Views on the Game Cub import scene?

[Nico87]

Any hardcore GC importers out there? It's basically the only system worth mentioning that I haven't bothered importing yet, besides the N64. In fact, I seriously doubt that I will ever buy it, but it would be interesting to hear people's opinions on GC imports. I might even consider it if someone is encouraging enough!

As far as I can gather, Nintendo did a very good job with releasing GC stuff in other terretories aswell, which was pretty much the case with the Game Boy Advance, which also got loads of games localized.

I've scoured eBay and different sites, and there aren't really that many games that I'd want that wasn't released in the US (and maybe Europe) aswell. There's mostly just fighters based on animes, Ikaruga & Radirgy (both has superior Dreamcast ports), PC Genjin, Mr. Driller: Drill Land, and Kururin Squash! that were left unlocalized. Obviously I've missed a bunch of games, but still.

Wish there was an easy way to emulate the GameCube without having to download 1GB games to try out some games.

Anyway, would be interesting to hear people's views on this, and do tell if you've managed to gather a fine import collection (doesn't have to be JP exclusives), and/or have other recommendations.

[tomwaits]

I bought a Japanese Gamecube several months before the U.S. release. I added a region toggle just before the U.S. launch and was thrilled to have easy access to games from both regions.

But, as you noted, there weren't many quality games that never had U.S. releases. Kururin Squash and Mr. Driller : Drill Land are two of my favorite Gamecube games and both really should have had U.S. versions. Nintendo Puzzle Collection, Doshin the Giant, Dragon Drive, and Warrior Blade:Rastan vs Barbarian are all ok games that never made it to the U.S. Besides PC Genjin, Hudson also released Gamecube versions of Adventure Island and Cubic Lode Runner in Japan. Battle Stadium DON and DreamMix TV Fighters are both fun anime fighters... they're also available on PS2 but I think the Gamecube versions were better?

Ikaruga and Radilgy have some major differences from the Dreamcast versions. They both added new modes or features for the Gamecube versions. Not sure which is 'superior' but they're not identical.

I know there were other Japanese exclusives too, mostly anime inspired stuff, but I never bothered with them...

[Nico87]

Yeah, alot of anime stuff. Are there any must-have NTSC-J games that also got a US release that would be playable without knowing any Japanese? I realize Zelda would be fully playable, but I'd miss the whole story. Doesn't really matter as I can play the text-heavy games on my US Wii anyway.

[tomwaits]

Also, I just remembered that the Donkey Konga games had different song lists for Japan. One of them included a bunch of Nintendo game music...

[Carey85]

I traded my Game Cub in for a Game Bear a few years ago, and have yet to look back.

[Nico87]

I traded my Game Cub in for a Game Bear a few years ago, and have yet to look back.

Mean.

[pepharytheworm]

I made a list a while back of japanese exclusive gamecube games.

Japanese Exclusive Gamecube games only released on the Gamecube:
Bleach GC
Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
Captain Tsubusa
Charinko Hero
Donkey Konga 3
Doraemon: Let's Play Everybody! Minidora
Dragon Drive: D-Masters shot
Family Stadium 2002
Generations of Chaos Exceed
Gekituisenki: Zero Fighter
Giftpia
Hikaru no Go 3
Homeland
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Ace Pilot
Kiwame Mahjong DX2
Kururin Squash!
Legend of the Golfer
The Legend of The Quiz: Tournament of Champions
Lupin III: Uninikieta Hihou
Mr. Drill Land
Muscle Champion or Martial Champion
Mutsu Tonohohon
Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen (Clash of The Ninja) 3
Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen (Clash of The Ninja) 4
Nintendo Puzzle Collection
One Piece: Treasure Battle
Ohenro-San
Pool Edge
Rei Fighter Gekitsui Senki
SD Gundam Gashapon Wars
Shaman King: Soul Fight
Special Jinsei Game (game of life special)
Zoids Vs.
Zoids Vs. III

Japanese Exclusive Gamecube games also released on other systems only in Japan:
The Baseball 2003 (PS2)
Battle Stadium D.O.N. (PS2)
Bomberland 2 (PS2)
Derby Tsuka: Derby Umaotsurou (PS2)
Dokapon DX (PS2)
DreamMix TV World Fighters (PS2)
Eisei Meijin (PS2)
Future GPX Cyber Formula: Road to Evolution (PS2)
Gakuen Toshi Vara Noir Roses or
Rose Varnowaru University City (PS2)
Gekito Pro Yakyu (PS2)
Harvest Moon : Poems of Happines (PS2)
Hudsen Selection Vol. 1: Cubic Lode Runner (PS2)
Hudsen Selection Vol. 2: Star Solider (PS2)
Hudsen Selection Vol. 3: PC Genjin (Bonk) (PS2)
Hudsen Selection Vol. 4: Takahishi Meijin no Adventure (PS2)
Konjiki no Gash Bell! (Zatch Bell) Yujono Tag Battle Full Power Croket! (PS2)
Momotaro Dentetsu 11 (PS2)
Momotaro Dentetsu 12 (PS2)
One Piece: Grand Battle 3! (PS2)
Super Robot Wars GC (XBOX360)
Tengai Makyoll: Manjimaru (PCE,PS2,DS)
Tensai Bit-kun: Gramon (PS2)
World Soccer Winning Eleven 6: Final Evolution (PS2)
Zoids Vs III (PS2)

