During a surprise Nintendo Direct today, Nintendo unveiled Star Fox, a full remake of the classic Star Fox 64, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. The announcement, delivered by legendary designers Shigeru Miyamoto and Yoshiaki Koizumi, marks the first new entry in the Star Fox series in over a decade and follows Fox McCloud’s recent appearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which served as a subtle tease for the franchise’s return.
The game preserves the core structure and level design of the original Star Fox 64, delivering the same iconic stage layouts while modernizing every aspect of the experience. Players will once again guide Fox McCloud and the Star Fox team through high-speed dogfights and missions across the Lylat system. Stage variety includes thrilling Landmaster tank sequences, underwater excursions aboard the Blue Marine submarine, and expansive All-Range Mode battles. In addition to piloting Arwing starfighters, a handful of other vehicles expand the gameplay, all while retaining the familiar in-ship banter between team members. Graphics and character designs have been completely revamped for a thoroughly modern look, featuring incredibly detailed models and environments. A standout example is the surprisingly realistic depiction of Slippy Toad, which adds fresh depth to the team’s interactions. Dialogue has been updated, and all-new cutscenes bring additional narrative layers to the campaign.
Difficulty settings return, allowing players to choose Normal or Expert modes. New challenge missions introduce tasks not found in the standard game, boosting replayability with fresh objectives in each stage. These additions ensure both newcomers and longtime fans will find plenty of content to explore beyond the main storyline.
Multiplayer receives significant attention with the return of Battle Mode. Players can engage in four-on-four online dogfighting matches, choosing to fly as members of either the heroic Star Fox team or their rivals, Star Wolf. Battles unfold on classic maps including Corneria, Fichina, and Sector Y. Support for online matchmaking and private matches makes it easy to jump into action, while local GameShare enables split-screen play with friends. The mode captures the competitive spirit of the original Star Fox 64 but scales it for modern online audiences.
Here is a look at the box art for the Star Fox remake:
Control options take full advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware. Mouse controls are fully supported, opening up exciting co-op possibilities where one player pilots using a Joy-Con while the second acts as gunner with precise mouse input. For those craving nostalgia, the game is compatible with the N64 controller, delivering an authentic old-school feel on current hardware.
Social features integrate seamlessly through GameChat, which includes interactive character avatars. These avatars transform a player’s on-camera appearance to resemble a chosen Star Fox character and mirror facial expressions and movements in real time, enhancing the online experience during voice chats.
The announcement arrives as Nintendo maintains a relatively sparse lineup of first-party titles for the Nintendo Switch 2 for the remainder of 2026. Outside of Star Fox, the only other confirmed releases on the schedule are Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Rhythm Heaven Groove, Splatoon Raiders, and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave. The roughly 15-minute Direct presentation focused squarely on this high-profile remake, signaling its importance to the platform’s immediate future.
Star Fox blends faithful recreation of classic gameplay with upgraded visuals, expanded multiplayer, and innovative controls tailored to the Nintendo Switch 2. The Star Fox remake is scheduled to release on June 25.
