The next two games coming to the GameCube app on Nintendo Switch 2 have already been decided, though Nintendo has kept a tight lid as to when the next game release will take place. The GameCube app is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 and requires an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.
The GameCube app was released alongside the Switch 2 in June 2025. As part of the Nintendo Classics app lineup for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, the GameCube app allows players to play a select lineup of fan-favorite games. Players can also use features like save states, customizable controls, and GameChat. At the time of writing, the most recent game released on the GameCube app was Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness in March 2026.
Two Nintendo GameCube Classics are Still Missing
Though the GameCube app received an update in April to address an issue with Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, Nintendo has not shared much about its future plans for the app. However, Nintendo previously confirmed that the GameCube app’s next games will be Super Mario Sunshine and Pokemon Colosseum. Though no release date was made for either GameCube title, both games were hinted at during the GameCube app’s initial reveal during the April 2025 Nintendo Direct broadcast. Given that only nine GameCube titles have been released via Nintendo Switch Online since the Switch 2’s launch, Super Mario Sunshine and Pokemon Colosseum have remained absent.
Nintendo GameCube Games Available on Nintendo Switch Online (July 18, 2026)
- Chibi-Robo! Plug Into Adventure!
- Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
- F-Zero GX
- Luigi’s Mansion
- Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness
- Soulcalibur 2
- Super Mario Strikers
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Wario World
Super Mario Sunshine was originally released in Japan in July 2002 before making its way to the West a month later. As the second 3D platformer of the Super Mario series, Super Mario Sunshine took place on Isle Delfino, a tropical beach resort and popular vacation spot. With the help of a device called F.L.U.D.D., Mario is tasked with cleaning up Isle Delfino after a mysterious villain named Shadow Mario kidnaps Princess Peach and covers the island with graffiti. To date, Super Mario Sunshine is the only Super Mario 3D platforming game to feature full voice acting during its cutscenes. Since then, Nintendo has significantly scaled back on voice acting in 3D Super Mario titles due to negative feedback from players following Super Mario Sunshine.
As for Pokemon Colosseum, the popular JRPG was released in Japan in November 2003 before making its way to North America and Europe through the spring of 2004. Unlike previous Pokemon titles, Pokemon Colosseum did not feature random encounters. Instead, players could “snag” Shadow Pokemon from other trainers to use on their teams. Pokemon Colosseum could also connect to Pokemon‘s Gen 3 titles, including Pokemon Emerald and Pokemon FireRed, via the GameCube’s Game Boy Advance adapter cable. Given that Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness is a sequel to Pokemon Colosseum, the continued absence of Pokemon Colosseum is a baffling decision.
Although Super Mario Sunshine was re-released on Nintendo Switch as part of the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection, the compilation was delisted from the Nintendo eShop in March 2021. It remains to be seen when Nintendo will officially launch Super Mario Sunshine and Pokemon Colosseum on the GameCube app, but they are coming at some point.
- Released
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March 22, 2004
- ESRB
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e
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Engine
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Unreal Engine 4
- Multiplayer
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Local Multiplayer
Source: ComicBook
