Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2 arrives as a modern reimagining of a franchise cornerstone.
Presented in a surprise Nintendo Direct, this title is billed as a ground-up remake of Star Fox 64 that pairs the original’s on-rails action with a realistic art direction, new multiplayer systems, Challenge Mode, and Joy‑Con mouse-style controls.
The release represents the series’ first major entry in over a decade and follows 2016’s Star Fox Zero on Wii U.
Narrative and presentation
The game retains the canonical conflict: when Dr. Andross launches an all-out invasion of the Lylat System, General Pepper calls Star Fox—led by Fox McCloud with Falco Lombardi, Peppy Hare, and Slippy Toad—to repel the assault.
The remake opens with a prologue touching on James McCloud’s fate and adds fully voiced cutscenes between missions.
In journalistic terms: the new cutscenes expand character moments without altering the original story beats, preserving key set pieces such as the first flight into Corneria and the final confrontation at Venom.
Campaign design and progression
Each mission remains a tightly designed on-rails run with branching paths determined by in-mission objectives.
Players pilot the Arwing, Landmaster, and Blue Marine while pursuing high-score streaks and mission-specific goals.
The mission-select screen now shows requirements to unlock alternate routes, making full completion more transparent.
The first full playthrough's runtime is short—roughly an hour to an hour and a half—but replayability is driven by alternate paths, Challenge Mode, and an unlockable Expert difficulty.
Multiplayer, controls and Switch 2 features
New multiplayer is a focal point: Battle Mode supports objective-based 4v4 matches across three modes—Battle for the Bay (point control), Meteorite Melee (collect crystals), and Deep-Space Dustup (cargo retrieval and escort).
The game supports both local and online play.
A notable control option uses two Joy‑Cons laid flat for a first-person, mouse-like aiming view that complements traditional stick controls.
Switch 2 platform features such as GameChat and AR avatars are included as additional social options.
Verdict and score
Faithful to its source while expanding features, Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2 is presented as the definitive way to experience Star Fox 64’s campaign in modern hardware.
Clean visuals, a new voice cast, robust Challenge and Battle modes, and thoughtful quality-of-life improvements deliver an accessible package for longtime fans and newcomers.
Score given in this review: 8.5/10.
A review copy of Star Fox was provided by Nintendo UK.
Presented in a surprise Nintendo Direct, this title is billed as a ground-up remake of Star Fox 64 that pairs the original’s on-rails action with a realistic art direction, new multiplayer systems, Challenge Mode, and Joy‑Con mouse-style controls.
The release represents the series’ first major entry in over a decade and follows 2016’s Star Fox Zero on Wii U.
Narrative and presentation
The game retains the canonical conflict: when Dr. Andross launches an all-out invasion of the Lylat System, General Pepper calls Star Fox—led by Fox McCloud with Falco Lombardi, Peppy Hare, and Slippy Toad—to repel the assault.
The remake opens with a prologue touching on James McCloud’s fate and adds fully voiced cutscenes between missions.
In journalistic terms: the new cutscenes expand character moments without altering the original story beats, preserving key set pieces such as the first flight into Corneria and the final confrontation at Venom.
Campaign design and progression
Each mission remains a tightly designed on-rails run with branching paths determined by in-mission objectives.
Players pilot the Arwing, Landmaster, and Blue Marine while pursuing high-score streaks and mission-specific goals.
The mission-select screen now shows requirements to unlock alternate routes, making full completion more transparent.
The first full playthrough's runtime is short—roughly an hour to an hour and a half—but replayability is driven by alternate paths, Challenge Mode, and an unlockable Expert difficulty.
Multiplayer, controls and Switch 2 features
New multiplayer is a focal point: Battle Mode supports objective-based 4v4 matches across three modes—Battle for the Bay (point control), Meteorite Melee (collect crystals), and Deep-Space Dustup (cargo retrieval and escort).
The game supports both local and online play.
A notable control option uses two Joy‑Cons laid flat for a first-person, mouse-like aiming view that complements traditional stick controls.
Switch 2 platform features such as GameChat and AR avatars are included as additional social options.
Verdict and score
Faithful to its source while expanding features, Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2 is presented as the definitive way to experience Star Fox 64’s campaign in modern hardware.
Clean visuals, a new voice cast, robust Challenge and Battle modes, and thoughtful quality-of-life improvements deliver an accessible package for longtime fans and newcomers.
Score given in this review: 8.5/10.
A review copy of Star Fox was provided by Nintendo UK.
