Nintendo’s next console may be leaning hard into nostalgia. A new report claims the Nintendo Switch 2 will expand Nintendo Switch Online with a GameCube library, potentially making classic 2000s-era titles playable through a subscription tier.

According to the report, Nintendo is preparing to roll out GameCube games as part of the Nintendo Switch Online offering once Switch 2 arrives, with timing that could land around the system’s early-life window. While Nintendo hasn’t confirmed any GameCube plans publicly, the company has steadily used Switch Online to reintroduce older catalogs—NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis—often bundling the bigger systems behind the Expansion Pack.

### What GameCube on Switch Online Could Look Like
If Nintendo follows its existing pattern, GameCube games would likely sit in the Expansion Pack (or a new higher tier) alongside Nintendo 64 and GBA. That would align with how Nintendo has monetized more technically demanding libraries and higher-profile retro games on Switch.

The big question is how far Nintendo goes beyond simple emulation. Switch Online retro apps typically add features like save states, rewind (on some platforms), and online multiplayer for select titles. If GameCube support is real, players will be watching closely for performance targets, controller support (including whether Nintendo releases a dedicated GameCube-style pad), and what the initial launch lineup looks like.

### Context: Nintendo’s Retro Strategy Is Working
Nintendo has turned legacy libraries into a subscription retention tool, and GameCube would be a significant escalation. The system’s catalog includes perennial favorites that fans have been requesting for years, and it’s a relatively under-served era compared to NES through N64. Bringing it to NSO could also reduce pressure on Nintendo to sell individual ports or remasters for every classic—though the company could still reserve certain heavy hitters for paid re-releases.

From a market standpoint, GameCube on Switch 2 would make the new hardware feel immediately more valuable for early adopters, especially if the current Switch’s aging library transitions smoothly through backward compatibility. If Nintendo ties GameCube access to Switch 2 specifically, it could also become a clear incentive to upgrade—retro not just as preservation, but as a next-gen feature.

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