Metroid Prime 2 and Pikmin 2 aren't coming to Nintendo Switch 2 Online after all, if you believe Nintendo: "We apologize for any confusion"

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Metroid Prime 2 and Pikmin 2 aren't coming to Nintendo Switch 2 Online after all, if you believe Nintendo: "We apologize for any confusion" News By Kaan Serin published 30 January 2026

The GameCube hits might be benched for a while longer

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Walmart seemingly made a whoopsie earlier this week by posting a promotional image for Nintendo Switch Online's retro game collection that included Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Pikmin 2, two games that are not, in fact, playable or announced for the service at the moment. Now, Nintendo says the whoopsie was actually made on its end for accidentally giving Walmart an image with games it doesn't currently intend on adding to NSO.

Walmart's original leak had the two GameCube classics listed alongside games that are already available on the subscription, including Mario Kart 64, Star Fox, and Tetris. Nintendo's also had a knack for dropping games into its NSO GameCube selection before getting around to the ones that it's already promised (where's Super Mario Sunshine, Nintendo?), so fans took it as soft confirmation.

(Image credit: Walmart/Nintendo)

Nintendo has now provided a statement to IGN, claiming that the image "incorrectly" featured games that it has no plans to bring to NSO. "We recently provided a retailer with an image of Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics titles that incorrectly included games that are not planned for release at this time. The image has been removed, and we apologize for any confusion."

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Whether you interpret Nintendo's comment as "not happening" or "not happening... right now" is another question, though. Metroid Prime 2 is undoubtedly one of the console's best games, and it would be weird for Samus' sequel not to come to the service at some point, especially as a follow-up to Metroid Prime Remastered and last year's Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

Pikmin 2 is a slightly different case since that game is actually available to buy as is on the eShop right now, alongside the series' first game. Although it wouldn't be unheard of for Nintendo to add a game to NSO while having another purchasable version on its store. Link's Awakening comes to mind, for example.

After superhero hit Dispatch arrives on Switch with mandatory censorship, Nintendo says don't blame us: "Nintendo does not make changes to partner content"

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Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. CATEGORIES Nintendo Switch 2 Platforms Nintendo PRODUCTS Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Pikmin 2 Kaan SerinFreelance contributor

Kaan freelances for various websites including Rock Paper Shotgun, Eurogamer, and this one, Gamesradar. He particularly enjoys writing about spooky indies, throwback RPGs, and anything that's vaguely silly. Also has an English Literature and Film Studies degree that he'll soon forget.

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