Nintendo Switch 2 users have discovered a set of hidden GameCube-related Easter eggs, offering a subtle nod to the legacy of Nintendo’s early 2000s console. With the recent addition of GameCube games to Nintendo Switch Online, users expected a complete retro experience, but noticed the familiar startup animation from the original GameCube console was missing when loading titles through the new app.

Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Easter Eggs

Nintendo Switch 2 x GameCube

Nintendo has quietly slipped a bit of GameCube nostalgia into the Nintendo Switch 2, and fans are already digging in to find all the secrets. While the new console now supports GameCube titles through Nintendo Switch Online, there’s more going on under the hood than just game ports.

Players quickly noticed that something iconic was missing when booting up these classic games — the GameCube’s memorable startup animation. It turns out, it’s not gone. It’s just hidden. And all it takes to unlock it is a simple flick of the control stick.

Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Easter Eggs

How to Trigger the GameCube Startup Animation

Discovered by YouTuber Spawn Wave, the Easter egg works by holding the Switch 2's control stick in any direction while launching the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube app. That’s it. Do that, and you’ll be treated to a shiny, modern version of the classic GameCube startup screen, fully rendered in 4K.

It’s the same polished-up animation Nintendo showcased during the Switch 2 Direct earlier this year — but this time, you’re seeing it in action, on your own system. It’s a subtle inclusion, and Nintendo hasn’t made any official mention of it in menus or patch notes. But for long-time fans, it’s an easy win.

Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Easter Eggs

There's More Than One Easter Egg

Other sources confirmed a second hidden animation is also included — one that mirrors the alternate startup sound from the original GameCube. Back in the day, holding the Z button during startup would trigger a different sound. On Switch 2, you can replicate this by tilting the control stick and holding the R button, right as the “2” appears on the app’s logo.

So far, these are the only two known sequences, but fans are already speculating about a potential third. On the original console, a third startup variation could be unlocked by holding Z on four separate GameCube controllers. Whether the Switch 2 supports something similar — or if there’s another hidden combination — remains to be seen.

GameCube Controllers Just Got a Big Upgrade

If you’re using the new wireless GameCube controllers built for Switch 2, there’s another surprise: they now feature gyro controls. That’s a first for the design, and it opens up some fresh ways to play both retro and modern titles. The layout remains true to the original, but the added motion support could make these controllers even more versatile, especially for games that support gyro aiming or movement.

Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Easter Eggs

A Small GameCube Library — For Now

Right now, the GameCube selection on Nintendo Switch Online is still pretty limited. So far, the lineup includes The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-Zero GX, and SoulCalibur 2. But more genres and titles are on the way. Nintendo has already confirmed that Super Mario Sunshine, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, Mario Smash Football, Luigi’s Mansion, and Chibi-Robo! are coming, although no release dates have been announced yet.

With more games on the horizon and new features like updated controller support and hidden startup sequences, the Switch 2’s approach to retro gaming feels like a thoughtful upgrade — even if it’s taking its time to roll out fully.

Nostalgia Done Right

Nintendo’s quiet inclusion of these GameCube startup Easter eggs shows the company hasn’t forgotten what made the purple box special. It’s not just about bringing back the games — it’s about recreating the vibe, down to the quirky animations that greeted players before the gameplay even began. Whether more secrets are buried in the Switch 2 remains to be seen, but for now, these small touches are hitting the right notes with fans.