Another Pokémon Classic Joins Nintendo Switch Online Library

There’s a real momentum to the Nintendo Switch 2 right now. Off the high of Pokopia, the stock for the company is on the rise, and players can’t get enough of the new system’s latest additions. With Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass, the ability to play some retro titles also makes the new home-hybrid console tempting, especially with the latest Pokémon classic joining the lineup. Here’s what you need to know about the GameCube’s latest addition to the service.

With a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, Nintendo Switch 2 players can access a collection of Nintendo GameCube games to play. As of now, the library is a bit small but features some great titles. Hard-to-find games in physical formats, like Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, are great for a service like this, and a somewhat expensive Pokémon game is now a part of the lineup as well.

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness is a follow-up to the Pokémon Colosseum games and focuses mostly on capturing Shadow Pokémon, which have special moves. You work to capture 83 Shadow alternatives in a game that pulls a lot from the other GameCube titles. At the time, many folks were underwhelmed by Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness when it hit shelves in 2005. Despite having the ability to trade and battle Pokémon from your Game Boy Advance games, it didn’t really hit for folks outside of the die-hard fandom.

As a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack addition, however, I think it’s well worth giving a try. I think these side series games really hit their stride with the N64 Stadium releases, but there are things to like about the GameCube-era attempts to deviate from the mainline series. If you’re riding the high of Pokopia and eager for more Pokémon action, let us know in the comments if you’re planning to check this one out!