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Nintendo Switch Online adding GameCube games exclusively for Switch 2

Nintendo GameCube controller on red background
Nintendo

The Switch 2 direct wasn’t just about all the shiny new games you’ll play, there was also a much requested update to Nintendo Switch Online focused on some great old ones too! Yes, GameCube games are finally coming to Nintendo’s online games service. The major caveat being that this is exclusive for Nintendo Switch 2.

Wind Waker link looking shocked!
Nintendo

This update is part of the Nintendo Switch 2 Online + Expansion Pack service, which to date already lets you play games from past consoles from the NES to Nintendo 64. The first game that will be included is The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, the classic cartoon looking entry that sees Link setting sail in a world of islands. That itself is pretty exciting, but does mean that the constant rumors of a remake or port of the title are probably dead in the water.

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Soulcalibur II, the second entry in Namco’s 3D fighting game series, is also coming to the service. Link himself is a character in the title so it only feels apt. F-Zero GX was the next title shown off, which is great news for fans of the long dormant racing franchise, and it’ll support online multiplayer! More titles will be added down the line, but a brief carousel showed off the likes of Super Mario Sunshine, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, and more. The initial lineup of games will launch on June 5, the same day as the Switch 2.

Willa Rowe
Willa is a freelance games critic based in NY. She hosts the Girl Mode podcast and previously wrote for Inverse and Kotaku.
Every Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive game trailer from the latest Nintendo Direct
Donkey Kong in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Nintendo's beefy hour-long Direct dedicated to Nintendo Switch 2 was entertaining to watch, but it was packed to the brim with information. Some Switch 2 games were shown off, but their announcements were surrounded by hardware overviews, third-party port sizzle reels, Nintendo Switch 1 port announcements, and more. To get the best idea of what Nintendo's new system is capable of, though, you'll want to see the Switch 2 exclusive games in action. To help with that, I've rounded up every trailer for a Switch 2 exclusive game that was shown off during the latest Nintendo Direct, and will be sharing my thoughts on each.
Mario Kart World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pE23YTYEZM

Mario Kart World's trailer is nearly five minutes long and gives an extremely thorough overview of the new kart racer. The first half of the trailer is an exciting sizzle reel of gameplay, showing off many of the beautiful tracks, helpful power-ups, and iconic characters players can experience while playing the game. It also confirms some odd kart racers, like the cow from Moo Moo Meadows and Biddybud from Super Mario 3D World. While its $80 price tag stings a bit, this trailer suggests that it'll be worth that price as it's packed to the brim with content.

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Kirby Air Riders for Nintendo Switch 2 gives a GameCube classic a sequel
Kirby riding on a flying star looking back towards the camera

Mario Kart World wasn't the only racing game announced for Switch 2 during today. Near the end of the lengthy Direct, Nintendo also revealed Kirby Air Riders. The sequel to the 2003 GameCube cult classic won't be a launch title for the Switch 2, but it is still set to release before the end of the year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJVsNMp_nAU

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Elden Ring, Split Fiction, and loads of other games are coming to Switch 2
Promised Consort Radahn standing with two swords in Elden Ring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGAaGwQIDoU

Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy, Split Fiction — these are just a few of the titles announced to be coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. Thanks to the console's improved hardware, loads of games that have been stranded on other platforms are now making their way to the Switch 2, and many will be available the day the console drops.

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