Nintendo Gives Disappointing Update On GameCube Switch Titles
It sounds like we'll be whistling into the wind (waker) when it comes to more GameCube classics making the leap to Nintendo Switch, as the House that Mario built just gave us a worrying update.
While Nintendo has been playing catch up to Microsoft and Sony's backward compatibility, it's been rattling through its retro consoles at quite some speed. Following the addition of NES and SNES games, we've jumped into N64, and upcoming releases for Game Boy and Game Boy Advance.
Are GameCube Games Coming To Switch?
Still, there's a pretty big gap in the back catalogue. Although there's no rhyme or reason to what retro games Nintendo releases and when, we're keeping our fingers crossed that the GameCube could be getting some much-needed love and attention.
On a similar thread, we've seen a few GameCube remasters trickle through onto the Switch. Alongside the recent drop of the Metroid Prime remaster, there's Tales of Symphonia landing on February 17.
Keen to cash in on the nostalgia of the GameCube, Nintendo announced two more remasters for this summer. However, you might be disappointed to learn we're getting Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean, as well as Baten Kaitos Origins.
These RPGs will be packaged as Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster, with Nintendo just releasing a trailer for the bundle. If you're wondering what these titles are, you aren't alone. With the GameCube having so many classic adventures, players rightly ask why these... and why now?
Gamers React To GameCube Games
It's true that Baten Kaitos Origins never releasing in Europe makes it worth nothing, but when it comes to GameCube games we really want to see remastered, the obscure pair are probably near the bottom of the list.
This announcement hasn't gone unnoticed, and in the comments, the bundle was torn apart for a number of reasons. Namely, there were grumbles it doesn't even have the English dub.
Elsewhere, there were calls for other GC games. One critic wrote, "Paper Mario TTYD remaster ❌ Mario Sunshine remaster ❌ Wind Waker HD port ❌", while another wrote, "Nintendo could literally remaster a bunch of Gamecube games, sell them at $40 like Metroid Prime, and run all the way to the bank."
A third said, "The fact that the GameCube market is in such high demand yet such low supply and Nintendo insists on keeping the entire library in the vault save for Metroid Prime and Mario Sunshine (3D All Stars) is f*****g annoying."
Someone else concluded, "Nintendo has a nasty habit of hitting the hard reset button on all their retro titles when they bring out a new console. I hope they port these straight over when Switch 2 finally gets released."
So, what's the deal? It's true that The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker got a HD remaster for the Wii U, but that won't help us play it on Nintendo Switch. For the time being, we're left with shelling out for remasters on a handful of games, all while we dream of a full GameCube catalogue on NSO.
