Following the conclusion of theNintendo Switch 2Direct, there are many exciting announcements to sift through, but one of the most exciting is the addition of the GameCube library to the Nintendo Switch Online retro consoles. Unfortunately,the GameCube library will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, meaning it won’t make its way onto the original Switch or OLED models.
TheNintendo Switch Online classic game library, soon to be renamed Nintendo Classics, will include several iconic GameCube titles. While the number of confirmed titles at this time isn’t extensive, there may likely be more reveals at the time of the actual launch and, as with the other classic libraries, we’ll likely see updates to it during some of the following Nintendo Directs.
10Rescue Shadow Pokémon In Pokémon Colosseum
Take On The Role Of Wes & Battle Your Way To Victory In This Pokémon RPG
Released originally in 2003,Pokémon Colosseumwas a spin-off from the traditional lineup ofPokémongames that allowed players to enjoy thefun of traditional stadium battles while also enjoying elements of a story-based RPG. As Wes, and with the help of his companion Rui, you’ll travel through the world ofPokémon Colosseumto help Pokémon whose hearts have been corrupted and turn them back to normal.
Every Game Confirmed For Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct finally revealed many of the titles coming to the new console – here’s every single announced Switch 2 game.
Despite the disappointment that very fewPokémongames have made their way into the Nintendo Classics library, and that all of them have been spin-offs,Pokémon Colosseumis a classic for many earlyPokémonfans, and it’s a great game to return to with plenty of content, especially when compared to some of the other availablePokémonoptions, likePokémon Stadium. Note that there is no determined release date for this title on the NSO Classics Library yet.
9Build A Collection Of Ghostly Portraits In Luigi’s Mansion
Help Luigi Capture Ghosts And Save Mario In The Game That Started It All
Being one of the Nintendo GameCube’s original launch titles, it’s no surprise thatLuigi’s Mansionwill be part of the lineup of games for the Nintendo Switch GameCube Classics library. Instead, it’s more surprising that it won’t follow the original format and be a launch day title for the feature, especially considering that both of its sequels,Luigi’s Mansion: Dark MoonandLuigi’s Mansion 3, are already available on the Nintendo Switch.
Some Nintendo Switch 1 Games Like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Are Getting Free Switch 2 Updates
Certain Switch games will get free upgrades on Switch 2, including Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, along with a few other Nintendo classics.
InLuigi’s Mansion, you’lltake on the role of Luigi as he searches through a ghost-filled mansion in search of Mario. With the help of Professor E. Gadd, Luigi will be equipped with the Poltergust 3000, an overpowered vacuum capable of sucking up the ghosts that you’ll encounter along the way. While this story is a bit more dated than that of the sequels, the charm and back-to-basics feel of wandering around a single mansion makes it a favorite in the franchise for many, myself included.
Bring Happiness To The Sanderson Family As A Tiny Robot
Chibi-Robo! Plug Into Adventure!is the first of many in theChibi-Robofranchise, where you’ll play a small robot, Chibi-Robo, who, in this case, was gifted to Jenny Sanderson on her birthday by her father. As this tiny robot, your goal is tocomplete chores, make people happy, and help the Sanderson Family with a whirlwind of issuestheir family is currently facing.
Donkey Kong Smashes Through Destructible Environments In Trailer For Donkey Kong Bananza On Nintendo Switch 2
The new 3D Nintendo Switch 2 game marks a return to the Donkey Kong franchise, which has not had a new platformer since Tropical Freeze on Wii U.
Given that the adorable robot himself, Chibi-Robo, is an adorable protagonist, it’s no surprise that the franchise went on to have other installments. Unfortunately, since the later games are part of consoles that have yet to see a Nintendo Classics library made for them, like the Nintendo DS or 3DS, it’s unlikely we’ll see those anytime soon. However, the last release was nearly 10 years ago, so it’s not completely out of the question that we could see a new entry in the franchise altogether with enough interest.
7Take To The Field In Super Mario Strikers
Super Mario Strikers Features Unique Twists On A Classic Sport
Known also asMario Smash Football, depending on your region,Super Mario Strikersis a 2005 sports game featuring some of Nintendo’s most iconic characters. InSuper Mario Strikers, players can form teams andcompete against friends in a match of soccer while using basic controls with a unique twist. Unlike traditional games for this sport, this Mario-themed version features items that can be used to sabotage the other team and give you the advantage.
Nintendo Switch 2 Price Compared To Past Nintendo Consoles (Adjusted For Inflation)
With the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct revealing the price of the console, this is how the cost compares to the prior Nintendo home consoles.
SinceSuper Mariosports games are still popular, have had consistent sequels, and many of the others are featured on other Nintendo Online Classic libraries, the addition ofSuper Mario Strikersjust makes sense. Unfortunately, there’s no confirmed release date as of when this will be added to the GameCube Classic library, so be sure to keep tabs on upcoming news from Nintendo for more updates.
6Shadow Lugia Takes Center Stage In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
Experience The First Instance Of Shadow Lugia While You Work To Stop Cipher
Yet anotherPokémonspin-off,Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, will also be coming to the Nintendo GameCube Classics Library at some point. While not a launch title for the NSO GameCube, it is nice to see Nintendo deep-diving into some classicPokémonthrowbacks for this new feature.
New FromSoftware Game, The Duskbloods, Announced Exclusively For Nintendo Switch 2
FromSoftware has announced a mysterious new game called The Duskbloods, which will be released exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.
