Switch 2 is set to see its first GameCube Pokemon title sooner than later. Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness will arrive on the system in March, which is just days away, for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers. Unless a surprise happens before then, it will be the ninth GameCube title for the service.
Nintendo and The Pokemon Company revealed the release window for Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness on Switch 2 at today’s Pokemon Presents celebrating the 30th anniversary for the franchise. However, it’s been known since April 2025 that Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness was slated for Expansion Pack members at some point. That’s because Nintendo announced the title as part of an initial wave of GameCube releases for Switch 2 then–alongside Pokemon Colosseum, which still hasn’t come out yet.
Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness originally launched on GameCube in 2005. Shadow Lugia is the featured Pokemon on the game’s cover, with Shadow Pokemon in general being a major part of the RPG. We here at GameSpot listed it as one of the best Pokemon spin-offs. Additionally, it’s intriguing Nintendo is releasing this game before Pokemon Colosseum on Switch 2, since it’s the successor to that title.
