Nintendo surprised the industry with an unannounced Star Fox Direct that detailed a full reimagining of Star Fox 64 for the Nintendo Switch 2.
The 16-minute presentation, led by legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo producer Yoshiaki Koizumi, confirmed that the new Star Fox title is a Switch 2 exclusive and will launch on June 25.
The announcement positions the game as a cinematic take on the 1997 Nintendo 64 classic—known in some regions as Lylat Wars.
Miyamoto opened the Direct by noting Fox McCloud’s recent cameo in the Super Mario Galaxy movie, linking that appearance to renewed fan interest in a Star Fox revival.
Koizumi then framed the new Star Fox explicitly as a cinematic reimagining of Star Fox 64, making clear Nintendo’s intent to modernize the series while honoring the original’s structure and characters.
What the Direct confirmed
- Release date and platform: Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2 arrives June 25 as an exclusive title for the new hardware.
- Narrative and presentation: Players will follow Fox McCloud and his crew as they confront the returning antagonist Andross.
The game features overhauled character renders, fully voiced dialogue, new cutscenes, and an orchestral soundtrack.
- Visual and level updates: Each stage from the original experience has been revamped with updated visuals and free-flying dogfight sections.
Modes and multiplayer
- Campaign Mode: Players can travel to multiple planets, navigate asteroid fields, and engage in free-flying combat.
Difficulty can be set to Easy or Normal initially; earning medals unlocks an Expert setting.
Route choices and mission outcomes can alter stage progression, encouraging replayability.
- Challenge Mode: Revisit cleared stages to tackle new objectives available in Normal and Expert difficulties.
- Battle Mode: A new 4-vs-4 multiplayer mode supports up to eight players split between Team Star Fox and Team Star Wolf across three objective-based stages (Corneria, Fichina, Sector Y).
Matches can be private or online, and local or online GameShare options are supported; GameShare online requires Nintendo Switch 2 systems.
Switch 2-specific features
Joy-Con 2 mouse controls enable seamless switching between traditional button inputs and mouse-style aiming in solo Campaign and Challenge Modes.
GameChat integrates character avatars and AR filters so players can appear as Fox McCloud or other crew members during voice chat, adding expressive imagery to online sessions.
The Direct footage is available to watch in full, and discussion of the announcement is already scheduled for the next episode of the Pure Nintendo Podcast.
With a confirmed June 25 release, Nintendo has set a clear timetable for Star Fox’s next chapter on the Nintendo Switch 2.
The 16-minute presentation, led by legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo producer Yoshiaki Koizumi, confirmed that the new Star Fox title is a Switch 2 exclusive and will launch on June 25.
The announcement positions the game as a cinematic take on the 1997 Nintendo 64 classic—known in some regions as Lylat Wars.
Miyamoto opened the Direct by noting Fox McCloud’s recent cameo in the Super Mario Galaxy movie, linking that appearance to renewed fan interest in a Star Fox revival.
Koizumi then framed the new Star Fox explicitly as a cinematic reimagining of Star Fox 64, making clear Nintendo’s intent to modernize the series while honoring the original’s structure and characters.
What the Direct confirmed
- Release date and platform: Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2 arrives June 25 as an exclusive title for the new hardware.
- Narrative and presentation: Players will follow Fox McCloud and his crew as they confront the returning antagonist Andross.
The game features overhauled character renders, fully voiced dialogue, new cutscenes, and an orchestral soundtrack.
- Visual and level updates: Each stage from the original experience has been revamped with updated visuals and free-flying dogfight sections.
Modes and multiplayer
- Campaign Mode: Players can travel to multiple planets, navigate asteroid fields, and engage in free-flying combat.
Difficulty can be set to Easy or Normal initially; earning medals unlocks an Expert setting.
Route choices and mission outcomes can alter stage progression, encouraging replayability.
- Challenge Mode: Revisit cleared stages to tackle new objectives available in Normal and Expert difficulties.
- Battle Mode: A new 4-vs-4 multiplayer mode supports up to eight players split between Team Star Fox and Team Star Wolf across three objective-based stages (Corneria, Fichina, Sector Y).
Matches can be private or online, and local or online GameShare options are supported; GameShare online requires Nintendo Switch 2 systems.
Switch 2-specific features
Joy-Con 2 mouse controls enable seamless switching between traditional button inputs and mouse-style aiming in solo Campaign and Challenge Modes.
GameChat integrates character avatars and AR filters so players can appear as Fox McCloud or other crew members during voice chat, adding expressive imagery to online sessions.
The Direct footage is available to watch in full, and discussion of the announcement is already scheduled for the next episode of the Pure Nintendo Podcast.
With a confirmed June 25 release, Nintendo has set a clear timetable for Star Fox’s next chapter on the Nintendo Switch 2.