10 Rarest GameCube Games Worth Their Weight in Gold

As the console wars waged on, GameCube made a massive splash when it rolled onto the scene in 2001. The unique design and vast library made it an easy go-to for gamers. To this day, it still rightfully garners attention, especially amongst collectors who hunt down the rarest GameCube games. It’s no surprise that these come with a heavy price tag attached. With the help of pricecharting.com, we’ve gathered a list of the rarest GameCube games that might as well cost you a few gold pieces.

10. Cubivore: Survival of the Fittest (2002)

Originally intended for a small release just in Japan, Atlus localized Cubivore for a North American market, and thus it landed firmly as one of the rarest GameCube games you could find (or not find). It drops you in control of a cuboid creature, and you set off on a delightful adventure mutating to gain enough strength to take out the Killer Cubivore. It’s strange, vivid, and entertaining enough to make it a hot collectors’ item.

9. Gotcha Force (2003)

Everything about Gotcha Force seemed perfect for anyone who loved gacha toys. It’s not just a fighting game, it’s also a third-person shooter. Best of both worlds, right? Well, not according to critics that tore the game apart. That didn’t stop it from gaining the ultimate accolade: a cult following. This excelled the hardly talked-about Gotcha Force straight into GameCube history.

8. Cubix: Robots For Everyone Showdown: DVD Bundle (2001)

Cubix: Robots For Everyone Showdown stands out among the crowd of more popular titles as one of the rarest GameCub games that came with a DVD. Based on the South Korean animated show of the same name, this game gives you control over all those colorful robot battles you appreciate from the cartoon. Plus, you get a copy of the show, too. So, it’s a win-win.

7. NCAA College Basketball 2K3 (2002)

If you want a truly rare GameCube experience, NCAA College Basketball 2K3 is as obscure as it gets. This is because it was the only “College Basketball” game put out by the console. Afterwards, the other titles were “College Hoops” instead. Such a distinction seems minor, but that single-word change pushed this title into collector status.

6. Super Monkey Ball 2 Pack (2002)

One of the best party games on the GameCube, you can enjoy both Super Monkey Ball and Super Monkey Ball 2 in this double-pack edition. Although a loose copy is considerably more affordable than finding a new one, finding any copies takes a lot of work. Playing with a monkey rolling around in a ball with your friends makes the hunt for one all the more worth it though.

5. Metroid Prime & Zelda Wind Waker Combo (2005)

We have another double-pack setup among the other rare GameCube games, but this one easily stands out. It combines two celebrated franchises with absolutely nothing in common: Metroid and Zelda. That didn’t stop the delight from players (and parents) when this hit the shelves just in time for Christmas in 2005. You get to experience two firsts in the bundle as well. Metroid Prime is the franchise’s first foray into the 3D first-person look, while Zelda Wind Waker gave us that distinct art style.

4. Disney Sports Basketball (2002)

Didn’t all sports fans want to witness the epic dunks by Mickey Mouse? No? Well, some diehard Disney fans wanted to. Collectors flocked to the game, pushing the price well above 2k for a sealed copy. What started as a poorly received Disney take on basketball turned into a top-selling rarity.

3. Pokemon Box: Ruby & Sapphire (2004)

Pokemon is all about collecting, right? So it’s no surprise that Pokemon Box is a rare GameCube gem worth a hefty penny whether it’s new or used. It gave Game Boy owners a place to stash their hundreds of pocket monsters in one handy place, creating their own Pokedex right at home. What more could you wish for?

2. Animal Crossing [Not For Resale] (2001)

As the title explains, Animal Crossing wasn’t intended for resale. Instead, Nintendo intended it as part of a promotional event. That only increases its obscurity, considering they made just 250 copies. With how much a brand new, unopened copy of it goes for, it may just be the GameCube rare gem that most will only ever appreciate from great distances. 

1. Sonic Heroes & Super Monkey Ball Duo Pack

Here we have yet another combo pack that doesn’t make sense on paper, but that didn’t stop anyone from rushing out to add it to their collection. The Sonic Heroes & Super Monkey Ball Duo soared through the ranks of rare GameCube games worth a thick price tag. Both of them were iconic Sega games, so any collector eager to expand their Sega library needs this duo pack. Play with Sonic and his friends against classic villains in Sonic Heroes while, as we explained before, Super Monkey Ball plops you into a monkey running inside a ball through various mazes.