The Nintendo GameCube holds a special place in the hearts of gamers everywhere, and the console's library is filled with fun games. GameCube games were often either wonderful solo adventures or fun couch co-op experiences, though horror titles can also be found haunting the shelves of classic game shops.
The spooky games released in the GameCube's generation were thrilling for the time, and these titles are definitely responsible for a few scares and shrieks in the early 2000s. These games are fully loaded with ghosts, demons, and all sorts of undead ghouls. In many of these games, the player does have the option to fight back, if they are brave enough.
Updated February 26, 2023, by Amy Cowley: The GameCube held many memorable games, from Mario to The Legend of Zelda, as well as a surprising amount of horror. A total of 14 horror titles were released for the console over its lifespan, including famous franchises such as Resident Evil. As there were only a few games missing from this comprehensive list, this article has been updated to include all 14 of those games. Taking into consideration their spook factor, staying power, and overall gameplay, the GameCube's horror catalog has been ranked here from worst to best.
14 Monster House
Based on the children's animated movie of the same name, Monster House is a faithful adaptation of the movie, with DJ, Chowder and Jenny reprising their roles as the protagonists and nearly meeting their end at the very start of the story. Unlike the movie, however, the game allows players themselves to explore the murderous building and adds more rooms.
Each character has their own unique gameplay, but this wasn't enough to save the game. It was met with many average to below average scores. It seems to fall victim to the same fate that most movie-based games do in offering underwhelming graphics, a derivative plot, and lackluster mechanics.
13 Geist
Geist follows the story of John Raimi, a and scientist counter-terrorism agent who is sent to investigate the Volks Corporation and extract the undercover agent stationed there, Thomas Bryson. But when he rendezvouses with Bryson, an alarm sounds and hell breaks loose, culminating in one of the agents becoming possessed causing the rest of the extraction team to be slaughtered, and Raimi captured.
Raimi escapes in thanks to a spirit named Gigi who in turn possesses him, granting him ghostly powers. Geist was an ambitious project that did boast a unique concept and story that was met with praise, but the poor execution was subject to criticism.
12 Killer7
Killer7 has a convoluted narrative and mixes puzzles with FPS action and RPG elements. There are several characters to play as, including a speedy blind man and an invisible assassin. The enemies in the game are called "Heaven Smiles" and they announce their presence by laughing, and are unseen at first.
These days, Killer7 has a cult following, as it's a classic from No More Heroes director Goichi Suda. The game received several nominations for its thought-provoking narrative, but critics did not agree with its combat systems.
11 Hunter The Reckoning
Monsters and vampires are seeking the destruction of the human race, and it's up to four different hunters to put them down and bring an end to the madness. There are 23 levels of mayhem, all taking place in Ashcroft, a prison town in the World of Darkness.
After the penitentiary is overrun by the beasts, inmates begin rising back from the dead as vampires, only feeding the fire more. Players can wield many ranged and melee weapons, as well as cast spells called "edges." The combat is a blast and the art style is dark and macabre, so anyone with a GameCube should absolutely give Hunter The Reckoning a try.
10 BloodRayne
BloodRayne puts the player in the shoes of a half vampire destined to rid the world of any kind of beast imaginable. The player can wield all types of firearms and can even rip machine gun turrets out of the ground, though the blades attached to her arms are just as good at ripping through monsters.
This game is another vampire hack and slash, though the abilities this half vampire protagonist can acquire later in the game make for great grizzly fun. BloodRayne is a fantastic game and deserves the attention of any gamer with a thirst for blood.
9 The Haunted Mansion
Based on the Disney ride of the same name, The Haunted Mansion ticks all the boxes of a light-hearted horror game in a similar vein to Luigi's Mansion. It features friendly ghosts as well as antagonistic spirits, fun puzzles, and a happy ending.
A famed author known as Ezekiel (or Zeke for short) takes on a job advertised in the newspaper to take on the position of caretaker for the titular mansion, and discovers more than he bargained for with spirits begging for release. While The Haunted Mansion might not be the scariest game released on the GameCube, it still has plenty of charm, and proved to have addictive gameplay that had players coming back for more.
