Latest news with #GameCube
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wind Waker on Nintendo Switch 2 made two tiny changes that break it wide open for Zelda speedrunners – a strategy so hard "only a few people in the whole world can do it" is suddenly a lot easier
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The launch of Switch 2 has finally seen the arrival of GameCube games as part of the Nintendo Switch Online service, and speedrunners of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker might just be feasting better than any of us. While this emulated version is nearly identical to the GameCube original, there are two tiny changes that have busted the speedrunning scene wide open. As explained in a new video from speedrunner Linkus7, Wind Waker has a glitch that lets you reach out-of-bounds portions of the game's dungeons. The out-of-bounds areas don't actually load any collision data, so you'll just fall endlessly - unless you land on a chest, which for some reason does remain loaded as a solid, but invisible object. This glitch is present in the original game and has been known about for years, but there's never been any real way to make use of it, because there's no way to force the rest of the level to load in after you've landed on the chest. Playing the Song of Passing, which changes the time of day, should be able to force the stage to load, but instead, it simply crashes the game. But on Switch 2, the devs have simply disabled that crash. You can now do the out-of-bounds glitch, land on the chest, play the Song of Passing, and continue playing the level as normal. This is specifically helpful in the Earth Temple, which Linkus7 estimates can now be completed in about two minutes. The other change is even more basic: it's the GameCube emulator's built-in controller remapping. Wind Waker speedrunning relies on a trick where you rapidly swim back and forth. Do it fast enough, and Link starts building up absurd levels of negative speed - so much that you can launch yourself away from the starting island without the aid of a boat. But this trick is no joke, requiring you to "basically pause buffer the game, frame-perfectly, for about three [or] four minutes," Linkus7 explains. There's another way to do the trick, though: simply "flick the analog stick 20 times per second." That, of course, is "ridiculously hard and only a few people in the whole world can do it." With the official GameCube emulator's built-in controller remapping options, however, you can simply map one of the analog stick directions to a button, hold a direction, and rapidly tap the button to shimmy back and forth and easily build up that negative speed. Linkus7 says this trick is now something "even you could do at home, trust me." And I can pretty much confirm that - it's still not easy to do if you're unpractised, but I did manage to knock out one brief super swim in just a few minutes of trying. For proper speedrunners, who can now perform the trick throughout the game, with trivial ease? It's a complete game-changer. For now, the Wind Waker speedrunning community is splitting runs into GameCube and Switch 2 categories in an effort to encourage players to compete on the new console, build new routes, and enjoy essentially free world records. Once the exact details of the Switch 2 routes of have been worked out, the categories may be reintegrated. The Switch 2 version of Wind Waker still isn't a perfect place to speedrun, as it's missing support for the GBA link through the Tingle Tuner, which was key to the old GameCube routes, and the fairly substantial input lag in Nintendo's GameCube emulator is likely to throw off some runners. But even with those caveats in mind, it looks like we're about to enter a whole new era of Wind Waker speedrunning. Many of the best Zelda games of all time are playable on Switch 2.
Engadget
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Nintendo is adding 'Super Mario Strikers' to its Switch Online GameCube library
Super Mario Strikers , the first game in the Mario Strikers series that was originally released for GameCube in 2005, will soon be available to play on Switch Online. Nintendo is adding it to its GameCube library for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members, though it will only be accessible from the Switch 2. If you'll recall, the company announced the addition of a GameCube library to its $50-a-year subscription service as a Switch 2-exclusive upgrade before the console even shipped. In Super Mario Strikers , you play soccer (or football to most of the world) in an arena, where there are no penalties and you can quite literally hurt your opponent to get the ball. You can select your captain from the franchise's characters, including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Wario and Waluigi. And you can obtain and use various Mario-themed items, such as bananas, shells and mushrooms for power-ups and to hinder your opponent's progress. In addition to the captain, your team will also have a goalkeeper and three "sidekicks." However, it's only the captain who's capable of taking a shot called the "Super Strike," which gives you two points when it's timed correctly. You'll be able to play Super Mario Strikers matches alone, but you'll also be able to play local and online multiplayer matches with up to four friends. For local matches, every player must have their own controller. The game will be available from the GameCube library on July 3, alongside other classic GameCube games like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker , Soulcaliber 2 and F-Zero GX .
