One of the added bonuses for the Nintendo Switch 2 is the ability to play Nintendo GameCube games if you are a subscriber to Switch Online with the + Expansion Pack added on. Currently there are only a handful of titles announced for the service, but we thought it would be fun to look at unannounced games that should really be added in the future.
The GameCube had a lot of amazing games, but for this article we are only going to be focusing on games that are harder to find, and have not been released elsewhere. We also left out Metroid Prime 2 from this list as Metroid Prime has already received a remake, and we're still holding out hope for a Prime 2 release as well!
Custom Robo
I'm going to start this list off with one of my all time favorites; Custom Robo. The Custom Robo series has sadly been absent since the Nintendo DS days, and that is quite the shame. This is an action RPG series where human characters "dive" into a holographic world and fight with their custom built robots. The games feature extensive customization options, as you can pick the different pieces of your robos, and then you get to battle it out across a handful of arenas.
Each game features both single player and multiplayer modes, with Custom Robo on the GCN allowing up to four players to battle it out at once. New robos and parts are unlocked by playing the game's main story mode, which is also a highlight of this entry, and there is also a second "tournament story mode" to work through once you complete the game. It is a title that is packed full of content, great to play with friends, and perfect for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Kirby Air Ride
Kirby Air Riders is already announced and coming to the Nintendo Switch 2; however, that doesn't mean the original Kirby Air Ride should be left out!
The game featured a hectic 3D race mode where players got to pick their favorite air ride machine, and then battle it out against other players. Power ups were handled by using Kirby's copy ability, but there were a few other special attacks as well. The game also offered a top view mini race mode, and the fan favorite City Trial which let players explore a small town as they took place in mini events and built up their strength. At the end of each City Trial a mini game would be played, and the players with the "best" builds would come out on top.
It was fun, it was addicting, and the countless unlockables kept players coming back for more. It also featured a local LAN mode, which made it one of the few GameCube games to actually support this feature.
Star Fox Assault
The GameCube was home to two Star Fox titles. The first was Star Fox Adventures, which was actually a rebranded Dinosaur Planet, and Star Fox Assault; a game that was a more "traditional" title. While Adventures was fun, Star Fox Assault offered an extensive multiplayer mode with countless unlockables to obtain. The gameplay itself allowed you to swap from ground third person shooter gameplay, to dog fights in the Arwing, or once again back to the ground to drive the Landmaster tank. Characters and additional vehicles were unlocked by playing more matches, and that even included the Wolfen and characters from Star Wolf. Sadly the game didn't allow you to fight against bots, but it was a lot of fun to play with a group of friends.
On the campaign of things, although it was a bit on the short side, missions consisted of both classic on-rail stages, ground stages, and stages that asked you to swap between all modes. It featured a surprisingly dark story, and acted as what seemed to be a "final send off" for the franchise. Of course Star Fox Command did continue things anyway, but things were a bit of a mess after that original finale. With the Switch 2's online and GameChat feature, now would be the perfect time to make use of this game's multiplayer.
Skies of Arcadia
This is a game that truly deserves a full remake or enhanced port to other consoles, but at this point many fans would just be happy to be able to play it again!
Skies of Arcadia was SEGA's classic turn based RPG originally released for the Dream Cast, which was then upgraded and ported to the GameCube as well. It tells the story of some young sky pirates as they get caught up in a series of events bigger than they could've ever imagined. It is a fun adventure with a unique "swap elements on the fly" battle system, and an engrossing world to get pulled into. While the characters themselves have appeared in games like Valkyria Chronicles, we have not seen an actual re-release or sequel since 2003.
The Switch 2 is the perfect chance to bring this seemingly forgotten series back, as it really is an RPG fans of the genre shouldn't miss out on.
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle
Another fan favorite from SEGA is Sonic Adventure 2 Battle.
Like Skies of Arcadia, the game was originally released on the Dream Cast, with the GCN version including additional content and other changes. Many Sonic fans consider Adventure 2 to be one of the best 3D Sonic games, and currently the game is only playable on Xbox and PC. Nintendo is currently being left in the dark, and with Sonic X Shadow Generations being on the Switch 2, many new fans would love a chance to play it.
