If Nintendo is secretly planning to add GameCube games to the Switch 2’s online service, then these 11 titles need to be given top priority.
The Nintendo Switch’s online service offers a huge range of games from older consoles, including the NES, SNES, Game Boy, N64, and Game Boy Advance, but so far nothing for the GameCube.
Despite its poor sales, and being overshadowed by the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, the purple lunchbox is not without its defenders, and it is home to a number of revered exclusives, many of which have never been released on any other format.
However, it seems Nintendo may be planning to address that issue with the Switch 2, following a recent FCC filing for what seems to be a wireless GameCube controller. So, if/when that happens, let’s see which of the GameCube’s library are the most desirable.
11. Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem
Long before Emio – The Smiling Man, Nintendo had an uncharacteristic brush with the horror genre in 2002, by publishing Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem. Inspired by Lovecraftian horror and featuring disturbing sanity effects that messed with the visuals and audio, it’s regarded as one of the best survival horror games ever made.
Nintendo’s clearly not averse to having more mature games on its platform, as evidenced by the dedicated app for certain N64 games, and with the sequel unlikely to ever get made, Eternal Darkness deserves a second shot at life.
10. Viewtiful Joe 1 and 2
With Ōkami making a comeback under Clovers, the spiritual successor to the defunct Clover Studio, it would be appropriate for Viewtiful Joe (Clover Studio’s first game) to return to the spotlight as well, even if it’s just via a re-release.
We’re cheating a bit by counting two games as one, but it wouldn’t feel right to have the first Viewtiful Joe and not its sequel. Although this pair of side-scrolling beat ‘em-ups weren’t GameCube exclusives, they did debut on the console and their flashy tokusatsu-inspired aesthetics have made them relatively timeless.
9. Skies Of Arcadia: Legends
Sega’s interest in reviving old franchises, combined with the renewal of the Skies Of Arcadia trademark, has people hoping this early 2000s role-player will make a comeback. While fans may prefer a full remaster or remake, the GameCube port seeing a re-release on Switch 2 would be the next best thing.
As a self-described director’s cut of one of the best Dreamcast games, Skies Of Arcadia: Legends is the definitive way to experience its classic turn-based combat, as well as its charming world and characters. Ever since they went third party, Sega has always been a close ally of Nintendo, increasing the chances of a Skies Of Arcadia return.
8. F-Zero GX
Speaking of collaborations between Nintendo and Sega, remember when the studio behind the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series made the best future racer ever? As an evolution of the series’ high-speed racing gameplay, F-Zero GX is perhaps the quintessential F-Zero experience.
Aside from making it more readily available, F-Zero GX being on the Switch 2’s online service means it would probably get online multiplayer, which is all the justification needed for its inclusion. Considering every other F-Zero game can be played on Switch, it’d be weird (and upsetting) if F-Zero GX never followed suit.
7. Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
From one racing game that would benefit from online multiplayer to another, Mario Kart: Double Dash!! might be the most unique entry in the series, for its defining gimmick of having two characters driving together in a single kart.
While being able to hold two items at once was brought back for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Double Dash’s complete commitment to its concept allowed for neat co-op action as well as some amusing team ups within its roster. It’s admittedly not as content rich as its Switch counterpart, but it’s still a missing link fans would like to see return.
The obvious GameCube games we left out and why
Chances are you’ll reach the end of this list and think we’ve forgotten to include some glaringly obvious choices for GameCube games Nintendo should bring to Switch 2.
Rest assured, we didn’t forget them, but Metroid Prime has already been remastered for Switch and its sequel is widely expected to follow at some point soon.
The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess have also long been rumoured to be getting Switch ports. If this is still the case, Nintendo won’t want to risk cannibalising sales by bringing the originals to its online service.
A simple re-release of 2005 role-playing game Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door used to top many a Nintendo fan’s wishlist. However, the existence of the 2024 remake, which adds various quality of life touches and new content, means there’s little reason to replay the original now.
