The Ultimate List: Cube Connection

With specially written software, game developers can make the Game Boy Advance and GameCube talk to each other. Some games require a specific GBA game inserted and booted in the handheld, while others utilize the GBA's ability to store programs into its internal memory. Using the GBA's 256K of system RAM, programmers can create miniature programs and games that can be executed on the handheld without the need for a cartridge in the slot.

Though this connection idea has been slow moving since the GameCube's debut in November 2001, the feature is really beginning to take off, and in 2003 players can expect to find the majority of Nintendo's first-party GameCube games to feature GBA connectivity, as well as a good handful of third-party support.

The following is a master list of current and future games that feature Game Boy Advance connectivity with the GameCube.

Released:

All-Star Baseball 2004
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, All-Star Baseball 2004 GBA
Connection support: Miniscule

This one's for the card collectors out there, really. In the Game Boy Advance game, players can collect these virtual trading cards. Link the Game Boy Advance game to the GameCube and you'll be able to transfer this collection to the GameCube version of the game. Not a huge innovation, but hey...it's something.

Animal Crossing
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Utilizes: e-Reader device
Connection support: Major

Nintendo went all out connecting its handheld to its life adventure, coming up with several really cool ways of integrating the GBA into the GameCube design. Players can create textures on the handheld by downloading a tiny art program, or play a library of NES games on the go. Earn tons of money or store extra furniture by visiting a remote island, only accessible by hooking up a GBA system to the GameCube. And, with the optional e-Reader peripheral, anyone can send special items, textures, or village tunes by swiping specially encoded Animal Crossing e-Cards. The connectivity support isn't a gimmick, folks...it's almost integral to the enjoyment of this excellent GameCube title.

Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu GBA
Connection support: Minor

Even though the game's not so hot on any platform, you can unlock special modes on the Game Boy Advance by linking it up to the GameCube version. Shame these features aren't saved to cartridge. .

Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg
Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: Sega
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Connection support: Minor

Just like what the team did for Phantasy Star Online, Sonic Team hid small, downloadable versions of Puyo Pop, Chu-Chu Rocket and Nights into Dreams in the GameCube game...giving players a bit of enticement to get deeper into Billy Hatcher's gameplay. Sure, it's not exactly original, but now you don't have to log in just to download your copy of Nights: Time Attack.

Crash Bandicoot: Wrath of Cortex
Developer: Eurocom
Publisher: Universal Interactive
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Connection support: Minor

When the GameCube port of the PlayStation 2/Xbox Crash Bandicoot adventure hits shelves this holiday, players will be able to download a mini-game to the Game Boy Advance system. The game, Crash Blast is a simple target-shooting game developed by the team responsible for the first and second Crash Bandicoot adventures on the GBA: Vicarious Visions. This mini-game isn't really purchase-worthy, but it's a nice little extra for those who put in the investment for a GameCube GBA cable.

Crash Nitro Kart
Developer: Vicarious Visions
Publisher: Vivendi Universal
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Connection support: Minor

Vicarious Vision's console remake of Crash Team Racing features Game Boy Advance connectivity on the GameCube...but similar to the GameCube Crash platformer, all it does is upload a special Dance Dance Revolution minigame.

Disney's Magical Mirror
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Disney's Magical Quest
Connection support: Miniscule

Well, where there's one side of support from Nintendo, there's the other...where Nintendo went all out for Animal Crossing, its connectivity support for its Disney adventure was obviously an afterthought. In the game's game save menu, players can upload a mysterious file from the Game Boy Advance's Disney's Magical Quest that, somehow, adds or alters some things in the GameCube adventure. But it's so minor that we haven't been able to find what those little things are. It doesn't help that neither game is all that hot, anyway...

Disney Sports Basketball
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Disney Sports Basketball GBA or Disney Sports Soccer GBA
Connection support: Minor

Konami's connection between the Game Boy Advance and GameCube isn't stellar, but at least it's something. Along with the ability to swap power-ups between GBA systems in the Disney Sports series of games, power-ups that are earned in the GameCube games can be traded to the Game Boy Advance...and vice versa. And the trading isn't limited to the specific games on each system...Konami made it possible to swap power-ups from one sports game on one system to a different sports game on the other system. Interesting. Not super-stupendous or anything, but interesting.

