Nintendo is expanding its retro library yet again, and this time the spotlight is firmly on Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games. In January 2026, Nintendo added the much-anticipated Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance — one of the most beloved tactical RPGs from the original Nintendo GameCube era — to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service.
This addition brings the total number of playable GameCube classics on the Nintendo Switch 2 to eight, and yet some players are already expressing mixed reactions online. While there’s clear excitement around classic titles showing up on modern hardware, frustrations remain around availability, subscription costs, and the pace of new releases.
From nostalgia-driven celebrations to angry posts about exclusivity, the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games story this year feels like a mix of retro passion and contemporary complaint.
Let’s break down what’s happening with the GameCube classics on Switch.
Path of Radiance Finally Arrives for Nintendo Switch Online GameCube Games
On January 9, 2026, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance was officially added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack’s GameCube library on Nintendo Switch 2.
Originally released in 2005 for the Nintendo GameCube, Path of Radiance was one of the first Fire Emblem games to feature 3D maps and fully voiced cutscenes. The strategy-heavy RPG follows mercenary Ike and his companions as they struggle to protect the war-torn continent of Tellius from devastating conflict. (Nintendo Co., Ltd.)
Fans of the series have long celebrated this title as a classic — not just because it introduced Ike to the Fire Emblem universe, but because it helped popularize the franchise in the West during the mid-2000s.
Now, with Path of Radiance included in the lineup of Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games, a new generation of players, as well as veterans itching for nostalgia, have access to this GameCube gem on modern hardware.
What Nintendo Switch Online GameCube Games Are Available Now
The GameCube library for Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games has slowly grown since the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch in June 2025. According to Nintendo’s own announcements and community trackers, the current lineup includes:
✔ The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
✔ F-Zero GX
✔ Soulcalibur II
✔ Super Mario Strikers
✔ Chibi-Robo!
✔ Luigi’s Mansion
✔ Wario World
✔ Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Nintendo has also confirmed future additions will include Super Mario Sunshine, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, and Pokémon Colosseum, though firm dates have yet to be announced. (VGC)
This expanding catalog is a major part of why fans are discussing Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games so intensely — but not all reactions are positive.
Why Fans Are Frustrated with Nintendo Switch Online GameCube Games
Even as classic games return to the Switch, the rollout of Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games hasn’t been smooth for everyone. Here are some major points of contention:
Exclusive to Switch 2 — No Support for Original Switch
Unlike many Nintendo Classics libraries (NES, SNES, N64, GBA), GameCube games are only playable on the Nintendo Switch 2 with an Expansion Pack membership. This exclusivity means anyone with the original Switch, Switch Lite, or early OLED models has no access to these titles — even if they paid for Nintendo Switch Online.
Fans on Reddit have expressed frustration that GameCube emulation could technically run on older systems, arguing that limiting the classics to Switch 2 feels like a forced upsell rather than a technical necessity.
Slow Pace of New Additions
Nintendo has been methodically adding games to the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games catalog, but the pace has felt slow for some players. With only eight titles available months after launch — and more promising games like Super Mario Sunshine still pending — some fans feel the library isn’t expanding quickly enough. (VGC)
Subscription Cost vs. Value Debate
To access GameCube classics, players need the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership — a pricier tier compared to the standard Switch Online plan. Many casual fans question whether the expanded cost is justified for the relatively small roster of classic games currently available. Discussion around subscription value versus offered content is active in community spaces. (Nintendo Co., Ltd.)
Fans React: Nostalgia Meets Skepticism
The reaction on social platforms to the growing Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games lineup has been mixed. Many long-time Nintendo fans are ecstatic to finally play classics on modern hardware without needing the original GameCube console or backward compatibility setups.
Players praise the convenience of revisiting iconic eras of gaming, particularly for tactical masterpieces like Path of Radiance and beloved action titles like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
One fan wrote enthusiastically that seeing Path of Radiance available on Nintendo Switch 2 sparked a renewed interest in the series, bringing back childhood memories and introducing the game to new players who missed it originally.
But not all feedback is positive. As already mentioned, some users see the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games strategy as a money grab or slowed by arbitrary release timing. Others want a clearer schedule on when more classics will arrive, arguing that Nintendo’s announcements do not set expectations clearly enough.
The Technical Side: Emulator Features and Enhancements
The GameCube games arriving in the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games library aren’t simple ports — they benefit from enhancements made possible by modern hardware and emulation:
- Improved resolution compared to original GameCube output
- Support for Nintendo GameCube controller adapters on Switch 2
- Button remapping and online features for select titles
- Ability to save states and capture screenshots/video through Switch 2 built-ins
These enhancements make classic titles feel fresher and more accessible than replaying them on original hardware such as Wii or GameCube — but they also add expectations for further polish and optimization with each new classic Nintendo adds.
What’s Next for Nintendo Switch Online GameCube Games
With Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance already live, Nintendo has hinted at — but not confirmed dates for — other beloved GameCube titles such as Super Mario Sunshine, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, and Pokémon Colosseum.
Industry watchers believe that Nintendo may stagger these releases over 2026 to keep subscribers engaged month-to-month, rather than dropping a full library at once. This has become a common strategy among subscription content services, even though it sometimes fuels fan frustration when expected games take longer than hoped to arrive.
Nintendo’s official news posts and the Nintendo Switch Online app remain the best places to watch for upcoming additions and announcements.
Broader Impact on Classic Gaming
The expansion of Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games underscores Nintendo’s commitment to preserving its legacy titles — while also navigating the commercial realities of subscription models and new hardware ecosystems.
The GameCube classics library bridges generations of gamers, giving new players firsthand experiences with titles that defined early 2000s console gaming, while offering nostalgia fuel for seasoned fans. That said, balancing fan expectations, release pace, and platform limitations remains an ongoing challenge for Nintendo.
Final Thoughts: Nostalgia Deluxe — But Not Without Headaches
The Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games lineup has made real strides with the addition of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and other classics, breathing new life into celebrated titles.
Yet, mixed reactions and frustrations around exclusivity, subscription costs, and pacing show that even well-intentioned expansions can create controversy in the gaming community. While many fans appreciate being able to play beloved GameCube classics again, others want a clearer roadmap and wider accessibility.
Nintendo has taken a major step forward in preserving and modernizing its catalog for a new audience — but the journey of Nintendo Switch Online GameCube games has been thrilling and tumultuous, proving that nostalgia can be both a gift and a source of very real debate among fans.
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