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Nintendo Switch Will Play GameCube Games - Report

The system's Virtual Console will reportedly support GameCube titles.

By Eddie Makuch on December 7, 2016 at 11:27AM PST

Another cool feature for the Nintendo Switch has apparently been revealed. Citing three separate sources, Eurogamer reports today that the console can play GameCube games through its Virtual Console program. Eurogamer has accurately reported on unannounced Switch features in the past.

Three Nintendo-published GameCube games are reportedly in the pipeline. Unsurprisingly, they are some of the console's best games: Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, and Super Smash Bros. Melee. Eurogamer reports that the GameCube's Animal Crossing is being tested, too.

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Now Playing: GS News Update: Nintendo Switch Will Reportedly Play GameCube Games

That the Switch will play GameCube games through the VC is something of a big move, as the Wii U does not play games from that console. Additionally, it's claimed that there will be an upgrade program where people who bought games via the VC on an older console can "upgrade" them to the new hardware for a small price.

Eurogamer also reports that Nintendo is looking to add support for the Wii U's GameCube controller adapter, though the company is reportedly not committed to this yet.

Nintendo declined to comment when approached by Eurogamer. Read their full report here.

The company has said not to expect any more news about the Switch until January 2017. That's when the company will reveal the console's price, specs, and launch lineup at an event. The hybrid system, which has home and on-the-go elements, goes on sale in March 2017.

This story has been updated.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

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SSBM lives on!

Upvote • 8 years ago

13847

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This is not exciting for me. The GC was the least exciting console of that generation to me.

I have a ton of GC games still that work on the Wii though.

In fact the GC is the least exciting console Nintendo has made imo.

At least people might be able to buy the games without that crazy second hand market prices. But I imagine Nintendo will sell them for around £10 to £15 each or the equivilent in dollas.

Upvote • 8 years ago

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can play them on wii and wiiu as well why is this any news

Upvote • 8 years ago

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Give me Eternal Darkness and I'll buy a Switch.

2 • 8 years ago

deactivated-5d4c0b80dcd76

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Edited By deactivated-5d4c0b80dcd76

This is good news, but not really big news. I was able to launch GameCube Games on my Wii U through the Wii mode. Without a controller interface, it makes it difficult to play....but my Wii U COULD run GameCube titles.

For now, I'll stick with playing GameCube at 460p on my Wii.

Upvote • 8 years ago

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Edited By FredLead

@mbrogz3000:

Upvote • 8 years ago

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Eternal Darkness, please god.

2 • 8 years ago

HappyCamper1979

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HappyCamper1979

Why?

Upvote • 8 years ago

YearoftheSnake5

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YearoftheSnake5

I hope so. That console is loaded with good games. Some are really expensive and hard to find, too. Fire Emblem being one example.

2 • 8 years ago

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* Reads* "Nintendo Switch will play Gamecube games" *gets excited because he owns PHYSICAL Gamecube games*

*Reads* "that the console can play GameCube games through its Virtual Console program"

*sad face*

7 • 8 years ago

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so the Switch will have analog buttons like the GC?

3 • 8 years ago

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@Sphensen: You mean the sticks? Yeah the switch clearly has two analog sticks. I'm not sure what you mean by analog buttons, but it would seem that the switch controller has just as many inputs if not more than the gamecube controller

2 • 8 years ago

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@saganage: If I remember correctly the GC Controller had analog shoulder buttons allowing for a varied grade of input

Upvote • 8 years ago

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@Sphensen: Nice catch, it would need them to play a lot of GC games.

That or Nintendo has no intentions of making those games available...

3 • 8 years ago

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Edited By Nadsat-77

Got me excited for a moment until i saw virtual console, no thanks, i still have my GC working fine.

5 • 8 years ago

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That's awesome. Pleaaase add Eternal Darkness too.

Upvote • 8 years ago

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I rather get HD remasters to be honest. 480p melee? yuck!

2 • 8 years ago

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@Legend002: True, but you do have to consider the amount of time remasters take vs building an emulator.

Upvote • 8 years ago

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That is cool that they let me repurchase my gamecube games again, but since they aren't remastered it doesn't do much for me. I still have my gamecube in working order. I still have my Wii that can play gamecube games. And even my Wii U can play gamecube games with an easy hack of the wii portion of it.

2 • 8 years ago

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@eureca323: I guess it just depends whether you would like to have the option to take those gamecube games on the go. Thats the big selling point here.

2 • 8 years ago

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@saganage: Seriously? I would be afraid to take my $200 New3dsXL "on the go" because it may get damaged, much less a bigger, harder to carry device that that. If you buy a Switch, and so do all your friends, where exactly do you want to take the thing to, the park? Why go to places like that to play videogames? My recliner is the perfect spot for all my gaming needs, Vita, 3DS, & Switch included.

