Favorite games: Super Mario Sunshine, Mario Kart DD, Super Smash Bros Melee, Mario Smash Football.
This is an extremely underrated console compared to the other consoles from the generation (RIP Dreamcast), it got incredible games such as the Metroid Prime, Mario Kart Double Dash and Zelda series and... A lot Mario Party games (in fact, it's the only console with 4 Mario Party releases) although some of these weren't received well. It got a lot of Mario themed releases such as Super Mario Sunshine and the sports games, also Donkey Konga games.
In Japan there was an unique release of a device that could also play DVD's GC games with multiple AV-out ports, pretty rare though, just like the N64 DD. It's called the Panasonic Q.
The device got quite some accessories just like the NES and SNES such as the WaveBird wireless controller, the Dancing mat, GameBoy Advance Link cables, DK Bongos and the GameCube GameBoy player.
I have the newest model. Not much was changed compared to the original version. The RGB port has been removed unfortunately (due to it barely being used) what resulted in the Nintendo SCART and component cables getting rare and becoming an collectors item. The only thing I could find about the changes is that is the laser being replaced with a better working model, and some sources saying it being slightly faster than the first model due to a better airflow (however the original system barely gets warm) by not having the RGB out and a removed serial port.
It can connect to modems or routers using a telephone cable or RJ-45 (the broadband adapter being another rare product) which allows multiplayer with multiple consoles, the makes racing with 8 players possible in case of Mario Kart Double Dash, and Phantasy Star Online was one of the few games with online multiplayer support and the rare and big GameCube keyboard controller supports that game.
The system got many game releases, but unfortunately the PlayStation 2 received a lot more games. This results into a very small library of games (just like the Wii U's physical releases).
It had some really heavy competion especially since many developers were siding with Sony, and Xbox just getting released (another impressive system for its time), the small discs couldn't fit a lot of data compared to the DVD's the PS2 and Xbox used, but I couldn't find much games which were limited by this.
The GameBoy Player is one if not, the best accessory ever for a Nintendo Console. You can play all GameBoy games on TV using this device! It requires you to have the GB player disc before being able to play on TV. Forget the SNES GameBoy player cartridge, this one's better! It's the one of the reasons I skipped the Wii and went for a Wii U instead.
The GameBoy Player accessory is getting more expensive by day, especially the disc, weirdly enough not the device itself. This is the only official way to play GameBoy advance games on TV if you don't own a Wii U or are not paying for the NSO plus subscription on the Switch!
Games
Super Mario Sunshine
I like where the design of Mario's open world games went. However this game has many problems, and especially difficulty problems. But even though it has its problems, it's quite good! It features the FLUDD which requires more skill to handle, and is not the easiest to master. I envy developers who integrated FLUDD like functionality in their game or mod even though I did it myself in Super Mario 256, which I'm proud of, but the main problem with programming this thing is to fine tune it it. It's very hard.
Speaking of gameplay, there are some bugs with Mario's movement which results in the game being harder and requiring more skill. However this game is extremely hard, it is the only game which I would probably never be able to 100%, I did however finished the main story! Having completed Super Mario Galaxy 2 (which has movement issues too, but feels a lot more smooth compared this game), fully finished Super Mario 3D world except for the final Crown level, and 100%ed Super Mario 64 twice and Collected almost all power moons in Super Mario odyssey (All power moons on The Moon and the Dark Side of) I can guarantee you this is the hardest main 3D Mario game you will play. I often refer to Dark Souls Mario when I'm talking about this game.
It's the first 3D Mario game where you can ride on Yoshi and use him just like in Super Mario World. You'll find a lot of shinesprites in this game! No goomba's to be found here though!
Mario Kart Double Dash
This game has made Mario Kart play how it plays now (apart from the driver switching mechanic and some items), these graphics made Mario look like Mario as we know him now without being limited to the 2D sprites used in Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart 64. The character switching mechanic is fun and allows the player to get unique character items. A lot of maps in future Mario Kart games were imported from this game. Good gameplay here!