It has been over 20 years because the launch of the GameCube, and it’s no secret that it wasn’t Nintendo’s best-selling system. In its seven years of manufacturing, it managed to promote slightly below 22 million models worldwide, making it the corporate’s second worst-selling house console behind the Wii U.
Regardless of this, the GameCube was a beloved console to many. From sequence debuts like Luigi’s Mansion and Metroid Prime to continuations of common franchises like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and Tremendous Smash Bros. Melee, there have been loads of gems for all sorts of gamers.
The video games that got here out throughout this period have appeared to develop in reputation, particularly since a lot of them noticed re-releases over time. And since the console didn’t promote remarkably nicely, lots of the video games have grow to be scarce over time.
We’ve put collectively an inventory of the ten rarest GameCube video games in the marketplace proper now that might value you an arm and a leg and possibly a kidney to purchase. Should you personal any of those video games, maintain onto them tight, or contemplate promoting them for a reasonably penny.
The entire estimated costs are taken from the PriceCharting web site in June 2023 and mirror the CIB (Full In Field) costs of not too long ago offered listings.
Skies of Arcadia Legends – $150-180
Skies of Arcadia Legends, launched in 2002, was one of many few JRPGs that existed on the GameCube. It’s a port particularly for the GameCube because the authentic launch was on the Dreamcast and was merely known as Skies of Arcadia.
The plot revolves round a younger air pilot named Vyse who groups up with pals to cease the Valuan Empire from utilizing historic weapons to destroy the world.
Whereas Skies of Arcadia obtained vital acclaim on the Dreamcast, the GameCube model obtained extra criticism as a result of the graphics weren’t improved regardless of the extra highly effective {hardware}.
There are a great variety of copies of Skies of Arcadia Legends in the marketplace, however they’ll nonetheless run you $170 or extra. Just lately offered CIB copies in June 2023 went for $155 and $180, with an outlier promoting for $205.
Fireplace Emblem Path of Radiance – $200-300
In 2005, Clever Techniques launched the ninth sport within the Fireplace Emblem sequence, Path of Radiance. This tactical JRPG launched the character Ike who travels throughout the land of Tellius to revive peace and ease tensions in different nations.
Fireplace Emblem Path of Radiance was solely the third Fireplace Emblem sport to be launched within the west, that means the viewers on this a part of the world won’t have been very acquainted with the sequence but. As a result of it was launched on the very finish of the GameCube’s life, it didn’t have an excessive amount of time to promote a ton of copies earlier than the Wii got here round.
It’s not troublesome to seek out copies of Fireplace Emblem Path of Radiance on the secondhand market, however they go for roughly $200-300 CIB, in all probability as a result of the Fireplace Emblem sequence has gained substantial reputation within the west since this sport’s launch.
Chibi-Robo!: Plug Into Journey! – $250
The primary sport within the Chibi-Robo! franchise launched in 2005 on the GameCube. It was a pleasant journey sport by which gamers managed a small robotic tasked with cleansing and fixing puzzles in a family setting.
Regardless of its distinctive mix of platforming, exploration, and heartwarming storytelling, Chibi-Robo! noticed solely modest gross sales. It was not seen as a major industrial success, promoting fewer than half one million copies.
The franchise continued on, although, with 4 extra video games after the unique. It’s now seen as a distinct segment Nintendo IP, so it’s no shock that collectors need a copy of the primary sport. There have been a number of CIB copies offered all through June 2023 with a mean worth of round $250.
NCAA Faculty Basketball 2K3 – $300-400
Most sports activities video games don’t sometimes maintain up in worth, particularly the yearly releases. NCAA Faculty Basketball 2K3 is an exception.
The explanation why it’s so costly immediately is as a result of so few copies exist. SEGA stopped producing its 2K video games on GameCube very quickly after NCAA Faculty Basketball 2K3 was launched after which recalled the sport after it was in print.
Folks weren’t precisely operating out to purchase the newest school basketball sport, so in consequence, only a few of them truly made it into the palms of customers.
A handful of CIB copies have been offered in 2023 with the newest going for $425 in June 2023. That is on the upper finish, although; the few earlier than it have offered for round $280-380.
Go! Go! Hypergrind – $300-500
You won’t be too acquainted with this sport, however extra energy to you if you’re. Go! Go! Hypergrind, a skateboarding sport developed by Atlus, was launched in 2003 solely in North America. The artwork design was a collaborative effort with the studio behind the cartoon Ren & Stimpy.
There’s a little bit of a spread in the marketplace proper now for this sport. CIB copies offered in June 2023 have offered for $300 and $550. In Could 2023, a couple of copies offered within the mid-$300 vary. There appear to be loads of listings presently, so that you in all probability don’t must bid too excessive if you wish to nab one.
Cubivore: Survival of the Fittest – $400+
Cubivore: Survival of the Fittest was a little bit of a bizarre sport with a bizarre historical past. It was initially launched in Japan in 2002, and Nintendo had determined to not localize it for different areas. Nonetheless, Atlus ended up localizing it for North America later that 12 months.
Cubivore concerned controlling a cube-shaped creature that may eat different creatures to mutate and develop stronger. There have been some role-playing parts concerned, however the fight was straightforward and fast-paced, and the graphics have been easy and paying homage to the Nintendo 64 period.
