Takaya Imamura Hopes for Star Fox: Assault and Steel Diver Ports on Nintendo Switch 2

Takaya Imamura, renowned for his celebrated career as a Nintendo artist and developer, has once again expressed interest in bringing classic titles to the next generation of Nintendo hardware.

As the gaming community commemorates two notable anniversaries—20 years since the release of Star Fox: Assault and 11 years since the debut of Steel Diver: Sub Wars—Imamura marked the occasion by sharing special artwork dedicated to both games and their potential futures on the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. Star Fox: Assault, developed by Namco and released for the Nintendo GameCube on February 14, 2005, presented players with a blend of traditional aerial combat and on-foot missions.

While the game received a mix of reviews upon launch—praised for its action-packed aerial segments but critiqued for its on-ground combat—the title remains a cult favorite.

Notably, Takaya Imamura served as co-producer, building upon his history of involvement with the iconic Star Fox series. Steel Diver: Sub Wars, directed by Imamura and launched on the Nintendo 3DS on February 14, 2014, also holds a special place in the developer’s portfolio.

Though not as widely recognized as Star Fox, the tactical submarine sim found a dedicated audience on the portable platform, leading to anniversary recognition by fans. In a recent social media post, Imamura shared original artwork featuring Star Fox protagonist Fox McCloud holding a submarine, directly referencing both anniversaries.

Accompanying the tribute, Imamura stated, "Today marks the release anniversaries of Star Fox: Assault and Steel Diver: Sub Wars.

I truly hope both titles become available to play on the Switch 2." His message underscores his ongoing enthusiasm for preserving classic Nintendo experiences through modern re-releases. Imamura’s advocacy for ports on newer Nintendo hardware is not new; in 2023, he publicly expressed a desire to see other fan favorites—such as Star Fox Zero, F-Zero, and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask—transition to the Switch 2.

Imamura’s long-standing contributions to Nintendo’s first-party franchises, including his work as character designer and director, have made his opinions highly regarded among the Nintendo community. The potential for legacy titles like Star Fox: Assault and Steel Diver: Sub Wars to reach new audiences on Nintendo Switch 2 sparks fresh discussion regarding Nintendo’s approach to its library.

Switch and Switch OLED models have already brought classic content to millions of players via the Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Direct announcements, making future ports a continual point of interest in the community. With both anniversaries highlighting the lasting appeal of these games, the demand for their return on future hardware remains strong.

As Imamura continues to champion the revival of beloved Nintendo titles, anticipation grows within the gaming industry.

Players and fans alike eagerly await further announcements from Nintendo regarding possible ports and remasters for the next evolution of the Switch platform.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Switch Takaya Imamura Star Fox Steel Diver: Sub Wars Nintendo Switch