Nintendo has officially denied recent claims suggesting that Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Pikmin 2 were headed to the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube collection, following widespread confusion caused by a retailer promotional image.
What Happened
A promotional image briefly displayed by Walmart listed several GameCube titles as part of Nintendo Switch Online’s GameCube lineup, including Pikmin 2 and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. The image quickly circulated online, leading many fans to believe both games were imminent additions to the service.
Nintendo has since confirmed that the image did originate from Nintendo itself, but stated that it incorrectly included games that are not planned for release at this time. The company also issued an apology for the confusion, and Walmart has since removed the promotional material.
What This Means Right Now
As of now, neither Metroid Prime 2 nor Pikmin 2 is coming to Switch Online in the near future. While Nintendo’s wording leaves room for potential additions later on, it effectively shuts down any expectations of an upcoming release window.
For players hoping to revisit the second Metroid Prime entry or Pikmin’s sequel through the subscription service, there is currently no confirmed timeline.
Switch Online GameCube Context
The Switch 2 launched with a dedicated GameCube collection for Nintendo Switch Online, initially featuring:
- F-Zero GX
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Soulcalibur 2
Over the following seven months, Nintendo expanded the lineup with additional titles, including:
- Luigi’s Mansion
- Super Mario Strikers
- Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
This slow rollout has kept expectations cautious, especially as several previously announced titles still have not appeared.
Fan Reactions and Industry Speculation
The leaked listing sparked renewed debate within the community. Some fans interpreted the appearance of Metroid Prime 2 as a sign that Nintendo might skip a full remake, especially following the success of Metroid Prime Remastered.
With Nintendo now denying the listing, others believe the opposite may be true — that Metroid Prime 2 could instead receive a standalone remaster or remake rather than being quietly added to Switch Online.
Nintendo has also previously confirmed that games such as Pokémon Colosseum, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, and Super Mario Sunshine would arrive “in the future,” yet none of those titles have been added so far.
What’s Next
Nintendo has not announced when it will share more details about upcoming Switch Online GameCube additions. However, industry chatter suggests that Nintendo may host a general presentation in early February, potentially around February 5. No official confirmation has been made regarding the format or content of such an event.
Until then, Nintendo’s message is clear: the leaked titles are not currently planned, and fans should treat similar listings with caution moving forward.
Enjoy our updates? You can add GamingHQ as a preferred source in Google Search to see our articles more often.