Of course the game isn't perfect by any means, but the three unique play styles, the addictive Chao Garden side game, and the multiplayer mode gives players even more of a reason to return to it. Again, GameChat and online play would allow this game to really shine on the Switch 2, and now is SEGA's chance to give fans what they want.
Mario Power Tennis
Mario Power Tennis is known as one of the best entries in the series. While it doesn't have an RPG mode, it makes up for it by providing extremely solid gameplay, an extensive tournament mode (which can be played in multi-player), and a large selection of unlockable characters. Although future entries in the series were still fun, none of them ever seemed to reach the high bar Power Tennis established back in 2004, with even the Wii only receiving a port.
Super Mario Strikers is already coming to the Switch 2, so there really isn't a reason to not include Power Tennis at some point as well. Mario Superstar Baseball is also a solid pick, but we'll limit our selection to one Mario sports title for now. (Honestly I want them all!)
Mario Party (Series)
Mario Party! And not just Mario Party 4, or 5, or 6, but the entire series really should come to the Switch 2!
Currently we have Mario Party 1 - 3, and there really isn't a reason to not include 4 - 7 as well. Each game offers a different selection of game boards, mini games, and characters to use, with plenty of unique game modes as well. Many fans will agree that the GCN titles are solid entries in this long running series, with many of the "fumbles" not happening until after the release of 7. Mario Party 6 and 7 contained the hit or miss microphone mini games, but these can always be disabled. Of course the Switch 2 contains a microphone as is, so it isn't like playing these mini games would be impossible.
On the other hand Mario Party Jamboree is on the Switch 2, with Mario Party Superstars being backwards compatible.
Wario World
Wario World feels like it is the forgotten black sheep of the entire Mario series. Everyone knows about Wario Land and WarioWare, but Wario World was Wario's one and only full 3D adventure. The game saw him traveling to unique locations in search of riches, and had Wario battle against a wide range of wacky bosses. It played from a fixed camera angle, and let Wario make use of his own unique abilities to progress through each stage. It was different enough from a standard Mario title, while also retaining the solid 3D platforming fans would expect.
The game also contained unlockable WarioWare micro games, which added more replayability, as unfortunately the game is pretty short... Still, it is a solid entry within the overall Mario series, and it deserves being given a second chance.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
With the release of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on Nintendo Switch 2's GCN Classics, one can't help but also hope that Twilight Princess would join it. Of course many may prefer the Wii U version being ported over instead, but if Nintendo wants to simply bring the original release forward, then that is perfectly okay as well.
Twilight Princess continues to be one of the fan favorite entries in the series, and is currently the final full 3D entry to retain the "classic" 3D playstyle. It is a linear adventure across the land of Hyrule, with many dungeons to work through, towns to explore, and the unique ability to transform into a wolf. It was originally a Wii launch title as well, but the classic GCN version retains the non-mirrored world and original gameplay which had to be altered for the Wii. This is also the version the Wii U HD release was based on, meaning a GCN Classic release wouldn't be too different. (It just means we can't physically own the game...)
Either way, Twilight Princess belongs on the Switch 2, and it is currently the only console release that is unplayable on current generation hardware. Although you can also check out the fully developed, and surprisingly dark, official manga; reading it is always a fun time!
Super Smash Bros Melee
And last but not least, Super Smash Bros Melee!
Many within the Smash Community will agree that Melee is the pinnacle of the series. One could argue that title belongs to Ultimate, but that's besides the point. Melee was an amazing follow up to the N64 classic in nearly every way, and it continues to be a big part of the competitive scene as well. The game is very well balanced, features a large selection of maps, and a great roster of characters. Battles can be as over the top and hectic as one wishes, or you can tone things back for one on one competitive play. There was also a challenge mode to spend countless hours working through, and a short side scrolling adventure mode, with the classic arcade style mode returning from 64 as well.
In short, it was a game that offered plenty of content for both single and multiplayer, it was extremely well balanced, and the characters and stages were all excellent choices. There is a reason the game is still played so much today, and bringing it to Switch 2 would allow more fans to see what the hype was all about. I know I keep going back to this but GameChat and online play would be great to have for Melee as well, letting friends from across the globe to finally be able to play together.
This one might be the most least likely game to ever come to the Switch 2, but one can always hope and dream... Right?
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