On a recent trip to Future shop I noticed something rather startling, namely, that a number of fantastic games have become surprisingly cheap. So, if you?re a starving student perhaps looking to get his/hers video game fix during reading week, I?ve compiled a top five list of games for roughly thirty dollars for Gamecube. Note then, if you pay more than $29.99 CDN for any of these titles you?re certainly getting scrooged.

5. Metroid Prime
Of all the player?s choice titles this one takes a special kind of precedent. I was somewhat torn between this and Spider-man for the number five spot, but I?d strongly recommend shelving out a couple of extra bucks and getting the sequel as it is distinctly superior. If you are a Nintendo-buff Metroid Prime needs to be under your belt as it is a Nintendo flagship game that was revolutionized on the Gamecube. Just like Mario made his transition from 2-D sides-scroller on Super NES to 3-D adventure on the N64, Metroid did the same by going from a 2-D side-scroller on Super NES and becoming a 3-D FPS with its release on Gamecube.

4. Animal Crossing
Games like Animal Crossing somewhat scare me but in a good way. Animal Crossing is not necessarily a video game but I?d say, rather another world. The game operates on true real-time so that if you set your clock correctly on the Gamecube, time will pass by at the same rate as, well, the real world (see what I mean by scary?). Similar to the Sims, you control a character who lives in a little town and has the options of exploring a community, interacting with characters, decorating your home, fishing, write letters ? basically living another life (is this where humanity’s heading?). If you can convince a friend to buy a copy you?ll be in luck as you can save your chacther to the memory card (a memory card is actually included with the game) and explore a friend?s town. And due to the fact every game?s town and settings are randomized you?ll be able to talk to different people and even pick different fruits, which can then be brought back to your home town and planted ? woah. However childish this game sounds, I assure you it is highly addictive.

3. Killer 7
I reviewed this one when it first came out and was rather impressed at the time. Right off the bat, visually this game is spectacular as smooth cell-shading graphics add an eerie cartoony kind of realism to this tricked-out FPS. In all sincerity, I?m not positive under what category Killer 7 falls due to how the gameplay and control mechanisms operate. Your character can only move backwards and forwards on a fixed track and when needed can switch to a FPS view to fire weapons. Your character has 6 alter egos, each with distinct weapons and abilities (e.g. invisibility, or lock-picking), hence the name Killer 7. I never thought this game received enough praise and assure you that if you?re looking for something different this is the way to go.

2. Need for Speed Underground 2.
Finally this game dropped in price! I?ve likely said this before but when it comes to racers, EA?s need for speed series is king. Underground 2?s predecessor is well under thirty but what makes the sequel better is the fact that it marks a different direction for the series. Underground 2 takes advantage of the rising popularity of free-roaming environments and grants players the pleasure of exploring a city in a nice ride; surely every man?s dream. Just like all the need for speeds you?re trying to move up in the ranks, earn lots of cash and buyupgrade cars.

1. Resident Evil 4
I am actually amazed this game is so cheap. This was exclusively released for Nintendo originally and I?d say proved that Nintendo has plenty to offer adults. I suppose that Zombies were becoming a fad, which is why the plot of this game stays away from them completely. This time around it?s all about saving the president?s kidnapped daughter and fighting off demonized villagers, insane monks and cave-dwelling beasts. The graphics for this game were so good that I was somewhat annoyed. Afterall the clean realism makes me wonder why we didn?t see more of it on the Nintendo titles. Regardless, if you loved the fearfactor that came with the series in its earlier titles you certainly won?t be disappointed this time around. Enemies still manage to hack down doors, leap out of shadows and shout bloodcurdling screams so that you?ll be sure to crap your pants at one point or another.






Related Stories: