Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Nintendo GameCube games are available now through Nintendo Switch Online—but only on Nintendo Switch 2 and only for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members. Nintendo launched the Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics collection on June 5, 2025, alongside Switch 2. It is a curated, growing subscription library rather than the complete GameCube catalog.
What Nintendo actually announced
Nintendo announced GameCube – Nintendo Classics during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2, 2025. The collection is part of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, the higher-priced tier of Nintendo’s subscription service.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 System | $499.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle | $568.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth | $619.00 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The original claim that GameCube games were “coming” was accurate at announcement, but it is now outdated. The service launched on June 5, 2025, and Nintendo has continued expanding the library.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →At launch, Nintendo announced:
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- F-ZERO GX
- SOULCALIBUR II
SOULCALIBUR II is a third-party game; the other two launch titles are Nintendo properties. Super Mario Sunshine was added on August 13, 2026.
#1 Best Overall
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
- GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play
Which GameCube games are available?
The confirmed examples below are not a complete roster. Nintendo’s live Nintendo Classics catalog should be treated as the definitive list because availability and regional lineups can change.
| Game | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker | June 5, 2025 | Launch title; single-player |
| F-ZERO GX | June 5, 2025 | Launch title |
| SOULCALIBUR II | June 5, 2025 | Launch third-party title |
| Super Mario Sunshine | August 13, 2026 | Added after launch; regional availability should be checked |
Nintendo describes this as a selection or collection of GameCube games, not a complete GameCube storefront. A missing title is not confirmation that it is impossible to add, nor is fan speculation evidence that it is coming. Licensing, music rights, third-party ownership, peripheral requirements, and Nintendo’s release strategy can all affect the lineup.
What you need to play
GameCube – Nintendo Classics requires all of the following:
- A Nintendo Switch 2.
- An active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.
- A Nintendo Account linked to the console.
- An internet connection to download the application and games and to verify subscription access.
- Current system and Nintendo Switch Online software.
The collection is not available on the original Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, or Switch OLED Model. Buying Expansion Pack on an original Switch does not unlock the GameCube library.
The standard Nintendo Switch Online plan is also insufficient. The base plan includes other online and classic-game benefits, but GameCube – Nintendo Classics is an Expansion Pack feature exclusive to Switch 2.
How to download GameCube – Nintendo Classics
- Open Nintendo eShop on Switch 2.
- Select the Nintendo Account with the active Expansion Pack membership.
- Look in the Nintendo Switch Online area or under Special Offers/Expansion Pack Content.
- Select Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics and download the application.
- Open the application and download or launch an available game when prompted.
Nintendo can change eShop menus through system or storefront updates, so the exact presentation may differ by region. If the application does not appear, confirm that the console is a Switch 2, the correct account is being used, the membership is Expansion Pack rather than the base plan, and the console is online and updated.
Rank #2
- The next evolution of the Nintendo Switch system
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Supports up to 4K resolution** when using a compatible game and TV connected via the included Nintendo Switch 2 dock
- Nintendo Switch 2 plays compatible physical and digital Nintendo Switch games.***
How much does it cost?
Nintendo’s U.S. site lists the following annual prices as of August 2026:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute| Plan | Annual U.S. price |
|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Online individual | $19.99 |
| Nintendo Switch Online family | $34.99 |
| Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack individual | $49.99 |
| Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack family | $79.99 |
Prices are U.S.-specific and can change. For someone already paying $19.99 for the individual base plan, the listed upgrade difference is $30 per year. Family plans can cover up to eight Nintendo Accounts, making the higher tier more compelling for eligible households or family groups.
The games are included with the active subscription; they are not separately purchased eShop games. That also means this is access, not permanent ownership. If the membership expires, access to the subscription library is suspended until the membership is renewed.
Do you need the official GameCube controller?
No. Nintendo’s official wireless GameCube controller is optional. Compatible Switch 2 controllers can be used, and button assignments can be customized where supported.
The official controller is mainly for players who want the original GameCube layout and a more authentic feel. It is designed for Switch 2’s GameCube Classics collection, may be sold only while supplies last, and is not a general replacement for every Switch 2 control. Some system functions, including certain screenshot or GameChat controls, may require Joy-Con or Pro Controller input.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Check Nintendo’s controller support information for current compatibility and regional availability.
Rank #3
- 【Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 Bundle – Ready to Play】Includes the complete Nintendo Switch 2 console and a full-game download of Mario Kart World, so you can start racing right out of the box. Perfect for gamers of all ages and playstyles.
- 【Next-Gen Hybrid Gaming with Stunning Visuals】Experience a vivid 7.9‑inch 1080p LCD touchscreen with HDR support, and enjoy 4K TV output at up to 60 fps when docked — for immersive gameplay at home or on the go.
- 【Versatile 3 Play Modes】Seamlessly switch between Handheld, Tabletop, and TV modes — all featuring intuitive controls and smooth performance, wherever you choose to play.
- 【Enhanced Social Gaming with GameChat & Multiplayer】Connect with friends locally, enjoy online multiplayer with up to 24 players, and use voice chat via GameChat (internet connection and Nintendo Switch Online membership required after trial period).
- 【Powerful Storage & Joy‑Con 2 Controllers】Includes 256 GB internal storage (expandable with microSD), magnetic Joy‑Con 2 controllers, docking station, HDMI cable, AC adapter, grip, and straps — everything you need for the ultimate gaming setup.
Are these remasters, and do they support online multiplayer?
Nintendo describes the GameCube releases as classic games presented with improvements such as higher resolution and clearer image quality. They should be understood as emulated releases with enhancements—not automatically as remakes or full modern remasters.
Online multiplayer also depends on the individual game and the features Nintendo provides for that title. Do not assume that every GameCube game has native online multiplayer. Original local multiplayer, emulated local multiplayer with multiple controllers, newly added online functionality, and Switch 2 GameChat features are separate things. Check each game’s listing for its specific support.
Is Expansion Pack worth it for GameCube games?
It makes the most sense if you:
- Already own a Switch 2.
- Expect to play several GameCube titles rather than waiting for one specific game.
- Also want the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Boy, or Sega Genesis libraries.
- Want included DLC such as the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass, Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise, or Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion.
- Can share a family membership among eligible Nintendo Accounts.
It is probably a poor fit if you:
- Own only an original Switch-family console.
- Want one particular GameCube game Nintendo has not announced.
- Prefer permanent ownership to subscription access.
- Already have working GameCube hardware and games and do not value the other Expansion Pack benefits.
- Expect every classic release to receive a remake or a modern online mode.
The biggest trade-off is breadth versus ownership: Expansion Pack provides a growing library and additional benefits for one recurring fee, but it does not give you a permanent standalone license to each GameCube game.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallWhat Nintendo has not promised
- A complete GameCube library.
- Every major first-party or third-party release.
- Any specific unannounced game.
- Access on the original Nintendo Switch.
- A full remake or remaster of every included game.
- Online multiplayer for every title.
Physical GameCube discs also cannot be inserted into Switch 2, and Nintendo’s service does not convert an existing disc into a digital entitlement.
Bottom line
GameCube games are already on Nintendo Switch Online, but the precise answer is narrower than the headline suggests: the collection launched on June 5, 2025, is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, and requires Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. The catalog is growing but selective, the games remain subscription access rather than permanent purchases, and the official GameCube controller is optional.
For Switch 2 owners interested in several classics—or in Expansion Pack’s other libraries and DLC—the service can be worthwhile. Buying a Switch 2 solely for a small, curated GameCube selection is a much larger decision, especially if the one game you want has not been announced.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
