It may have taken a little while to get there, but Nintendo Switch Online finally feels like a service that’s worth the money. Though its actual online-focused features are still a far cry from what PlayStation and Xbox offer with their services, Nintendo Switch Online is a fraction of the price, and it still gets the job done for the most part. These shortcomings are also heavily offset by Nintendo Switch Online’s ever-growing library of ‘free’ retro games.
What started as just a handful of NES games has now turned into a vast library of retro titles, with Nintendo Switch Online’s base subscription offering fans 200 games from the NES, SNES, and Game Boy eras. Those subscribed to the higher-priced Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack also receive access to over 110 games split across the N64, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy Advance. It’s been confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 is carrying forward NSO, and that likely means this vast library of retro titles is moving forward alongside it. But there’s an opportunity for the Switch 2’s launch to be an even bigger deal than it’s already guaranteed to be, it just needs to add one long-requested Nintendo Switch Online feature.
Related
Switch 2’s Mario Kart is Rumored to Have a Feature That Would Be Huge For Its Roster
Nintendo Switch 2 has been officially revealed alongside a new Mario Kart, and it’s rumored to have a feature that could greatly impact its roster.
Nintendo Switch 2’s Launch Should Bring GameCube Games to Nintendo Switch Online
GameCube Games Are A Natural Evolution of Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online has generally added new console emulators in the order that they originally released in, such as the NES coming first, followed by the SNES, and then eventually the Nintendo 64. So, if Nintendo Switch Online is going to continue its life on the Switch 2, then the natural next port of call would be Nintendo’s GameCube.
Though the GameCube received a mixed reception upon its original 2001 debut, it’s since become quite a beloved console, being many modern gamers’ first gaming platform during childhood. This nostalgia has led to a resurgence in popularity for the GameCube, causing the retro console’s market value to rise dramatically in the last few years.
Due to these higher second-hand market prices, many fans have (allegedly) taken to emulating their favorite childhood GameCube titles. Giving fans an official way to play emulated GameCube games would be a huge win for the Nintendo Switch 2, especially if their release coincided with the new console’s launch, thus adding more titles to its day-one line-up.
Nintendo has already released a range of official GameCube controllers for the Nintendo Switch, and it’d be great to see them get more use in the near future.
GameCube Games That Should Come to Nintendo Switch Online First
While the GameCube may not have been Nintendo’s most successful console, its library was filled with some of the greatest games of all time. The GameCube saw acclaimed first-party titles like Super Mario Sunshine, Metroid Prime, Zelda: The Wind Waker, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Mario Kart: Double Dash, and Animal Crossing release. And while some of these titles have been given remasters/rumored to receive a remaster on the Switch, it’d be great to see the original versions come to Nintendo Switch Online.
The GameCube also had a wealth of excellent third-party games, with Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 2, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, Resident Evil Remake, and Resident Evil 4 being some of the most memorable, all of which would also be a welcome addition to NSO.
Nintendo Switch Online
Play online with friends, family, and other players around the world.
Battle it out against other players around the world in the Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate game. Or hang out with friends on your island paradise in the Animal Crossing™: New Horizons game.
100+ classic NES, Super NES, and Game Boy games at your fingertips
Play old-school favorites like the Super Mario Bros.™ 3, Donkey Kong Country™, and The Legend of Zelda™: Link’s Awakening games. These games include added online functionality so you can compete (or cooperate) online with friends depending on the game.
Save on new games
Nintendo Switch Online members can buy a pair of Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers* and redeem each one for a digital game in the voucher catalog to score savings. For example, get The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and one other game for up to $30 in savings with Game Vouchers!
Enjoy Nintendo game music – now on your smart device!
Kick back and enjoy some of your favorite Nintendo tunes with Nintendo Music, the new smart-device app that lets you stream or download music from Nintendo’s library of soundtracks from popular franchises like The Legend of Zelda™, Super Mario™, Animal Crossing™, and many more.