After years of clamoring for the GameCube library to come to Nintendo Switch Online, the Nintendo Switch 2 adds the console and a few games to the Nintendo Classics collection. The GameCube library is now available as part of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch.
The supported games feature a higher resolution than the original releases, and players can customize the controls as well. There is also a wireless controller designed after the original GameCube controller that offers a C button, and can also be used for non-GameCube games. There’s a fun GameCube Easter egg when you start up the app that will be of interest to original GameCube owners.
These GameCube games are only available to play for subscribers to the Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier. You can purchase that for $80 per year.
Let’s take a look at all of the games confirmed for Switch Online, including both those that are available now and those coming at some point in the future. As with Nintendo Switch Online’s other classic libraries, games will be added periodically and are subject to change.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
Out now? Yes
Initially released in 2002, Wind Waker’s cartoonish style and gameplay won over fans and spawned sequels and spin-offs with 3DS titles like Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.
F-Zero GX
Out now? Yes
The 2003 racing video game was a collaboration between Nintendo and Sega. It’s the successor to F-Zero X, and continued the series’ difficult, high-speed racing style, while keeping the basic gameplay and control system from the Nintendo 64 game.
GX introduced a “story mode” element, a series first, where the player assumes the role of F-Zero pilot Captain Falcon through nine chapters while completing various missions. Players will be able to join three other friends in four-person races online or locally.
Soulcalibur 2
Out now? Yes
Soulcalibur II is considered to be one of the greatest fighting games ever made. It had improved graphics compared to its predecessor and introduced several new and guest characters, including Link (with four costumes) for the GameCube version.
Super Mario Sunshine
Out now? No
Taking Mario on vacation to the tropical Isle Delfino, where he, Toadsworth, Princess Peach, and five Toads are trying to soak up some sun. Too bad a villain known as Shadow Mario is vandalizing the island with graffiti, with Mario getting wrongfully convicted for the mess.
As punishment, Mario is ordered to clean up Isle Delfino, using a device called the Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device (F.L.U.D.D.), all the while saving Princess Peach from Shadow Mario. The game was re-released alongside Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy in the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection on Nintendo Switch in September 2020.
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Out now? No
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is the ninth main installment in the Fire Emblem series, but the third to be released in the West in 2005. A direct sequel for the Wii, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, was released in 2007 in North America and Japan, and later in 2008 for Europe and Australia.
It was a rare example of cross-platform play, as players with save data from the Game Boy Advance Fire Emblem games were able to connect with Path of Radiance and access concept art and special maps revolving around characters from those games.
Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness
Out now? No
Pokemon XD was the successor to the GameCube title Pokemon Colosseum and also takes place in Orre, the setting of Colosseum’s adventure mode.
The game was first announced in March 2005 as a new GameCube game, but not as a sequel to Colosseum–later developments, as well as two promotional demo versions, confirmed the game would be very similar. Shadow Pokemon, first introduced in Colosseum, were a major gameplay element, with a Shadow Lugia being featured on the game’s box art.
While most of the gameplay recycled a lot of material from Colosseum, Pokemon XD became a fan favorite.
Super Mario Strikers
Out now? No
This was also the last Mario game released on the GameCube in Japan and North America. Super Mario Strikers, or Mario Smash Football in Europe or Australia, pitted Mario and friends against each other in five-on-five soccer games.
Much like Mario Power Tennis, the player can use Mario-themed items such as bananas and red shells to hinder the opponent and gain the advantage during the game. Strikers received generally favorable reviews and spawned two sequels.
Luigi’s Mansion
Out now? No
Mario’s little brother’s first solo outing broke away from the mold, and for the first time, a Nintendo console launched with a Luigi-centric title. Luigi’s Mansion put the green-hat hero in the spotlight as he busted ghosts and solved puzzles to rescue his brother and friends.
The game was re-released for the 3DS and had two sequels, the latest being a Nintendo Switch launch title back in 2019.
Pokemon Colosseum
Out now? No
The GameCube Online library will also feature Pokemon XD’s predecessor, Pokemon Colosseum. The game featured creature models ported from both Pokemon Stadium games. Pokemon Colosseum was a critical and commercial success, with lots of praise for its graphics and music.
Chibi-Robo
Out now? No
Chibi-Robo follows a series of tiny robots, who are programmed to spread happiness. The game has the player cleaning Chibi-Robo’s nearby environment, trying to collect “Happy Points.” All the while, making sure your battery doesn’t die.
The original game was released in 2005, with a sequel for the Nintendo 3DS entitled Chibi-Robo! Photo Finder. The original Chibi-Robo had a Japanese re-release in 2009 for the Wii and the final entry for the series, Chibi-Robo: Zip Lash, also for the 3DS released back in 2015.
Super Mario Strikers
Out now? Not yet, but it’ll be added to the GameCube library on July 3.
For some soccer fun, you can look forward to Super Mario Strikers on the Switch 2. First released for the GameCube in 2005–and the last Mario game published for that system–the game featured the plumber and his pals in five-a-side soccer matches.
Each game could also become very unpredictable thanks to the power-ups on the field, making for some very exciting matches as the momentum shifted between teams. Two sequels would be developed over the years, starting with 2007’s Mario Strikers Charged on the Wii and Mario Strikers Battle League for the Switch in 2022.