In a Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo confirmed that Star Fox — a cinematic, modernized reimagining of Star Fox 64 for the Nintendo 64 — will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on June 25, 2026.
Developed and published by Nintendo, the title is described as a visual overhaul that takes advantage of the performance capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2 system while preserving the aerial combat and branching routes fans remember from the 1997 original on Nintendo 64.
Nintendo said the new Star Fox will expand the Lylat System with richly detailed planets and environments, refreshed character designs, fully voiced cutscenes, and an orchestral soundtrack.
The company also confirmed new and returning gameplay modes, including a revamped Campaign, a Challenge mode for replaying cleared stages with new objectives, and an all-new 4-vs-4 Battle Mode for up to eight players.
Key gameplay features highlighted in the announcement include traditional Arwing maneuvers such as barrel rolls, boosts, and somersaults, plus mid-air braking and alternate routes that change across multiple playthroughs.
Nintendo described the campaign as offering route-altering objectives and medal-based progression that unlocks higher difficulty settings, including an Expert mode for players who master Easy and Normal.
Multiplayer and Switch 2–specific features
- Battle Mode: Team-based 4-vs-4 dogfights divide players between Team Star Fox and Team Star Wolf across three objective-driven stages (Corneria, Fichina, and Sector Y).
Matches support private matches and matchmaking with nearby or distant players.
- GameShare and GameChat: Nintendo confirmed a new GameChat feature for voice and avatar interaction; GameShare allows up to four players to share compatible games locally or online during GameChat sessions, with some limitations when sharing across Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 hardware.
- Joy-Con 2 mouse controls: The title supports a mouse-style aiming option with Joy-Con 2 controllers for Campaign and Challenge modes, enabling a split pilot/gunner workflow when a second player joins.
Nintendo has positioned this release as both a nostalgic return to Star Fox 64’s branching, arcade-like space combat and a showcase for the Nintendo Switch 2’s audiovisual and online features.
Star Fox is scheduled to arrive on the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop on June 25, 2026.
Additional details, such as exact system requirements for GameChat and compatible accessories, are available through Nintendo’s official support pages.
Developed and published by Nintendo, the title is described as a visual overhaul that takes advantage of the performance capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2 system while preserving the aerial combat and branching routes fans remember from the 1997 original on Nintendo 64.
Nintendo said the new Star Fox will expand the Lylat System with richly detailed planets and environments, refreshed character designs, fully voiced cutscenes, and an orchestral soundtrack.
The company also confirmed new and returning gameplay modes, including a revamped Campaign, a Challenge mode for replaying cleared stages with new objectives, and an all-new 4-vs-4 Battle Mode for up to eight players.
Key gameplay features highlighted in the announcement include traditional Arwing maneuvers such as barrel rolls, boosts, and somersaults, plus mid-air braking and alternate routes that change across multiple playthroughs.
Nintendo described the campaign as offering route-altering objectives and medal-based progression that unlocks higher difficulty settings, including an Expert mode for players who master Easy and Normal.
Multiplayer and Switch 2–specific features
- Battle Mode: Team-based 4-vs-4 dogfights divide players between Team Star Fox and Team Star Wolf across three objective-driven stages (Corneria, Fichina, and Sector Y).
Matches support private matches and matchmaking with nearby or distant players.
- GameShare and GameChat: Nintendo confirmed a new GameChat feature for voice and avatar interaction; GameShare allows up to four players to share compatible games locally or online during GameChat sessions, with some limitations when sharing across Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 hardware.
- Joy-Con 2 mouse controls: The title supports a mouse-style aiming option with Joy-Con 2 controllers for Campaign and Challenge modes, enabling a split pilot/gunner workflow when a second player joins.
Nintendo has positioned this release as both a nostalgic return to Star Fox 64’s branching, arcade-like space combat and a showcase for the Nintendo Switch 2’s audiovisual and online features.
Star Fox is scheduled to arrive on the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop on June 25, 2026.
Additional details, such as exact system requirements for GameChat and compatible accessories, are available through Nintendo’s official support pages.