GameCube on Switch Virtual Console: Which of these 20 classics will see a release?

Skies of Arcadia

Likelihood: Possible, but unlikely 

Beginning life as an ill-fated Dreamcast exclusive, Skies of Arcadia was given a reprieve on GameCube, and quickly became a niche favourite. It won’t be at the top of the list, and unless Nintendo is planning to release a majority of the critically acclaimed GameCube games on Virtual Console, it might never get there.

It also depends on Sega’s participation. A big player during the early days of Wii Virtual Console, Sega hasn’t released any classics on Wii U — although, that might be because Nintendo hasn’t taken it as seriously. It did release 16 GameGear games on 3DS Virtual Console, but none since 2013. Will Sega be back onboard with Virtual Console on Switch?

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles

Likelihood: Unlikely

A popular spin-off, the Crystal Chronicles sub-series kicked-on to DS and Wii, before fading away into obscurity. Despite being published by Nintendo, the rights remain with Square Enix, which is otherwise occupied. Its focus is on the complete remake of Final Fantasy VII for PlayStation 4, which could still be years away. This won’t happen.

Viewtiful Joe

Likelihood: Unlikely

There’s no red tape holding back a return for GameCube timed-exclusive Viewtiful Joe, but Capcom doesn’t seem interested. The publisher released 13 PS2 Classics on PS3 (none so far on PS4), and didn’t include cult classic Viewtiful Joe. It does have a link to Nintendo, as one of the shambolic GameCube Five, but Capcom has favoured remasters over straight re-releases this generation, and Nintendo is unlikely to push for it.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker & Twilight Princess

Likelihood: Very unlikely

We highly doubt either GameCube Zelda entry will be released on Switch Virtual Console. It’s simple: these are the only games Nintendo has bothered to remaster in high definition, to a small audience on Wii U. If they come to Switch, we suspect the vastly superior HD remasters will be re-released as Switch games, rather than the original GameCube versions on Virtual Console.

Of course, both could happen. We’ve found that’s rare with Xbox backwards compatibility, where there tends to be either a remaster on Xbox One or the Xbox 360 version playable, but this is uncharted territory for Nintendo. The HD remasters of The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess are excellent and are definitely preferable over the original GameCube versions — especially if they’re bundled together.

Killer7

Likelihood: Very unlikely

The epitome of a cult classic, Killer7 is unlikely to see a revival on the Switch Virtual Console. Partly because of its limited appeal, but also because at PAX East earlier this year director Suda51 suggested he wants to do a full remaster. Of course, that’s up to Capcom, as it owns the IP. However, with that door ajar, and a limited audience, Capcom almost definitely won’t bother with a Virtual Console re-release.

Resident Evil 4

Likelihood: Extremely unlikely 

Capcom has rehashed Resident Evil 4 more than Marge Simpson’s $3,300 Chanel suit. There’s absolutely no possibility of the GameCube original being released on Switch Virtual Console.

It’s much more likely the current edition on PS4 and Xbox One, a 1080p remaster of a 720p remaster, will be released on Switch. Yes, the Wii Edition was re-released on Wii U, but as a native Wii game; that wasn’t Virtual Console. If Wii U had sold better, Capcom probably would have re-released a HD version with GamePad support. Re-releasing Resident Evil 4 on new platforms is one of Capcom’s favourite hobbies.