Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness Finally Gets Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date

Finally, the beloved Nintendo GameCube game is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 next month with Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.

Today, Nintendo is celebrating 30 years of Pokémon, when it made its debut on the handheld Game Boy in 1996 with Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow.

Over the years, we’ve been treated to a plethora of Pokémon goodness, and not just in the world of video games. We’ve had tons of snazzy trading cards, animations, a live-action movie and more merchandise than we could ever dream of.

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With so many games to choose from over the last three decades, almost every fan will have their standout favourites. However, when it comes to being a cult classic, there’s a good chance that Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness might be at the top of that list.

Released in 2005 on the Nintendo GameCube, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness set itself apart from its handheld counterparts by allowing players to explore a 3D Orre region, the setting of Pokémon Colosseum.

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness Has Finally Arrived!

The new release of Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness was announced during today’s Pokémon Presentation, and it’s coming to Nintendo Switch 2. Sadly, there is one major caveat.

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness is only available with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, and unlike the recent re-releases of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, is not available as a standalone purchase.

Not Everyone Can Play Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

What’s more, GameCube games are only available on the Nintendo Switch 2, and not the previous console. Regardless of whether you subscribe to the Expansion Pack tier.

I can only assume that the original Nintendo Switch can’t handle GameCube emulation all that well, or it could just be a typical tactic to push players into purchasing the newest console.

In my humble opinion, as someone who’s not been able to purchase a Nintendo Switch 2 yet, locking out Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers from GameCube games is very unfortunate.

After all, that tier costs the same for everyone, regardless of which gen console you own. It’s why I’m still hoping that we’ll get a new, standalone remaster of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, but I won't hold my breath.

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness will arrive on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion in March 2026. Hopefully, an exact release date will drop in the coming days.