Top 10 Hidden GameCube Gems

3. P.N.03

During this generation of consoles, the PlayStation 2 got all the neat action titles. Games like Devil May Cry and God of War wowed gamers with their deep (and oftentimes violent) combat over to the Sony system, leaving the GameCube in the dust in terms of a more 'mature' action experience.

While the GameCube library is overall lacking in such action titles, P.N.03 stands out not only as a great action game on the GameCube, but a solid entry to the genre in general. But, in the same light, many don't view it in the same light as the above mentioned games… mostly because combat consists of protagonist Vanessa frantically shooting laser beams like there's no tomorrow. Yet in the same light, the game doesn't feel like a shooter, either; there's a big emphasis on executing your moves stylishly and (more importantly) without getting hit.

It lends to a very arcade-like feel to the game, as the better you perform the higher the combo meter rises, and you're awarded with a better score. For these scores, you're given payment (Vanessa is a mercenary, after all), which can be used to buy new combat outfits and improve them, giving you better combat capabilities for the next round. Players are rewarded for learning the system with better gear, but those that take longer to get the hang of it aren't shut out of P.N.03: You can always replay old missions to try for a better score, and they continue to give you currency, giving players the option to simply grind out a better outfit.

It certainly isn't the best action title (or third person shooter, if you will) of the generation, but the unique takes that P.N.03 implements makes it an interesting little gem, and one that can typically be found on the cheap, too.