An impressive-looking new Star Fox remake has just been announced for Switch 2, via a shadow-dropped, dedicated Nintendo Direct broadcast.
The game is simply titled Star Fox, and is a ground-up remake of Star Fox 64 (known in some regions as Lylat Wars). Today’s reveal follows the character’s recent reappearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and a recent, major leak that pointed to a new game in the franchise — the first for nearly a decade.
Once again, you’ll be piloting an Arwing over the skies of Corneria and other planets alongside Falco, Peppy and Slippy. Level layouts will be familiar to anyone who has played the original Star Fox 64, though the game has received a huge graphical overhaul.
The game appears to remain an on-rails experience, albeit with some control over your craft’s movement to boost, brake and (of course) do a barrel roll. Sections in the Landmaster ground tank and Blue-Marine submarine are also again included.
Switch 2 mouse controls have been added, and two players can take control by sharing a Joy-Con with a friend, with one controlling the Arwing’s movement, while another mans the ship’s guns. Alternatively, you can enjoy a retro feel by using the Switch’s N64 controller!
While the story of the game may be familiar, Nintendo says it has added fresh cutscenes adding new story moments between characters, expanding on the game’s narrative. Campaign mode features easy, normal and hard modes, with the latter removing the ability to continue on after a Game Over.
Challenge mode allows you to replay levels with new objectives that aren’t found in the main campaign (there’s an Expert difficulty for veteran pilots, too).
Battle mode, meanwhile, sees you going head-to-head against players on team Star Wolf via online battles, locally via GameShare, or online using GameShare via GameChat. On Corneria, you’ll be battling over zone control, while on the icy planet of Fichina you’re collecting energy crystals and dodging meteorittes. Finally, in the deep space Sector Y, you’re collecting cargo.
Speaking of online play, a cool addition here is the ability to apply AR filters for any of the Star Fox team while using GameChat. So, yes, you can create your own Star Fox team banter — with avatars for Fox, Slippy and the gang that mirror your facial movements and expressions.
While tonight’s Direct arrived without warning, the impending arrival of a new Star Fox project was one of the key titles mentioned in a recent, major leak of upcoming Nintendo projects — which also spoiled the existence of a Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake due this Christmas, and mentioned an all-new 3D Mario game due in 2027. Both of these projects now feel like sure bets.
Star Fox launches exclusively for Switch 2 on June 25, slotting in neatly between Yoshi and the Mysterious Book on May 21 and Splatoon Raiders on July 23.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
