Nintendo has officially announced Star Fox, a full cinematic remake of Star Fox 64, launching exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on June 25, 2026. The game features completely overhauled visuals, an orchestral soundtrack, pilot-gunner co-op, mouse controls, and a brand-new 4v4 online Battle Mode with up to eight players.
Nintendo has officially revealed Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2, a full cinematic remake of the 1997 classic Star Fox 64. Announced through a surprise Star Fox Direct on May 6, 2026, the game launches exclusively on Switch 2 on June 25, 2026. This marks the first new Star Fox release in 10 years, following 2016’s divisive Star Fox Zero on Wii U.
What Was Revealed in the Star Fox Direct?
Series creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo producer Yoshiaki Koizumi hosted the roughly 15-minute presentation, walking viewers through gameplay, modes, and new features. Nintendo described the game as “a cinematic take on the Star Fox 64 game, featuring newly overhauled character designs, freshly revamped looks for each stage, plus detailed cutscenes, fully voiced dialogue, and a sweeping orchestral soundtrack.” Stage layouts remain faithful to the N64 original, but nearly everything else has been rebuilt from scratch.
The game is simply titled “Star Fox,” positioning it as both a faithful remake and a fresh relaunch. Its timing aligns with Fox McCloud’s major role in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, where he’s voiced by Glen Powell, suggesting Nintendo is deliberately raising the franchise’s mainstream profile.
How Do the Visuals and Sound Compare to the Original?
Star Fox leverages the Switch 2’s hardware to deliver what multiple sources describe as one of the most visually impressive first-party games on the console so far. Iconic locations like Corneria, Zoness, Fichina, Sector Y, asteroid fields, and nebula missions have been completely rebuilt with modern lighting and environmental effects.
Character designs have also shifted significantly. Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, Slippy Toad, and Peppy Hare now look more animal-like than ever, resembling their SNES-era art style more than the N64 versions. The orchestral soundtrack replaces the original’s synthesised music, and every line of dialogue is now fully voiced. New cinematic cutscenes between missions flesh out character motivations and the Star Fox universe in ways the original never did.
What Game Modes Are Included?
Star Fox ships with three distinct modes designed to appeal to both solo players and competitive multiplayer fans:
- Campaign Mode: The full single-player story following Fox McCloud and Team Star Fox as they battle Andross across the Lylat System. Three difficulty settings (Easy, Normal, and Expert, with Expert unlocked via medals) are available. Alternative routes and branching paths affect which stages you encounter, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
- Challenge Mode: Lets you replay cleared stages with new objectives not found in the campaign. Challenges are available on Normal or Expert difficulty.
- Battle Mode: A brand-new 4-vs-4 online multiplayer mode. Players split into Team Star Fox and Team Star Wolf across three map-specific rulesets: zone control on Corneria, energy crystal collection on Fichina, and cargo retrieval in Sector Y. Private online matches and worldwide matchmaking are both supported.
GameShare support means up to four players can join locally or online through GameChat using a single copy of the game. While online GameShare requires Switch 2 systems, local GameShare also works with original Switch consoles.
How Do Co-op and Mouse Controls Work?
One of the biggest new features is a pilot-and-gunner co-op mode. By sharing the Joy-Con 2 controllers, one player handles flight while the second manages aiming and firing. This works both locally and online, adding an entirely new cooperative dimension to the classic rail-shooting gameplay.
Star Fox also supports Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. By holding the controller like a mouse on a flat surface, players can switch to mouse-based targeting for more intuitive aiming and steering. This is particularly useful during precision-heavy combat sections. For purists, the game is fully compatible with the Switch Online Nintendo 64 controller, allowing an experience that feels closely matched to the 1997 original.
Are the Classic Vehicles Returning?
All three iconic Star Fox vehicles are confirmed. The Arwing space fighter remains the primary vehicle for most missions, handling aerial and space combat. The Landmaster tank returns for ground-based stages, and the Blue Marine submarine is back for underwater sections. Classic mechanics including barrel rolls, boosts, braking, somersaults, charged laser shots, and bombs are all preserved.
What Does It Cost?
Nintendo has priced Star Fox below the standard first-party Switch 2 price point. Confirmed digital and physical prices are as follows:
| Region | Digital | Physical |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | €49.99 | €59.99 |
| United Kingdom | £41.99 | £49.99 |
| United States | $49.99 | $59.99 |
| Japan | ¥5,480 | ¥6,480 |
This puts it in a similar price bracket to Rhythm Paradise Groove rather than the €79.99 tier occupied by games like Mario Kart World. The lower price reflects its status as a focused remake rather than a full-scale new IP, though the volume of new content (co-op, Battle Mode, Challenge Mode, new cinematics) makes it far more than a simple remaster.
Why Was Star Fox Dormant for So Long?
The Star Fox series debuted on the SNES in 1993, famously becoming the first game to use the Super FX chip for polygonal 3D graphics. Star Fox 64 in 1997 (known as Lylat Wars in Europe) is widely regarded as the franchise’s peak and one of the best N64 games ever made. However, subsequent entries struggled to recapture that magic.
Rare’s Star Fox Adventures (2002, GameCube) shifted the franchise to an adventure format. Namco’s Star Fox: Assault (2005, GameCube) received mixed reviews. Q-Games’ Star Fox Command (2006, DS) experimented with touch-screen strategy elements. A 3DS remake of Star Fox 64 arrived in 2011, followed by Star Fox Zero in 2016, which was developed by PlatinumGames but scored a disappointing 69 on Metacritic due to its dual-screen control scheme.
After Star Fox Zero, Nintendo effectively shelved the franchise for the entire Switch generation. This 2026 remake represents not just the fourth iteration of the Star Fox 64 formula, but the series’ most ambitious attempt at a mainstream comeback.
GameChat Avatars and AR Filters: A Switch 2 First
Star Fox introduces character avatars to GameChat, making it the first Switch 2 game to use this feature. Players can transform their face into Fox McCloud, Falco, and other Star Fox characters via AR filters during video chat. The avatars track head movement, mouth movement, blinks, and eyebrow expressions. A compatible USB camera enhances the experience. These avatars persist even when playing other games, adding a social layer to the Switch 2 ecosystem.
Things Players Usually Want to Know
Is Star Fox exclusive to Switch 2?
Yes. The game is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive and will not be available on the original Switch. However, local GameShare allows original Switch owners to join multiplayer sessions.
Do I need to have played Star Fox 64 first?
Not at all. The remake includes new cinematic cutscenes, expanded character introductions, and a prologue mission featuring Fox’s father, making it a perfect entry point for newcomers.
Does online multiplayer require a subscription?
Online Battle Mode requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Local multiplayer does not.
Is the Ocarina of Time remake also confirmed?
Not officially. However, the same sources (NateTheHate, VGC) who accurately predicted this Star Fox announcement also reported a full Ocarina of Time remake for the second half of 2026, coinciding with Zelda’s 40th anniversary. Many observers now consider that report significantly more credible following the Star Fox confirmation.
Will there be more Star Fox games after this?
Some reports suggest a second Star Fox project may be in development for 2027, though Nintendo has not confirmed anything beyond this June 25 release.
Star Fox represents one of the most surprising announcements in Nintendo’s 2026 lineup and arguably the biggest moment for the franchise since Star Fox 64 nearly three decades ago. With a June 25 launch date and a lower-than-expected price point, Fox McCloud’s return is positioned as a must-play for both long-time fans and a new generation of players discovering the series for the first time. For more Switch 2 news and gaming updates, check out the latest coverage on the GamerMarkt Blog.
