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Walmart has reportedly leaked Pikmin 2 and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes as coming to Nintendo Switch Online's GameCube app.
Nintendo Switch Online's GameCube library has been a weird one so far. It was first announced alongside a list of games that would be making their way to the service. But then Nintendo decided to randomly drop the previously unannounced Wario World in there before the likes of Super Mario Sunshine or the Pokemon duology were released. And now it looks like Mario and Pokemon may have an even longer wait.
As spotted by users on the GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit (and verified by VGC), Walmart's Nintendo homepage featured an ad promoting Nintendo Switch Online. The image features a collage of game boxes with the usual faces like Super Mario 64, A Link To The Past and Donkey Kong Country. But curiously The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is joined by two other GameCube games – Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Pikmin 2.
Metroid Prime 2 appearing without the original makes some sense given the original received the excellent Metroid Prime Remastered in 2023 – even if this probably means the sequels won't get the same treatment. But Pikmin 2 is somewhat of a curiosity. Back in 2023 ahead of Pikmin 4's release, Nintendo re-released the GameCube duo as Pikmin 1+2 on Switch, which were effectively visually improved versions with a control scheme in line with the sequels, so it's somewhat unusual for Nintendo to release a game it already sells.
However, it's not entirely unprecedented, as Link's Awakening appeared on the Game Boy app when it launched in 2023 despite the 2019 remake, while Super Mario 64 and Sunshine both featured in Super Mario 3D All Stars. However, given the games featured on Nintendo Switch Online are typically the original ROM, it now begs the question if the product placement featured in Pikmin 2's original release will appear on this app after being removed from the Pikmin 1+2 bundle.
