Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness Hits Switch 2 in March—What to Expect from the GameCube Classic

Breaking: Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness joins Switch 2’s GameCube library in March 2026

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, the 2005 GameCube cult classic from Genius Sonority, is officially coming to Nintendo Switch Online’s GameCube “Nintendo Classics” library in March 2026. The announcement landed during the Pokémon Presents broadcast on Pokémon Day (February 27, 2026), part of the franchise’s 30th‑anniversary celebrations. At the time of writing (February 28, 2026), Nintendo has not given a specific day in March. (gamespot.com)

What was announced—and what it means

• Availability window: March 2026 via Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
• Platform details: The GameCube “Nintendo Classics” app is exclusive to Switch 2 hardware; Pokémon XD will be available there alongside other GC titles.
• Status of the prequel: Pokémon Colosseum remains “due to come,” but it was not dated alongside XD in this week’s update. (gamespot.com)

Why it matters: XD has long been difficult to access legally without original hardware, and physical copies have become pricey on the secondary market. A modern, subscription-based release dramatically lowers the barrier to entry for fans and preservationists alike. (dexerto.com)

What to expect on Switch 2

Nintendo’s GameCube Classics on Switch 2 include quality‑of‑life features such as higher-resolution output, customizable controls, restore points, and (for compatible titles) online play that mirrors original multiplayer modes. Select GC games also expose widescreen toggles where natively supported. While Nintendo hasn’t detailed game‑specific tweaks for XD, these are the baseline features of the service today. (forbes.com)

Two caveats to watch:

• Online features vary by title. XD’s “Battle Mode” famously leaned on Game Boy Advance connectivity; Nintendo has not clarified whether any online functionality will apply to that mode in the NSO release. (en-americas-support.nintendo.com)
• Switch 2 exclusivity for GameCube Classics remains in effect; these apps aren’t offered on the original Switch family. (forbes.com)

The announcement in context: Pokémon Day 2026

The February 27 Pokémon Presents stream (6:00 a.m. PT) marked the series’ 30th anniversary and included multiple updates across the ecosystem, with XD’s March window among the highlights. It followed pre‑event guidance confirming the broadcast timing and setting expectations for day‑and‑date classic releases like FireRed/LeafGreen on the eShop. (videogameschronicle.com)

A quick refresher on Pokémon XD

• Developer: Genius Sonority; Publisher: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company.
• Original platforms and dates: GameCube—Japan (August 4, 2005), North America (October 3, 2005), Australia (November 10, 2005), Europe (November 18, 2005).
• Setting and premise: A story‑driven RPG set in Orre, five years after Pokémon Colosseum, centered on “Shadow Pokémon” and the iconic Shadow Lugia (XD001).
• Mechanics: Double‑battle‑heavy combat, snagging Shadow Pokémon using the Snag Machine, and purification via party travel or the Purification Chamber; new “Poké Spots” for limited wild encounters; a separate Battle Mode. (en.wikipedia.org)

Will Colosseum follow—and when?

Nintendo has reiterated that Colosseum is planned for the GameCube Classics lineup, but it did not accompany XD with a firm date during the Pokémon Day beat. For now, expect XD first in March, with Colosseum timing still TBA. (nintendolife.com)

Release window, pricing, and how to play

• Window: March 2026 (exact day pending as of February 28, 2026).
• Access: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership on Switch 2, within the GameCube “Nintendo Classics” app.
• Features you can likely count on at launch: higher-resolution output, save/restore points, controller remapping; any online play will follow the service’s “if the original supported it” rule. (gamespot.com)

The bigger picture for GameCube on Switch 2

Since Switch 2’s launch, Nintendo has positioned GameCube titles as a marquee benefit of the Expansion Pack, with modern niceties and occasional widescreen options. The strategy is gradually surfacing rarer or historically significant releases—XD among them—on current hardware without à‑la‑carte pricing. Expect the GC catalog to keep growing throughout 2026. (nintendowire.com)

What we’re still waiting to learn

• The exact March date for XD’s arrival.
• Whether any additional quality‑of‑life touches (e.g., controller presets tailored to XD’s double‑battle focus) will be included.
• Clarification on how, if at all, the original Battle Mode’s connectivity assumptions will translate under NSO. (nintendowire.com)

Bottom line

Pokémon XD’s Switch 2 debut in March 2026 finally brings one of the series’ most distinctive side‑stories back into easy circulation. With higher‑resolution output and the standard NSO conveniences, this re‑release should be the most accessible way to experience Orre’s Shadow Pokémon saga—just in time for Pokémon’s 30th anniversary year. (gamespot.com)