Nintendo surprised everyone by dropping a dedicated Star Fox Direct yesterday, officially confirming the long-rumored new Star Fox game for Nintendo Switch 2. Coming right off the back of Fox McCloud’s awesome cameo in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the Direct revealed Star Fox, a cinematic reimagining of Star Fox 64 releasing June 25, 2026 with a complete visual overhaul, fully voiced dialogue, an orchestral score, and a brand-new 4-vs-4 multiplayer Battle Mode. NateTheHate’s recent leak pegging a classic-style Star Fox for summer 2026 has now been validated almost to the letter.
A Graphical Showcase With an Uncanny Edge
- Star Fox features a complete visual overhaul leveraging Nintendo Switch 2’s power and performance
- Stages span the Lylat System from vibrant Corneria to the polluted oceans of Zoness and the inside of a nebula
- Cinematic cutscenes feature fully voiced dialogue, never-before-seen mission briefings, and a sweeping orchestral soundtrack
This may be the first true graphical showcase for Nintendo’s first-party output on Nintendo Switch 2, and the visuals are genuinely stunning. The Lylat System has never looked this good, stretching from the bustling cityscapes of Corneria to the desolate, polluted oceans of Zoness, with brand-new environments like the inside of a nebula adding variety. The cinematic cutscenes, fully voiced dialogue, and sweeping orchestral score push this from a remake into something closer to a full theatrical experience.
That said, Star Fox is making a bold visual choice that’s polarizing right out of the gate. The character models lean into a realistic animal aesthetic that’s pretty uncanny and kind of off-putting at first, especially compared to the more stylized Fox McCloud we just saw in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. After seeing more of it, the look does start to grow on you, but Andross was already nightmare fuel back on N64. The thought of what that floating face will look like with full Switch 2 fidelity and a realistic redesign is genuinely terrifying.
Solo Piloting and Multiplayer Dogfights
- Campaign Mode features branching routes determined by objectives, defeated foes, and player actions, with Easy, Normal, and unlockable Expert difficulties
- Challenge Mode replays cleared stages with new objectives not found in Campaign, available in Normal or Expert difficulty
- Battle Mode introduces 4-vs-4 dogfights for up to eight players across three stages with distinct objectives
Star Fox ships with three distinct modes covering both solo and multiplayer play. Campaign Mode is the meat of the experience, taking players across the Lylat System with branching routes that change based on objectives completed and enemies defeated. Players can choose between Easy or Normal difficulty at the start, with Expert unlocked by earning enough medals across multiple playthroughs.
Challenge Mode lets players replay cleared stages with new objectives, some of which aren’t available in Campaign Mode, with Normal and Expert difficulty options for those chasing mastery.
The biggest addition is Battle Mode, which throws up to eight players into 4-vs-4 dogfights split between Team Star Fox and Team Star Wolf. The mode launches with three stages and varied objectives: secure a designated zone on Corneria, collect energy crystals on Fichina, or retrieve cargo from space pirates in Sector Y. Battle Mode supports private matches and online matchmaking with players from around the world, and through GameShare, up to four players can take to the skies locally or online through GameChat. Local GameShare even works between Nintendo Switch 2 and original Nintendo Switch systems, though the online version is Switch 2 exclusive.
Joy-Con 2 Mouse Controls and Star Fox GameChat Avatars
- Joy-Con 2 mouse controls allow seamless swapping between button and mouse aiming in Campaign and Challenge Modes
- GameChat avatars let players appear as Star Fox characters with expressions and movements mirrored in real time
- AR Filters add Star Fox-inspired ears or a Falco-inspired beak that moves when you talk
Beyond the modes, Star Fox is loaded with Nintendo Switch 2-specific features. Joy-Con 2 mouse controls allow for more intuitive aiming, and solo players can swap seamlessly between button and mouse controls in Campaign and Challenge Modes. If a friend joins in (either on the same system or through GameShare via GameChat), they can take over gunner duties while you focus on flying, or vice versa.
The GameChat integration is genuinely creative. Players can appear as Fox McCloud or any of his crew while chatting with friends, using interactive avatars that mirror real-time expressions and movements. The AR Filters add Star Fox-style ears or a Falco-inspired beak that moves when you talk. It’s a fun, character-driven use of Switch 2’s social features that fits the franchise’s personality perfectly and gives Battle Mode squads a way to stay in character while strategizing.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one frustrating thing about this announcement, it’s that this is yet ANOTHER Star Fox 64 remake/remaster/reimagining. The franchise has so much untapped potential, proven by Ubisoft’s Starlink: Battle for Atlas, which gave us a taste of an open-space, ambitious direction that fans have been begging for. Instead, Nintendo went back to the well one more time. With that said, having Star Fox back at all is reason to celebrate after a decade of dormancy, and the pricing is genuinely fan-friendly at $49.99 digital and $59.99 physical. After Star Fox Zero nearly killed the franchise, a polished cinematic Star Fox 64 redo is probably the safest path to rebuilding the brand. Just please, Nintendo, let the next one be the Breath of the Wild-level ambition Star Fox we actually deserve.
