The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct was full of genuinely surprising announcements. While fans were expecting confirmation of long-rumored features like the Joy-Con 2’s mouse functionality, no one was expecting to see a brand-new Hidetaka Miyazaki-directed FromSoftware game that’s going to be exclusive to the new Nintendo console.
Another surprising revelation was that Nintendo Switch Online is adding a GameCube library on the new console’s release day, which will be exclusive to those with an NSO Expansion Pack subscription on Nintendo Switch 2. Three games are coming at launch, those being Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soul Calibur 2, and F-Zero GX, and another handful have been confirmed to appear at some point in the future, including Super Mario Sunshine, Pokemon Colosseum, Luigi’s Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, and Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance. That’s a lot for nostalgic fans to sink their teeth into, but there are plenty more GameCube titles Nintendo should add in the future.
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Games That Need to be Added to Nintendo Switch 2 Online’s GameCube Library
Super Smash Bros. Melee
When fans look back on the GameCube’s library, three games usually stand out as being the best of the best: Metroid Prime, Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Super Smash Bros. Melee. Metroid Prime received a Switch remaster a few years ago and Zelda: Wind Waker will appear on the Switch 2’s GameCube library on day-one, which just leaves Smash Melee without a new home. Though its 25-strong roster pales in comparison to Smash Ultimate‘s, Super Smash Bros. Melee is still considered to be one of the best fighting games ever made, and NSO’s GameCube library would feel incomplete without it.
Animal Crossing
The Animal Crossing franchise is more popular than ever thanks to New Horizons, and it could be fun for those fans to see where the series first started all those years ago. Its gameplay won’t blow fans away, but Animal Crossing‘s joyful charm is worth experiencing even over two decades later.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was released for both the Wii and the GameCube. Despite the Wii being the technically superior console, many fans consider the GameCube version of Twilight Princess to be the superior one, as it was originally designed with the system in mind and doesn’t force players to use motion controls.
With Zelda: The Wind Waker coming to NSO’s GameCube library at launch, it doesn’t seem likely the rumored remasters of it and Twilight Princess will come to fruition. A simple emulated port of Twilight Princess could be the next best thing.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 2
Licensed games are always a bit tricky for Nintendo to add to its NSO library, but it’s done it before with games like GoldenEye 007. This extra bit of effort would be worth it for Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 2, which is widely considered to be not just one of the best GameCube games, but one of the best Star Wars games of all time.
Mario Kart: Double Dash
Releasing seven years after Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Double Dash is one of the more divisive entries in the series. At the time, critics took issue with the game’s limited scope and fans took issue with the game’s bevy of experimental mechanics, such as the eponymous dual-rider feature. But 22 years and four mainline entries later, Mario Kart: Double Dash‘s experimental nature makes it a rather refreshing experience.
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
Possibly one of the most controversial remakes of all time, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes is the GameCube remake of the original 1998 Metal Gear Solid. With completely redone gameplay and cutscenes, MGS: The Twin Snakes is viewed by many fans as being too much of a dramatic departure from the original version, though it’s considered a solid game in its own right. Given Twin Snakes‘ GameCube exclusivity, it’s also a very expensive game to find in the wild, so it’d be great to see it on Switch 2.
- Brand
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Nintendo
- Operating System
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Proprietary
- Storage
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256GB internal / MicroSD
- Resolution
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1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
- App Store
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Nintendo eShop
- Wi-Fi
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Yes