The GameCube launched in 2001 and had a distinct design that made it easily portable. While it didn't live up next to its biggest rival, the PS2, it still had some stellar software. Fans have been waiting for GameCube games to come to the Switch ever since their classics library opened up for the online service and it looks like the Switch 2 is getting GameCube support.

Mario and Peach racing in Mario Kart World
Nintendo Switch 2: 6 Things Confirmed About Mario Kart World

Mario Kart World is racing to homes soon, bringing the ensemble Nintendo racing franchise to Nintendo Switch 2.

When the Switch 2 launches on June 5, these GameCube games will be available: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcalibur 2, and F-Zero GX. Later, Nintendo plans to put out Luigi’s Mansion, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Strikers, Chibi-Robo, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, and Pokemon Coliseum too. What games should come out after that second rollout?

7 Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem

Still A Horror Classic

Promo art featuring the title of Eternal Darkness Sanity’s Requiem
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem
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Action-Adventure
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Released
June 24, 2002
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ due to Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
Developer(s)
Silicon Knights
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Platform(s)
GameCube
Genre(s)
Action-Adventure
How Long To Beat
14 Hours

Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem was one of the best horror games on the GameCube: a system without many to speak of. It played with the minds of players by breaking the fourth wall including switching screens and turning down the volume. Many games have tried doing this since the horror genre has evolved, so Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem’s tricks may seem quaint by today’s standards. Still, as a history lesson, it seems like a necessary digital addition to the Switch 2’s GameCube collection.

6 The Legend Of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

Release The Clutter Of Cables

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The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures
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Action-Adventure
Puzzle
Fighting
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Released
March 18, 2004
ESRB
e
Developer(s)
Nintendo, Nintendo EAD
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Engine
unreal engine
Multiplayer
Local Multiplayer
Platform(s)
GameCube
Genre(s)
Action-Adventure, Puzzle, Fighting
How Long To Beat
16 hours

It’s great that The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker will be available on day one on the Switch 2 even though Nintendo made a better version on the Wii U via a remaster. That aside, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures would be another welcome addition to the Zelda series on the Switch 2. This little marvel required four players to each have a GBA and cable to play together around the GameCube. It was a big requirement but the modern age could rectify this costly setup with proper online or local integration.

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes

Bring Snake Back

Liquid and Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid The Twin Snakes
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
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Action
Stealth
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Released
March 9, 2004
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Developer(s)
Konami, Silicon Knights
Publisher(s)
Konami
Engine
Nintendo GameCube
Franchise
Metal Gear
Platform(s)
GameCube
Genre(s)
Action, Stealth
How Long To Beat
10 Hours

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes was a remake of the PS1 classic using similar gameplay mechanics as Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. For example, when aiming guns, players could go into a first-person perspective.

A hunter and a spooky moon in The Duskbloods
Nintendo Switch 2: 6 Things Confirmed About FromSoftware's The Duskbloods

As close to Bloodborne 2 as fans are going to get.

Besides the gameplay tweaks, the story got improvements too with more in-depth cinematic including an infamous one wherein Solid Snake dodged a rocket like he was in The Matrix. There was also a multiplayer mode which was one of the earliest implementations in the series which could see a fun resurgence online if only Konami and Nintendo willed it.

5 Odama

Make Use Of That 3D Audio

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Odama
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Action
Real-Time Strategy
Tactical
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Released
March 31, 2006
ESRB
e
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Engine
unreal engine
Platform(s)
GameCube
Genre(s)
Action, Real-Time Strategy, Tactical
How Long To Beat
6 hours

Odama is a forgotten exclusive from the GameCube era and one of the more odder gameplay setups and that’s counting all of the GBA and cable shenanigans from games like The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures. Odama was essentially a castle destroyer game set in the feudal era of Japan wherein players could command their soldiers using a packed-in microphone. It was also like a pinball game as soldiers could bounce around a large boulder. With the Switch 2’s 3D audio capabilities, it makes sense to bring back games like this.