While not a direct sequel toPokémon Colosseum,Pokémon XD: Gale of Darknessis also heavily focused on the concept of shadow Pokémon and takes place five years after the events in the aforementioned game. Despite its attempted separation fromPokémon Colosseumto have its own identity,Pokémon XD: Gale of Darknesshas players follow a similar routine ofbattling and rescuing shadow Pokémon in an attempt to purify themand save the kidnapped Professor Krane.
5Restore Crimea To Glory In Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Take A Chance On A Classic From A Beloved Franchise
Fire Emblem: Path of Radianceis the ninth entry in theFire Emblemfranchise and another title coming to Nintendo Switch Online’s classic GameCube library at a later date. Taking on the role of Ike, you’re tasked with attempting to helprestore the Kingdom of Crimea’s heir, all while dealing with conflicting tensions between various groupsthat you’ll need to unite against a common enemy.
New Zelda: Hyrule Warriors Game Confirmed For Nintendo Switch 2 With First Trailer
A new Hyrule Warriors game by Koei Tecmo is confirmed for the Nintendo Switch 2, featuring a prequel story set before Tears of the Kingdom.
GivenFire Emblem’s popularity as a franchise and that both new entries and remakes are still being made for modern consoles, it’s no surprise that this popularity extends into the Nintendo Switch Online Classics library feature as well. However, given that Path of Radiance was the onlyFire Emblementry in the series released on GameCube, there will be no others from the franchise included in this library.
4Explore An Iconic 3D World In Super Mario Sunshine
A 3D Classic Finally Returns To The Switch And Is Here To Stay
Perhaps the most exciting non-launch title announcement for the Nintendo Classics GameCube library isSuper Mario Sunshine. Following the success ofMario 64,Super Mario Sunshinewas the second 3DMariogame released. Whilethis game technically did have a Switch launch alreadyas part of theSuper Mario 3D All-Stars bundle, which includedSuper Mario Sunshine,Super Mario 64, andSuper Mario Galaxy, this was a limited-time anniversary release.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Might Have A Feature Sorely Missed In The First Switch
Rumors suggest a Pro Controller is coming for the Nintendo Switch 2, that features the much-desired headphone jack for more immersive gaming audio.
For those who didn’t manage to grabtheSuper Mario 3D All-Stars Bundlebefore it was discontinued,Super Mario Sunshinewas seemingly forever trapped on the GameCube. Now, those who missed out can finally rejoice asSuper Mario Sunshinewill finally be playable on modern consoles once more. The only hope now is that we eventually see the return ofSuper Mario Galaxyas well in some way, either via a re-release on the Switch 2 or as part of a future Wii Classics library on NSO.
3Jump Back Into The Race With F-Zero GX
Race Up To Three Friends Online In This Enhanced NSO Version
While several of the titles on this list have unknown release dates at this time, three of them will be launching with the Nintendo Classics GameCube feature at the time ofthe Nintendo Switch 2’s release, and the first isF-Zero GX. This 2003 racing game from the iconicF-Zerofranchise will finally be playable on modern consoles, and even more exciting than that, it will be playable online.
Mario Kart 9 Is Actually Mario Kart World, Launching Exclusively On Nintendo Switch 2
Mario Kart World will feature a world of new courses and 24 racers per race and it will debut on the Nintendo Switch 2 as a day 1 release.
Players will be able toplay online with up to four players, something that wasn’t previously possible at this game’s launch, as they battle it out on the track. This version will feature better quality and higher resolution than its original version, making this the best way to playF-Zero GX.
2Warm Up Your Fighting Skills In Soulcalibur II
Soulcalibur II Is One Of Many Iconic Fighting Games Coming To The Nintendo Switch 2
GameShare On Switch 2 Sounds Amazing, But There’s One Disappointing Factor
Nintendo Switch 2 will introduce a new feature called GameShare, which will be great for multiplayer, but there is one catch in its current form.
Given thatSoulcalibur VI, the latest entry in the series, has not come to the Nintendo Switch at all yet, it is a bit surprising that this was a choice for a day one release. That being said, with the Nintendo Switch 2’s updated hardware and capability to properly runSoulcalibur VI, this could be a fun way for Nintendo to slowly lead up to a release of the latest entry in the series on their upcoming console.
1Embark On Toon Link’s Original Adventure In The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Following The HD Remake, Wind Waker Makes Its Way To Modern Consoles Once Again
Following the original 2002 release ofThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker,this isn’t the first time this game has been made accessible on modern consoles. Over 10 years ago, back in 2013,Wind Wakeractually received a full HD remake for the Wii U that featured improved graphics and quality of life updates. While this version will also feature similar enhancements visually, it’s unclear whether it will also feature some of the changes made to the HD release or be closer to an authentic port of the original version.
Nintendo Switch 2 Price Quietly Revealed By Nintendo
A press release has quietly revealed the price of the Nintendo Switch 2, following a Nintendo Direct that showed off the upcoming console’s features.
Regardless, another exciting aspect of this announcement is that it opens the door to the possibility ofThe Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princessmaking its way onto theNintendo Switch 2as well. While there are only three confirmed launch titles and a handful of overall game confirmations at this time, Nintendo could easily change this as we approach the official launch, so be sure to follow the latest news leading up to June 5th, 2025, so you always have the most accurate information.
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to Nintendo Switch, scheduled for release in 2025. Confirmed as backwards compatible, it will play both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games. A full reveal is pencilled in for June 05, 2025.
