Feature: 27 GameCube Games We’d Love To See On Nintendo Switch 2 NSO

1080° Avalanche (GCN)

Nintendo Software Technology took hold of 1080° Avalanche‘s erratic development and crafted an experience that far exceeded expectations, creating a game that uniquely blended elements of the genre, positioned between the realism of 1080° Snowboarding and the flamboyance of SSX 3.

It adhered to the foundations set by the N64, still emphasizing speed and head-to-head racing, yet the well-designed courses, gameplay-altering shortcuts, and coin-collecting time trials culminated in a refined GCN offering. User-friendly controls made executing tricks easy and inspired players to take risks in order to enhance their boost meter.

The visuals are impressive, and a concise yet quality selection of licensed music pairs with meticulously crafted sound effects, creating a delightful audio experience.

Animal Crossing (GCN)

It could be argued that the series truly flourished in a portable format with the amazing Animal Crossing: Wild World for Nintendo DS, but the original on N64 laid the groundwork effectively, and this GameCube adaptation of the Japan-exclusive version presented Animal Crossing‘s charming real-time village living to audiences in the West.

This is a series best enjoyed a little bit each day, which is much more feasible on a handheld device that you can easily pull out while commuting or during a break. Nowadays, it’s challenging to return to a village tied to a home console, yet it’s difficult to revisit any earlier installment after experiencing the countless quality-of-life enhancements that newer versions have introduced.

Nonetheless, we will always cherish the memories, and this initial experience of village life was delightful.

Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg (GCN)

To be honest, it’s quite surprising that Sega never revisited Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg after its initial GameCube release. While it didn’t achieve critical acclaim or strong sales, it definitely falls into the category of “if you know, you know” types of games.

Over the years since its launch in 2003, it has garnered a small but passionate fan base, and like Super Smash Bros. Melee, it’s hard to think of the GameCube without recalling Billy Hatcher.

Let’s give it another shot on NSO. Who knows, it might encourage Sega to consider a sequel.

Burnout 2: Point of Impact (GCN)

Typically, crashing your vehicle in a video game indicates failure, yet the developers at Criterion infused the Burnout franchise with exhilarating risks that rewarded players with boosts for reckless driving, transforming bad driving into an exciting element through its addictive ‘Crash’ mode.

This sequel enhanced nearly every aspect of its predecessor and remains an exhilarating experience today. We still lament the absence of Burnout 3: Takedown on the GameCube, but the second installment is still a fantastic title, and we’d be eager to relive it on Switch 2.

Donkey Konga (GCN)

After Nintendo created the DK Bongos,the organization accompanied them with an astonishing quantity of launches. Donkey Konga came out a year prior to Guitar Hero, just before music-loving players’ homes became packed with plastic guitars and large drum kits.

The rhythm-centric concept feels rather dated today, yet Donkey Konga excels and, as long as you possess the necessary set of bongos, serves as an outstanding party game for up to four participants.

Certainly, the bongos would play a crucial role in a potential release on NSO, but if Nintendo can reintroduce its essential collection of controllers, then why couldn’t the DK bongos make a comeback?

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (GCN)

The first ‘mainline’ DK title after Rare’s tenure with the character, this underrated gem from director Yoshiaki Koizumi and the EAD Tokyo team—who would later create Super Mario Galaxy—shows Nintendo at its finest when it dares to venture into unique territories. A platformer controlled with a pair of bongos is certainly something you won’t encounter often.

Indeed, you guide Donkey Kong Jungle Beat using arguably the most entertaining official controller ever made. While you can use a standard GameCube controller, making noise with this one is far more enjoyable. By tapping the drums or clapping, which the bongos’ built-in microphone picks up, you navigate DK through the 2.5D levels, collecting bananas, defeating enemies, and building combos for scoring ‘beats.’

It’s brief but immensely enjoyable and outshines the (admittedly splendid) Wii Remote-controlled New Play Control! iteration because bongos are always superior to motion controls.

Doshin The Giant (GCN)

Doshin The Giant offers a completely distinctive and pleasantly perplexing adventure.

Striking a balance between working diligently and gaining affection while swiftly executing tasks yet being disliked—along with unpredictable natural disasters—adds a strategic element to this otherwise leisurely game. Villagers often have unjustified demands that conflict with those of their neighbors just two meters away, but that’s the cost of such heavy-weight responsibilities. Its graphics may show signs of wear, but the terraforming features still feel surprisingly contemporary, making Doshin the Giant enjoyable even today.

Honestly, we’d love to have Doshin the Giant on NSO just to see how delighted our esteemed video producer, Alex, would be.

Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem (GCN)

Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem is an exceptional psychological horror title that merges Resident Evil style survival horror with Lovecraftian elements and an era-spanning historical narrative, resulting in something truly singular and exclusive to GameCube.

