It feels like a fever dream, but it’s real. Nintendo has officially launched Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness on the Switch 2 eShop. While fans have been begging for a port of the GameCube cult classic for nearly two decades, Nintendo decided to skip the original Switch entirely and drop this gem on the new hardware instead.

I’ll be honest: I missed this game when it originally came out on the GameCube. Back in 2005, I was too deep into Emerald on my GBA to justify the console leap. For years, I’ve heard legends about the Orre region, the gritty atmosphere, and the unique mechanic of purifying Shadow Pokémon. Now, I finally have no excuse.

This isn’t a remake or a remaster—it appears to be a clean, direct port running at a higher resolution. Considering how notoriously expensive physical copies of the original have become (often fetching over $200), a $49.99 digital download feels like a steal.

Whether you’re a veteran trainer looking to relive the hunt for Shadow Lugia or a new fan curious about the series’ weirdest spinoff, now is the perfect time to dive in.

I’ve already got my Switch 2 docked and my Pro Controller charged. It’s time to see what I’ve been missing for the last 20 years. See you in Orre.

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness is available now on the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop.