Nintendo Switch 2 Revives GameCube Glory Days | Image Source: www.polygon.com
KYOTO, Japan, April 4, 2025 – Nintendo finally removed the curtain in one of the worst secrets kept in the game. When the Nintendo Switch 2 will be launched on June 5, it will not only present a new generation of hybrid console games, but will also open the doors to a treasure of nostalgia much requested: GameCube titles, now officially part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. The announcement, broadcast through the official Nintendo channels and then dissected by sources such as Polygon and GameSpot, means a moment of vinification for fans who long aspire to an accessible and legitimate way to revive or discover some of Nintendo’s most elusive jewels.
GameCube games will officially enter the Nintendo Classics Library, a sub-section of Nintendo Switch Online’s retro offers. This update will allow high-level subscribers to access a selection of iconic titles, including Zelda’s legend: The Wind Alarm, F-ZERO GX, and SOULCALIBUR II. Each title is presented with enhanced features such as superior resolutions, retro filters, large screen compatibility and customizable control systems. For players who have spent years throwing eBay for rare discs or dyeing with emulators, it is the digital equivalent of opening a time capsule.
Why is this movement so important to fans?
Let’s start with Fire Emblem: Path of Radiation. According to Wired, he’s not just a favorite fan, it’s almost a myth. Originally released in 2005, it marked the first 3D entry of the franchise, and its convincing characters and strategic depth left an indelible mark. However, due to the small number of production and demand for raged collectors, even bulk disks are now about $160 at resale sites. A full copy? North of $200. By taking these classics to Switch 2, Nintendo is not just expanding its retro alignment, but democratizing access to essential parts of the history of the game.
But there is also a more personal side. Many players first experienced these games through rental stores like Hollywood Video or Blockbuster, forming memories that are now woven into the fabric of their gaming identity. The return of these titles by legitimate means is more than a drop of content, it is a meeting visit with the games that defined an era.
What about the controller?
No resurrection from the GameCube experience would be complete without its famous particular controller. Nintendo confirmed a wireless and modernized version modeled after the original design of 2001. At first glance, it is a close replica: the same distinctive purple tone, the design of asymmetric buttons, C-stick and thumb. But in a closer inspection, there are important differences. The updated model has a new ZL shoulder button, designed to increase compatibility with new titles, an attempt to close the nostalgia gap with the game’s modern functionality.
While maintaining the aesthetic of the original, this updated controller also covers awkward accessories of the past, such as memory card ports or wired connectors. It is wireless out of the box and compatible with Nintendo Switch 2 games, which makes it more than a novelty: it is a legitimate option for competitive games, casual sessions, or simply revisit Super Smash Bros. To melt with the exact feeling that made it iconic. GameSpot points out that the addition of this controller is in line with previous versions of Nintendo for NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis for its retro libraries.
How will this game affect preservation and accessibility?
One of the most convincing aspects of this update is what it means to preserve the game. In a world where digital windows close regularly and physical media become increasingly scarce, console titles like GameCube may be lost in time, or trapped behind payment walls and scalp prices. Nintendo’s movement to legitimize access via the Online Switch subscription model may not solve all preservation concerns, but it is a step to make iconic games playable for more than collectors or emulator enthusiasts.
There is also the comfort of simplicity. For many, emulation is an intimidating or ethically dark path. Since acquiring reliable ROMs to configure driver designs, the process can feel like spelunking in the digital underground world. Nintendo offers a clean, legal and easy-to-use path, no puzzles, no guilt. And with higher resolution support and quality of life settings, even experienced players can find these classics feel cooler than ever.
What’s the cave?
It’s not all the sun and the waker. Access to these GameCube games requires a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription at a price of $80 per year. Although this is a fair trade for diehard fans, it can feel stiff for casual players. Moreover, as Polygon pointed out, the deployment of Nintendo retro titles has been historically erratic. A month you could get a beloved classic cult; next, a dark sport sim that nobody asked for. Thus, while the promise is exciting, execution will determine the importance of this update over time.
Another grey area is if these additions will decrease the collector’s prices. Actually, they won’t. Like the rebirth of vinyl in music, access does not reduce the ability to collect, in fact, often nourish it. But for those who just want to play, they’re not theirs, it’s a seismic change. It’s about access, not acquisition.
What other features come to Nintendo Switch 2?
The June 5 release also brings a refreshing Nintendo Switch Online app, which will now simply be known as the Nintendo Switch application. This renewed partner will continue to provide voice chat and specific support for success games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Splatoon 3. More intriguing, it will now include a new feature called “TAMAÑOS NOTES”: a data base curated of tracks, lore and strategy guides specifically related to the Zelda Legend: Breathe the Wild and Kingdom Tears, both receiving free update packages for your Nintendo Switch 2 Editions.
There is also GameChat, a new exclusive chat service for Nintendo Switch 2 games. And the best part? It will be available without membership until March 2026, making it accessible during the critical launch window. Screen capture and video capture will be easier to manage and share, with the support of 100 of the newest media files directly from the application.
Chapter Q
What GameCube games are confirmed for Switch 2 launch?
Zelda’s legend: The Wind Alarm, F-ZERO GX, and SOULCALIBUR II are among the confirmed titles, with the most promised after the launch.
Is the wireless GameCube controller available for all Switch consoles?
That’s not true. The controller is specially designed for Nintendo Switch 2, offering enhanced compatibility features that may not work with previous Switch models.
Do I need a subscription to play these GameCube titles?
Yes. You should be a member of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, currently priced at $80 per year.
Can I still use my existing GameCube controller with the Switch 2?
Only via adapters, and can not support all new features or work perfectly with each title.
Will these GameCube titles be available for purchase separately?
Not from now on. Nintendo only announced its availability on the subscription model.
Will this impact the resale market for original GameCube discs?
Unlikely. Although it may affect the demand of occasional buyers, collectors and enthusiasts will always look for physical editions for their worth of tangibility and nostalgia.
In short, Nintendo’s embrace of its GameCube legacy is not only a nostalgic name, it is a significant expansion of the game ecosystem. It shows that Nintendo finally listens to his most loyal fans, offering them more than hostages or remakes. Instead, it offers them history, access and, above all, choice. And in a world where so much content is locked behind the pay or walls lost on time, it could be the weirdest treasure of all.
