The launch of Nintendo Switch 2 it will be a perfect opportunity to add a much-needed update to Nintendo Switch Online. It’s no secret that NSO’s track record with legacy content is far from perfect. The slowness with which classic Nintendo titles are added to the service means that certain iconic games have yet to get another chance in the spotlight.
However, Nintendo has a chance to improve on NSO’s legacy content. The news of NSO’s port to the upcoming Switch 2 (along with the confirmation of the Switch 2’s backwards compatibility) means that the current library of retro games is only going to get bigger and better. And, if Nintendo decides to add a particular console’s library to the service, it would be a huge improvement to the NSO service overall, while also making the Switch 2 a much more attractive purchase for gamers.
NSO’s legacy content still feels incomplete
Many classic titles will still be added
Since its introduction in 2018, the NSO’s treatment of legacy content leaves a lot to be desired. Launching with just a few NES titles, NSO struggled to add more games and consoles at a consistent pace. Nintendo 64 games were added three years after the service launched, while it took five years for Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games to be added. Even now, NSO lacks several classic titles from those older consoles, including Donkey Kong 64, Chrono Trigger, Super Smash Bros. and Pokémon Red, Blueand Yellow.
Nintendo’s lackadaisical approach to legacy NSO content is detrimental to the preservation of the game in general. The lack of accessibility to these titles means that new players will not have the opportunity to experience the games that have been hugely influential for Nintendo and video games in general. Nintendo’s lack of urgency in updating the NSO library means that classic titles will subsequently be denied the recognition they deserverisking these extremely important games falling further into obscurity.
GameCube is a perfect complement to NSO
The console houses several classic titles
With that in mind, the GameCube game library would serve as an excellent and necessary addition to NSO. Now that the console was released 23 years ago, there are sure to be many NSO subscribers who are missing out on the stellar titles that the GameCube housed. Therefore, the addition of these titles would be a huge benefit to NSO subscribers, giving them the perfect opportunity to try out classic games that would otherwise be inaccessible to them.
Adding the GameCube’s library of incredible titles would also be a huge improvement on Nintendo’s current approach to game preservation. There are still several games that have been relegated to the GameCube, with no sign of being re-released or remastered. Some of these games, like Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart: Double RaceThey are highly regarded titles in their respective franchises, proving influential in the direction these series have taken. Adding these classics to NSO ensures that the games are able to maintain their legacy and be recognized for their impact.
Could we see GameCube titles on Switch 2 at launch?
It’s unclear when or if the GameCube will be added to NSO
The upcoming Switch 2 release would be a great time to release this update on NSO. As with any console release, Nintendo will want to ensure players have plenty of games available to warrant purchasing the new console as early as possible. While porting NSO to the Switch 2 is certainly a good start, preserving the current library of legacy content, the addition of the GameCube would only bolster the appeal of the Switch 2, as players have instant access to a variety of classic titles that can try it for the first time.
It’s currently unclear whether the Switch 2 will feature GameCube titles at launch. Although NSO is confirmed to be available on the new system, no additional details were provided about what kind of updates or changes will be made for the Switch 2. It’s also possible that Nintendo will choose to focus primarily on all-new games that will be exclusive to the Switch 2 at launch, leaving any major updates to NSO’s legacy content for a later date.
While new releases are always exciting, leaving GameCube games until after release would be a missed opportunity. The upgrade would be a huge boost for NSOs and the Nintendo Switch 2is a success, as it grants the player instant access to a series of classic titles, further reinforcing the appeal of the new console and justifying the purchase at launch. Additionally, adding the GameCube to NSO would ensure that many of the system’s titles finally return to the spotlight, giving these games the recognition they truly deserve.