15 years ago, I couldn’t imagine the days when Resident Evil 4 and Mario Kart DS would turn 20, but man, time really does fly while we’re immersed in our gaming worlds!
2005 stood out as a significant year for Nintendo, marking a turning point from the comparatively less successful GameCube era. With an influx of popular titles from both in-house and external developers, it became a year that united gamers and cemented 2005 as a memorable year for Nintendo.
20 years ago, some of the finest games for a Nintendo console emerged during the period when both the Nintendo DS and GameCube were enjoying significant success. Here are the top games from that era:
1. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (GameCube)
2. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
3. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii)
4. Animal Crossing (GameCube/Nintendo DS)
5. Super Smash Bros. Melee (GameCube)
6. Luigi’s Mansion (GameCube)
7. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (GameCube)
8. Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GameCube)
9. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (GameCube)
10. Super Metroid (SNES, but re-released on the Wii Virtual Console in 2007)
Instead of solely populating our list with games produced by Nintendo alone, we chose to highlight several successful titles from third-party developers that graced Nintendo platforms in 2005. Notable among these are Capcom and Atlus, whose contributions warrant acknowledgement, so we’ve included them on this list to give them the credit they deserve.
10. Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
A More Traditional Pokemon Classic
20 years ago, to get a classic Pokemon experience, you typically stuck with handheld versions. The game Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness served as a link between those traditional games and the previous console releases of Pokemon Colosseum.
Although it may have its flaws, “Gale of Darkness” lays the groundwork for a mature spin-off series within the “Pokemon” universe, offering a well-developed narrative.
Ever since it came out, the game “Gale of Darkness” has built up a dedicated fanbase who appreciate it as a cult favorite. It’s also worth noting that its commercial success served as an indication for Nintendo to develop more mature and darker storylines within the “Pokémon ” series in future games.
9. Killer 7
A Cult Classic
Similar to Resident Evil 4, Killer 7 was initially exclusive to Nintendo GameCube, having been developed by Capcom. Although it didn’t achieve the same level of commercial success as Resident Evil 4, it garnered a dedicated fanbase and solidified Goichi Suda (Suda 51) as a developer known for his distinctive style within the industry.
Killer 7” stands out as one of the most fashionably designed games ever published. It boasts an exceptional ensemble of voice actors, a gripping neo-noir narrative, and a distinctive artistic style.
Despite its straightforward control mechanism causing some players to hesitate, don’t be discouraged from trying out this remarkable game – one of the most distinct titles ever launched on a Nintendo system.
8. Mario Kart DS
Handheld Racing
Mario Kart DS isn’t the initial handheld installment in the Mario Kart series, but unlike Super Circuit on GameBoy Advance, Mario Kart DS has a more contemporary console-like appearance and feel.
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but appreciate how the visuals on my Nintendo DS truly do justice to the games, particularly when it comes to creative track design. Waluigi Pinball, for instance, is an outstanding example of Mario Kart track design and remains one of the best tracks in the game even today.
The primary issue I found with Mario Kart DS is how simple it was to perform snake drifting around the track, but its seamless compatibility with the DS’ D-Pad demonstrates that it deserves recognition as a valuable addition to the series.
7. Nintendogs
Meet Your New Best Friend
You can’t have a conversation about top Nintendo games from two decades back without bringing up Nintendogs.
Originally crafted as a standout game for the Nintendo DS, Nintendogs harks back to the charm that captivated us with Giga Pets and Tamagotchis from a decade past.
Nintendogs is not just a basic virtual pet game that you play for a few minutes and then ignore; instead, it offers an impressively realistic simulation of pet ownership with surprising depth in its pet training aspects.
On the Nintendo DS, both hardware components are functioning optimally, boosting the gameplay experience with its responsive touchscreen and integrated microphone for added realism.
6. Kirby: Canvas Curse
A Work of Art
Two decades back, the Kirby series seemed to be struggling prior to the launch of Canvas Curse on the Nintendo DS.
