Summary
TheNintendo GameCubeis home to some of the most iconic video games of all time, particularly from Nintendo’s historical library. There were unique takes on theMariofranchise withLuigi’s MansionandSuper Mario Sunshine, as well as memorable titles likeThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker,Metroid Prime, andPokemon Colosseum.
However, there were plenty of video games, both first-party and third-party, that didn’t receive as much love as they deserved at the time. This lack of appreciation extended to the game’s characters, many of whom - such as the ones on this list - have been branded as underrated, as they had all the potential to become household names but fell considerably short and were thus forgotten by many gamers.
It really seemed like Tak fromTak and the Power of Jujuhad the potential to be an ongoing presence in the video game world. The 3D platformer resembles the likes ofBanjo-KazooieandSly Cooper, centering on the young tribe boy Tak on a mission to save the prophesied hero of the Pupanunu people from an untimely transformation into a sheep.
AlthoughTak and the Power of Jujureceived numerous sequels on platforms like GameCube, Nintendo Wii, and PlayStation 2,as well as a Nickelodeon animated series, the character has long since been abandoned and likely won’t return thanks to THQ filing for bankruptcy. It’s sad, considering Tak deserved a long legacy on Nintendo consoles.
Chibi-Robohas a curious place in Nintendo’s history of first-party games, considering it was originally released for the GameCube in 2005, a year before the debut of the Wii. The game, which stars the titular miniature robot covertly assisting in the daily lives of a family, launched a franchise that never seemed to catch on outside of hardcore Nintendo fanboys.
Chibi-Robo’s most recent appearance was inChibi-Robo: Zip Lash!for the Nintendo 3DS, which received mixed reviews and, based on its lackluster sales, ultimately canned the series altogether. It’s a mystery why video game audiences didn’t latch on to the wholesome fun of a robot heroically protecting an average family from everyday obstacles.
Developed by Capcom,Viewtiful Joecame out on the GameCube in 2003, featuring a movie fanatic named Joe whose girlfriend is kidnapped, forcing him to become the crime-fighting titular superhero and adventure through a 2D sidescrolling adventure in Movieland.
AlthoughViewtiful Joewas critically acclaimed, its sales were disappointing. After further sequels, an anime adaptation,and aMarvel vs. Capcomappearancefailed to turn the character into a video game icon, the series was abandoned.
Ty the Tasmanian Tigerwas released on GameCube in 2002 and featured lots of Australian wildlife as its cast, asthe boomerang-wielding Ty, a Tasmanian tiger, is tasked with collecting five talismans in order to free his family from a world-dominating cassowary. Surprisingly,Ty the Tasmanian Tigerdidn’t hit off with audiences upon its release.
Though the game was followed up by several sequels, most recently with 2015’s PC-exclusiveTy the Tasmanian Tiger 4, the game struggled to find a strong audience on the GameCube. Perhaps it blended in too much with similar 3D platformers of the era, or maybe its Australian setting and references just didn’t catch on with a Japanese or American crowd.
When it comes toStar Foxgames, no one needs to be reminded of the heroic nature of Fox McCloud, the series' protagonist. However, the GameCube titleStar Fox Adventuresfeatures another hero, Krystal, who was actually intended to be the hero of the game prior to Nintendo’s re-imagining of Rare’sDinosaur Islandas aStar Foxgame.
As a result, Krystal is unfortunately sidelined at the top of the game, becoming a damsel and love interest to Fox McCloud. It’s a shame, considering that she shows great promise as a potential video game hero in the game’s opening sequence. This is a rare case where it’s not the audience who made Krystal underrated but the developers themselves.
By the GameCube era,Sega was still notable for theSonic the Hedgehogseries, including GameCube titles likeSonic Adventure 2andSonic Heroes. However, Sega also tried their hand at creating a new iconic character withBilly Hatcher and the Giant Egg, centering on the titular character, a human boy who is chosen as a hero to The Chicken Elders.
Although Billy has re-appeared in Sega titles likeSega SuperstarsandSonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, Sega opted not to make a sequel toBilly Hatcher and the Giant Eggin response to poor sales. It was obviously a bad idea for Sega to try and recreate the magic ofSonic the Hedgehog, but it still feels like Billy Hatcher warranted more attention from Sega.
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