Classic GameCube title Super Mario Strikers is officially joining the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service for Nintendo Switch 2 owners on July 3rd. This highly anticipated addition marks the first new GameCube game to be released for the service following the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 console on June 5th, 2025.
To access Super Mario Strikers and the expanding library of retro GameCube titles, players must have an active membership to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. It’s important to note that this GameCube classics library is exclusive to the new Nintendo Switch 2 hardware, adding significant value for owners of the next-generation console.
Experience Extreme Soccer on Switch 2
Originally released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2005, Super Mario Strikers (known internationally as Mario Smash Football) brings intense, five-on-five “extreme soccer” action to the pitch. The game features white-hot speed, fierce intensity, and the chaotic fun of familiar Mario series items like shells and mushrooms, which players can use to gain strategic advantages or disrupt opponents.
A key element of the gameplay is the “Super Strike,” a powerful signature shot that can potentially net your team two points at once, adding a unique strategic layer to matches. Despite the depth, the game is celebrated for its simple controls, allowing players to jump into the action quickly.
For fans eager to see how this classic performs on the latest hardware, the original article’s author had an early hands-on opportunity with Super Mario Strikers running on the Nintendo Switch 2. Their impressions were notably positive, stating the game “looks and runs great on the Switch 2,” benefiting from enhanced graphics and widescreen support that wasn’t available in the original release, promising a visually and performance-enhanced experience.
An Expanding Library of GameCube Classics
Super Mario Strikers joins the initial lineup of GameCube classics that became available on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service alongside the Switch 2’s launch on June 5th. This initial wave included beloved titles such as:
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Soulcalibur II
F-Zero GX
Nintendo has also confirmed plans to bring several other fan-favorite GameCube games to the service in the near future, steadily growing the available library for Expansion Pack members. The confirmed titles slated for future release include:
Super Mario Sunshine
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness
Chibi Robo
Luigi’s Mansion
Pokemon Colosseum
The addition of Super Mario Strikers* on July 3rd signifies the start of regular content updates for the GameCube collection on Nintendo Switch 2 Online. With a mix of iconic and cult classic titles already confirmed, the service is shaping up to be a compelling offering for retro gaming enthusiasts on Nintendo’s newest console.