8 Luigi's Mansion
Luigi's Mansion got everyone at least once. There's a whole cast of ghosts in this landmark launch title, and Nintendo found just about every way to pack them in places players wouldn't see coming. Ghosts jump scare Luigi from the ceiling and all sorts of furniture, and false doors are spread throughout to trick Luigi and damage his health.
While it's unlikely that Luigi's Mansion will scare any player the second time through, that first run was a harrowing experience for any child in 2001. Not to mention, Luigi's constant groans and shrieks are often more unsettling than the ghosts themselves.
7 Resident Evil - Code: Veronica
Originally released on the Dreamcast in 2000, Code: Veronica got the typical treatment for Resident Evil games and received enhanced ports to more recent consoles, in this case the GameCube. Code: Veronica is a different breed of Resident Evil, bringing back old favorites like Wesker, Chris, and Claire, but set in a unique location and having resources scattered throughout the game shared by the two playable characters.
However, the creative differences taken in Code: Veronica did not prove popular with all fans. With no difficulty options and the inclusion of a frankly annoying new character, in the case of the GameCube remake, most felt it wasn't a worthwhile investment as it never enhanced their experience. Nevertheless, it remains a solid entry into the franchise with a small but dedicated fanbase.
6 The Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2
The Legacy Of Kain: Blood Omen 2 was incredibly ahead of its time, and definitely deserves credit for its combat and innovative narrative. The player controls Kain, now one of the last vampires in the world, and seeks revenge against the vampire hunters who are bringing an end to his kind.
The game has a weapon system like Breath of the Wild, with the player picking up and using weapons until they break, rather than having permanent weapons throughout. This game should absolutely be on the radar of anyone that owns a GameCube and loves vampires.
5 Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4 is the top Resident Evil game on GameCube, and some fans of the franchise praise this title as the peak of the series. It's easy to see why, Resident Evil 4 is makes the player feel uneasy from start to finish, despite Leon having a fair amount of firepower.
There are so many great moments in this game, from Leon emotionally bonding with a dog to running away in terror from a chainsaw wielding maniac. Resident Evil 4 is due for a remake soon, but fans will always remember popping this disc into their GameCube, and being met with the finest terrifying zombie action video games had to offer at the time.
4 Resident Evil 0
Resident Evil Zero is a prequel to the first Resident Evil, and splits its gameplay between the two protagonists, Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen. Chambers is an officer while Coen is a convicted criminal, and the two are tasked with exploring an abandoned Umbrella training facility.
For the most part, Resident Evil Zero is more classic RE fun, with a good combination of undead terror and puzzle work. This game is a key title for fans of the series, and is full of lore that impacts the overarching narrative.
3 Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
Nemesis is a threatening individual, to say the least. Of all the beasts in the Resident Evil universe, Nemesis may be the most menacing, and unfortunately for the player, he's all over this game. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is filled with survival horror stress, which makes the ever present stress of being chased by Nemesis even worse.
The game also presents choices that create different outcomes, so it's encouraged to replay Resident Evil 3: Nemesis multiple times for the full experience. The game is on the shorter side, so this is a nice addition, though players might be hesitant to jump back into Nemesis's playground.
2 Resident Evil
The first Resident Evil is an icon at this point. In 2022, almost no series of horror games has been able to stand the test of time as well as Resident Evil has, and it all began in that mansion. The game lets the player choose between playing as either Jill Valentine or Chris Redfield, but of course beautiful Barry Burton is here as well.
Resident Evil's release on GameCube allowed a whole new generation of fans to fall in the love with the franchise. The game is a staple of the horror game genre, and a pioneer of zombie games in general. With the game continuously being ported through generations of consoles, it's still making players feel claustrophobic and horrified to this day.
1 Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
Many players first experienced psychological horror with this masterpiece. Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem allowed for more horror titles on the GameCube due to its success, and it's easy to see why. The game is constantly changing depending on the protagonist's sanity meter, allowing for some terrifying hallucinations.
The game definitely wasn't targeted to the traditional Nintendo fan, as it lacks in round colorful characters and focuses more on horrific existential terror. Fans of fourth wall breaking and unreliable characters will love Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem, as it is one of the most compelling horror games ever made.