Collectors have been paying over $400 for CIB copies of Cubivore in June 2023, which appears to be on the decrease finish from costs within the $500-range earlier within the 12 months.
Gotcha Power – $500-$600
Gotcha Power was a kind of odd, distinctive video games that didn’t carry out nicely critically or commercially however gained its personal area of interest cult following. This 2003 sport by Capcom was each a preventing sport and a third-person shooter; gamers might gather gacha toys and battle with them in-game.
In 2012, Capcom reprinted copies of the sport in Japan, which can have stirred a newfound curiosity in gamers. This, paired with the few gross sales of its authentic launch, might clarify why the sport sells for over $500 on the secondhand market.
Just a few CIB copies of the sport have been offered in Could and June 2023 for $550 and $700. On common over the previous few months, it has offered for round $600 with the sometimes “good” deal for underneath $500.
Disney Sports activities Basketball – $800+
Disney Sports activities Basketball won’t be probably the most extremely acclaimed sport on this listing, however in fact, something with the title Disney within the title will likely be wanted by collectors. Developed by Konami, this sport was launched on each the GameCube and the Sport Boy Advance in 2002.
Within the sport, you possibly can play as numerous groups led by your favourite Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Even supposing Disney Sports activities Basketball obtained unfavorable opinions, the sport sells on the secondhand marketplace for a reasonably excessive worth.
The not too long ago offered CIB listings are a bit in all places, with the newest copy in March 2023 promoting for a whopping $1,200, however different not too long ago offered listings from this 12 months hover round $750-800. Should you accept a free CD with no field, you possibly can pay lower than $200.
Metroid Prime & Zelda Wind Waker Combo – $1,000+
Should you’ve been scrolling by this listing on the lookout for a sport you personal, your coronary heart may need stopped once you noticed the 2 video games on this part. Neither Metroid Prime nor the Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker promote for very a lot on their very own (sorry!), however you won’t know that these video games have been as soon as paired collectively in a particular launch.
It was launched solely in the USA throughout the 2005 Christmas rush, in keeping with the Nintendo Fandom website. The case had discs for each Metroid Prime and Wind Waker inside with no adjustments in any respect to every sport.
As a result of this sport’s cowl artwork is well replicated, it’s best to look out for fakes if you’re severely planning on buying a replica. Legit copies present up on the secondhand market sometimes and fetch excessive costs because of the particular case artwork.
Essentially the most not too long ago offered listings have been in April and Could 2023, promoting for $1,000 and $1,037 respectively. Earlier within the 12 months, some copies offered for round $550-750, so there appears to be a little bit of a spike in worth presently.
Tremendous Monkey Ball 2 Pack – $1,400+
Now we’re beginning to get into ultra-rare territory. This was a particular version participant’s alternative sport that contained each Tremendous Monkey Ball and Tremendous Monkey Ball 2 collectively in a single boxed package deal. Not a lot is understood about when it was initially on the market or what number of copies may need been offered.
Legit copies of this compilation don’t present up typically. A lot of the offered copies listed on PriceCharting have been from 2020 or earlier for round $600-700. Essentially the most not too long ago offered CIB copy, nonetheless, was in March 2023 for a whooping $1,395. Essentially the most not too long ago offered free disc copy was in Could 2023 for $1,069.
If it is a sport you desperately should have on your assortment, you’ll must hold a watch out for a list to pop up, which appears to solely occur a few times each few years.
Pokemon Field Ruby & Sapphire – $1,500+
Pokemon Field Ruby & Sapphire wasn’t actually a “sport,” however it was GameCube software program nonetheless. It was launched usually in Japan in 2003, after which it was launched in 2004 in North America the place it was solely accessible for buy on the Pokemon Heart retailer in New York Metropolis.
The “sport” acted as storage software program for gamers’ Pokemon from the video games Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire. As much as 1,500 Pokemon might be saved and arranged. This software program additionally gave you the power to play Ruby or Sapphire in your TV when you had a replica of the sport.
As a result of this sport was extraordinarily onerous to come back by, and since it’s wanted by Pokemon collectors, Pokemon Field Ruby & Sapphire sells for over $1,500 on the secondhand market. Just a few CIB copies have offered in June 2023 with worth tags starting from $1,350-$2,375.
Sonic Heroes & Tremendous Monkey Ball Duo Pack – $4,000+
This final sport is just a little little bit of a thriller. Sooner or later, Sonic Heroes and Tremendous Monkey Ball have been paired collectively in a single package deal by Sega. Just like the Tremendous Monkey Ball 2 Pack, it isn’t actually well-documented when, the place, or why this bundle was launched.
Should you’re involved in studying extra about this duo pack, the most effective supply presently might be this video from Craig’s Game Room in 2020; he added this holy grail merchandise to his assortment and provides a reasonably thorough historical past of it.
Briefly: it’s extraordinarily uncommon. The final file of 1 promoting was earlier this 12 months in February 2022 for $4,350.
Should you handle to discover a copy of this sport on the market, you doubtless gained’t be paying lower than $4,000 so as to add it to your private assortment. Should you simply discovered a replica someplace in your basement and are wanting up how a lot it may be value… congratulations.