The latest update to the Nintendo Switch Online service has given subscribers access to one of the best games ever released for the GameCube. Nintendo Switch Online's value grows significantly as new games are added to the lineup. The service has introduced support for more consoles over the years, with GameCube added to the mix alongside the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 back in 2025.
Since GameCube games were added to Switch Online, a selection of heavy hitters have been added to the library. The service debuted with F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Soulcalibur 2, with Super Mario Strikers, Chibi-Robo, Luigi's Mansion, Wario World, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness added in subsequent updates. Now yet another update has been released for Nintendo Switch Online, and this one gives those signed up for the Expansion Pack tier of NSO access to Super Mario Sunshine.
Super Mario Sunshine is Now Available Through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
Super Mario Sunshine is generally considered one of the best GameCube games ever made. The successor to Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine introduces FLUDD, opening the door to some unique traversal mechanics, and is also notable for its tropical setting. Super Mario Sunshine is considered one of the more challenging 3D Mario games out there, which has made it somewhat polarizing compared to other games in the series, but there's no denying that it's a GameCube classic. Super Mario Sunshine earned an impressive 92 overall rating on Metacritic back in the day, solidifying it as one of the highest-rated games on the console. Now those with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership on Switch 2 can play through it in its entirety.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
While it's great to see Super Mario Sunshine added to the Nintendo Classics library, it's worth pointing out that the game has technically been playable on Switch 2 for quite some time. Super Mario Sunshine was part of the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection on the Nintendo Switch, and since Switch 2 can play nearly every Switch 1 game, that means anyone with a copy of it can play it on the newer console. However, Super Mario 3D All-Stars was infamously a limited-time release, and used copies of the game have started to become expensive. Now Switch 2 owners that missed out on Super Mario 3D All-Stars can play through Super Mario Sunshine without breaking the bank.
Super Mario Sunshine being added to Nintendo Switch Online means there's only one GameCube game left that was announced in advance. Pokemon Colosseum is coming to Nintendo Switch Online at some point in the future, with most expecting it to drop before the end of the year. Nintendo bizarrely added its sequel, Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, to Nintendo Switch Online first for some reason, but fans should be able to play through both games sooner rather than later.
After that, chances are good that more GameCube games will be announced for Nintendo Switch Online, but it's hard to say what they will be. There are still plenty of Nintendo-published GameCube games that have yet to be added to the service, and as Soulcalibur 2 has proven, third-party games are also on the table. While Switch Online subscribers wait to learn more about future GameCube games, they can check out the ones currently available, like the newly-added Super Mario Sunshine.
- Released
- August 26, 2002
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Comic Mischief
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Franchise
- Super Mario
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