4 Skies Of Arcadia: Legends

Sega’s RPG One-Off

Promo art featuring characters in Skies Of Arcadia
Skies of Arcadia: Legends
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Released
January 29, 2003
Platform(s)
GameCube

Skies of Arcadia: Legends was a GameCube port of a Dreamcast game and to this day, it’s the only port this Sega RPG classic ever got. Fans have been begging Sega to remaster the game or make a sequel for decades. If they aren’t willing to do either then Nintendo could at least step in and re-release the GameCube version on Switch 2. It’s unlike any turn-based game of this era, featuring sky pirates in an unforgettable adventure. Sega fans would admittedly also love to play Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2 on Switch 2 if it got proper online support.

3 Star Wars Rogue Squadron 2: Rogue Leader

Remembering A Launch Classic

Promo art featuring X-Wings in Star Wars Rogue Squadron 2 Rogue Leader
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
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Action
Shooter
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Released
November 9, 2001
ESRB
t
Developer(s)
Factor 5, LucasArts
Publisher(s)
LucasArts, Activision
Engine
Sublight Engine
Franchise
Star Wars
Platform(s)
Nintendo GameCube, Wii
Genre(s)
Action, Shooter
How Long To Beat
7 Hours

Star Wars Rogue Squadron 2: Rogue Leader was a launch title for the GameCube and it’s still one of the Star Wars games that fans love to point to as an all-out banger. The story content, level design, and available ships all helped it rise above its predecessor on the N64 which is also well-celebrated.

Donkey Kong and a villain in Donkey Kong Bananza
Nintendo Switch 2: 6 Things Confirmed About Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong Bananza is burrowing its way toward Nintendo fans soon.

It’s a curiosity why there haven’t been more games like this and the most recent game, Star Wars: Squadrons, even had VR support. Fans still want aerial fighter games like this and bringing back classics via digital storefronts is one step.

2 Super Smash Bros. Melee

Win The Internet

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Super Smash Bros. Melee
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Fighting
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Released
December 3, 2001
ESRB
T For Teen due to Comic Mischief, Mild Violence
Developer(s)
HAL Laboratory
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Engine
Havok
Multiplayer
Local Co-Op
Franchise
Super Smash Bros.
Div
Platform(s)
GameCube
Genre(s)
Fighting

Even though fans loved Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Switch for its character selection and gameplay, there will never be a bigger game in the franchise than Super Smash Bros. Melee. It’s still played in tournaments even though Nintendo has put the kibosh on its inclusion more than once. An easy way to appease to fighting game community would be to re-release this game on Switch 2 which would win them so many brownie points. They probably could get away with re-releasing this game alone and fabs would be happy.

1 Wario World

Wario’s Only 3D Platformer

Promo art featuring characters in Wario World
Wario World
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Platformer
Fighting
Beat 'Em Up
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Released
June 23, 2003
ESRB
E // Cartoon Violence
Developer(s)
Treasure
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Engine
the UltraMario Warioland engine
Franchise
Mario Kart
Platform(s)
GameCube
Genre(s)
Platformer, Fighting, Beat 'Em Up
How Long To Beat
6 hours

Wario World was Wario’s only 3D platformer which was still mostly in 2D. While it never got as much praise as the Wario Land games, it had plenty to love. Wario’s weird noises, gameplay mechanics, and more helped him stand out next to his rival Mario. Wario deserves better like a brand new solo adventure on Switch 2 that isn’t just a mini-game collection and re-releasing Wario World could help engage interest again.

Image
Nintendo Switch 2 Tag Page Cover Art
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Brand
Nintendo
Operating System
Proprietary
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Storage
256GB internal / MicroSD
Resolution
1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
App Store
Nintendo eShop
Wi-Fi
Yes
Ports
2x USB Type-C / 3.5mm audio
HDR Support
Yes
Original Release Date
June 5, 2025
Original MSRP (USD)
$449.99