Disney Sports Soccer
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Disney Sports Basketball GBA or Disney Sports Soccer GBA
Connection support: Minor

Konami's connection between the Game Boy Advance and GameCube isn't stellar, but at least it's something. Along with the ability to swap power-ups between GBA systems in the Disney Sports series of games, power-ups that are earned in the GameCube games can be traded to the Game Boy Advance...and vice versa. And the trading isn't limited to the specific games on each system...Konami made it possible to swap power-ups from one sports game on one system to a different sports game on the other system. Interesting. Not super-stupendous or anything, but interesting.

FIFA Soccer 2004
Developer: EA Sports
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, FIFA Soccer 2004 GBA
Connection support: Minor

The GameCube soccer game borrows a bit of its connectivity ideas from the Madden series; without the cartridge, GBA players get a scoreboard that keeps track of goals during GameCube play. With the GBA cartridge, players unlock special tournaments in both the console and GBA game.

Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles
Developer: Square
Publisher: Square
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles GBA
Connection support: Major

Square's first real major project for the GameCube will feature Game Boy Advance link, but it's a bit confusing. The Game Boy Advance replaces your controller in this link feature. All your character information is displayed on the GBA screen, keeping it hidden from other players (up to four can play simultaneously). The communication results from you having to now shout out things like "I'm about to die! Use a healing spell!" and "Leave it to me! I'll use magic!" We've done a whole feature on this feature, so read up all about it.

James Bond: Everything or Nothing
Developer: EALA
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Utilizes: James Bond: Everything or Nothing GBA
Connection support: Minor

EA has snapped screenshots from in the game, and when you get close to certain objectives the GBA will pull up a screen from that area and give you a text hint to help you out. But more help is probably something most players won't want. On the plus side, GBA also tracks a few basic statistics as you play. So you can see how many people you've killed, how long you've been playing the level, and how many Bond Moments you've completed out of the total. This is pretty handy, but it's also not as advanced as the final stat screen, which displays your accuracy percentage, ammo preservation, and a few other things.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Developer: Eurocom
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Utilizes: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets GBA
Connection support: Major

When Electronic Arts set out to create a multi-console version of the popular movie released in 2002, the GameCube game got just a little bit more due to its ability to link with the Game Boy Advance, as well as the Game Boy Advance version of the series. Without the GBA game, GameCube owners can download a simple slide puzzle to the Game Boy Advance system. With the GBA game, players can unlock secret areas in both games, and the only way you're going to finish the GBA game 100% is to connect the two versions together.

Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup
Developer: Electronic Arts
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Harry Potter Quidditch World Cup GBA
Connection support: Major

The game of Quidditch ends when the seeker catches the Snitch. On both the GameCube and Game Boy Advance versions, players are actually sent to a special Snitch-seeker mini-game that will finalize the score when a player grabs the winged orb. But link the two games together, and the GBA player is dedicated to grabbing the snitch while the console player continues to score goals and close or expand the gap between the two teams. It's definitely one of the best uses of connectivity so far on the GBA. .

Legend of Zelda GameCube
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Connection support: Minor

At E3 last May, Nintendo had one GameCube set aside to show off a potential feature in the cel-shaded adventure. By hooking up a Game Boy Advance, players can equip the handheld as an item in their inventory...by using the GBA, a little program gets sent to the system that allows a second player to play as Tingle. On the LCD screen, players see the familiar Legend of Zelda map, but on the GameCube version, the player is represented as a cursor that can move freely in the local area. The person playing as Tingle can help link by moving the cursor over items and blowing them up with bombs, destroying vases, enemies, or doorways while Link does his own thing.

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Developer: Hypnos Entertainment
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King GBA
Connection support: Minor

Trading artifacts in the Game Boy Advance version to the GameCube edition will unlock special features in the GameCube game, including DVD elements and other exclusives. .