At first, the gameplay that required a stylus seemed more like a novelty, but upon trying it out, I realized it offered a truly groundbreaking gaming experience.
By tracing rainbow trails on the DS’s touchscreen as you play Kirby, you’re embarking on an unconventional platformer experience. Instead of meticulous control management, it becomes a delicate dance to maintain your ink supply and build up Kirby’s speed to keep him moving forward.
5. Trauma Center: Under the Knife
Scalpel, Please
Similar to Kirby: Canvas Curse, Trauma Center: Under the Knife might initially appear as a mere demonstration of the capabilities of the Nintendo DS hardware. However, upon closer inspection, it showcases the results when a developer like Atlus fully exploits the unique potentials of a groundbreaking Nintendo system.
The “Trauma Center” game stands out as a surgical simulator, concentrating more on authentic surgical methods compared to the popular physics-driven simulation games with gimmicky aspects found in many modern titles.
Playing Trauma Center is easier and more accessible than traditional games, as it uses a touch screen instead of conventional controls, similar to Operation. Even if you’re not a skilled gamer, you can still enjoy playing Trauma Center by simply watching the sides.
4. Animal Crossing: Wild World
Welcome Home
In the Animal Crossing series, Animal Crossing: Wild World marked its initial entry as a handheld game. Compared to its original launch on the GameCube, certain elements were scaled back, but the fundamental gameplay stayed consistent.
Regardless of the compromises involved, Wild World advances the series significantly, with its portable nature being the key attraction. It simply makes more sense to play Animal Crossing on a handheld device, as it allows us to access our home, village, and friends from anywhere we happen to be.
In the upcoming updates, there are improvements yet to be fine-tuned, but Wild World serves as an impressive stride towards solidifying Animal Crossing as a flagship franchise for Nintendo.
3. Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
Back In Time
In 2024, I was thrilled to experience Mario and Luigi: Brothership, a new addition to the beloved RPG series by Nintendo. As longtime fans, we recall just how fantastic these games used to be, and Partners in Time is a shining testament to that.
In a more conversational style, we can say: The Mario Role-Playing Games (RPGs) have always been admired for their intricate gameplay and endearing charm. However, games like “Mario and Luigi” and “Partners in Time,” in particular, take the humor and distinctiveness to a whole new level.
In the magical realm of Mushroom Kingdom, you get an adventure that feels both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly new. Despite not fully utilizing some of the DS’ distinctive features, it demonstrates that innovative console tricks aren’t always necessary. What truly matters is crafting a solid game, and that’s exactly what Partners in Time does.
2. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
The Best Fire Emblem Game
Three years following the introduction of the Fire Emblem series to North America via the GameBoy Advance, it made its first appearance on a Nintendo console in 2005, specifically with the game “Fire Emblem: The Way of Radiance.
Initiating from the 3D lineup, “Path of Radiance” showcases the GameCube’s capabilities to its fullest potential. Although the in-game graphics might seem a bit rough, the cutscenes are masterpieces that beautifully emphasize the story, which continues to be one of the finest in the “Fire Emblem” series’ chronicles.
The game Path of Radiance delves into more serious themes, earning a reputation as one of the most significant Nintendo games to hit the market.
Here’s to hoping we can revisit Ike and friends with a re-release in honor of its 20th anniversary.
1. Resident Evil 4
2005’s Game of the Year
Capcom’s “Resident Evil 4” set the pace for Nintendo at the beginning of the year, as it was released in January and presented a challenging act to surpass not only for the GameCube, but for any console.
In simple terms, Resident Evil 4 revolutionized not only the horror genre but also all action games. It updated the survival horror franchise to align with the advanced gaming era, abandoning the cumbersome controls and design of earlier series installments in favor of a more action-packed style.
Despite the fact that Resident Evil 7 significantly revamped the series, there remain numerous resemblances to the 2005 GameCube game.
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2025-01-14 20:39