Ethan Crossfield 
Nintendo has added Super Mario Sunshine to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, giving Switch 2 subscribers access to one of the GameCube’s most recognizable games. The release strengthens a growing retro library while offering an alternative for players who missed the limited Super Mario 3D All-Stars release.
What happened
Super Mario Sunshine is now playable through the Nintendo Classics GameCube lineup for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members on Switch 2. The 3D platformer follows Super Mario 64 and sends Mario to a tropical setting, where the FLUDD water-powered device adds new movement and cleanup mechanics to the familiar platforming formula.
The game is often regarded as a GameCube classic, although its higher difficulty and unusual mechanics have made it more divisive than some other entries in the 3D Mario series. Its critical reputation remains strong: Super Mario Sunshine received a 92 overall score on Metacritic at release.
Why it matters
The addition gives the GameCube section another major Nintendo release after F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Super Mario Strikers, Chibi-Robo, Luigi’s Mansion, Wario World, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness. Soulcalibur 2 also demonstrated that the service is not limited strictly to Nintendo-published games.
Super Mario Sunshine has technically been playable on Switch 2 through backward compatibility with the original Switch version of Super Mario 3D All-Stars. However, that collection was released for a limited time, and physical copies have become more expensive. Its inclusion in Nintendo Switch Online therefore provides a more accessible way for subscribers who did not obtain the collection to experience the game.
What to watch next
Pokémon Colosseum is the remaining GameCube title previously announced for Nintendo Switch Online. Nintendo has not provided a specific release date in the available information, although many fans expect it to arrive before the end of the year. Its sequel, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, reached the service first, making the eventual addition of Colosseum a notable follow-up for players interested in both games.
Beyond that, Nintendo has not confirmed which GameCube titles will be next. The existing lineup leaves room for more first-party releases, while Soulcalibur 2 suggests that additional third-party games could also be considered.
Key takeaways for players
- Super Mario Sunshine requires Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on Switch 2.
- The game adds another major first-party release to the service’s expanding GameCube library.
- Players who missed Super Mario 3D All-Stars now have another way to access the platformer.
- Pokémon Colosseum is the next previously announced GameCube addition to watch.
- Nintendo has not yet revealed the broader roadmap for future GameCube releases.
Expert View
Super Mario Sunshine is a strong addition because it combines clear nostalgic appeal with meaningful access value. Its previous availability through a limited collection made ownership timing part of the equation; Nintendo Switch Online removes that barrier for eligible Switch 2 subscribers. The more important test now is whether Nintendo can maintain momentum with a steady mix of first-party favorites and carefully chosen third-party GameCube games.
