Is GameCube coming to Switch?

“One of the reasons that even going into year seven we feel confident that the Switch can have a strong performance over the next few years is that it is still truly that unique device”

That’s Doug Bowser, President of Nintendo of America talking with the associated press and if this is the case then there are two things. First, this aligns we something we said early in 2023, Nintendo is aware of how close the Switch is to becoming not only the best selling Nintendo console ever beating out the 3DS, but the best selling console ever by beating out the PS2. I think they want both of these accolades badly after many doubted Nintendo after the abysmal sales of the WiiU.

Second, this statement gets me thinking is that if there are two more years then there is likely more consoles coming to Nintendo Switch Online. So what’s next?

Well, chronologically the next home console would be the GameCube if they continue to follow their pattern. Assuming that Nintendo will continue repeating history, we wanted to figure out what GameCube games will launch with Nintendo Switch Online.

There are two things to keep in mind before figuring out the list. First, these games need to be high profile enough to get people excited, sharing the news on social media and drive people to sign up or upgrade their subscription. Second, these have to be titles that haven’t received or are likely to get a new remake, remaster or port. For that reason games like Super Mario Sunshine, RE4, and Metroid Prime just received special treatment in one way or another, so they won’t be included on the list.

Top 5 GameCube games For Nintendo Switch Online.

Luigi’s Mansion

Luigi’s Mansion 3 brought the series to everyones attention that the first two games couldn’t do. Luigi’s Mansion 3 from Next Level Games was amazing and sales rewarded the quality with over 12 million as of the last earnings report. There is no doubt in my mind they are working on the next entry in the series, especially after sales of LM3 and disappointing sales of Mario Strikers. The timing of GameCube on Switch would line up well with a new Luigi’s Mansion title and giving players a chance to play the first in the series that launched with the GameCube would be a smart move before releasing LM4

Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door

In Summer 2020, Paper Mario: The Origami King was released became the best selling game in the long running series with about 3.5 million to date. Granted the series has never been a system seller but it does have a cult following and Origami King was a great adventure. The Thousand Year Door is widely regarded as the best entry in the series and for all of the new players to Paper Mario, giving them a chance to play one of the best in the series would get people interested. It also has a timeless art style that still holds up.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

In terms of Zelda games released on the GC, the two most popular would be Windwaker and Twilight Princess, which are also both considered in the conversation of best Zelda games of all time. However, there has been strong speculation for a while now about remakes or ports of these two games. It has been rumbling for about as long as we had been hearing about the Metroid Prime remaster which eventually came out.  With those two games likely getting the premium treatment that leaves the door open for Four Swords Adventures. This is the Zelda game from GameCube that would actually benefit from Nintendo Switch Online the most with its available 4 player co op as online play wasn’t as prevalent back then as it is today.

F-Zero GX

One of the Nintendo IP that would make the most sense to bring back would be F-Zero as there is nothing like it in Nintendo’s currently Switch portfolio. Mario Kart can be easy to play but hard to master but it isn’t the same hardcore racer that F-Zero is. GX is also considered the pinnacle of the series as well as the last entry. If there is any truth to Nintendo bringing back the series, releasing GX on Nintendo Switch Online would be a good way to test the waters for interest in the series.

Star fox Assault

Star Fox has fallen a long way from its glory days on the Super Nintendo and the Nintendo 64 when it revolutionized console controllers with the rumble pack that was included with Star Fox 64. It would be great if both Star Fox Adventures and Star Fox Assault came to Nintendo Switch Online but for the sake of the list only one can make it. Star Fox Assault would likely make a bigger splash despite the fact that it wasn’t as well received at the time, however, it features much more of what made the series special in the first with a primary focus on flying the Arwing.