Nintendo is bringing the heat this August with a substantial update to the Nintendo Switch Online retro library. For more Nintendo coverage, see the MAR10 Day 40th anniversary recap and our Super Mario Wonder Switch 2 Edition coverage.
In a surprising announcement, Nintendo confirmed that a highly requested GameCube classic and two previously unreleased pieces of gaming history are heading to the premium NSO tier.
Starting in August 2026, subscribers to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack will gain access to the 2002 platformer Super Mario Sunshine, alongside two lost titles from the ill-fated Virtual Boy console: D-Hopper and Zero Racers.
Unearthing the Virtual Boy's Lost Titles
The update kicks off early in the month with a nod to Nintendo's experimental past.
On August 4, 2026, the Virtual Boy Classics app will receive D-Hopper and Zero Racers. What makes these additions remarkable is that neither game was ever officially released during the Virtual Boy's short commercial lifespan.
| Virtual Boy Release | Description |
|---|---|
D-HopperIntelligent Systems | Originally Dragon Hopper. An action-adventure title following Prince Dorin through stages, defeating bosses to save his kingdom and rescue his loved ones. |
Zero RacersF-Zero Spin-Off | An unreleased 3D spin-off of the F-Zero franchise. Reportedly completed in 1996 but shelved when the Virtual Boy hardware was discontinued. |
The arrival of these two games means that almost the entire developed library for the Virtual Boy is now accessible, or soon to be, via Nintendo Switch Online.
Return to Isle Delfino
Following the Virtual Boy additions, the spotlight shifts to the GameCube era. On August 13, 2026, Super Mario Sunshine will officially join the GameCube Classics library on the service.
Originally released in 2002, Sunshine is a major departure from traditional Mario adventures. The game sends Mario and his friends on a tropical vacation to Isle Delfino, which is quickly ruined by the villainous Bowser Jr., making his series debut. Armed with the FLUDD (Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device) water backpack, players must clean up the island's mysterious goop and recover the stolen Shine Sprites.
Super Mario Sunshine is notable for its unique water-based platforming mechanics, which allow Mario to hover over gaps and blast enemies.
The version of Super Mario Sunshine coming to the NSO GameCube app is a straight emulation of the original release. It will reportedly display in its original 4:3 aspect ratio, distinguishing it from the visually upscaled, widescreen version previously available in the now-discontinued Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection. Furthermore, access to the GameCube library requires a Nintendo Switch 2, as the emulator is not available on the original Switch hardware.
| NSO August 2026 Addition | Detail |
|---|---|
Required Subscription | Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack |
August 4, 2026Virtual Boy | D-Hopper (unreleased action-adventure) and Zero Racers (unreleased F-Zero spin-off) |
August 13, 2026GameCube | Super Mario Sunshine, original 4:3 emulation, Switch 2 required for GameCube library |
Sources and Further Reading
- ^[1]Siliconera. Unreleased Virtual Boy Games and Super Mario Sunshine Head to Nintendo Switch Online (August 2026) — Comprehensive breakdown of the NSO August update including details on D-Hopper and Zero Racers.
- ^[2]IGN. GameCube Classic Super Mario Sunshine Joins Nintendo Switch Online Catalog Next Month (August 2026) — Details on the Super Mario Sunshine NSO release, 4:3 aspect ratio confirmation, and Switch 2 GameCube emulator requirement.
- ^[3]GameReactor. Super Mario Sunshine Comes to Nintendo Switch Online Alongside New Virtual Boy Titles Next Month (August 2026) — Coverage of the full August NSO update schedule and the significance of the Virtual Boy releases.
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