The Verge
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Mario's old soccer pitch comes to the new Switch.
Posted Jun 27, 2025 at 9:40 AM UTC Mario's old soccer pitch comes to the new Switch. Originally released for the Nintendo GameCube console in 2005, Super Mario Strikers will be available exclusively for the Switch 2 on July 3rd via the Switch Online Expansion Pack membership. That relegates original Switch owners to sticking with Mario Strikers: Battle League , which is a bit of a ball-kicker.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nintendo News: Super Mario Strikers Brings Hard-Hitting Sports Action to Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics on Nintendo Switch 2 July 3!
REDMOND, Wash., June 27, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mario and friends are gearing up for an all-out soccer brawl! Super Mario™ Strikers is out July 3 on the Nintendo GameCube™ – Nintendo Classics library, available to play for everyone with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership on the Nintendo Switch 2 system. The first title in the Mario Strikers series and originally released for the Nintendo GameCube™ system in 2005, Super Mario Strikers is an extreme soccer game where anything goes. Select your captain from Mushroom Kingdom mainstays like Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Wario and Waluigi, and jump into a bevy of modes like Grudge Match, Cup Battles and Custom Battles. In this arena, matches unfold with white-hot speed and intensity, and with no referees to dish out penalties, the only thing containing the mayhem is the electrified fence that surrounds the field! Plus, obtain familiar items, like shells and mushrooms, to add to the chaos and give yourself a boost during matches. But the real key to winning is the Super Strike: a powerful shot that can net you two points at once! Hone your techniques, deal out big hits and even unleash Chain Chomp onto the field as you aim to score a goal – and crush the opposition. With simple controls, anyone can hit the pitch while playing solo, and in local1 and online multiplayer matches for up to four players. Additionally, players can make some waves while playing games from the Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics library with a classic-style controller designed after the original. This dedicated wireless Nintendo GameCube controller has modern features like the C-Button, which can open GameChat2, and the Capture Button. The Nintendo GameCube controller is only compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 system and is available for purchase by paid Nintendo Switch Online members3. Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is a paid membership service that gives players access to a multitude of benefits, including a library of Nintendo 64 games with added online play for up to four players (additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode; sold separately), a library of select Game Boy Advance games, retro SEGA Genesis games, Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise DLC, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC and Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion DLC (full version of game required to use DLC for that game; sold separately). Players who have a Nintendo Switch 2 and a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership can also access upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (full version of games required to use content for that game; sold separately), enhanced features for compatible Nintendo 64 games and a library of classic Nintendo GameCube games – featuring F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and SOULCALIBUR II with more titles coming in the future. Both Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack allow members to play online in compatible games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Splatoon 3, and Nintendo Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World. Members can also enjoy a curated library of classic NES, Super NES and Game Boy games, including Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Metroid and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, among many others. Further, Nintendo Switch 2 players can use the GameChat feature to connect with friends through voice, video or screen sharing. Those without a Nintendo Switch Online membership can still join the fun during the Open-Access Period, ending March 31, 2026. Additionally, members can access the Nintendo Music4 smart-device app to stream or download Nintendo soundtracks, create playlists, browse music by different categories and more. To find out more about the benefits that come with Nintendo Switch Online, to view membership options and to learn about a free seven-day trial for new users, visit Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online features. Free trial automatically converts to 1-month auto-renewing membership at the then-current price unless canceled. Free trial cannot be redeemed for a Nintendo Switch Online – Expansion Pack membership nor by a Nintendo Account with an active Individual Membership or Family Membership. Not available in all countries. Terms apply. 