Star Fox

Developer: Velan Studios
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Switch 2
Release Date: 25th June, 2026
Price: $49.99 – Available Here

Overview

Star Fox is a bit of an odd franchise. While the games are known far and wide, they never really gained a high level of appeal to stand with Mario, Kirby, and Link. Sure, quality has usually been a thing, but for Nintendo, it has mostly been “Star Fox 64 or nothing”, as that title never really has been matched. Well, for those wanting a new game, there is both good and bad news. Star Fox is on the Switch 2, remaking the original Star Fox 64, with a new design and presentation, bringing the title to current-gen hardware. Sure, it’s what we know, but is it good? Is it still worthy of another release? Let’s find out.

Story

James McCloud has been betrayed by trusted allies. A new crew labelled Star Fox is out to save Lylat from Andross and get a bit of retribution along the way. You know this story. Fox McCloud, Peppy, Falco, and Slippy head out to save the day across the stars, and this time, the plot stays the same but is told from a new perspective. This means the new Star Fox has cutscenes, or more of them anyway. It is a whole new perspective for the tale, adding a bit more depth and meaning to the overall experience. Sure, there still isn’t a ton of grit, but it feels like a space epic, and that is pretty neat to have in a Nintendo experience.

I think that part of me wanted this to be a little more than a remake. Add some extra scenes. Give us more story and fill some gaps. This, however, is literally just Star Fox 64 with a lot of shiny new sparkle to give itself to a new generation, and I suppose that is ok. I do think, however, that it is a bit of a missed opportunity not to flesh this very short tale out more, as maybe some filler to expand on this seldom-visited franchise would add some value. Alas, what is here is still “fine”, and most will be happy with the standard nostalgia of it all.

Gameplay

I think to have a mostly on-rails shooter in 2026 is kind of a bold move, remake or not. With Star Fox, however, I am perfectly fine with it. The gameplay here is silky smooth, where players are pulled across each linear stage as they attempt to dodge obstacles and shoot enemies to progress forward. In many ways, not a lot has changed with the core mechanics. Charging shots to hit multiple foes, bombs, and barrel rolls all make up the simplistic yet effective design. This has always been one of those titles that, on the surface, seems rather complicated. Get just about anyone behind the controller, however, and everything just sort of clicks due to the high level of accessibility. New or old, most will not have any qualms getting the hang of the ultra-entertaining gameplay.

The campaign here lasts about 90 minutes in total. That isn’t a surprise if you know the game, but it might be if you expected more. Is that 90 minutes worth a full price tag? Well, that is complicated. I think back in the 90’s when we beat a short game of such quality as Star Fox, we replayed it often. Now, gaming moves so quickly, and the market is about retention, rather than just providing one single experience. Newer gamers may be put off by the length or want more, but I do think personally the value is fine for what’s offered. Not only do you get the campaign, but you also get multiplayer, challenge modes, and general collecting of items with a scoring system that adds tons of replayability. If you love Star Fox, this is hands down a no-brainer. If you just want something for your Switch 2, however, maybe you should stick to the classic and see how things go.

Audio

The music is exceptional. Not much has changed, but the remastered score may be one of Nintendo’s best to date, as even as I sit here typing, I can still hear the music in my head. The sound effects are also super nostalgic, from the whoosh of a bomb to the tink of a power-up acquisition. There is something special about those old sounds, and this title does well to keep them relevant for this experience. If I had any complaints with this remake, however, it would be the voice acting. Peppy and Fox are fine. Everyone else sounds…out of character? Something just seems off, and while I am happy the game is voiced, I wish there was a little more inflection and passion in the tones, as some actors just seemed to be bored in terms of delivery, leaving cutscenes a bit lacklustre overall.

Visuals

This is what the Switch 2 does well. The graphics look so smooth and polished here, and the new designs and animations look spectacular. Sure, sometimes lips don’t always sync perfectly, but I like seeing the polish here. I really appreciate the new detail on the environments. Sure, we went from polygonal blocks of space junk prior, but having the level of detail along with almost perfect layouts led to some incredible realisations. For instance, I was taken aback quite a bit when I realised a flaming building that fell before me was the same one that was in the first title. It’s interesting how much more these worlds come to the surface with the new design, but the execution is flawless, and fans should be elated to explore it all.

Overall

Star Fox is an updated Star Fox 64, now on the Switch 2 with completely upgraded visuals and audio. That really is all there is to it, but it is one of the better remakes Nintendo has made to date, which is saying a lot, as most have been solid. Sure, the voice acting isn’t amazing, and the game is a bit short if you just look at the campaign, but this has always been a game where you just go “I wanna play some Star Fox (just like the old days) and jump in, and thankfully that appeal still holds strong. I really hope Nintendo find their eventual mainstream audience they crave with this release, as it’s a great introduction to the beloved mascot, and hopefully a footnote before his next big outing.