Pikmin 1 and 2 are readily available on Switch already, thanks to an HD bundle.
As for Resident Evil 4, it’s already on almost every modern platform, including the Switch. It’d make more sense to add Resident Evil 0, but it’s believed Capcom plans to remake that as well.
You can make Super Mario Sunshine an honorary number 12 on our list if you want but, frankly, it’s not a particularly good game, as the now discontinued Super Mario 3D All-Stars made clear.
6. TimeSplitters 2
While we wanted to prioritise games that aren’t so readily available nowadays, we’re making an exception for TimeSplitters 2. You can buy a digital copy for less than £10 on the PlayStation and Xbox stores, but it’s not on Switch – which is a shame as this spiritual successor to GoldenEye 007 ran best on the GameCube.
Aside from the main campaign, there’s a variety of multiplayer modes to enjoy for up to 16 players, which would be a blast if Nintendo managed to incorporate online functionality for it.
5. killer7
The first game by No More Heroes creator Suda51 to launch outside of Japan, killer7 is fondly remembered for its unique gameplay and stylish presentation. A hybrid of a first person shooter and adventure game, you control a group of elite assassins as they uncover a political conspiracy.
Not everyone will gel with the core gameplay, or weird storytelling, but newer fans of Suda51’s work are bound to find something to love about it, even if it plays very differently to something like No More Heroes 3. Plus, while killer7 saw a modern re-release in 2018, it was only ever for PC.
4. Fire Emblem: Path Of Radiance
Fire Emblem: Path Of Radiance is one of those GameCube games that’s infamously difficult to get hold of physically. One quick scout online and you’ll find pre-owned English copies going for at least £200. Path Of Radiance may be good, but it’s not that good.
Its graphics were dated even by 2005 standards, but Path Of Radiance remains a solid tactical role-playing game and is considered by many to be one of the best entries in the Fire Emblem series. Plus, the Switch’s online service in the West barely has any Fire Emblem games to begin with, as most of the early ones are exclusive to Japan.
3. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 2 – Rogue Leader
Aspyr’s trend of remastering classic Star Wars video games, like the original Battlefront duology and Republic Commando, for modern platforms hopefully means the Rogue Squadron series of arcade flight games will see the same treatment one day. If not, the Switch 2’s online service adding Rouge Squadron 2: Rouge Leader would be a more than welcome alternative.
Next to Luigi’s Mansion, this was the lead launch title for the GameCube in the West, with visuals and presentation that still hold up today, as you act out a series of climactic space battles inspired by the original movie trilogy, including the iconic Death Star run. The one drawback is the lack of multiplayer, but that just means there’s a reason to also add the sequel, Rogue Squadron 3: Rebel Strike.
2. Soulcalibur 2
The main reason to add Soulcalibur 2 to the Switch 2’s online service is not because it’s one of the best 3D arena fighters ever made (which it is) but because each of the console versions had different guest characters, with the PlayStation edition featuring Heihachi from Tekken and the Xbox hosting comic book character Spawn.
However, the GameCube version had Link from The Legend Of Zelda as a playable fighter and he worked amazingly well, with lots of signature moves and a great attention to Nintendo detail.
While the other two characters were included in the 2013 HD re-release, Link was understandably absent. This means one of gaming’s best crossovers can’t be experienced nowadays… unless Nintendo renegotiates with Bandai Namco to bring Soulcalibur 2 to the Switch 2.
1. Super Smash Bros. Melee
You all knew this would be somewhere on the list. Even though Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s existence gives casual fans little reason to revisit the older games, Super Smash Bros. Melee remains the go-to entry for many a diehard player, given its much faster gameplay and higher skill ceiling.
Even if you don’t play competitively, Melee is well worth a revisit purely for its multiplayer and any Switch 2 re-release would undoubtedly include online functionality. The Melee community figured out how to run online matches years ago, but a more official way would mean tournaments could be run without any legal interference from Nintendo.
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