Nintendo Switch 2 to Launch with Three GameCube Classics

You only need to spend $450 to get the console to play these classics 🫠

When the Nintendo Switch 2 arrives on June 5, 2025, it will bring a trio of GameCube titles to its online service, offering players an immediate taste of the console’s retro library. Confirmed for launch are The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, SoulCalibur II, and F-Zero GX. While the full GameCube catalog won’t be available at once, these selections signal Nintendo’s intent to blend nostalgia with modern enhancements for its next-generation platform.

The opening lineup kicks off with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, originally released in 2003 by Nintendo. This action-adventure game, known for its cel-shaded art and seafaring exploration, follows Link as he navigates the flooded world of Hyrule. Though it’s the GameCube version rather than the streamlined Wii U remaster, its enduring visual style and charming cast—including pirate leader Tetra—continue to resonate. Initially divisive for its departure from Ocarina of Time’s realism, it has since earned a strong following.

Next is Soul Calibur II, a 2003 weapon-based fighter from Bandai Namco. A standout third-party title on the GameCube, it sold well thanks to its fluid combat and the exclusive inclusion of Link as a playable character. While the game saw an HD re-release on PS3 and Xbox 360, the GameCube version’s return highlights its unique appeal for Nintendo fans, offering a chance to pit Link against fighters like Raphael once more.

Rounding out the trio is F-Zero GX, a 2003 sci-fi racer developed by Sega’s Amusement Vision for Nintendo. This high-speed title introduced a story mode featuring Captain Falcon, a staple in the Super Smash Bros. series. The Switch 2 port adds split-screen co-op and online racing, modernizing a franchise that hasn’t seen a new entry since. Rated Teen for mild violence and suggestive themes, it’s a technical showcase of the GameCube era.

Nintendo has also teased more GameCube titles for the Switch 2, with a trailer spotlighting Super Mario Sunshine, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Pokémon Colosseum, Super Mario Strikers, Chibi-Robo!, and Luigi’s Mansion. These will roll out post-launch, expanding the service over time.

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