GameCube Classic Super Mario Sunshine Joins Nintendo Switch Online Catalog Next Month
Super Mario Sunshine is joining Nintendo Switch Online’s GameCube Classics catalog, becoming available on August 13, 2026, for subscribers with the NSO + Expansion Pack subscription tier. The game, which originally launched on GameCube in 2002, marks the latest addition to Nintendo’s growing retro game library as the company continues celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Super Mario franchise.
In Sunshine, Mario and friends vacation on Delphino Island, only to have their getaway disrupted by Bowser Jr. and his magical paintbrush. Armed with his iconic FLUDD (Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device) backpack, Mario must jet around, hover, and clean up the island while investigating the mystery. The game is widely recognized as a unique entry in the 3D Mario series, offering a distinctly relaxed vacation-themed experience compared to other mainline titles.
Access to Super Mario Sunshine requires a Nintendo Switch 2 and the premium NSO + Expansion Pack subscription ($49.99 per year), which includes GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, and Virtual Boy titles. The base NSO subscription ($19.99 per year) provides access to NES, SNES, and Game Boy games, online multiplayer features, and cloud saves.
The August launch also brings additional Virtual Boy releases including D-Hopper and Zero Racers to the platform. While the announcement was made through Nintendo’s Japanese channel, it remains unclear whether a simultaneous global launch will occur on August 13. Regardless, the addition of Super Mario Sunshine represents Nintendo’s continued effort to preserve classic GameCube software and introduce beloved titles to a new generation of players.