It might take time to fully grasp its spell-casting and unusual blend of styles (which may explain why second-hand copies were available at such low prices for years), but once it captivates you, it’s hard to forget.

The fourth wall-shattering sanity effects often steal the spotlight, but the ambitious, tension-filled story merits equal acclaim. Whether you’re a devoted horror fan or a novice who requires a walkthrough with the lights on, we suggest experiencing this game however you can. While we don’t anticipate a comprehensive remaster soon, let’s at least give it another opportunity on NSO.

Killer7 (GCN)

One of the notorious ‘Capcom Five,’ Suda51’s Killer7 debuted on the GameCube in 2005 and has since developed a cult following. It centers around a group of assassins enveloped in a noir-themed narrative that explores government conspiracies and, naturally, a lot of killings.

This game requires a particular taste due to its somewhat rigid on-rails, first-person gameplay that fuses shooting and puzzle-solving with striking cel-shaded art.

It’s a compelling mix that offers an unforgettable experience of video game violence and adventure. Even if it doesn’t resonate with you, Killer7 will definitely leave an impression.

Kirby Air Ride (GCN)

‘Simple’ doesn’t have to mean ‘boring’, and GameCube racer Kirby Air Ride delivers plenty of multiplayer enjoyment across its three gaming modes. It might even be the perfect introduction to race-oriented video games for young children or non-gaming partners if you’re not a fan of Mario Kart (which mysteriously excludes Kirby).

However, if you’re an adult seeking a solo experience, or a serious racing enthusiast looking for a challenge that demands greater strategy and skill, you’d be better off racing alongside Mario or Captain Falcon instead.

Given that creator Masahiro Sakurai is set to release an official Switch 2 sequel, Kirby Air Riders, later this year, we believe it would be wise for Nintendo to allow both fans and newcomers to experience the original before diving into the upcoming title.

Kururin Squash! (GCN)

With Kuru Kuru Kururin already available on the GBA NSO app, it’s only logical for the Japan-exclusive Kururin Squash! to be added to the upcoming GameCube lineup. The fundamental concept remains unchanged: navigate through maze-like areas within a continually rotating ship.

We say “fundamental,” but the gameplay of Kururin Squash! can become very intense as you progress to the later, more intricate levels. Patience and precision are essential, making this a refreshing change of pace compared to the chaos of, for instance, F-Zero GX.

Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GCN)

Your preferred Mario Kart title often hinges on which one you experienced first or which one you engaged with the most in multiplayer sessions. This can spark heated discussions, but we hold fond memories of Mario Kart: Double Dash!! even if it’s frequently overlooked by many.

While not teeming with novel concepts, the racers were showcased as beautiful fully 3D models for the first time, the dual-driver feature was immensely gratifying and introduced a new level of strategy as you swapped characters and managed items, and it has some…

great courses, including DK Mountain (ah, that delightful shortcut at the end!) and the all-time favorite Baby Park, the hilariously frantic mini-course.

With Mario Kart World showcasing the Switch 2 launch lineup, it’s hard to envision Nintendo integrating Double Dash!! into NSO anytime soon; however, given sufficient space, we believe both games have a strong potential to excel on Switch 2.

Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (GCN)

We’re rather fond of the Nintendo 64 version in the franchise, but developer Camelot certainly didn’t miss the mark with the outstanding GameCube variant either.

Featuring 16 characters and courses filled with Mushroom Kingdom elements like warp pipes and Chain Chomps, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour elevates the experience without completely overhauling the gameplay, rendering every bunker and green strikingly beautiful while introducing some enjoyable additional modes.

Considering the developer’s background and impressive library of games featuring Mario smashing balls of all sizes, MGTT isn’t particularly groundbreaking. Yet, there’s a limit to what you can innovate with golf before it veers too far from the essence of the sport. Ultimately, this is one of the best ways to ruin a walk.

Numerous players regard Toadstool Tour as the finest Mario Golf installment, and with Super Rush on Switch not really sparking much excitement, incorporating the GameCube version into NSO would be an ideal solution.

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (GCN)

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes was primarily crafted by Silicon Knights, the same studio responsible for Eternal Darkness, and blended gameplay elements from Sons of Liberty with the original MGS title.

This version features noticeable graphical enhancements and completely re-recorded dialogue featuring nearly the entire original cast. The new features were generally embraced, although the gameplay modifications arguably diminished some of the original game’s challenge.

With the original PS1 classic now accessible on Switch, it’s hard to see Twin Snakes appearing on NSO in the near future, but it would definitely provide an intriguing look into a game many consider to be flawed yet immensely enjoyable.

Phew! That’s the Ms out of the way. Flip the page (or, well, click below) to discover more games we’d love to see on Switch 2 NSO.