The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 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 slow rate at which classic Nintendo titles are added to the service means that certain iconic games have yet to be granted another chance in the spotlight.

However, Nintendo has a chance to improve on NSO's legacy content. The news of NSO being transferred to the Switch 2 (alongside confirmation of the Switch 2's backward compatability) means that the current library of retro games is only going to get bigger and better. And, if Nintendo decides to add a certain console's library to the service, it would be a huge improvement to the NSO service overall, while making the Switch 2 a far more appealing purchase to players.

NSO's Legacy Content Still Feels Incomplete

Many Classic Titles Are Yet To Be Added

Since its introduction back in 2018, the NSO's treatment of legacy content leaves a lot to be desired. Launching with only a handful of NES titles, NSO struggled to add more games and consoles at a consistent rate. Nintendo 64 games were added three years after the service's launch, while it took five years for games from the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance to be added. Even now, NSO lacks multiple classic titles from these older consoles, including Donkey Kong 64, Chrono Trigger, Super Smash Bros. and Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow.

Nintendo's lackadaisical approach towards NSO's legacy content is detrimental to game preservation overall. A lack of accessibility to these titles means new players won't be given the opportunity to experience the games that have been hugely influential for Nintendo and video games in general. Nintendo's lack of urgency towards updating NSO's library means classic titles are subsequently denied the recognition they deserve, risking these hugely important games from falling further into obscurity.

GameCube Is A Perfect Addition To NSO

The Console Is Home To Multiple Classic Titles

With this in mind, the GameCube's library of games would serve as a great and necessary addition to NSO. Now that the console has been released for 23 years, there are sure to be many NSO subscribers who are missing out on the stellar titles that the GameCube was home to. Therefore, the addition of these titles would be a huge benefit to NSO subscribers, giving them the perfect opportunity to experience such classic games that would otherwise be inaccessible to them.

Adding the GameCube's library of incredible titles would also be a huge improvement to Nintendo's current approach towards game preservation. There are still multiple games that have been relegated to the GameCube, with no sign of being rereleased or remastered. Some of these games, like Super Smash Bros. Melee and Mario Kart: Double Dash, are titles that are highly regarded in their respective franchises, proving influential on the direction these series has taken. Adding such classics to NSO ensures the games are able to uphold their legacy and be recognized for their impact.

Could We See GameCube Titles On Switch 2 At Launch?

It's Unclear When Or If GameCube Will Be Added To NSO

The launch of the Switch 2 would be a great time to roll this update out on NSO. As with any console launch, Nintendo will want to ensure players have plenty of games available for them to warrant a purchase of the new console as early as possible. While transferring NSO to Switch 2 is certainly a good start, preserving the current library of legacy content, the addition of the GameCube would only bolster Switch 2's appeal, as players are given instant access to a range of classic titles that they can experience for the first time.

It's currently unclear if the Switch 2 will provide GameCube titles at its launch. While NSO is confirmed to be available on the new system, no further details have been provided on what sort of updates or changes will be made to the Switch 2. It's also possible that Nintendo will choose to focus primarily on brand-new games that will be exclusive to the Switch 2 upon its launch, leaving any major updates on NSO's legacy content for a later date.

Although new releases are always exciting, leaving GameCube games until after launch would be a missed opportunity. The update would be a huge boost to both NSO's and the Nintendo Switch 2's success, as it grants the player instant access to a range of classic titles, further bolstering the appeal of the new console and justifying a purchase at launch. Moreover, adding GameCube to NSO would ensure that many titles from the system are finally allowed back into the spotlight once more, giving the recognition that these games truly deserve.