Star Fox returns on Switch 2 with a full Star Fox 64 remake

Star Fox is finally coming back.

Nintendo announced a new Star Fox remake during its May 2026 Nintendo Direct, bringing the classic Star Fox 64 back as a full cinematic reimagining for Nintendo Switch 2. The game launches on June 25, 2026, exclusively for Switch 2.

This is not just a simple remaster. Nintendo is rebuilding the 1997 rail shooter with redesigned characters, new cutscenes, full English voice acting, and an orchestral soundtrack. The original Star Fox 64 already received a 3DS remake in 2011, but this new version appears to be a much larger update.

The story still follows Fox McCloud and the Star Fox team as they fight across the Lylat system against Andross. Falco Lombardi, Peppy Hare, and Slippy Toad return, while the game keeps the branching mission structure that made Star Fox 64 so replayable.

Nintendo is also adding new content. The remake includes a prologue mission focused on Fox’s father, James McCloud, expanded mission briefing scenes, and a new underwater level that was not in the original game.

Here is the main launch information:

The lower price is notable. Star Fox is cheaper than some other first party Switch 2 games, with the digital edition priced at $49.99 and the physical edition at $59.99. In Europe, it is €49.99 digitally and €59.99 physically. In the UK, the digital version is £41.99, while the physical version is expected around £49.99.

The core gameplay remains familiar. Players fly through stages using lasers, bombs, somersaults, and barrel rolls while taking down enemies and bosses. Campaign Mode includes branching routes and three difficulty levels: Easy, Normal, and Expert.

The remake also adds Challenge Mode, which gives players new objectives in completed stages. Battle Mode adds online 4v4 multiplayer, with Team Star Fox facing Team Star Wolf across three dedicated maps.

Campaign co op is also supported. One player controls the ship as Pilot, while another handles aiming as Gunner using a shared Joy Con 2 setup. Joy Con 2 mouse controls are supported too, giving players more precise aiming in solo and co op play.

Nintendo is also including support for the Nintendo 64 Wireless Controller, which is a nice touch for fans who want a more nostalgic setup. GameChat integration lets players use AR avatar filters based on Star Fox team members during matches.

Early footage analysis suggests the game may run at 60 FPS when docked, with a 1080p base image scaled to around 1440p. Nintendo has not officially confirmed resolution or frame rate targets yet. It is also unclear whether the game uses DLSS or traditional anti aliasing, though Nintendo has not used DLSS much in its own first party Switch 2 games so far.

The game supports TV, tabletop, and handheld play. It also supports Save Data Cloud and includes 11 languages at launch, including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Dutch, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.

Star Fox has been quiet for years, especially after Star Fox Zero on Wii U divided fans with its unusual control scheme. This remake feels like a safer and smarter return. Nintendo is going back to the most beloved game in the series, keeping its core structure, and expanding it with modern presentation, co op, online multiplayer, and new story content.

If Nintendo gets the controls and pacing right, Star Fox could finally have the comeback fans have wanted for almost a decade.