Madden NFL 2003
Developer: Tiburon
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Connection support: Miniscule

Hey, nobody said that connection support needed a point, as proven by EA Sports' latest Madden incarnation for the GameCube. By connecting a Game Boy Advance to one of the controller ports, you can activate a silly little link feature that puts a realtime-updated scoreboard on the handheld's LCD screen during GameCube play. The screen will also light up with energetic "First Down!" animations as well as a cute cheerleader during the game. While this support is entirely useless, it does give next year's version more potential...now that the programmers have figured out how to link the GBA to GameCube, we might get, oh, I don't know, the ability to secretly select plays in Madden NFL 2004? Maybe?

Madden NFL 2004
Developer: EA Sports
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Connection support: Miniscule

Sorry, no play selection this year. Along with the same scoreboard feature that appeared in the 2003 edition, players can unlock hidden extras by simply hooking up the GBA version of Madden NFL 2004 to the GameCube. These extras aren't available in the Xbox or PS2 versions of the game, so that's something...but honestly, this connectivity feature is just a half-assed afterthought.

Mario Kart Double Dash Bonus Disc
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Fire Emblem
Connection support: Minor

If you snag a copy of Mario Kart with the extra preview disc, you can upload special data to your copy of Fire Emblem. This will enable a new weapon that specific characters can equip, as well as activate new music and graphic data. Not bad for a freebie.

Medal of Honor: Rising Sun
Developer: Electronic Arts LA
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Medal of Honor: Infiltrator GBA
Connection support: Major

If you ever find yourself lost in the GameCube version of this intense war shooter, hooking up the GBA with Medal of Honor Infiltrator will pull up an overhead map of the area you're in. You can even cycle through the locations of friendly soldiers, health, food, ammo, and more...definitely giving you an advantage over the enemies. And the other console versions. .

Metroid Prime
Developer: Retro Studios
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Metroid Fusion
Connection support: Minor

So here's the deal: Nintendo revealed back in August that both Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion will interact in some fashion using the GameCube Game Boy Advance cable. Well, it's not so big of a deal, really: Players who finish Metroid Prime can link up Metroid Fusion and unlock Samus' new suit in the First-Person Adventure. Players who finish Metroid Fusion can link up to Metroid Prime and unlock the original NES version of Metroid on the GameCube. Players cannot, however, upload the NES game to the GBA much like how most Animal Crossing NES games can.

Phantasy Star Online Ver. 1 & 2
Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: Sega of America
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Connection support: Major

Another surprise revealed at this year's E3 was Sega's demonstration of its online RPG's connection feature: by going to the game's online lobby, players can connect their GBA and play mini-game versions of Chu Chu Rocket, Columns Crown, Puyo Pop, and, probably the most exciting, Nights into Dreams on the handheld. This one's a little hard to classify, since, honestly, the GBA connection isn't entirely necessary. But, it does give Sega the ability to post small demos of its upcoming GBA games for players to taste-test for free, simply by downloading them off the PSO server. And that should be a big deal for any GBA gamer.

Preview Disc
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Connection support: Major

Though this is only a sampler of GameCube games out or coming soon, Nintendo threw in a couple of goodies for the Game Boy Advance market: downloadable versions of Dr. Mario, essentially the NES game running on the GBA system; and a sample from Wario Ware. The Wario Ware demo features about a dozen or so challenges from the main game released on the GBA on May 26th.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time GBA
Connection support: Minor

Connecting the GBA version to the GameCube will enable a "health restore" function in the GameCube game, as well as unlock the classic Prince of Persia game on the console if you perform specific criteria. On the Game Boy Advance...well, you get shafted. .

Rayman 3 Hoodlum Havoc
Developer: Ubi Soft
Publisher: Ubi Soft
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Rayman 3 GBA
Connection support: Minor

Ubi Soft revealed at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in May that the Game Boy Advance version of Rayman 3 will feature connectivity with the GameCube version of that same game. In one game mode, the Game Boy Advance player builds a road with Tetris-like blocks, the Nintendo GameCube player speeds forward along the road as it forms. This gameplay mode supports two Game Boy Advance systems for four player gaming, two players on the GameCube, and two on the handhelds. This mode actually does not require the Game Boy Advance game, as the GameCube uploads the necessary file to the connected GBA systems in the handheld's internal memory. Players can also unlock and download ten new maps for the Game Boy Advance version of Rayman 3 from the Nintendo GameCube using points collected in the GBA game. A final battle can also be sent to the Game Boy Advance game once the GameCube adventure has been completed.

