Ethan Crossfield 
Nintendo’s ongoing classic push for its Switch ecosystem continues to expand, and the next GameCube entry is one of the most recognizable—if sometimes divisive—platformers in the Mario lineup. Super Mario Sunshine is set to join the Nintendo Switch Online classic catalog next month, arriving on August 13 for members of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on Switch 2.
A tropical GameCube classic comes to Switch 2
Super Mario Sunshine will be added to the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube library, making it available exclusively on Switch 2. The game arrives on August 13 for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers.
The update continues the slow-but-growing expansion of Nintendo’s GameCube catalog. The source also points to other titles already in the lineup, including Luigi’s Mansion, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, among others.
What Super Mario Sunshine is (and why it still sparks debate)
Originally released in 2002, Super Mario Sunshine sends Mario and friends to Delfino Island—a bright, tropical setting that quickly turns into a mess. An imposter calling himself Shadow Mario vandalizes the island with graffiti and abducts Princess Peach.
To fight back, Mario teams up with F.L.U.D.D., a talking water hose/jetpack that becomes central to the game’s movement and level flow. Rather than relying on a single gimmick, F.L.U.D.D. is used to clean up the island and rescue Peach, and it’s also described as enabling a jetpack-centric twist on 3D platforming, including blasting enemies and navigating stages through its jetpack and water-based mechanics.
The title is also noted for introducing Bowser Jr., adding another franchise character to the Mario universe.
How to play—and what the catalog could mean next
Availability is tied to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, and the source emphasizes that GameCube titles are only offered on Switch 2. For players already subscribed, Super Mario Sunshine will be one more entry to explore within Nintendo’s classic catalog.
Beyond the immediate addition, the continued growth of the GameCube library suggests Nintendo is steadily building momentum with older favorites—an approach that keeps long-running franchises active between major releases. With Sunshine joining a roster that already includes several marquee GameCube names, fans may be watching to see what comes after the next wave of additions.
Key points
- Super Mario Sunshine joins the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube library on Switch 2
- Release date is August 13 for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members
- The story centers on cleaning Delfino Island after Shadow Mario vandalizes it and abducts Princess Peach
- F.L.U.D.D. is the game’s signature water hose/jetpack tool, and Bowser Jr. debuts in the title
| Game | Original release context (from source) | Switch 2 availability |
|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Sunshine | 2002 3D platformer | Nintendo Switch Online GameCube library on Switch 2 (Aug. 13; Expansion Pack required) |
Expert View
Sunshine landing in the GameCube library highlights how Nintendo is using subscription tiers to keep classic 3D platforming in rotation on modern hardware. For the community, it’s a chance to revisit a title that’s known both for its celebrated jetpack-forward design and for the debates it sparked at launch. In market terms, the incremental growth of the GameCube catalog signals Nintendo intends to sustain long-tail engagement with legacy franchises—an approach that can also drive renewed interest in Mario’s broader character roster, including Bowser Jr.
