The Nintendo Switch 2 was finally detailed in the April 2025 Nintendo Direct, and included among its many game and feature announcements was news of the next big addition to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Fans have been debating about whether this will happen for several years now, but a Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics collection has finally been confirmed, and it's coming exclusively to the Nintendo Switch 2. Launching alongside the Switch 2 and a new wireless GameCube controller on June 5, these classic GameCube titles will help ring in the start of the Switch 2’s era.
NSO’s first wave of Switch 2-exclusive GameCube games consists of F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Soulcalibur 2, which is already fulfilling a lot of requests. Ports of the first two games have been in demand for years, and Soulcalibur 2 getting an online-enabled version featuring The Legend of Zelda’s Link is long overdue. Future additions to NSO’s GameCube collection have already been announced, and while there are some notable absences, like Super Smash Bros. Melee, Nintendo made sure that the Pokemon franchise put its best foot forward to support the Switch 2.
The Future Of the Nintendo Switch 2’s Retro Game Library Looks Bright
In the months following the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch, the GameCube Nintendo Classics will gradually roll out the following games:
- Chibi-Robo! Plug Into Adventure!
- Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
- Luigi’s Mansion
- Pokemon Colosseum
- Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness
- Super Mario Strikers
- Super Mario Sunshine
It's a good spread of recognizable first-party Nintendo GameCube games, and caters to several fan bases and underserved groups, like the Chibi-Robo fandom. The Switch 2’s GameCube lineup should be off to a good start, but it doesn't take long to realize that a couple of franchises are seeing a bit more love in this promised selection of titles.
Mario is receiving the most attention here, which makes sense considering all the major and spin-off Mario games on the GameCube. However, two of the four GameCube Pokemon titles, and the two full-length RPGs in particular, are also promised in this batch. This will be the first time that Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness are ported off of the GameCube, and that's a big deal for fans of the series. It couldn't have happened at a better time, either, as their spiritual successor, Pokemon Champions, is also launching in the near future.
Why Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness Coming Back Is Huge
Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness aren't known for influencing the Pokemon franchise, as they are quite different from the usual Pokemon RPGs. These games are responsible for bridging the gap between the Pokemon Stadium games and Pokemon Battle Revolution, as well as Pokemon Champions, and likely caused Shadow Pokemon to appear in Pokemon GO. Why these games are so beloved, and also contested by some, is due to how unusual they are, especially by the standards of such a tradition-driven IP like Pokemon.
There's Nothing Quite Like Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness
Both games take place in the Orre region, a place dominated by deserts that is based on the southern areas of the United States. Wild Pokemon battles are nearly non-existent, and the games are instead dominated by double battles with trainers that occasionally have Shadow Pokemon which players can steal for themselves. Between their somewhat darker vibes, higher difficulty, distinct soundtrack, and how well their animations hold up even compared to modern Pokemon games, Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness have many reasons why they became cult classics in the globally popular franchise. The Nintendo Switch 2’s new GameCube library is the perfect place to relive or experience these classic Pokemon games, and Nintendo Switch Online is a sweeter deal for having them.
- Brand
- Nintendo
- Operating System
- Proprietary
- Storage
- 256GB internal / MicroSD
- Resolution
- 1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
- App Store
- Nintendo eShop
- Wi-Fi
- Yes