Star Fox Switch 2 Looks Great, But Is It Too Safe?

A familiar classic returns, but Nintendo still has something to prove.

Today, Nintendo surprised the world with a Nintendo Direct announcement for Star Fox, approximately 15 minutes before the Direct aired. And boy, was it a surprise. More than 15 minutes of heads-up would have been greatly appreciated.

The Direct focused on Star Fox, a new Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive launching June 25, 2026.

And while I’m excited for the game to launch with updated graphics and an enhanced cinematic story, I can’t help but feel like this may be too safe for the series. Star Fox 64 is by far my favorite Star Fox game, but the series could have used something truly new rather than a retelling of something familiar and nostalgic. Maybe I would have preferred a Star Fox 64 sequel instead of another retelling.

To be fair, Nintendo is adding more than just a fresh coat of paint. The game will include Campaign Mode, Challenge Mode, a new 4-vs-4 Battle Mode, Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, GameShare co-op, fully voiced dialogue, and new mission briefings. That is a solid list of additions, and some of those features could help the remake feel more modern than it first appears.

That said, I think this is where my hesitation comes from. A lot of what sounds new appears to be layered around the familiar Star Fox 64 foundation rather than fully pushing the series forward.

I still think there will be a lot that makes this game feel fresh and less like a repeat. If Star Fox is received well, we could see Nintendo apply a similar approach to other remakes. I’m looking at you, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

What Star Fox appears to be doing well is storytelling. While the gameplay seems refreshingly nostalgic, the game is going in another direction with its cinematic cutscenes, exploring deeper lore and character development. And while I’m excited to see more of Star Fox’s world through those cutscenes, will they be enough?

As of right now, the campaign still appears to be built heavily around the structure and identity of Star Fox 64, even with enhanced graphics, new control options, additional dialogue, and expanded presentation. Those additions matter, but new gameplay would have been incredible.

I would have loved to see new missions introduced on new planets, along with new paths that give these characters more room to explore. Star Fox has always had a world that feels like it could be more than one familiar route through the Lylat System.

That said, I’m not disappointed with what we’re getting. Call me easy to please, but a Star Fox 64 remake at this scale sounds absolutely amazing. I just worry this game won’t feel new enough for returning fans.

Once again, Nintendo appears to be competing with nostalgia, especially because Star Fox 64 is already playable through Nintendo Switch Online. Can this remake win the hearts of returning fans? I’m not sure.

I feel like Star Fox needs to prove that it is more than just a prettier version of Star Fox 64, which frankly will not be easy to do. Returning fans have a deep passion for Star Fox 64, and that passion cuts both ways. It gives this remake a built-in audience, but it also gives players a very specific standard to compare it against.

For now, I’m cautiously excited.

A new Star Fox game on Nintendo Switch 2 is still something worth celebrating, especially after the series has been quiet for so long. Seeing Fox, Falco, Peppy, and Slippy return with modern visuals, expanded story moments, and new ways to play is enough to get me interested.

But this remake also has something to prove.

If Star Fox is going to justify returning to Star Fox 64 again, it needs to be more than a nostalgia trip with better graphics. It needs to show why this story, this team, and this style of gameplay still matter on Nintendo’s next system.

Maybe the deeper storytelling will be enough. Maybe the new controls and presentation will make a familiar campaign feel fresh again. Maybe this is Nintendo’s way of rebuilding confidence in a franchise that has struggled to find its footing for decades.

I hope that’s the case.

Because I don’t just want Star Fox to come back. I want Star Fox to come back with a future.

About the Author

Scott (Scotty) Greenhalgh is the founder and owner of Input Lag, an independent Nintendo-focused publication. Scotty brings a player-first perspective informed by years of hands-on experience with Nintendo games to his reviews, rankings, and editorial coverage. His writing focuses on how games feel to play, their long-term value, and the impact Nintendo’s creative and business decisions have on players.

Outside of Input Lag, he also creates Pokémon-focused content online under the name Gr3atScotty.