One of the more exciting announcements to come from the Nintendo Switch 2 direct on Tuesday, April 2 was the reveal that Nintendo Online subscribers will have access to a catalog of Gamecube games, similar to the other retro system catalogs that were on the original Nintendo Switch (these will also be available on Switch 2). A selection of these games have already been revealed, but given the vast library of incredible games that came to the Gamecube, fans are clamoring for their favorites to be added in as well.
Ten Gamecube Games Already Confirmed
Between the Nintendo Direct on Tuesday and the Nintendo Treehouse the following days, fans have been briefed on the games that will be available for Nintendo Online expansion subscribers on Switch 2 launch day. Some of these games are absolute classics, while others are hidden gems or lesser-known titles. All of them add value to the Switch online catalog.
The ten games revealed so far are The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, Soulcalibur 2, Super Mario Sunshine, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, Super Mario Strikers, Luigi’s Mansion, Pokemon Colosseum, and Chibi-Robo.
That is a pretty solid collection of games overall. It offers fans a wide variety of different genres, classic games, and cult classics. Seeing Pokemon XD has especially excited fans, as the game is well-received but under-appreciated by the masses. All the games are strong entries that should give Nintendo Online subscribers a reason to look forward to the GameCube expansion.
Five More GameCube Classics We Hope To See
While this initial selection is a good start, there are so many iconic games released for the GameCube console that can continue to fill out the Nintendo Online catalog. It is truthfully nearly impossible to narrow it down to just five titles, but these games should appeal to a wide audience and bring joy and nostalgia to a variety of fans and gamers, introducing new players to iconic classics. Keep in mind that any game (such as Metroid Prime) that already received a remaster for the Switch will not be included in this list.
1. The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess
This entry to the Zelda series is arguably one of the most overlooked of any in the lineage. The GameCube gem was initially received with mixed reviews, coming off the heels of the surprising success of the lighter, cartoony Wind Waker. Twilight Princess is one of the darkest games in the storied franchise, both literally and in the storyline. The wolf morphing mechanic is absolute genius, and the level design to this day is a gold standard for Zelda games. Add in the beauty of the cutscenes, and you have a game that is well-deserving of being revisited, only having received a remaster for the notoriously underperformed Wii U.
2. Skies of Arcadia: Legends
Skies of Arcadia: Legends is a far lesser-known game in the RPG genre, one that, at the time, was not as well-received as it should have been. Specifically, this was a remake of a Sega Dreamcast entry, and critics were not pleased with the lack of graphic upgrades. Minimizing the game to that element, however, does it a grave injustice. Many quality of life improvements were made, and it took this RPG to a new level. Fans of adventure and exploration will love to discover this gem and will be able to experience the true joy this game can deliver.
3. WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Games!
WarioWare is a bit of a niche series that does not try to take itself too seriously. Wario, a classic antagonist in the Mario franchise, continues his over-the-top, goofy antics. The goal is to beat all of Wario’s mini-games, of which there are many. What set this entry apart from others, though, is its multiplayer mode. They did this incredibly well, and bringing a fantastic multiplayer to pair with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription just feels like a no-brainer and helps further diversify an already enjoyable catalog.
4. Viewtiful Joe
This game is a lesser-known, brilliantly executed side scrolling beat ’em up. Try to say that five times fast. It may be a little jarring for modern gamers to experience a 2D style action game, but once they do, they will understand what made this game be at the top of the genre. This game was so brilliant because of the perfect combat mechanics the developers gave players. “VFX Powers” gave gamers a chance to pull off slow-mo, rapid-fire, or zoom-in mode, and strategically applying each one was as thrilling as it was enjoyable. If the game is given a shot, players will not regret it.
5. SSX 3
We want diversity in the catalog, and SSX 3 offers something that is missing. The game allows you to conquer the slopes as an extreme snowboarder. With Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater getting a remake, extreme sports are coming to the mainstream again. This game is just so enjoyable to play. It feels like an immersive experience, with cinematic tricks and well-designed graphics and effects. Add to that the sheer amount of gameplay offered, and you have yourself a genre-defining classic. More players should get to experience this fun sporting game.
Final Thoughts
Nintendo has a real opportunity to give fans a lot of joy through the GameCube Nintendo Online catalog. GameCube is a classic console for a reason, one that so many players absolutely adored. Offering new fans and old a like a chance to experience games that are lost a bit to history again is a perfect way to draw support, something the company needs after the current backlash. Is it fan service-y? Yes. But is giving players enjoyable games to play to make their Switch Online Expansion Pass worth it? Also yes. That is just smart business. Hopefully, Nintendo has plenty of this in store moving forward.