I have never met anyone that actually carries their systems with them anywhere. Might it be school age kids that carry them to school? That would make sense...playing games instead of learning in class. They will all have to run the world one day, but none of them will know how to do anything (at least they'll have the 200 gender pronoun variations memorized because the "cool" teachers made sure of that).

Upvote • 8 years ago

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@twztid13:

Upvote • 8 years ago

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@saganage: Good point that is definitely a plus.

Upvote • 8 years ago

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@eureca323: Just like how Sony/MS let you repurchase old games... How could they make them free without a way to run disc? I know they charge too much but it is a business and VC games are far more of a fan service than lucrative market due to the limited volume.

I would definitely prefer they just release remasters though.

2 • 8 years ago

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@ArabrockermanX: I didn't expect it to have gamecube compatibility. Just saying I am not really interested in repurchasing my old games when I still have them. I did think it was cool that MS built a working xbox 360 emulator into xbox one that let you play your old disc or digital games. Even though I don't own a xbox one, but I might consider the scorpio next year.

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When I read the headline I got excited. Then I read the body and the excitement went poof. Should have known it would have something to do with VC and repurchasing games you already own. Guess my GameCube is destined to stay on my entertainment stand for years to come. All those discs on my shelf and I'm supposed to buy digital copies. I may be old but, not quite that senile yet.

4 • 8 years ago

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Moonco Moderator

When I heard the news I fired up the van and did donuts in the parking lot yelling "Skies of Arcadia!!!"

6 • 8 years ago

deactivated-5da4c0387991d

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deactivated-5da4c0387991d

@Moonco: Literally why I clicked the link. I would buy the Switch for eBay holiday extortion prices just for a remastered version of Skies of Arcadia. I would still keep my Dreamcast, GameCube, and rom for good measure though. Now, to dig out my Skies of Arcadia VMU, I'm in the mood for some Pinta's Quest!

3 • 8 years ago

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Moonco Moderator

@barbarossa213: Skies of Arcadia is one of my all time favorites. I play it once a year on Dreamcast

2 • 8 years ago

deactivated-5da4c0387991d

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deactivated-5da4c0387991d

@Moonco: One of mine too. I need to replay it again though, I think it's been three years or more. I'll probably play on GameCube for the extras. The only drawbacks that I remember compared to the Dreamcast version is that the music is lower quality, and there's no Pinta's Quest, (but you can still get the items).

Upvote • 8 years ago

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@sellingthings: It helps when you hit black ice going 80

Upvote • 8 years ago

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So we get to pay for a second upgrade for all those games we got back in the Wii days. Nice.

Upvote • 8 years ago

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@brandsome:

"I already paid for this game once!" That's great and all, but it isn't free for them to implement it to a new platform. I do think it's bad PR for very small gains though, the idea of charging for an upgrade(for people that bought it once on VC) is just stupid. It pisses people off and honestly, the cost to them isn't that great. Just let people get w/e new features are added for free(I mean it is just an emulator, the majority of the cost is in getting the emulator running on the new platform, not extra features).

Upvote • 8 years ago

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@brandsome: Perhaps not - if the game doesn't require updating to be resold, or if you've already paid for the upgrade once it may not be the case.

Upvote • 8 years ago

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Eternal Darkness and TimeSplitters :-D

2 • 8 years ago

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Smash Bros Melee.........F****K YEAH!!!!!! I had tubs of fun playing that with friends.....

if the entire Cube catalog is added great, that'd be a reason to buy.....hell if it's even just the Nintendo made stuff and the top 5 third party like SC2, RE4 and what not it''d be worth it......

3 • 8 years ago

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Grrrreeeeaaaattt.... Yeah.

I have those all on PHYSICAL media. So thanks but no thanks.

(Yet another reason to never buy physical media, but in retrospect. All my digital libraries on PC & Xbone/BC-360 follow me anywhere.)

Upvote • 8 years ago

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@Pyrosa: obviously this is like what Sony did, it's more for new players or those who skipped Cube & the Wii's like I did lol I played a few Cube games but never owned the machine......

Upvote • 8 years ago

jonnybrownieboy

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jonnybrownieboy

View wars: return of the clickbait

2 • 8 years ago

asnakeneverdies

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asnakeneverdies

@7tizz: Are you referring to the PS2 Classics on PS4 or the PSNow service? Because both of those efforts suck. This, on the other hand and based on precedent, has the potential to be good. I still have a GameCube and most of my favorite games for the platform, but if that weren't the case I would consider this a big deal.

3 • 8 years ago

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