It may have taken a little while to get there, butNintendo Switch Onlinefinally feels like a service that’s worth the money. Though its actual online-focused features are still a far cry from what PlayStation and Xbox offer with their services,Nintendo Switch Onlineis a fraction of the price, and it still gets the job done for the most part. These shortcomings are also heavily offset by Nintendo Switch Online’s ever-growing library of ‘free’ retro games.
Nintendo Switch 2’s Launch Should Bring GameCube Games to Nintendo Switch Online
GameCube Games Are A Natural Evolution of Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online has generally added new console emulators in the order that they originally released in, such as the NES coming first, followed by the SNES, and then eventually the Nintendo 64. So, if Nintendo Switch Online is going to continue its life on the Switch 2, then the natural next port of call would beNintendo’s GameCube.
Though the GameCube received a mixed reception upon its original 2001 debut, it’s since become quite a beloved console, being many modern gamers' first gaming platform during childhood. This nostalgia has led to a resurgence in popularity for the GameCube, causing the retro console’s market value to rise dramatically in the last few years.
Due to these higher second-hand market prices, many fans have (allegedly) taken to emulating their favorite childhood GameCube titles. Giving fans an official way toplay emulated GameCube gameswould be a huge win for the Nintendo Switch 2, especially if their release coincided with the new console’s launch, thus adding more titles to its day-one line-up.
Nintendo has already released a range of official GameCube controllers for the Nintendo Switch, and it’d be great to see them get more use in the near future.
GameCube Games That Should Come to Nintendo Switch Online First
While the GameCube may not have beenNintendo’s most successful console, its library was filled with some of the greatest games of all time. The GameCube saw acclaimed first-party titles likeSuper Mario Sunshine,Metroid Prime,Zelda: The Wind Waker,Super Smash Bros. Melee,Mario Kart: Double Dash, andAnimal Crossingrelease. And while some of these titles have been given remasters/rumored to receive a remaster on the Switch, it’d be great to see the original versions come to Nintendo Switch Online.
The GameCube also had a wealth of excellent third-party games, withStar Wars: Rogue Squadron 2,Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes,Resident Evil Remake, andResident Evil 4being some of the most memorable, all of which would also be a welcome addition to NSO.
Nintendo Switch Online
Play online with friends, family, and other players around the world.Battle it out against other players around the world in the Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate game. Or hang out with friends on your island paradise in the Animal Crossing™: New Horizons game.100+ classic NES, Super NES, and Game Boy games at your fingertipsPlay old-school favorites like the Super Mario Bros.™ 3, Donkey Kong Country™, and The Legend of Zelda™: Link’s Awakening games. These games include added online functionality so you’re able to compete (or cooperate) online with friends depending on the game.Save on new gamesNintendo Switch Online members can buy a pair of Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers* and redeem each one for a digital game in the voucher catalog to score savings. For example, get The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and one other game for up to $30 in savings with Game Vouchers!Enjoy Nintendo game music – now on your smart device!Kick back and enjoy some of your favorite Nintendo tunes with Nintendo Music, the new smart-device app that lets you stream or download music from Nintendo’s library of soundtracks from popular franchises like The Legend of Zelda™, Super Mario™, Animal Crossing™, and many more.
