Sometimes it can be a frustrating thing to be a GameCube owner. Not only do we get the short end of the stick when it comes to online multiplayer fun but also the same game other consoles get don’t translated as well on our beloved Cube. Take the Rainbow Six games, for example. It was great to see Rainbow Six 3 on the GameCube but when it came to the controls, graphics and other notable features, it just fell flat. Well, get ready to get happy, Nintendo fans, because Rainbow Six: Lockdown is Rainbow done right.

Once again the world is in danger by well-organized and dangerous terrorist group and once again the multinational specialists of Team Rainbow are ready to fight them. This time, though, the terrorists manage to pull a fast one by staging a fake coup in South Africa while secretly raiding a bio-chemical lab that is illegally manufacturing a virus known as Legion. With the virus in their possession the terrorist plot is not revealed and with various possible targets, NATO doesn’t intend on just sitting there waiting for them to strike. As squad leader Domingo “Ding” Chavez you lead your squad on a mission to track the group and put an end to their plan.

Once again Ding is back with his usual cohorts like Eddie Price, Louis Loiselle and their great sniper buddy Dieter Weber, but this time there are other additions to the team. Aside from a hot shot Israeli operative and a Swedish one there are a few others but the new team members don’t really add a whole lot except for good dialogue. The old crew will intermingle with the new team on a personal level - something the first game doesn’t do - and it fleshes out Team Rainbow enough to make you care about them. I dare you not to smile as Louis tries to sweet talk the ladies on the squad and gets shot down by them (not literally shot down, but you know what I mean).

The mission structure is the same as Rainbow Six 3 so expect interruptions while completing one objective to get a second and third objective.  The game is still third-person and you’ll still be able to select your weapons before taking on a mission. You’ll still need to use tactics while approaching each situation so you’ll need to order your team to breach and clear rooms and even to scout ahead a little. Basically it’s a lot like the first game … that is until you’re introduced to the sniper mode.

That’s right, you’ll find yourself taking up the role of Weber, the group’s talented sniper. These aren’t long very long bits in the game. In fact, they make up a short segment that has you clearing a path for your teammates. It takes a little practice mainly because if you mess up one too many times a teammate is most likely to die in a hail of gunfire or an RPG attack. It also helps bring some variety to the game and that certainly is a welcomed feature.

One of the many gripes I had with Rainbow Six 3 were the controls. Lockdown still feels like a loose first-person shooter but now at least the controls are manageable and easy to get into. You can change the control scheme to fit your style but the default controls just manage to make for easy access to night vision, a few commands and reloading weapons. There’s a new motion sensor that allows you to peek into other rooms without rushing into uncertain doom. Speaking of gripes, the enemy AI is still dumb as ever. Bad guys will often rush at you but never rush out on time when a frag grenade is tossed at their feet. While some are great at returning fire some enemies will forget cover altogether and expose themselves.   

On the graphics front Lockdown looks pretty darn good with just a few exceptions. The environments look good in places but oftentimes there are some pretty dull-looking interiors. Still there’s enough details that give each locale its own unique look and that’s good enough. There’s some good effects too, particularly when it comes to the smoke grenades and lighting. There’s a new visual trick that is seen when you’ve really been injured and it comes in the form of a shattered window view with bullet holes. It’s not the best way to convey massive injuries but at least it looks good. The enemy faces still don’t look right.

It’s not a Tom Clancy game without the great sound and this one has plenty of that. There’s not only great sound effects but the music between missions is pretty good as well. You’ll hear bullets echo in hallways and if somebody tosses a frag grenade you’ll hear it hit the ground before it blows. There’s also some good voice acting. This is some great stuff.

Rainbow Six: Lockdown for the GameCube is a step closer to greatness and one of the reasons you should buy this one if you’re looking for the best Rainbow game on the Cube. Sadly we won’t be experiencing the amazing online multiplayer portion but the single-player campaign will not let you down.

Gameplay: 8.2
Unlike Rainbows Six 3 on the GameCube, Lockdown plays just as good as the Xbox version and that’s quite an achievement. The game’s single-player campaign mode is longer than the first game and the mission variety, thanks to the sniper missions, give the game an interesting new twist. Why are the enemies twice as dumb now?

Graphics: 8.0
The game looks great with some nicely rendered environments and detailed character models that drop realistically when shot dead. There’s some great effects, particularly when it comes to lighting and damage done to you. Overall this is a great-looking GameCube game.

Sound: 8.5
Leave it to the Tom Clancy line to do sound effects and environmental sound in great detail. You’ll hear your surroundings and they will mess with your senses. The bullets sound loud and you’ll know when you miss because you’ll hear your bullet pierce a wall.

Difficulty: Medium
The early missions are the usual getting-to-know you variety but you’ll quickly be introduced to Weber’s sniper parts that are quite challenging to the point that you’ll be starting over often. The bad news is that while the mission variety is nice, the enemy AI makes the experience feel like Mickey’s Shooting Gallery. I swear these terrorists are either brave or think bullet wounds feel ticklish.

Concept: 7.5
There’s plenty of single-player fun like Lone Rush and Infiltrator and you can always play co-op with a friend when you want to go through the more tougher missions a lot easier. The sniper mode parts are decent and fun while they last. No online mode is still a pain GameCube gamers will have to live with.

Multiplayer: 7.0
Two player co-op is just what the doctor ordered. It’s mainly split-screen fun for two but the lack of the online play Xbox bunch is currently enjoying … right now … well, it’s enough to make a gamer cry.

Overall: 7.8
Now this is how Rainbow Six is done on the GameCube! With a lengthy yet entertaining campaign mode, Rainbow Six: Lockdown manages to pull off the best Rainbow Six game on the GameCube. It strays a bit from it’s original roots (which is both a good and bad thing) but it’s still able to be just as fun as its predecessor.