The Pokémon Company has announced that Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness is coming to Nintendo Switch Online’s GameCube collection next month.
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness was the second home console Pokémon game released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2005, positioned as a spiritual sequel to 2003’s Pokémon Colosseum. The game follows on from Colosseum’s focus of catching Shadow Pokémon in the Orre Region, and protecting them from the criminal organization, Cypher.
Notably, XD joins the service before its predecessor. It joins the likes of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Chibi-Robo as another pricey GameCube title joining Nintendo’s subscription service, allowing new fans to experience the game without paying a hefty amount for a used physical copy, as the game has also never been re-released on other platforms.
Unlike the newly re-released Fire Red and Leaf Green, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness will not include Pokémon Home compatibility. It also requires a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription to access, however, much like other re-releases, will receive enhanced resolutions and save-state functionality.
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness will join Nintendo Switch Online – GameCube Classics in March 2026, as part of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary which also saw the reveal of Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves.
