Hold onto your controllers, folks! It seems that something slightly scandalous has happened over at a major retailer. Yes, it’s true—rumor has it that a certain big box store may have accidentally dropped a hint about two GameCube throwbacks that might just be setting up camp on the Nintendo Switch Online service.
In a shocking twist worthy of a daytime soap opera, social media sleuths have uncovered a delightful surprise lurking on the retailer’s website. An image spotted there—captured by some ridiculously good at their job internet detectives—reveals a tantalizing lineup of NSO games. But wait! What’s this? Two of the titles listed are still playing hard to get—not officially announced yet.
The Intriguing Duo
Drumroll, please! The esteemed game selections include none other than GameCube staples: Metroid Prime 2 and Pikmin 2. Now, whether this little gem is a classic case of corporate oopsies or a cheeky sneak peek from Nintendo remains to be seen. Either way, let the rumor mill churn! And if anyone sees a bunch of corporate suits racing towards the nearest bathroom, rest assured they probably just saw that image too.
Current GameCube Clubhouse
For those who’ve somehow managed to keep track, Nintendo Switch Online’s GameCube library is an exclusive little nook reserved only for Switch 2 users. Presently, a modest eight titles are available. Not quite the overwhelming buffet of gaming goodness, but one must start somewhere, right? Sort of like choosing between a salad and a double cheeseburger during a diet attempt.
What’s on the Horizon?
Speaking of forthcoming delights, Nintendo has casually dropped hints about three more GameCube favorites that are confirmed to hit the scene in the future. Gather ‘round for a sneak peek: Super Mario Sunshine, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, and Pokémon Colosseum. Unfortunately, not a whiff of exact dates, so it remains a wonderful game of “guess when.”
For those keeping score, the original Metroid Prime was recently granted a much-deserved remaster treatment on the Nintendo Switch in 2023. Meanwhile, the first two Pikmin games decided to party it up as standalone HD releases. Clearly, the GameCube is having a midlife resurgence and decided it’s all about the glow-up!
The Multiplayer Dream
In a fascinating revelation from a recently published tome (do proper game developers even read books?), Metroid Prime series producer Kensuke Tanabe expressed a desire for a broader audience to relish the joys of Metroid Prime 2’s multiplayer mode. Presumably, he isn’t just dreaming of more players to crush in epic gameplay battles—although that does sound appealing.
The Price of Admission
Now, onto the not-so-small print: to get access to this glorious cavalcade of GameCube nostalgia, one must have the Switch Online’s Expansion Pack add-on. This magical ticket to retro gaming costs approximately $49.99 in the U.S., a delightful £34.99 across the pond, or a charming €39.99 if one happens to be in Europe. It’s like paying for a premium gym membership, except the only weights lifted will be those heavy memories of pixelated graphics from yesteryears!