1 Additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode. Sold separately. 2 Internet, Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online features, including GameChat. Not available in all countries. Terms and GameChat requirements apply. 3 Limit one purchase per Nintendo Account with paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. Controller ships to U.S. and Canada only. Offer not available in all countries or for free trial memberships. Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership required to access Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics collection of games. This controller is optional and not required to play the Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics collection of games. System update required. 4 Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required. Not available in all countries. Internet and compatible smart device required to use app. Data charges may apply. Terms apply. Super Mario Strikers © 2005 Nintendo. Note to editors: Nintendo press materials are available at a password-protected site. To obtain a login, please register on the site. View source version on Contacts Irene PanGolin213-335-5485IPan@ Justin AclinGolin212-373-6004jaclin@
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Yahoo
Nintendo GameCube Controller
Over the last few years, I've been loving my wired GameCube controller: it's served me well in intense rounds of Smash with friends and felt great to use with, say, Super Mario Sunshine. I also enjoyed being able to connect it with devices such as a PC and Steam Deck with relative ease. Nevertheless, I've never quite liked the dongle needed with it, which was practically a bulky piece of plastic which eventually broke on me for no reason and which prompted me to buy a third-party one since Nintendo stopped making theirs years ago. Suffice to say, then, that I was thrilled to hear that, together with the Switch 2, the GameCube controller would be receiving the Nintendo Classics treatment, i.e. it would have full compatibility with the latest Nintendo console, and, more importantly for me, it would probably have Bluetooth functionality with little fuss and, of course, no dongle. Sadly though, especially for the price of 84.99 CAD (if you can even find it at this price to begin with), the end product is rather disappointing since the features lost in the process of modernizing the controller hardly make up for the convenience of having it work flawlessly with the Switch 2. As you can probably tell from the images included, this new GameCube controller stays very faithful to the design of the old one. The only two components missing are the metal braces/brackets that were used with the shoulder buttons and the notches needed with them. This is likely to be one of the reasons that the new controller is slightly lighter than the original. On the other hand, the new GameCube controller brings with it features and buttons which put it in line with the other pads, such as the Pro Controller 2, meant for dedicated use with the Switch 2. Namely, the sync, home, capture, C (meant for Game Chat) buttons, player indicator LED and USB-C port are all added to the top of the controller whereas an almost comically small ZL serves as a shoulder button on the left side. To my understanding, the ZL is tiny on purpose in order for users to avoid accidentally pressing it when playing GameCube-specific games, for which ZL is 'pause'. But, when playing any other title native to the Switch family of systems with this controller, which, yes, for the record, you can absolutely do, despite Nintendo's mixed messaging, the small size of the button is obviously an annoyance at best. The only button found on the Pro Controller 2 but not here is the '-' button, which leads to complications when trying to open the map in Breath of the Wild, for example. Surprisingly, given that Nintendo seems to have had only GameCube games in mind when launching this controller, it actually supports motion controls thanks to a built-in gyroscope. After actually using the GameCube controller—it's definitely become my go-to pad for Smash and/or the three games included in the 'GameCube Classics' catalogue: F-Zero GX, Soulcalibur II and Wind Waker. And…that's about it. This is because, at least at the time of writing, this new GameCube controller is exclusively compatible with the Switch 2—it's not even compatible with the first Switch! And, yes, before you ask, some sleuths online have already figured out how to kind of get it working on PC, but, and I can't believe I'm writing this, for anything but the Switch 2, I have no choice but to keep my original wired controller and the dongle, warts and all. Everything considered, save for enthusiasts, I don't think there are a lot of people for whom this new GameCube controller would be my first recommendation: at 84.99 CAD, not to mention availability issues and needing an active NSO account to even be eligible for the purchase, most players would be better off with the Pro Controller 2 and/or an original wired GameCube controller paired with a dongle. If/and when Bluetooth connectivity issues are resolved, this will be an easy buy. Until then, the new GameCube controller is unfortunately a missed opportunity.