The Sims: Bustin' Out
Developer: Maxis
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, The Sims (GBA)
Connection support: Major

One of the most popular gaming series is appearing for a second time on the GameCube, and this time it will feature direct connectivity with a Game Boy Advance version being developed in parallel. When connected, Nintendo GameCube players will unlock a hidden game cabinet that will give their Sims access to mini-games that they can play on their Game Boy Advance to earn extra Simoleons. Players will also be able to download and play their GameCube Sim in the Game Boy Advance world and obtain Simoleons, motives, and skills to bring back with them to the GameCube version.

Sonic Adventure DX
Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: Sega of America
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Utilizes: Sonic Advance, Sonic Advance 2, Sonic Pinball Party,
Connection support: Minor

Sega was the first company out of the gate with a game that supported the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance link cable, and it continues the connection with its remake of the Dreamcast Sonic Adventure on the GameCube. Players can opt to download the Chao Garden in an empty GBA, or they can use the Chao Garden already built into Sonic Advance, as well as play with the Chao in the gardens built into Sonic Advance 2 and Sonic Pinball Party.

Sonic Adventure 2: Battle
Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: Sega of America
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Utilizes: Sonic Advance
Connection support: Minor

Believe it or not, Sega was the first company out of the gate with a game that supported the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance link cable. Sonic Adventure 2: Battle is a port of a Dreamcast platformer, and in the original platformer Dreamcast owners had the ability to raise little critters (known as Chaos) outside of the game using the system's VMU memory devices. Since the GameCube doesn't have a VMU, and since Sonic Team still wanted this feature in the GameCube game, the development company rebuilt the Chao Garden for play on the Game Boy Advance. Players can opt to download the Chao Garden in an empty GBA, or they can use the Chao Garden already built into Sonic Advance...which is a lot more convenient since players can save their progress to the GBA cartridge whenever they want. The Chao Garden is just a side minigame that really has no bearing on the main GameCube adventure...but it's a welcome addition regardless.

Splinter Cell
Developer: Ubi Soft
Publisher: Ubi Soft
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Splinter Cell GBA
Connection support: Major

Ubi Soft's GameCube version of its popular espionage game feature an exclusive connectivity mode with the Game Boy Advance utilizing the GameCube Game Boy Advance cable, offering enhanced gameplay mechanics that can be utilized during the action. Wherever the player is on the GameCube, it will be displayed on the Game Boy Advance as a vector-style overhead map. Unique to the Game Boy Advance/GameCube connectivity is a "sticky bomb" which can be attached to Sam Fisher's gun. When fired, it will latch onto the target (moving or not), and using the GBA system, pressing the button will detonate the bomb. The GameCube game also has a few original levels that can downloaded to the Game Boy Advance version of Splinter Cell.

SSX 3
Developer: Electronic Arts Canada
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, SSX 3 GBA
Connection support: Minor

Like Tiger Woods 2004, your winnings can move over from the Game Boy Advance version to the GameCube and unlock special exclusive items that, as EA has stated, aren't available anywhere else. .

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004
Developer: EA Sports
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Tiger Woods 2004 GBA
Connection support: Major

In early March 2003, Electronic Arts and Nintendo jointly announced the two companies would work together in providing connectivity between the GBA and GameCube between several of EA's published titles. Players will apparently be able to upload their GBA statistics to the GameCube game, and the better the play, the cooler the unlockables in the GameCube version...some of which will not be available on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox games.

Wario World
Developer: Treasure
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Connection support: Minor

Wario World rewards skilled players with extras that can be collected and uploaded to the Game Boy Advance: mini-games ripped right out of Wario Ware released on the Game Boy Advance. If you already own the GBA game this probably won't excite you...but it's a nice freebie for GameCube owners without the cartridge.

