in many ways including giving a great sense of atmosphere and throwing all kinds of little things into the mix that make you say, “Wow!”. The way the inside of the mask steams up when you pass through fog, the effects that occur when coming out of the water, the landscapes and atmosphere itself - the game has style and is jaw dropping at times. The sound is also top notch with the very familiar “Metroid item collection noise” that is sure to bring back memories as you play and other very well produced sounds and music that compliments the game nicely. Gameplay revolves around the same concept of exploring and finding items that help power up your suit while you work your way through various levels and baddies, many of which make a return in 3D glory from the 2D days. Fight huge bosses and work your way through levels that vary from looking natural and leafy with rain falling to the snowy Phendrana Drifts and into lava filled depths or even underwater. The controls do take a bit to get used to, but a nice intro level helps acquaint you with the 3D movement and control scheme. Once you pick them up, you’ll be on your way to blasting, jumping, and yes, rolling your way through the spectacular title. I highly recommend this title for anyone that has a Nintendo Wii and at $7, you’re only doing yourself a disservice if you haven’t played the game. 2) Viewtiful Joe - $4.99 (used) at GameStop - 91% from GameRankings.com Let it first be said that Viewtiful Joe is a very challenging game that is relentless with it’s lack of a decent save system, but at the same time, very rewarding with lots of cool game play elements tossed in and a graphical style all it’s own. Done in a very comic book fashion, Viewtiful Joe from Capcom provides you with level after level of beating up bad guys while using special abilities and transforming Joe into a superhero with even more power to get the job done. Slow time down, speed it up, and zoom in close to the action to see every “BIFF!”, “BOFF!”, and “SMACK!” as you whip the enemies into shape along the way. It’s definitely got great visual effects and the game is done in a cell shaded style that really makes the game even more original and fun. Bonus items and minigames are also a plenty in the game which help add to the crazy variety of the nature of the title. If you are a fan of side scrolling beat ‘em ups or just want to have fun with something fresh and different, I highly recommend you try your hand at Viewtiful Joe, especially for $7 and especially the GameCube version which works perfectly with the GC controller. It’s a highly satisfying game and I recommend it to all Wii owners that haven’t given this game a shot. 3) Resident Evil 4 - $12.99 (used) at GameStop - 96% from GameRankings.com If you haven't picked up Resident Evil 4 yet on any platform, the GameCube is just about the best to pick it up for. I happened to have it for both the GC and the Wii and found them both to be excellent in the gameplay and graphics department and while the ability to free aim with the Wii controls was nice, at $13, you can't go wrong with this version at all. RE4 has won many accolades including game of the year by many outlets (for it's release year) and is bar none one of the best titles on the GameCube platform as a whole. With a great cast of characters, an inventory system, some rather frightful enemies (wait until you meet Mr. Chainsaw), and some very nice weaponry, RE4 makes for a great gaming experience. If you're looking forward to RE5 on the current generation platforms, there's no better time to get into the series than now at this price. 4) Zelda: The Wind Waker - $17.99 (used) at GameStop - 95% from GameRankings.com This version of Zelda is one of the best and was panned by some when it came out for it’s choice in art direction. There are plenty of gamers that perhaps missed out on a wonderful Zelda game that made great use of the chosen style of graphics. While you are playing the game, it’s almost hard to forget you’re not watching a cartoon and you are in fact control of a much younger Link. It has a stunning level of presentation from graphics to sound and the controls are tight and top notch. Coming after the Ocarina or Time, this version retains game play elements that helped make the 3D versions of Zelda so much fun to play like the Z-targeting system. Classic Zelda game play is abound in this version, as you take on the role of Link who is set for adventure on his birthday no less after a local is kidnapped by a strange looking bird. Set sail for the seas as you control Link on water and on land through his adventures across many islands and into various dungeons. Item collecting is again the name of the game as you build your inventory, using each new item to explore new areas and sometimes discover hidden secrets. Find new towns, caves, fortresses and more to explore as Link in this version; it’s classic Zelda with some new twists and will keep you busy for dozens of hours. Grab this one and play it before or after the Twilight Princess as the story lines are completely separate. It’s packed full of exciting and beautiful gaming experiences that shouldn’t be missed. Zelda: The Wind Waker was a hit game for the GameCube and a perfect addition to your Wii collection at only $18. 5) Soul Caliber II - $9.99 (used) at GameStop - 93% from GameRankings.com Is that Link from The Legend of Zelda we see on the front cover? Why yes, it is. Super Smash Bros Melee isn’t the only game to feature Link as a fighter, Soul Caliber II from Namco also featured Link in the GameCube version of the game. Featuring over 15 fighters, each with their own abilities and moves, Soul Caliber II didn’t take too many risks this time around and is a great sequel to the original Dreamcast version. The presentation, graphics, and sound are top notch as are the controls; fans of fighters will feel right at home with the familiar play style and the game is easy enough for new folks to the fighting genre to get into. Fight with low, medium, and high attacks on various stages with each character capable of dozens of various moves. You can fight the computer or go toe to toe against your pals; there’s even a weapon master mode which is a mission mode of sorts that pits you against enemies in challenges you must complete with certain conditions needing to be met. Make your way through the mission mode to unlock bonus characters, play modes, and even earn Gold you can spend on buying special weapons and other content for the characters. The graphics are top notch and the game runs at a very smooth 60 frames per second. At $10, it’s hard to pass up this great fighter for the original GameCube that plays very well on your Nintendo Wii system. And there we have it, 5 fantastic titles from the Nintendo GameCube that work flawlessly on the Nintendo Wii and promise to deliver more than their monies worth, all combined right at the price of one new Wii game. Sure, there’s better games from the GameCube and we could go on and on with other titles, but the point here is that you can have a ton of fun on the Wii with these titles for about the same price as a perhaps less than stellar Wii game.