Walmart Leaks GameCube Games for Switch Online

Walmart has accidentally revealed two unannounced GameCube classics coming to Nintendo Switch Online, sending the gaming community into a frenzy. Sharp-eyed fans spotted Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Pikmin 2 featured on a promotional banner before Nintendo officially announced them.

The Accidental Leak That Broke the Internet

The discovery happened on Walmart’s official Nintendo page, where an advertisement for Switch Online with Expansion Pack displayed both games among previously released GameCube titles. Reddit users first noticed the slip-up, with Metroid Prime 2: Echoes appearing in the upper right corner and Pikmin 2 positioned in the middle of the second row. Gaming outlets like TheGamer independently confirmed the findings.

This isn’t Walmart’s first rodeo with accidental reveals. The retailer has become somewhat infamous for spoiling Nintendo’s surprises through premature promotional materials.

Why These Games Matter

Currently, the Switch 2’s GameCube library features eight available games, with three more already confirmed but unreleased: Pokemon Colosseum, Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, and Super Mario Sunshine. Adding Metroid Prime 2 and Pikmin 2 signals Nintendo’s commitment to expanding retro content significantly.

Both leaked titles carry special significance:

• Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is considered one of the best GameCube shooters
• Pikmin 2 represents the franchise’s peak in gameplay depth
• Both games already received HD remasters in 2023
• Series producer Kensuke Tanabe recently expressed hope that more players could experience Metroid Prime 2’s multiplayer mode

GameCube Classics Timeline

Nintendo launched the GameCube program with three legendary titles in June: The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, and Soulcalibur 2. Recent additions include Super Mario Strikers, Chibi-Robo, Luigi’s Mansion, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, and Wario World.

Switch Online Expansion Pack Details

The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack costs $49.99 annually, providing access to Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, and GameCube classics. However, GameCube games remain exclusive to Switch 2 owners—original Switch users cannot access these titles even with an active Expansion Pack subscription.

What’s Coming Next

Speculation suggests Pokemon XD and Pokemon Colosseum might launch during Pokemon Day in February, following Nintendo’s typical celebration patterns. If these leaks prove accurate, fans anticipate announcements potentially during the rumored February 5th Nintendo Direct.

The accidental reveal demonstrates Nintendo’s aggressive expansion of their retro gaming library, giving Switch 2 owners compelling reasons to maintain their subscriptions while preserving gaming history.