Nintendo has announced that Chibi-Robo!, a cult classic GameCube game that currently commands up to $305 for second-hand physical copies, will join the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack library on August 21, exclusively for Switch 2 users.

The 2005 platform-adventure game follows a friendly robot whose mission involves helping the Sanderson family with household tasks and spreading happiness to humans, animals, and enchanted toys.

Players must manage Chibi-Robo’s battery life by finding power outlets throughout the house, as running out of power causes the robot to collapse and results in the loss of in-game currency.

Originally conceived by now-defunct developer Skip Ltd. as a point-and-click adventure game with Bandai as publisher, Chibi-Robo! mysteriously transitioned to Nintendo during development.

Director Kenichi Nishi revealed that legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto took particular interest in the character design and played an oversight role in the game’s development under Nintendo.

Despite spawning several handheld spinoffs, the original Chibi-Robo! has maintained cult classic status while becoming increasingly difficult to access.

Nintendo has not previously ported the game forward to newer platforms, making physical GameCube copies the only legal way to play until now.

The game’s rarity has driven second-hand prices to extreme levels, with collectors paying hundreds of dollars for original copies.

The addition to Nintendo Switch Online represents the first time the game will be legally accessible to modern audiences without significant financial investment.

Chibi-Robo! joins Nintendo’s expanding GameCube library for Switch 2, which has generated excitement among fans anticipating classics like Super Mario Sunshine and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

However, the inclusion of lesser-known gems like Chibi-Robo! demonstrates Nintendo’s commitment to preserving its broader gaming catalog.

The game’s charming presentation and unique gameplay mechanics have earned praise from hardcore Nintendo fans over the years, despite never achieving mainstream recognition comparable to Nintendo’s flagship franchises.

Nintendo’s decision to make GameCube games exclusive to Switch 2 through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack continues the company’s strategy of using classic games to drive adoption of its subscription service and latest hardware platform.

The August 21 release date makes Chibi-Robo! one of the earlier GameCube additions to the service, potentially serving as a testing ground for gauging interest in more obscure Nintendo catalog titles among modern audiences.