It was recently leaked Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Pikmin 2 may be on its way to Nintendo Switch Online's GameCube Collection. However, Nintendo has just issued an official statement regarding the leak, denying that either game is currently scheduled for release on Switch Online.
A big selling point for Nintendo Switch 2 when it was released in June 2025 was that it added an exclusive GameCube collection to Nintendo Switch Online. At launch, only three classic GameCube titles came to Switch Online F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Wakerand Soulcalibur 2. In the past seven months, five more games have been added to Switch Online's GameCube library, including heavy hitters such as Luigi's mansion, Super Mario Strikersand lastly, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance.
Nintendo Switch's weirdest new game release of 2026 now has an official release date
The Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 have some huge games coming out this year, and one of their weirdest just got an official release date.
Nintendo denies that Metroid Prime 2 and Pikmin 2 are coming to Nintendo Switch Online
On January 27, Walmart posted a new image on its website advertising Nintendo Switch Online. Along with classic titles already available on the service, such as Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Pastand Tetristhe campaign image is included Pikmin 2 and Metroid Prime 2: Echoestwo GameCube games that haven't come to Nintendo Switch Online yet, and haven't been confirmed to appear on the service in the future.
A day later, Nintendo issued an official statement to IGN regarding the Walmart leak. A spokesperson for Nintendo of America told IGN that the promotional image used by Walmart actually came from Nintendo itself, but that the image provided “incorrectly included games that are not scheduled for release at this time.” The Nintendo spokesperson also stated that the image has been removed from Walmart's website, and that the company apologizes for any confusion. Although this obviously means that Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Pikmin 2 won't be coming to Nintendo Switch Online immediately, that doesn't mean they couldn't come to the subscription service later.
Although Nintendo's official statement regarding this GameCube Switch Online leak may be disappointing for those who were hoping to play Metroid Prime 2 and Pikmin 2 on their Nintendo Switch 2 there are some out there who might be exhaling. When this Walmart leak first appeared, a sizable group of Nintendo fans theorized it Metroid Prime 2s potential place in Switch Online's Classics library would mean a complete remake of the GameCube sequel in the vein of Metroid Prime Remastered would no longer be something Nintendo was possibly interested in. With Nintendo confirming it Metroid Prime 2 isn't headed to Switch Online anytime soon, some fans might interpret that as a Metroid Prime 2 remake may be back on the cards.
After the April 2025 announcement, Nintendo confirmed it Pokemon Coliseum, Pokemon XD: Gale of Darknessand Super Mario Sunshine would be coming to Nintendo Switch Online's GameCube collection “in the future.” Fans are still waiting for these three matches to be added. It's likely that fans will find out more about the future of Nintendo Switch Online during the next public Nintendo Direct. While Nintendo hasn't officially confirmed the date for the next Direct, it has often hosted one in early February, and a recent report from industry insider Nate The Hate has claimed that a Nintendo Direct could take place during the opening week of February, likely on Thursday, February 5. However, Nate The Hate stated that they don't know if the month of February will be a general Nintendo Direct show or some kind of Nintendo Direct.
- Released
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November 15, 2004
- ESRB
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T for teen due to animated blood, violence
- Publisher
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Nintendo
- Engine
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Heavily modified Metroid Prime engine
