- Super Mario Sunshine will be available on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on August 13, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
- The game joins the GameCube catalog, marking the first time it can be played individually since the 3D All-Stars compilation.
- In addition, on August 4th, two previously unreleased Virtual Boy titles will arrive: D-Hopper and Zero Racers, which were never commercially released.
- These games require a subscription to the Expansion Pack and, in the case of Virtual Boy, the special accessory.
Nintendo Switch Online subscribers with the Expansion Pack are in for a busy August. Nintendo has announced that
The return of this 2002 classic was one of the most frequent requests from fans, especially since the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection stopped being sold in 2021. Now, with the subscription, the Isle Delfino adventure can be accessed without having to pay exorbitant prices on the second-hand market. Furthermore, the Virtual Boy games promise to be a draw for collectors of rare titles.
Super Mario Sunshine: The plumber returns to the island
The game, directed by Yoshiaki Koizumi, transports Mario to the paradisiacal Isle Delfino, where he must clean up the paint left behind by a mysterious imposter. The core gameplay revolves around the FLUDD device , a backpack that shoots pressurized water, allowing Mario to both clean the environment and move around in novel ways. It's one of the most beloved 3D platformers, although its unique approach initially generated mixed reviews.
To play it, you'll need a Nintendo Switch 2 and an active Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscription. The game will run via emulation , without graphical enhancements or remastering, just like the other titles in the Nintendo Classics section . However, it will include features from the service such as quick save and rewind, according to reports.
Virtual Boy: Two previously unreleased gems finally available
On August 4, the Virtual Boy app within Nintendo Switch Online will receive a very special update. Two games that were never released will be added : D-Hopper (originally known as Dragon Hopper) and Zero Racers. Both were finished but were canceled in 1996 due to the commercial failure of the Virtual Boy console.
D-Hopper is an action game developed by Intelligent Systems, the creators of Fire Emblem. Zero Racers, meanwhile, is a spin-off of the F-Zero series and is notable for being the first title in the series with 3D graphics. To enjoy them, in addition to a subscription to the Expansion Pack, you need the Virtual Boy accessory that Nintendo released a few months ago, available in two versions: one inspired by the original console and a more affordable cardboard version.
With these additions, the Virtual Boy catalog on Nintendo Switch Online is nearing completion. Most of the titles released for the console are now available , although some, like Waterworld and Nester's Funky Bowling, probably won't be included due to licensing issues. In any case, retro gaming fans have a double treat in August.
So next month, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers will be able to enjoy Super Mario Sunshine on Switch 2 starting August 13th, and two days earlier, on the 4th, get a glimpse into the lost history of the Virtual Boy with D-Hopper and Zero Racers. A unique opportunity to relive classics and discover titles that never saw the light of day , all from the convenience of a subscription.