Gamecube Japanese Exclusive but released in the States on other systems
Castle Shikigami 2 (DC J, PS2 NA)
Duel Masters (PS2 NA)
GT Cube (released as GT Pro Series Wii NA)
Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam Vs. Zeta Gundam (PS2 NA)
Radiligy (DC J,PS2 J, Released on the Ultimate Shooting Collection Wii NA)
The Tower of Druga (Various systems NA)

Out of all these the ones I like or am interested in are:
Donkey Konga 3

Doraemon: Let's Play Everybody! Minidora (what can I say I love Doraemon games)

Dragon Drive: D-Masters shot (Treasure being involved alone makes this worth a purchase)

Kururin Squash! (I realy like this game)

Mr. Drill Land

Nintendo Puzzle Collection ( I love collection games)

Battle Stadium D.O.N. (not big into dragonball, one piece or naruto, but this arena brawler looks fun.)

DreamMix TV World Fighters (Hudson version of smash bros. need I say more, yes I do, Optimus Prime.)

Whether you get these on the pS2 or gamecube matters not, these classic games redone look and play great.

Hudsen Selection Vol. 1: Cubic Lode Runner
Hudsen Selection Vol. 2: Star Solider
Hudsen Selection Vol. 3: PC Genjin (Bonk)
Hudsen Selection Vol. 4: Takahishi Meijin no Adventure (adventure Island)

[buzz_n64]

I traded my Game Cub in for a Game Bear a few years ago, and have yet to look back.

[tomwaits]

Great list pephary!

Doshin and Warrior Blade were JPN/Euro only and never had a US release. Were there any other Gamecube games that were JPN/Euro or Euro exclusive?

[Mayhem]

I think some of the Cocoto titles are Euro only, and perhaps Largo Winch, Micro Machines, Conan, and Asterix.

[pepharytheworm]

Great list pephary!

Doshin and Warrior Blade were JPN/Euro only and never had a US release. Were there any other Gamecube games that were JPN/Euro or Euro exclusive?

I was in the process of making a euro/jpn and euro list too, but after doing a lot of research, beside Doshin, Asterix & Obelix XXL 2, Conan, Knights of the Temple, Largo Winch: Empire Under Threat, Speed Challenge, MaxPlay Classic Games Volume 1 and a bunch of soccer games I couldn't find much that wasn't also released in the US on PS2 or in rarer circumstances the Xbox in the US. With Doshin being the only one I could find not on any other platform. I might consider Cocoto Platform Jumper close since its only US release is on Wiiware.

Examples would be like
Robocop released in the US on Xbox
Barbarian (Warrior Blade ) released in the US on PS2
Neighbours from Hell released in the US on PC

[Swamperon]

Doshin is worth a play if you can find it on the cheap. It's not amazing but it has its own, endearing quirkiness.

[Mayhem]

Ah yeah, I was forgetting about Max Play. I bought it cos it was a PAL exclusive, unlicensed, "only" 10 quid and liable to be a rarity in the future. Probably not been proved wrong there...

[mobiusclimber]

Giftpia and Doshin the Giant are my favorite of the "unreleased in the states" Gamecube games.

[Nico87]

Meh, brand new silver NTSC-J GameCube for $140 shipped to Norway on its way with FedEx. You only live once.

[8bitmusic]

Game Cub Scout.

[Parodius Duh!]

I wouldnt touch a gamecube with a 10 foot pole these days, but, when I did have one I was fond of Nintendo Puzzle Collection (not released in the US, maybe Europe) and Doshin the Giant (the english friendly Euro release is the way to go, although the Japanese version is playable as well)

Worst Game= P.N. 03, ughhhhhh what was capcom thinking on that trash!!!!

[The 1 2 P]

I like how the freeloader boot disc made it easy to play Gamecube games from any of the three regions(US, Jap, Europe) without the need to mod anything. I only have one GC import game and an import demo but because I've never actually played my Gamecube they are still untouched.

[Richter Belmount]

*shrug*

[slapdash]

I swear this has come up before, but... Here's what I have as available in Europe but not US; this is irrespective of release on other systems. What am I missing (other than Robocop & Barbarian (Warrior Blade) mentioned above)/incorrect on?

Ace Golf
Anno 1701: Dawn of Discovery
Asterix & Obelix XXL
Butt-Ugly Martians: Zoom Or Doom!
Cocoto Cart Racing
Cocoto Fishing Master
Cocoto Funfair
Cocoto Platform Jumper
Conan
Doshin The Giant
F1 Career Challenge
Franklin: Un Anniversaire Surprise
Gadget Racers
International Superstar Soccer 2
International Superstar Soccer 3
Knights Of The Temple: Infernal Crusade
Largo Winch: Empire Under Threat
Max Play 01
Micro Machines
Neighbors From Hell
Speed Challenge: Jacques Villeneuve's Racing Vision
UEFA Champions League 2004-2005
Taxi 3
V-Rally 3
World Racing