The Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube sport library – formally generally known as ‘Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics’, as a result of Nintendo is so good at naming issues – arrived on June 5 alongside the launch of the brand new console.
Part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription tier, the service arrived with three alternative video games and (on the time of writing) yet one more within the month that adopted. We additionally know that a number of extra confirmed titles are on the way in which, and can arrive on the service at, presumably, a cadence of 1 per 30 days. The video games we’ve now, and people we all know might be arriving thus far are as follows:
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (obtainable now)
- Soul Calibur 2 (obtainable now)
- F-Zero GX (obtainable now)
- Super Mario Strikers (obtainable now)
- Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
- Luigi’s Mansion
- Chibi-Robo!
- Super Mario Sunshine
- Pokémon Colosseum
- Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
Again, assuming that these video games are arriving as soon as per 30 days, there’s sufficient right here till January 2026, and I’ve little doubt the GameCube assortment will develop past that. It simply stays to be seen which titles will obtain illustration on Switch 2.
But how is the gathering doing thus far? It’s getting numerous issues proper, for my part. Games that embody native widescreen assist (like F-Zero GX and Soul Calibur 2) look incredible in handheld mode. The Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller can be a winner, with glorious battery life and seamless wi-fi connectivity. I’m additionally usually pleased with the present roster of video games, although I do have my very own wishlist which I’ll get into later.
There are after all a handful of issues that I want to see improved, notably with reference to total efficiency, however let’s get into it.
The good
We’ve come a good distance from the appearance of Nintendo Switch Online’s retro libraries. In these preliminary months, video games had been plagued with audio and visible points, exacerbated by the streaming mannequin Nintendo had opted for (these aren’t downloadable titles like we noticed with the Virtual Console, in spite of everything).
Things have improved dramatically since then, and total sport stability could be very stable for these GameCube titles. No jarring situations of screen-tearing or audio desync that had been a frequent level of rivalry when Nintendo’s retro libraries first landed on the unique Switch. That mentioned, I’ve a reasonably respectable web connection, so your mileage might fluctuate right here.
Some video games, like F-Zero GX and Soul Calibur 2, additionally retain their native widescreen assist. Nintendo has dealt with this very well on Switch 2, and also you get a real 16:9 widescreen output on TV and in handheld mode. I used to be involved that the corporate wouldn’t trouble placing any work in, with a squashed 16:9 picture having to suit inside these aspect borders, however I’m pleasantly stunned to see Nintendo ensured a correct widescreen decision.
The addition of full customized button mapping is a blessing. The button layouts of the unique GameCube controller and the Joy-Con 2 and Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller don’t precisely line up. By default, which means you could have to do some awkward button reaching when you’re taking part in on one of many Switch 2’s official controllers. Thankfully, although, you possibly can remap to a extra comfy format on a per-game foundation, which makes taking part in these video games much more handy when you don’t personal the official Switch 2 GameCube controller.
Speaking of, I’m an enormous fan of the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller. It nearly completely recreates the feel and appear of the unique, proper all the way down to the free strain delicate triggers and bumpy analog stick. That is a double-edged sword, although; the d-pad nonetheless sucks, and it’s maybe not fairly as ergonomic as a number of the finest Nintendo Switch controllers.
I additionally recognize its modernity. It’s a wi-fi controller with spectacular battery life, and the addition of Switch 2-specific buttons like Home, Screenshot, and GameChat could be very welcome.
The unhealthy
In fact, there’s not a lot that outright ‘bad’ concerning the GameCube classics library thus far. Yes, the collection of video games is small proper now; but it surely’s early days. Plenty extra incredible GameCube video games will be part of the roster within the coming months, and hopefully much more past that.
The predominant challenge, as is the case in another Switch Online retro libraries, is enter lag. It’s not common, with the worst of it present in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.It’s particularly noticeable when transferring Link in a course from a standstill. There’s roughly two-tenths of a second, or thereabouts, earlier than the enter is registered.
It’s not unplayably unhealthy, and I’ve begrudgingly gotten used to it in my present playthrough. But these hoping for a smoother play expertise might need to follow authentic {hardware} if attainable, or the Wii U’s Wind Waker HD port when you’ve got that at hand.
Thankfully, I wasn’t capable of finding any egregious situations of enter lag in Soul Calibur 2 or F-Zero GX, the place fast reflexes and decision-making actually matter because of their fast-paced, 60fps gameplay. Though I do concern for future titles coming to the gathering which can be capped at 30fps, reminiscent of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Luigi’s Mansion. Like The Wind Waker, these might additionally undergo from enter lag points if the issue is tied to border charge.
The want checklist
Mostly thus far so good, then, however I’m additionally hoping for long run GameCube assist past the titles we all know are confirmed proper now. For me, Sega completely has to throw its hat into the ring. The firm went multiplatform a number of years after the Dreamcast launched, and so many good Sega video games discovered properties on each the GameCube and authentic Xbox.
I’d like to see Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, Sonic Heroes, and Sonic Riders land within the Switch 2’s sport library. Then, after all, there’s Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2. That one could also be a bit troublesome because of its on-line performance not being current, but it surely does have a totally playable offline mode and native multiplayer.
From the Nintendo camp, Starfox Assault and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess are each must-haves for me. As could be classics like Wario World, Metroid Prime 2 Echoes, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, Animal Crossing, WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Games and naturally Super Smash Bros. Melee. I’m not a lot of a Pikmin fan, however these two video games could be nice to see, too.
There weren’t many RPGs launched for the GameCube, not less than in comparison with the PlayStation 2 the place the style was in one thing of a golden age. But those who did land on the GameCube – Baten Kaitos, Tales of Symphonia, and Skies of Arcadia: Legends, for instance – all have a particular place in my coronary heart.
Finally, let’s get bizarre with it. There are some incredible GameCube video games that I don’t see touchdown within the Switch 2 assortment, that I’d nonetheless like to see make a shock look. These embody killer7, Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem, and Super Monkey Ball 2. All stone-cold classics that deserve a spot within the assortment.