July 3 Will Be A Big Day For GameCube Fans

On June 26, Nintendo announced that Super Mario Strikers would be added to the Nintendo Switch Online service via the GameCube app on July 3. Super Mario Strikers will be the fourth playable game on the GameCube app, which is available exclusively to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers with the Expansion Pack upgrade.

Originally released in late 2005, Super Mario Strikers is a five-on-five soccer title created by Nintendo and Next Level Games. Each team is represented by a captain like Mario, Luigi, or Peach, three "sidekick" characters like Toad and Koopa, and a Kritter as the goalkeeper. Along with traditional soccer gameplay, players can also collect iconic Mario franchise power-ups like the Mushroom or Star to gain an advantage during a match. Super Mario Strikers also holds the distinction of being the last game in the Mario franchise to be released on the GameCube in North America and Japan, as the Wii console was released the following year.

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Soon, players with access to the GameCube app on the Switch 2 will have another popular title to add to their collections. Super Mario Strikers will be available on the GameCube app for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers starting Thursday, July 3. Nintendo released a trailer on social media to give fans a glimpse of the game's fast pace. Super Mario Strikers will be the fourth available title on the GameCube app, alongside F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Soulcalibur 2. Other GameCube titles that have been confirmed as part of the Nintendo Classics lineup, including Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness and Super Mario Sunshine, will arrive at later dates. However, access to the GameCube app also requires Nintendo Switch Online subscribers to have the Expansion Pack upgrade on their account.

Super Mario Strikers Arrives On Nintendo Switch Online July 3

However, the popularity of Super Mario Strikers has drawn the attention of clones looking to capitalize on the franchise's likeness. Back in January 2025, an Xbox title named Mariostro Strikers: Soccer League was briefly available on Microsoft's storefront before being taken down days later. Along with the similar name, the game's key art featured a character that bore a striking resemblance to Mario. It is unclear if Microsoft or Nintendo were responsible for the game's removal from the Xbox Store.

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Between the arrival of Super Mario Strikers and the launch of Super Mario Party Jamboree's Switch 2 edition, July will be a busy month for Mario fans. It remains to be seen what surprises Nintendo has planned for the GameCube catalog.