Super Mario Sunshine has been added to the Nintendo Switch Online catalogue, allowing subscribers with a Switch 2 console to play the GameCube classic at no extra charge. The game, originally released in 2002, is available as part of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.
Availability and Requirements
To access Super Mario Sunshine, players must have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership with the Expansion Pack add-on. Additionally, GameCube classics are only playable on the Nintendo Switch 2 console, not the original Switch.
Fan Reactions
The announcement has been met with enthusiasm from fans, with many expressing nostalgia for the GameCube era. One Reddit user commented: “Gamecube was my favourite console growing up and the level of nostalgia I have for Sunshine is somewhat unmatched. For that reason, it's my favourite Mario game and I cannot wait to play this!”
Another user added: “It’s a fun time and the vibes are pretty chill and delfino plaza is a great hub world in my opinion.” Some fans questioned the decision to release a game already included in the 2020 Super Mario 3D All-Stars Collection, with one writing: “I’m glad the game is available for people who didn’t get to buy 3D All-Stars, but it’s so baffling to me that Nintendo is rolling out GameCube games at such a slow pace and then they put one out that’s already playable on the system.”
Technical Issues and Fix
Some players reported issues accessing the game, but Reddit users identified a solution. Players need to manually update the NSO GameCube software by clicking the + button on the Joy-Cons while hovering over the GameCube tile and selecting the ‘update’ button from the resulting screen.
Super Mario Sunshine sold over 5 million copies in four years, making it one of the best-selling games on the GameCube.
