06-07-2025
12 GameCube Games That I Want to See on Nintendo Switch Online
The GameCube era was one of Nintendo's most creatively experimental periods, and it's long overdue for more representation on Nintendo Switch Online. At the time of writing, only three GameCube titles have made their way to Switch Online on the Switch 2: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, and Soulcalibur II.
These are without a doubt great titles, but it's a shame there aren't more. I'm not just talking about bestsellers either, there are plenty of weird and wonderful titles that deserve a second chance through Switch Online. Whether it's to preserve history, introduce new players to long-lost gems, or simply make these games accessible without sketchy emulators and ancient hardware, there's a strong case to be made for bringing them back.
Super Smash Bros. Melee redefined what a platform fighter could be and remains a title that sees competitive tournaments worldwide, over two decades after its launch. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has certainly perfected the series, but Melee is an absolute classic that deserves to be celebrated without having to dig through sketchy ROMs or have access to a GameCube.
Adding Melee to Nintendo Switch Online would be more than nostalgic fan service — it's a preservation of gaming culture. While Nintendo has never prioritized online play for Switch Online titles, the game flourish with official support and rollback netcode. Please, Nintendo.
Long before New Horizons became a global phenomenon, the original Animal Crossing introduced players to a charming real-time world. While newer entries in the series have refined the formula, the GameCube original still offers a uniquely cozy, slower-paced experience.
Its regional quirks, NES game emulation, and surprisingly witty villager dialogue give it a nostalgic charm modern versions can't fully replicate. Plus, many longtime fans never got to play the original, making it one of Nintendo's most inaccessible classics.
While Mario Kart World is being praised for its massive multiplayer and open-world gameplay, I'm still dreaming about the innovative two-character kart from Double Dash. One player drove while the other managed items, adding a strategic layer that no other Mario Kart title has replicated since. A one-of-a-kind installment and a couch co-op classic, this would be a top title if added to Switch Online.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures is one of the franchise's most inventive—and most overlooked—entries. Up to four players controlled different colored Links, working together (or sometimes against each other) to solve puzzles and defeat enemies, making it one of the most chaotic Zelda titles ever made. Back in the day, full multiplayer gameplay required players to own a Game Boy Advance and a link cable to connect to the GameCube.
For this reason, not many people have truly experienced the game the way it was meant to be played. A Switch Online version could scrap that hardware requirement, letting players tackle the adventure locally or online without the extra barrier. Four Swords Adventures is practically begging for an updated release in today's hyper-multiplayer space.
If you tried to explain Viewtiful Joe to someone who wasn't there when it launched in 2003, they'd think you were making it up. It blended fast-paced 2D beat-'em-up action with a slick comic book aesthetic and clever time-bending mechanics. Joe was starring in his own superhero movie, with slow-motion 'VFX' powers that turned each battle into a stylish, strategic spectacle.
While Viewtiful Joe was critically acclaimed, it has faded away to video game history over the years and is in desperate need of a revival, even just on Switch Online. This third-party gem would be an absolute hit for Switch owners looking for a little something outside the norm to dive into.
Star Fox Adventures has one of the weirdest backstories in Nintendo history. It started out as two separate N64 64 projects—an action adventure sequel to Star Fox 64 and something called Dinosaur Planet, which was owned by Rare—before the two ideas were morphed together and pushed to the GameCube. The result was a full-fledged 3D action-adventure, blending Zelda-style exploration with the Star Fox universe's colorful characters and lore, on a planet full of dinosaurs.
The story is surprisingly in-depth, the puzzles and fighting are challenging, and we loved giving Fox McCloud a chance to stretch his legs instead of being cooped up in a ship all day. This title is a hidden gem, and Star Fox is a Nintendo character that doesn't get enough attention these days. A new life on Switch Online would be a brand-new adventure for the series.
Wario World may not be the most famous title in Nintendo's catalog, but it's one of the most charming oddities from the GameCube era. It gave Mario's greedy, mischievous rival his own 3D action platformer — blending beat-'em-up combat, puzzle-solving, and treasure hunting into a uniquely Wario-flavored adventure.
The arcade-inspired levels were filled with over-the-top boss battles as Wario pocketed as much treasure as he could find. There's been absolutely no news of a new Wario game outside the popular WarioWare party series, so we should at least give this lovable villain a chance to shine on Switch Online.
Developed by Sega, Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg is one of the most creative platformers of its era, if not all-time. The premise is equally odd and epic: a boy in a chicken suit rolls giant eggs through vibrant levels, hatching creatures, solving puzzles, and battling enemies in a quest to save Morning Land from eternal darkness.
Intrigued? Playful, weird, and surprisingly deep, this is one of those quirky titles that has never gotten a sequel. A new life on Switch Online would give nostalgic players a chance to revisit this wacky game and new players an intro to a weird era of gaming.
Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc built on the charm of its predecessors while injecting a more cheeky tone and fast-paced combat. Its sarcastic dialogue, fourth-wall-breaking humor, and memorable characters (like the fan-favorite bouncy amphibian Globox) gave the game a unique identity that stood out from other platformers. They just don't make snarky games like this anymore. Rayman is one of those IPs that has always lived just under mainstream gaming and Switch Online would be a great place to introduce this oddball installment of the series.
Tak and the Power of Juju is one of the mst underrated 3D platformers of the early 2000s, embodying the core of the GameCube era's quirky experimental spirit. This game stood out for its lush environments, puzzle-centric level design, and a distinct sense of humor rooted in Nickelodeon's signature style (it even spawned a full animated series later on).
Set in a mystical jungle world where Tak, a young shaman's apprentice, must wield the power of nature spirits, the game blended traditional platforming with magical powers and environmental interactions. The adventure was full of creative ideas and wacky antics, making it a cult favorite.
