Nintendo's classic GameCube console, along with its renowned controller, will make a return on the upcoming Switch 2 device.
Nintendo Announces Expansion of GameCube Library on Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo has made an exciting announcement for fans of classic games, revealing that several GameCube titles will be making their way to the Nintendo Switch 2. Besides the previously announced games like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, SoulCalibur II, and F-Zero GX, Nintendo plans to add more GameCube classics to the Nintendo Classics library.
Starting from June 5, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker will be available for players to enjoy. In the coming months, fans can look forward to the release of Super Mario Strikers (also known as Mario Smash Football), Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Luigi’s Mansion, Super Mario Sunshine, Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness. These games are set to be released at different dates throughout 2025.
The addition of these games marks a significant expansion of the GameCube library on the Nintendo Switch 2. Chibi-Robo, a unique adventure starring a tiny robot helper performing household tasks, is scheduled for release on August 21, 2025.
Players will be able to enjoy these games at a higher resolution than the original, though the maximum resolution is not specified. Moreover, the games will support the handheld's new GameChat function, allowing for easy communication with other players.
In addition to the standard JoyCons, players will be able to change their control scheme and use the Nintendo Switch 2-compatible GameCube controller. However, the cost of the new controller is not yet known, with the official Super Smash Bros. Switch GameCube controller currently retailing for $75, suggesting that a wireless version may not be significantly cheaper.
Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will also be able to use the Nintendo GameCube classic controller, which requires a subscription and charges with USB-C. The subscription costs $4 a month or $20 a year, with the expansion pack costing an additional $30 a year.
With the Nintendo Switch 2, access to GameCube games will be exclusive, requiring owners to spend at least $450 to access these classic games. While this may seem like a significant investment, the games offer a wealth of nostalgia and entertainment for fans of the GameCube era.
However, some fans have expressed a desire for Nintendo to consider adding less popular games like Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem or Killer 7 to enhance the experience. Only time will tell if Nintendo decides to add these games to the Nintendo Classics library.
For now, players can look forward to the release of these classic games on the Nintendo Switch 2 and enjoy the four-player split-screen and online play available in games like F-Zero GX. Whether the additional cost of playing GameCube games on the Switch 2 will be justified remains to be seen, especially considering the cost of the $500 Switch 2 bundle.
- The tech enthusiasts at Gizmodo are eagerly awaiting the future release of more GameCube classics, like Chibi-Robo, on the Nintendo Switch 2, as the technology promises a higher resolution and new features such as the GameChat function.
- In the tech realm of 2025, players can expect to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2-compatible GameCube controller, or utilize the Nintendo GameCube classic controller for select games, as a part of their Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
- As the tech industry evolves, many are speculating about the potential addition of less popular but highly-requested GameCube games, such as Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem and Killer 7, to the Nintendo Classics library on the Nintendo Switch 2.
