News · 4 min read

Nintendo Switch Online Adds GameCube Games Including Fire Emblem

Nintendo expands Switch Online with GameCube titles. Here's the full list of launch games and what to expect from the service.

By Divik · Published

Heads up: this article is from 2026-01-11 and details may have changed. The game pages below always show the latest release dates.

Nintendo finally did it. After years of fan requests, GameCube games are coming to Nintendo Switch Online. The announcement confirms what many suspected: the Expansion Pack tier is about to get a lot more valuable.

The Announcement

Nintendo revealed the GameCube addition during a recent Direct presentation, confirming that select titles will be available to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers. This follows the N64 and Sega Genesis games already available on the service.

Launch Titles

The initial lineup includes:

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance - This is the big one. Path of Radiance has been stuck on GameCube for over 20 years, with physical copies selling for hundreds of dollars. Finally, players can experience it without hunting down expensive discs.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker - Yes, there's a Wii U HD version, but not everyone owned a Wii U. This brings the GameCube original to a new audience.

Super Mario Sunshine - Mario's tropical adventure joins the service. While it was included in 3D All-Stars, that collection has been delisted, making this the only way to play it officially.

Metroid Prime - The first entry in Samus's 3D adventures. The remaster was already on Switch, but the original has its own charm.

More titles will be added over time, following Nintendo's pattern with N64 games.

Why Fire Emblem Matters

Path of Radiance deserves special attention. This game has been essentially unplayable for most fans:

  • Original GameCube copies sell for $200+
  • No Virtual Console release ever happened
  • Emulation requires a decent PC and setup knowledge
  • The Wii sequel, Radiant Dawn, is similarly expensive

For Fire Emblem fans who got into the series through Awakening, Three Houses, or Engage, this is their first legitimate way to play what many consider one of the best entries in the franchise.

The game follows Ike, a mercenary caught up in a continental war. It introduced mechanics that would become series staples and has a story that still holds up today.

How It Works

GameCube games on Switch Online work similarly to other legacy titles:

  • Available to + Expansion Pack subscribers
  • Accessible through the Nintendo Switch Online app
  • Save states and suspend points included
  • Online features where applicable

The big question is controller support. GameCube games relied on that unique controller layout, particularly the analog triggers. Nintendo hasn't confirmed whether full analog support will be available or if games will be adapted for Switch controls.

Performance Expectations

N64 games on Switch Online have been... inconsistent. Some run great, others have input lag or visual issues. GameCube emulation is more demanding, so performance will be something to watch.

Nintendo likely won't release anything broken, but temper expectations until we see these games running on actual hardware.

What About Switch 2?

With Nintendo's next console on the horizon, some are wondering if these GameCube games will also be available there. Nintendo hasn't said anything definitive, but given their account-based approach to Switch Online, continuity seems likely.

If anything, GameCube games might run even better on more powerful hardware.

Pricing

No changes to Switch Online pricing have been announced. The Expansion Pack tier remains at $49.99/year for individual memberships. Given the addition of valuable games like Path of Radiance, that's looking like better value than before.

Our Take

This is a win for preservation. Games like Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance were becoming genuinely inaccessible to most players. Whatever you think of Nintendo's pricing for Switch Online, making these games available at all is a good thing.

The counter-argument is that Nintendo could just sell these games individually on the eShop, and that's fair. But for Expansion Pack subscribers, this is pure upside.

We'll update with performance impressions once the games go live.