The Nintendo GameCube is a beloved and nostalgic console for many Nintendo fans, though it hasn’t seen much love on Virtual Console. However, the seemingly-incredible lifespan of the Nintendo Switch could mean that Gamecube games will eventually become available on Nintendo Switch Online, just like Nintendo 64, GameBoy Advance, and SNES titles.
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However, some select GameCube games have had the distinct honor of being ported to future consoles. While they are currently unavailable to play on the Nintendo Switch, these titles would certainly excite fans who are eager to play them on the go. Some of them are even from Nintendo’s biggest and most memorable franchises.
8The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker
As it stands,The Wind Wakerhas a pretty fair shot at being ported to the Nintendo Switch sometime soon. The title was notably upgraded to HD and released on the Wii U, as was its console follow-up,Twilight Princess. However, as of 2023, the onlyZeldaremaster available on the Switch isSkyward Sword HD, which was released in 2021.
Currently, Nintendo’s focus is likely on the upcoming release ofThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the follow-up to the Switch launch titleBreath of the Wild. Nevertheless, given that2023 is the 20th anniversary ofThe Wind Waker’s releaseoutside of Japan, it could be the perfect time for Nintendo to announce a re-release of their HD remaster.
7Super Smash Bros. Melee
Few GameCube titles are as beloved now as they were back in the early 2000s asSuper Smash Bros. Melee. The title is notably the most popular in Nintendo’s all-star fighting franchise and has had an active competitive community since. Nevertheless, Nintendo’s support of the said community has wavered in recent years in favor of their more recent titles.
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Nonetheless, a re-release ofMelee, perhaps via Nintendo Switch Online, would be the perfect way for Nintendo to make it up to fans of the series. With the addition of a strong online server as well, they’d be able to deter fans from playing the game mostly via an emulator. The Switch even already allows for connectivity with the GameCube controller adapter!
6Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
ThePaper Marioseries began on the Nintendo 64 in 2000, but its most critically-acclaimed release isThe Thousand-Year Door, which debuted on the GameCube in 2004. Despite its popularity, the game has never been remastered despite continued support for the franchise. However, few titles from the series have yet to recapture the magic of the GameCube game.
Still, a re-release ofThe Thousand-Year Doorwould thrill many fans of the franchise who haven’t been persuaded by new entries likeThe Origami Kingon the Switch. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if Nintendo is prone to distancing itself fromsome of the more mature materialin that game, such as the starting town with a hangman’s noose in its center.
5Kirby Air Ride
Masahiro Sakurai’s next project afterSuper Smash Bros Meleewasthe fan-favoriteKirby Air Ride, which also marked his last time working in the series. Like many GameCube titles,Kirby Air Rideis about to hit its 20th anniversary, which could make the perfect opportunity for Nintendo to re-release this often-forgotten about GameCube classic.
Plus, Nintendo could get some serious mileage out of aKirby Air Riderelease by updating it, as they did withMario Kart 8 Deluxe, another Switch launch title. By adding playable characters from recentKirbygames, like Prince Fluff, Magalor, or Waddle Dee, as well as online multiplayer,Kirby Air Ridecould become the new preferred racer on the Switch.
4Fire Emblem: Path Of Radiance
TheFire Emblemfranchise has seen renewed popularitysinceFire Emblem: Awakeningon the 3DS. Since then, Nintendo has been open to embracing the franchise’s past despite its unpopularity in the West. Alongside the nostalgic 2023 titleFire Emblem Engage, Nintendo even re-released a remake ofFire Emblem Gaidenon the Nintendo 3DS in 2017.
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TitledFire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, the game popularized the once-forgotten characters of Alm and Celica. However, Nintendo could potentially see even more success from reviving the title of a much more recognizableFire Emblemhero: Ike, who originally debuted in the 2005 gameFire Emblem: Path of Radiance.
3Pikmin
2023 is looking to be a strong year for thePikminfranchise.Pikmin 4is slated to release in July 2023as one of Nintendo’s biggest releases of the coming year. In preparation, Nintendo re-released its predecessor asPikmin 3 Deluxeon the Nintendo Switch in 2020, though perhaps it’d be worthwhile for fans to re-experience the first two games in the franchise.
The firstPikminand its sequelPikmin 2were both re-released on the Nintendo Wii in 2008, but those were as part of a series adapting GameCube games to use the Wii’s motion controls. A new re-release of the first twoPikmingames could re-introduce the franchise’s origins to fans who are more acquainted with their Switch-available titles.
2F-Zero GX
Even though Captain Falcon isan iconic character in theSuper Smash Brosfranchise,F-Zero GXwas the last proper console release of Nintendo’s secondary racing franchise. The game was acclaimed by critics and is remembered by many GameCube fans as one of the best releases on the console, even though theF-Zerofranchise has been dormant for years.
Nowadays,F-Zerois well-deserving of a comeback story, especially given Captain Falcon’s continued popularity. While many may seeF-Zeroas an arcade title put onto consoles,F-Zero GXalso contained a thrilling story mode centered on the character everybody knows for his iconic, quotableSuper Smash Brosmoves.
1Wario World
Nowadays, Wario gets time to bea solo performer with theWarioWarefranchise, which center on zany microgames and meta references to the Nintendo universe. However, Wario also had his shot at a 3D platformer withWario World, which was released in 2003 and centers on Wario rescuing his fortune from an evil entity known as the Black Jewel.
For a little-known GameCube title,Wario Worldwas quite the commercial success, though some critics felt it was much shorter than most other games on the console. Still, it would be a great discovery for new Nintendo fans if it was ever added to Nintendo Switch Online. It would also be especially appreciated by fans of the Wario character.
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