A big highlight during theNintendo Switch 2reveal was the introduction of GameCube games on Switch Online. These titles will be exclusive to Switch 2. The first games arriving on launch day will beThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker,Soulcalibur 2, andF-Zero GX, with titles likeLuigi’s Mansion,Chibi-Robo, and a bunch ofPokémongames to come later. The full list of confirmed games for Switch Online is stellar, but as many have pointed out, there’s a ton oficonic GameCube games missing.
Mario Party 4through7are must-haves, along with the hugelypopular originalAnimal Crossing, but one game seems to be overshadowed in the discussion. It’s ironic because this game is debatably the biggest and best title on the console:Super Smash Bros. Melee.Meleeis one of the best, if not the GOAT of fighting games, revolutionizing the genre while staying relevant for decades. However, there might be a reason why Nintendo hasn’t decided to putMeleeon Switch Online yet.
Super Smash Bros. Melee Started A Revolution
A Party Title Turned Into A Pure Fighting Game
Looking back,Super Smash Bros. Meleehas to be one of thebest video game sequels of all time. The firstSmash Bros.on Nintendo 64 was really simple, lacking in competitive options, butMeleeturned that all around. The movement and controls felt so good that it impacted Nintendo’s future. Since then, every Nintendo home console has supported GameCube controllers, andthat’s because ofSuper Smash Bros. Meleeand the necessity of that padfor much of the playerbase. That shows how much Nintendo nailedMelee’sfeel.
Every GameCube Game Confirmed For Nintendo Switch Online
The Nintendo Classics Library will finally be welcoming GameCube games to its list of playable retro titles with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2.
The ultra-smooth movement and controls made many people realize that with some rule modifications,you can turnSuper SmashBros. Meleeinto a legitimate fighting game, and that’s exactly what happened. Even going back to theStreet Fighter 4era and beforeBrawlcame out in 2008,Super Smash Bros. Meleewas a huge competitive fighting game. It toed the line between a fighter and a party title, which was a big debate at the time, consideringSmash Bros.was infamously designed as a party game by creator Masahiro Sakurai.
Nevertheless,the game was a blast, whether playing casually or competitively with friendsor even in big tournaments. For casuals, it was a fun grind collecting all the trophies, and the game had more content than most other fighters at the time.
Melee Is Still Debatably The Best Super Smash Bros. Game
Will Smash Ultimate Stand The Test Of Time?
One might say that having the olderSmash Bros.games isn’t needed on Switch Online becauseSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateis already the biggest and best game of the series. Not everyone has that opinion becauseSuper Smash Bros. Meleeis still a lot of people’s favorite, including pro players. First, the movement still feels the best out of all the games,Ultimateincluded.
Super Smash Bros. Meleehas stood the test of time over two decades later and that matters above all.
Second is the legacy factor. The reason whyMeleeis considered the fighting game GOAT is becauseit’s the oldest fighting game with the most active community. Other active fighting games over two decades old aren’t as big in terms of current playerbase, thoughMarvel vs. Capcom 2is catching up due to the new rerelease. Nobody knows whatSmash Ultimatewill become in 20 years, but what is known is thatSuper Smash Bros. Meleehas stood the test of time over two decades later and that matters above all.
Why Super Smash Bros. Melee Might Not Be Coming To Switch 2
The Same Problem With Call Of Duty
In a perfect world,Super Smash Bros. Meleewould be on Switch 2, and it should be, but there’s a potential nasty reason why it hasn’t been announced yet. A brand-newSuper Smash Bros.for Switch 2 is inevitable, given the system is launching with a newMario Kart.Smash Ultimatearrived a year after the original Switch released, and the same could happen here.
10 Characters Super Mario Bros. Movie Has Already Set Up For A Super Smash Bros. Crossover
The Super Smash Bros. Movie was a huge success, and laid important groundwork for future entries in a larger franchise, as well as a major crossover.
The issue is that ifSuper Smash Bros. Meleeis readily available on Switch Online, many people who prefer that game would likely play it instead of the newest entry. This same problem occurs in theCall of Dutyfranchise, which is why Activision shuts down fan-made projects likeSM2. The publisher wants all the focus and attention on the newest game. Notice how even the original N64Smash Bros.isn’t available on Switch Online, despite the fact that it’s a no-brainer to include.
Frankly, there’s no good reason to keepMeleeoff Switch Online. It’s one of the best fighting games of all time, changed the genre forever, and if oldMario Kartgames can be on the service, why notSmash Bros.? A Switch Online rerelease for theNintendo Switch 2must happen.
Source:Nintendo of America/YouTube
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to Nintendo Switch, scheduled for release in 2025. Confirmed as backwards compatible, it will play both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games. A full reveal is pencilled in for July 03, 2025.
