Nintendo is bringing Star Fox back in a big way with a new reimagining of Star Fox 64, rebuilt with modern visuals, upgraded features, and fresh ways to play. The newly announced Star Fox is headed to Nintendo Switch 2 with a worldwide release date set for June 25, arriving just in time for a summer launch window that should put it on the radar of longtime fans and newcomers looking for a fast, arcade-style sci-fi shooter.
Set in the iconic Lylat System, the story centers on the familiar threat: the mad scientist Andross is pushing to seize control, and only Fox McCloud and the Star Fox team can stop him. Players will once again climb into the Arwing and jump between planets and combat zones, taking on squadrons of enemies and pulling off the series’ signature aerial maneuvers. Expect tight dogfights, quick reflex moments, and that classic rhythm of blasting through danger while searching for smarter angles of attack.
This reimagined Star Fox aims to feel more cinematic than ever. Nintendo is promising a complete visual overhaul designed to take advantage of Nintendo Switch 2 power, including revamped character designs and rebuilt stage presentation across the Lylat System. Locations range from the bright, bustling world of Corneria to the grim, polluted waters of Zoness, with additional environments like the interior of a nebula rendered in more detail than before. There are also expanded story elements, including brand-new mission briefings between stages, more cutscenes, fully voiced dialogue, and an orchestral soundtrack intended to amplify the drama of each sortie.
Combat remains focused on high-speed space action, but the mechanics are built around the moves players remember. You’ll fire lasers, brake mid-flight to shake pursuers, trigger a Boost for extra thrust, and use somersaults to reposition. And yes, barrel rolls are still a key part of defense, letting you survive incoming fire when the screen turns into a storm of projectiles.
Nintendo is also expanding the package with multiple modes, mixing classic structure with new challenges and multiplayer. Campaign Mode sends you across a variety of planets and hazards like asteroid fields, while letting your performance influence which route you take next. You can start on Easy or Normal, then work toward earning medals that unlock Expert difficulty. Because your objectives, takedowns, and actions can change your path, the campaign is designed for replay value, encouraging multiple runs to find alternate missions and routes.
Challenge Mode is built for players who like to master individual stages. It allows you to replay cleared missions with new objectives that won’t necessarily appear in the main campaign, and it supports both Normal and Expert difficulties for those who want a tougher set of goals.
For multiplayer fans, Battle Mode adds a new competitive option: 4-vs-4 dogfights with up to eight players split between Team Star Fox and Team Star Wolf. It features three different stages with distinct objectives, including securing control of a designated zone on Corneria, collecting energy crystals on Fichina, and retrieving cargo from space pirates in Sector Y. Players can jump into online team battles through private matches or matchmaking.
Several Nintendo Switch 2-focused features are also part of the package. Joy-Con 2 mouse controls are supported in solo play for Campaign Mode and Challenge Mode, letting you switch between traditional buttons and mouse-style aiming for more intuitive targeting. The game also supports cooperative play where one player can focus on piloting while another handles gunner duties, whether they’re on the same system or joining through sharing features via GameChat.
GameChat also leans into the Star Fox theme with character-style avatars that mirror your expressions and movements while you talk, helping your group feel like they’re coordinating in the cockpit. On top of that, AR filters let players add playful Star Fox-inspired touches, like animal ears or a Falco-like beak that moves as you speak.
With a modernized presentation, fully voiced storytelling, replayable routes, and a new 4-vs-4 multiplayer Battle Mode, Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2 is shaping up to be more than a visual update. For fans searching for the next big Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, or anyone craving classic arcade space combat with modern features, June 25 is a date to watch.
