Switch 2 owners with the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack can now re-experience popular GameCube games.
However, some games like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and F-Zero GX were experiencing latency due to increased input latency, making gameplay less smooth compared to older hardware. And it looks like Nintendo has finally fixed the official GameCube emulator in a recent update.
In the original Wind Waker, lags appear in sword attacks and other actions, and the problem is exacerbated in NSO due to additional processing of the game’s simulation. Modern displays, which often enlarge images, also contribute to this delay.
Players started noticing improvements after Wario World debuted on December 11. Opinions vary, but some Switch 2 players noted a noticeable improvement in Wind Waker. According to Reddit user known as azer67, the delay was previously measured at six frames, while it has now dropped to 4-5 frames, with a small but noticeable positive impact.
The improvement was not limited to Wind Waker only, as it appears that F-Zero GX also benefited from the update. Given the high speeds in this game, vehicle control has become more precise, after the weakness of the GameCube emulator was causing frustration for players.
However, the analog sticks are still very sensitive whether playing in Switch 2 handheld mode or using the modern GameCube-inspired controller, which may need additional adjustment.
Although some third-party emulators like Dolphin offer better performance, they are more complex to set up and require a powerful computer to take full advantage. For this reason, the Nintendo Switch Online Library and Classic Game Pack is a more accessible solution for users, who have welcomed the latest update with open arms.
