The Nintendo Switch’s library of horror games will soon expand yet again when the 2001 classic game White Day: A Labyrinth Named School makes its way to the system with a remake in September. And with this category having many fun and scary titles to choose from, it’s a great time to be a horror and Nintendo fan.
When looking back at the Nintendo GameCube, it also had some great horror games, but unfortunately, most have been forgotten after years of impressive titles that would redefine the gaming industry. But these hidden gems were some of the best games that should be fondly remembered for trying something new and pushing the technology at the time.
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem
Considered by many as not also one of the best horror games on the GameCube, but one of the best titles released for the system, Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem was one of the most twisted, mature narrative games. After her grandfather is brutally killed, Alexandra Roivas tries to solve the mystery behind his murder.
While fans of this Nintendo console will fondly remember the game, unfortunately, it became a cult classic due to falling short in sales despite the critical praise. Furthermore, the developer, Silicon Knights, closed its doors within 10 years after the game’s release after making this and Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes.
Bloodrayne
While gamers today may be familiar with the remaster of the original game for current consoles, Bloodrayne started out life on the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube in October 2002. A half-vampire, half-human agent of the Brimstone Society, Rayne must stop supernatural forces as well as Nazis from taking over the world.
The game may have received sequels, comic books, and a movie, but it was competing on this particular console with games at the time like TimeSplitters 2, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, and Mario Party 4. Furthermore, the GameCube version was not as well received as it was on the PS2 and Xbox consoles and just couldn’t quite beat the best action horror games from the previous generation of consoles.
Resident Evil 0
While the console had many amazing Resident Evil games, Resident Evil 0 was not as well received as the remake of the original title that came out before it, but it did receive positive reviews for the time. The game was eventually given an HD remake for the last generation of consoles, but with so many other games in the franchise available, it received mixed reviews as it had more entries to be compared with.
But with such a strong title like the Resident Evil remake to follow, it didn’t stand out as tall as its predecessor, despite trying to give fans a fun prequel story to explore. Now easily accessible, it’s one Resident Evil game that fans might want to check out.
Geist
While GameCube was not known to have many first-person shooter games, it did have some that were also some of the best or more intriguing at the time. Geist was one of them and saw the player being able to control Raimi, a spirit who uses his abilities to possess people and traverse the area.
Upon release, it received mixed reviews as it was hampered by its graphics and frame rate. And while it may not be remembered by a lot of gamers from that generation of consoles, it was able to try and be an ambitious and original title that current FPS fans should explore. Alas, it never became a historic FPS that defined the genre despite its ambitions.
Second Sight
Released on multiple consoles back in 2004, Second Sight was an anticipated release for fans of Free Radical Design as this was both a new IP they created and was also a follow-up to their first 2 hit Time Splitters games. Playing as John Vattic, he must try to rediscover his memories after finding himself in a medical facility while also learning how to use his newfound psychic powers.
The game generally received positive reviews upon release, but just couldn’t stand up to the developer’s famed FPS franchise. While the game was released on PC with less favorable reviews, those fortunate to own the older system should try to find this under-appreciated game.
Resident Evil Code: Veronica X
After Sega was no longer manufacturing consoles after the release of the Dreamcast, they and other companies ported and updated their games over to the GameCube and other systems. One of these was Capcom’s Resident Evil Code: Veronica, the fourth game in the franchise that starred Claire, Chris Redfield’s sister, who tries to escape an island prison while a T-virus outbreak is occurring.
While the console saw ports of other older games in the franchise like Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, Resident Evil Code: Veronica X did see some updates from the base game that made it a favorable version. Unfortunately, it has not been ported or remade for current consoles and is worth discovering for its fun gameplay that made it one of the best spin-off games in the franchise.
Disney’s The Haunted Mansion
Despite sharing some similarities to the ill-fated movie of the same name, the game was more inspired by the theme park ride. Playing as an author named Zeke, he takes a job at an abandoned mansion where he must try to free 999 ghosts trapped within its walls.
The action-adventure game may not have been as favorable compared to Luigi’s Mansion, but this was seen by some as a fun game for children and adults alike. But with so many ghosts and ghouls to battle and secrets to discover, the game was a hidden gem that everyone might enjoy.
Legacy Of Kain: Blood Omen 2
A sequel to the PlayStation’s Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, Blood Omen 2 was released on the PS2 and Xbox consoles in March of 2002 before it was eventually ported to the GameCube later that same year. The sequel follows the story of Kain the vampire as he continues to try and build his army and rule the world.
While the action horror game may have received mixed reviews, it was one of the few on the console where players can take control of a villain. Being able to use magic and vampiric powers against heroic humans and traitorous vampires, it was certainly played to everyone’s dark fantasy and chaotic approach to gameplay.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds
When it comes to tie-in games, there have been plenty of bad examples over the years and the early 2000s had several disappointing titles. But Buffy the Vampire Slayer broke the barrier when, during its 5th season, Chaos Bleeds was released to positive reviews and seen as a potential candidate for one of the best tie-in games.
Featuring several playable characters, villains from the series, and a multiplayer mode, the game stood out as one of the best action games and one of the best within the horror genre too. While it did get a comic-book tie-in, it was never ported or remastered and was left behind that fans of the series might want to dig up and rediscover.
Hunter The Reckoning
Based on the tabletop game of the same name, Hunter: The Reckoning was turned into a hack and slash game that saw a group of four humans fighting their way through a prison filled with vampires and monsters. The game received favorable reviews upon release and the developer, High Voltage Software, was able to turn it into a trilogy that was released for other consoles.
The two sequels may not have been released on the GameCube, but the original is still a fun hack and slash multiplayer game for the console, even if not everyone may remember it. Blending magical abilities and deadly weapons, there were a lot of fun mechanics for fans of the genre to enjoy.
