2001 was an incredible year for gaming. Just saying "2001" brings up images of timeless classics like Metal Gear Solid 2: The Sons of Liberty, Silent Hill 2, and Grand Theft Auto 3. However, you should not forget Nintendo. This was a big year for the company.
Both the Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance launched during this magical year, and with them came a plethora of titles published by the company. Some of the games listed below are still being played regularly by fans. The last several years of the GameCube's life would be a little rocky for the company, but 2001 was a good time to be a Nintendo fan.
10 Super Smash Bros. Melee
The first Super Smash Bros. was a massive hit on the N64, but it was the sequel that went down in history as one of the greatest fighting games ever made. Super Smash Bros. Melee refined the combat and significantly expanded the roster. Up until recently, fighting game tournaments were still hooking up CRT TVs to run the game on the original hardware. While not a launch title, it was a solid reason to own the GameCube early on in its life.
9 Pikmin
New Nintendo IPs are few and far between in this century. This is what makes Pikmin so special. First launching for the GameCube, the game tasks players with controlling a plant-like species called Pikmin in an effort to put together their ship and escape the planet. The element of strategy makes it a unique part of the company's catalog. In the 20 years since release, only two numbered sequels have come out.
8 Animal Crossing
While gamers in the west were unable to play this in 2001, Animal Crossing came out that year in Japan. Many forget that this cutesy life simulator first came out on the N64. While many sequels have improved upon the format established in the original, at least in this version you can play old NES games you collect for free. The most recent entry, 2020's Animal Crossing: New Horizons, brought the franchise to new heights, reaching a larger audience than ever before.
7 Mario Party 3
The Mario Party series has never been a critical darling, but Nintendo keeps cranking these things out because of just how much fun it is to play with a group of friends.
The element of luck and potential trickery is enough to ruin friendships, so be careful when joining a game with buddies. Mario Party 3 was the last of the series to come out on the N64 before it made the jump to GameCube with Mario Party 4.
6 Pokemon Crystal
While the Game Boy Advance came out this year, the company was not done with the Game Boy Color just yet. Pokemon Crystal, a re-release of Pokemon Gold and Silver, was one of the portable device's last hurrahs. Because it is a re-release of an already great game, it comes as a no-brainer that it is a fine title. Some critics were disappointed with how little it actually changed, but it is still a great choice for a first run through the series' second generation.
5 Luigi's Mansion
Some people were scratching their heads when the GameCube launched not with a Mario platformer, but with an action game starring a frightful Luigi. However, playing Luigi's Mansion reveals a game worthy of a place in the Super Mario canon. Despite great sales and solid reviews, it took more than a decade to receive a sequel on the 3DS in 2013. Luigi's Mansion 3 came out in 2019.
4 Golden Sun
The original Game Boy had an incredibly impressive lifespan. When the Game Boy Advance came out, several early games showed off just how powerful the new handheld was. The turn-based RPG Golden Sun was a nice technical showcase, including some pseudo-3D effects for the battles. The last game in the series was 2010's Dark Dawn for the Nintendo DS, so it does not look like this JRPG franchise will be coming back soon.
3 Advance Wars
Turn-based strategy games always feel right at home on handheld consoles. There is always time to think while in transit and the genre does not rely on reflexes or timing, which can be a problem for gaming on the go. This why Advance Wars was such a good fit for the Game Boy Advance. The series saw regular installments until 2008's Advance Wars: Days of Ruin. However, 2019's Wargroove is considered a worthy spiritual successor for anyone yearning for more tactical RPG action.
2 Star Wars Rogue Squadron 2: Rogue Leader
While not published by Nintendo, the Star Wars Rogue Squadron series released exclusively on Nintendo Platforms. Older gamers recall how jaw-dropping it was to see this launch title running on the GameCube for the first time.
Right out of the gate it showcased the GameCube's impressive technical capabilities. The PS2 in particular could not run this game as well if it tried. The sequel added on-foot segments, which unfortunately bogged down the whole experience. Rogue Squadron 2 is pure science fiction dogfighting goodness.
1 Legend Of Zelda: Oracle Of Seasons And Ages
On the surface, this dual pack seems like an excuse to get gamers to buy the game twice. However, there are unique interactions between these two cartridges which change depending on which one you play first. Certain passwords given to you in one adventure affect the other. Even without this novelty, both are solid, highly-acclaimed Zelda adventures. After the recent Link's Awakening remake, many are now dreaming of this portable adventure receiving a similar facelift.