Nintendo GameCube’s Most Expensive Games Should Finally Be Plummeting in Price

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It’s worth noting that as time goes by, Nintendo GameCube games have significantly increased in value. Some highly sought-after games for the retro console, such as Super Smash Bros. Melee, Mario Kart: Double Dash, and Luigi’s Mansion, typically sell for around $50 to $75 used. Interestingly, this is considered the lower price range for GameCube games. Games at the higher end can cost anything from $500 to more than $2000! If you find this hard to believe, it’s not untrue.

Why are GameCube games so expensive? The main reason is scarcity. Games such as “Super Smash Bros. Melee” can only be played if you have a physical copy and access to a GameCube (or Wii) console. Unlike many modern games, most titles from the GameCube era haven’t been remastered or released digitally by Nintendo. Therefore, the only way to enjoy these games is by locating an original copy. This has led to a demand that outstrips supply in the GameCube market, causing prices to soar, as one might put it.

By coincidence, Nintendo is now introducing a new method for releasing GameCube games, which might lead to a decrease in prices for some of the priciest titles on the platform.

Nintendo Switch Online Could Be the Saving Grace for GameCube Collectors

In addition to the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, it was disclosed that GameCube games would long be accessible on Nintendo Switch Online. However, the selection of classic GameCube games available on the new hardware remains quite limited at this point in time. As of now, only a few titles like “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker,” “SoulCalibur II,” “F-Zero GX,” and “Super Mario Strikers” have been added to the Switch 2’s library.

So far, the original physical versions of these GameCube games haven’t experienced significant price drops on the resale market. However, there’s a good chance that this trend won’t last forever. Usually, when a game undergoes remastering, remaking, or porting to newer hardware, it tends to cause a substantial decrease in the value of its original version.

Hey there fellow gamers! Let me tell you about an amazing game that I used to play – Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door on the GameCube. From 2020 to 2023, this classic game was consistently selling for around $100 to $120. But when the new Switch remake dropped in 2024, the GameCube version’s price plummeted pretty quickly. Nowadays, you can grab a copy of it for under $50 on average!

As a devoted Nintendo fan, I’m thrilled about the addition of classic games to Nintendo Switch Online. Although these aren’t remakes or remasters, their availability could significantly shake up the resale market – and that’s saying something given the exorbitant prices some GameCube games fetch! It’s an exciting prospect indeed, especially with a few confirmed GameCube titles already set for Switch Online.

Very Expensive GameCube Games Are Bound for NSO

Although Nintendo hasn’t revealed all the details about the upcoming GameCube offerings for its Switch Online service in the coming years, it has disclosed a smaller selection of games that should be available by the end of 2025. This lineup features some of the most cherished titles ever released on the GameCube platform, including Luigi’s Mansion, Pokemon Colosseum, Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, and Chibi-Robo. Apart from Luigi’s Mansion, these games are currently among the priciest first-party Nintendo games on sale today.

To provide a simpler and more conversational version,

“To get a clearer picture of just how high the prices for these games have become, let me share with you the current resale averages.

  • Luigi’s Mansion – $55
  • Pokemon Colosseum – $140
  • Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness – $195
  • Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance – $180
  • Chibi-Robo – $200

If you’re a fan who collects GameCube games, it’s likely that their prices will gradually decrease once they become available on Nintendo Switch Online. Although games like “Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance” and “Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness” might still command high prices due to their rarity, the era of seeing these titles sell for hundreds of dollars should (fingers crossed) be coming to an end.

It’s likely that we’ll gain insights into how the secondary market responds to these new Nintendo Switch Online releases through the game Chibi-Robo. This month, Chibi-Robo has been released on Switch Online and can be played on Switch 2 currently. Since it hasn’t been out long enough on the subscription service, its resale price hasn’t dropped yet. However, if you’re interested in purchasing a physical copy, you might consider waiting a bit longer to secure a better deal in the future.

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2025-08-29 02:11