GameCube Classic Mini release date: Japanese Nintendo discovers three new GameCube console trademarks

For all those born in the mid-to-late 90s, this could well be the best gaming-related news you’ve ever heard. Japanese Nintendo, a site that seems to do nothing other than sifting through trademark filings, has discovered three brand-new GameCube trademark applications by Nintendo.

These aren’t just general merchandising trademarks, either. One application’s purpose is listed as “video game program” and another is described as a “video game machine”, which points towards a brand-new playable GameCube console. We’ve already had a SNES Classic Mini and NES Classic Mini from Nintendo, both of which were first revealed via trademark listings, so it’s a safe bet the GameCube will follow the same path.

Read on for everything we know so far about the GameCube Classic Mini, the as-of-yet unconfirmed relaunch of Nintendo’s iconic successor to the legendary N64.

GameCube Classic Mini: Everything you need to know

GameCube Classic Mini release date: When’s it coming out in the UK?

Nintendo hasn’t even confirmed that it’s making the GameCube Classic Mini yet, so it would be folly to predict a release date at this stage. We expect the N64 Classic Mini to come out first because the recent N64 trademarks (also discovered by Japanese Nintendo) were filed earlier in the year.

It seems as though Nintendo is launching its Classic Mini consoles in chronological order based on their original release dates, in which case the N64 Classic Mini will be third and the GameCube Classic Mini will be fourth. It’s also possible that Nintendo is gauging the interest in a GameCube Mini, and may only launch it if the N64 Classic Mini sells well. Considering how popular the SNES and NES Classic Mini consoles have been, we’d say it’s a given that the N64 – and, subsequently, the GameCube Classic Mini – will sell like hotcakes.

GameCube Classic Mini-games: What can we expect to play on it?

Back in 2002, the GameCube launched with all-time classics such as Super Monkey Ball, Pikmin, Crazy Taxi, SSX Tricky and Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader – and what fond memories we have! Then there were timeless titles like Metroid Prime, Luigi’s Mansion, and TimeSplitters 2 to contend with, plus dozens of other incredible games. We can only hope that the GameCube Classic Mini has them all.

The other Classic Mini consoles have been released with 21 titles from the original console built in, so it’s reasonable to expect that the GameCube will have the same. We know it’s a long shot, but could we also see the triumphant return of Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, the most underrated Star Wars video game of all time? Place your Fetts, folks…

GameCube Classic Mini price: How much will it cost?

The SNES and NES Classic Mini consoles were both launched around the £60-£70 mark, but their price does depend on where you buy them from. The original GameCube launched at £129 in the UK back in 2002, but the other relaunched consoles have been cheaper than their first iterations, so the GameCube probably won’t cost that much.

Sixteen years’ worth of inflation sort of make that figure redundant, anyway. To be safe, we’re saying £70, although we’ll have to wait until the official launch to find out for sure.

But whatever it costs, we know it will be worth it for the nostalgia kick alone.