Nintendo Adding Super Mario Sunshine and Virtual Boy Games to Switch Online Next Month
Nintendo is bringing Super Mario Sunshine and previously unreleased Virtual Boy titles to Switch Online in August.
Super Mario Sunshine, the beloved 2002 GameCube platformer set on a tropical island, is coming to Nintendo Switch Online's Nintendo Classics service in August — giving Switch 2 owners access to another entry in the GameCube library. Nintendo announced the additions this week as part of an expansion of its Switch Online catalog. Alongside Sunshine, Nintendo is adding games from the Virtual Boy, its short-lived 1995 stereoscopic console — including titles that were never previously released commercially. The specifics of which Virtual Boy games are included were noted across both sources, though the headline treatment varied. Switch Online's Nintendo Classics tier has been gradually adding legacy titles from Nintendo's back catalog since the Switch 2 launched, with GameCube games being a particular draw for the upgraded service.
Why it matters
Super Mario Sunshine has been difficult to access since its original GameCube release, making its addition to a subscription service a notable moment for players who missed it. The inclusion of unreleased Virtual Boy titles is historically significant for gaming preservation.
What's next
The games are set to become available on Switch Online in August, with the exact date not specified in the sources.
Key facts
- Super Mario Sunshine, originally released for GameCube in 2002, is coming to Switch Online in August
- Nintendo announced the additions this week
- The titles will be part of the Nintendo Classics tier of Switch Online
- Virtual Boy games — including previously unreleased titles — are also being added
- Switch 2 owners are the primary audience for the GameCube library expansion
Bias & framing notes
Video Games Chronicle led with the Virtual Boy angle as the more novel hook, while Nintendo Life focused on the GameCube/Sunshine addition, framing it as an expansion of the Switch 2 library. Both cover the same announcement but emphasize different elements. Neither source provided the full list of included Virtual Boy titles in the excerpts available, limiting full verification of details.
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