Here’s What’s Coming to Nintendo Switch 2’s GameCube Lineup

The Nintendo Switch 2 itself was hardly the best-kept secret in the industry, and the same could almost be said for the console’s rumored GameCube lineup as part of Nintendo Switch Online — now renamed to Nintendo Classics. But secret or not, Nintendo revealed the first three titles for ‘Cube lovers at today’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, and briefly showed some additional titles coming as well. Like with Nintendo 64, GameCube support is available for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members.

It’s worth noting that on different parts of their website, Nintendo mentions two things that players will no doubt be glad to hear. First, they describe GameCube games on Switch 2 as featuring “clearer image quality and higher resolution than the original releases.” That’s well and good on its own, but on their What’s New with Nintendo Switch Online page, they also note, “Some games include fun in-game options, like a retro screen filter and widescreen gameplay.” It’s too soon to say which games will support which features, but it’s good to know they are options!

Here’s what’s in store!

Nintendo Switch 2: GameCube Lineup

(For the sake of completeness, I’m listing all known titles so far, but the bold ones below are within our coverage at RPGFan.)

• Chibi-Robo
• Luigi’s Mansion
• F-Zero GX (launch title)
• Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (launch title)
• Pokémon Colosseum
• Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
• SoulCalibur II (launch title)
• Super Mario Strikers
• Super Mario Sunshine

No doubt The Wind Waker is the biggest title in the three-game launch lineup (no disrespect to F-Zero GX or SoulCalibur II, which also features Link). While this is specifically the GameCube version of Link’s grand ocean adventure and not the Wii U’s The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, I’ll take it! Though I’m still hoping that version and Twilight Princess HD make it to Switch 2 one day.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on Switch 2

GameCube Controller

Like Nintendo has done with their other Nintendo Classics “consoles,” they will be releasing a Switch 2 wireless version of the GameCube controller for Nintendo Switch Online members, complete with USB-C charging and other Switch 2-specific buttons, including the new C “chat” button. It may not really be a Wavebird 2… but on the other hand, this one doesn’t require a plug-in connector or AA batteries, so one may argue it’s even better.

More GameCube Games On the Way, Too

The sneak peek at other upcoming titles is perhaps the most interesting, however, and not just because of the extremely high prices of those titles on the used game market!

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (currently found on eBay for $170+ USD) is a fan favorite — both in general, and as witnessed by our two near-90% reviews of the original release.

Meanwhile, Pokémon Colosseum (often $100+ USD these days) and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness ($100–200 or more) will mark the (re-)availability of two Pokémon games that are hard to come by now, with Colosseum being well-timed given the recently revealed Pokémon Champions.

Overall, it’s not a bad start to GameCube support in the newly renamed Nintendo Classics lineup, and while the GameCube’s RPG library isn’t massive, it’s easy to speculate what else may be on the horizon as well. Some GC titles have got the remaster treatment in recent years, like Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Baten Kaitos, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, but could this be our chance to see some other titles made available again, such as Lost Kingdoms, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, or even never-going-to-happen games like Mega Man X Command Mission? (I just really like X’s laser-scarf, okay?)

Or, I don’t know, maybe that one SEGA RPG that’s technically a Dreamcast title that has yet to ever get a sequel, let alone a modern port to make it available again to players? And yes, it’s also easy to spend well in excess of $100 on used copies of Skies of Arcadia Legends. So come on, SEGA, here’s your chance!

What GameCube games would you like to see on the Nintendo Switch 2?