Nintendo has officially announced that Super Mario Strikers will be joining the Nintendo Switch Online lineup via the GameCube app on July 3, 2025.
The classic five-on-five Mario soccer game will become the fourth playable GameCube title available through the Expansion Pack upgrade for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
Originally launched in late 2005, Super Mario Strikers was developed by Next Level Games and served as the final Mario title released for the GameCube in both North America and Japan before the Wii’s debut.
The game blends arcade-style soccer with signature Mario chaos—captains like Mario, Luigi, and Peach lead teams made up of three sidekick characters (like Toad or Koopa) and a Kritter as goalie. Toss in some iconic power-ups like Mushrooms and Stars, and you’ve got one of the wildest soccer games ever made.
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Coming Soon to the Switch 2 GameCube App
Players on Nintendo Switch 2 who have access to the GameCube app can look forward to adding another fan-favorite to their retro library. Super Mario Strikers will be joining:
- F-Zero GX
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Soulcalibur 2
Nintendo even dropped a trailer across social media to build hype, showcasing the game’s fast-paced, power-up-filled action.
As with other GameCube titles, playing Super Mario Strikers will require an active Nintendo Switch Online membership along with the Expansion Pack add-on.
What’s Next for the GameCube App?
Nintendo has already confirmed that more classic titles are on the way, including:
- Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness
- Super Mario Sunshine
No release dates have been given yet, but expectations are high with July already shaping up to be a stacked month for Mario fans.
A Brief Clone Controversy
The return of Super Mario Strikers has also stirred up memories of a bizarre incident earlier this year. In January 2025, a suspicious Xbox title called Mariostro Strikers: Soccer League briefly appeared on the Microsoft Store.
The game not only had a familiar-sounding name but also featured cover art that included a character looking suspiciously like Mario. The game was pulled just days later, but it remains unclear whether Microsoft or Nintendo took it down.
Between the arrival of Super Mario Strikers and the Switch 2 edition of Super Mario Party Jamboree, July is shaping up to be a busy month for fans of the mustachioed plumber. And with more GameCube classics on the way, there’s no telling what other surprises Nintendo might have in store.
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