Future Support:

Donkey Kong Plus
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Donkey Kong Plus GBA
Connection support: Major

This game was quite possibly the biggest mystery at Nintendo's booth at E3 2002. The company quietly showed off an enhanced version of the classic Game Boy platform puzzler, Donkey Kong on both the GameCube and the Game Boy Advance. The connection allowed players to build brand new levels of their own creation via the toolkit on the GameCube, and when finished players could upload those levels to the GBA and take them on the go. Nobody at Nintendo was willing to talk about how it planned on releasing the game, or whether the game would actually ship. And the Game Boy Advance game received a serious makeover for E3 2003 in Mario vs. Donkey Kong, with no word on connectivity at all.

Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life
Developer: Natsume
Publisher: Natsume
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town
Connection support: Major

Live your life on the GameCube, and you'll be able to carry over specific elements through the cable to the Game Boy Advance game, Friends of Mineral Town.Specific items can be transferred between the two systems, and the more you play both games, the more stuff and cool elements you can unlock.

Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Plus
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Connection support: Major

You thought the multiplayer option in A Link to the Past GBA was stunning, wait until you see what the Zelda team has done for an encore. The team has created a GameCube game that looks like the classic SNES/Game Boy Advance design; plug in a Game Boy Advance for each player, and take control of your own specific Link. Work together on the GameCube, but if a player leaves the map via a doorway into a house or a cavern or a hole, that player will jump to his own personal view on the Game Boy Advance screen so he can snag all the treasures. It's a really neat idea...hopefully it gets released in the US.

Legend of Zelda: Tetra's Trackers
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Connection support: Major

Nintendo has two Zelda connectivity games in the works; this one's a lot more competitive than Four Swords, believe it or not. Plug in a Game Boy Advance into the GameCube, one for each player. Each Link must work their way around the map on their Game Boy Advance screen, scoring "Stamps" on their card by collecting treasures or performing tasks for the pirates who will give them the stamp. Tetra does the play-by-play on the GameCube, telling all the players what's going on in each player's GBA system.

Nintendo Puzzle Collection
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Connection support: Major

This compilation of three very popular and very addictive puzzle games, Dr. Mario, Yoshi's Cookie, and Panel de Pon for the GameCube has an outstanding extra: connect a Game Boy Advance to the GameCube and you not only can control the on-screen action with the handheld's D-pad and buttons, but you can also download a GBA-compatible version of each of these three games to the portable and take it with you. Awesome. Right now the game's only in Japan, but expect a sudden US release announcement by Nintendo anytime soon.

Pokemon Box
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Pokemon: Ruby Version or Pokemon: Sapphire Version
Connection support: Major

Honestly, this is something that should be packaged with Pokemon Colosseum , since all it really is is a more convenient way of organizing your earned Pokemon in the Game Boy Advance games...as well as giving players the ability to play their Pokemon game on the big screen without the need for a Game Boy Player peripheral.

Pokemon Colosseum
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable, Pokemon: Ruby Version or Pokemon: Sapphire Version
Connection support: Major

This is essentially the GameCube rendition of the N64 Pokemon Stadium series. Take all the creatures you've collected in the GBA games and put them to battle in 3D on the GameCube screen. This will probably be the most popular connectivity title released on the GameCube. Big surprise, huh?

Roll-a-Rama
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Connection support: Major

What originally was announced as Kirby's Tilt 'n Tumble Advance and Kirby's Tilt 'n Tumble 2 has now become an even more wacky rolling game. Nintendo hasn't finalized its release plans for this game, but according to representatives showing off the game at E3, the game will sell as two independent games: a GameCube game where players control their marbles via the control stick; and an original Game Boy Advance title, with a tilt-sensing chip in the cartridge. By linking the two versions together, players can activate new levels in the GameCube game that are controlled by tilting the GBA system. If the ball falls off the edge on the GameCube, players can save the falling sphere by "catching" it on the Game Boy Advance screen.

Stage Debut
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Requires: Game Boy Advance, GameCube GBA cable
Utilizes: GameEye
Connection support: Major

Another mystery product made a showing at E3 in May 2002, with Nintendo displaying this "game" where players modify and customize dance sequences by selecting and manipulating virtual "actors". When the GameEye digital camera peripheral ships for the Game Boy Advance, players can snap pictures of their buddies and map those images to the 3D models...much like how the Game Boy Camera could be used on the 64DD and the Paint Studio and Talent Studio games released in Japan. No release date has been revealed on Stage Debut...not in the US or in Japan.