Star Fox Timeline: SNES to Switch 2 Release 2026 Guide

Back in 1993, Nintendo launched Star Fox on the SNES as a rail-shooter that leaned into spaceship action and a story built around anthropomorphic pilots. The series retold and reimagined that same premise in 1997 with Star Fox 64, then refreshed it again in 2011 on the 3DS as Star Fox 64 3D. After that came Star Fox Zero for Wii U in 2016, and now—2026—Nintendo is bringing the core Star Fox experience to a new platform once more with a Switch 2 release that largely sticks to the same narrative, just with modern presentation.

This newest Star Fox on Switch 2 is a remake of the Nintendo 64 original, keeping the level layouts and central gameplay structure extremely close to the source. The headline change is visual: graphics have been substantially upgraded. As in the N64 game, the campaign sends you hopping across multiple worlds in the Lylat System as you pursue the villain Dr. Andross, completing a range of mission objectives while flying in the Arwing starfighters of the Star Fox team.

The Classic Star Fox Campaign Returns (Again)

Star Fox remains a short, replay-friendly experience, with each stage offering a different flavor of combat. Some missions are classic space dogfights against enemy forces, while others throw you into harsher environments—such as a lava planet—complete with a boss encounter featuring a giant magma monster. Most levels revolve around Fox and the crew piloting their Arwings, but the game also occasionally swaps in other vehicle types, including a submarine segment and a tank mission, to keep the pacing from feeling monotonous.

Part of what keeps the campaign fresh is that it’s designed to be run multiple times. Alternate routes and secrets can be uncovered by meeting specific conditions, and chasing those requirements is the kind of reward loop that makes revisits feel worthwhile rather than repetitive. Add in action-packed, consistently enjoyable rail-shooter mechanics, and the game’s replay value holds up.

In terms of moment-to-moment gameplay, the Switch 2 version doesn’t try to reinvent the formula—it’s essentially the same experience as the Nintendo 64 release. You still rely on standard blasters and powerful bombs to clear out enemies, and the vehicles include small maneuvers that add variety compared to many rail shooters. For instance, the Arwing can execute barrel rolls to help deflect incoming attacks, while the tank can briefly hover to slip past obstacles and reach power-ups that would otherwise be out of reach.

One new feature the Switch 2 edition brings to the table is mouse controls. They function smoothly and provide a different way to experience the familiar Star Fox combat flow. While many long-time fans may prefer traditional input methods, this is still one of the better uses of Switch 2 mouse support for the kind of on-rails aiming the series is built around. The adjustment period is short, and it helps make a nearly 30-year-old game feel a bit less dated.

That “fresh” feel is also reinforced by the presentation upgrade. Nintendo chose a more photo-real approach for the characters and environments, resulting in visuals that are dramatically clearer and more detailed than the earlier releases. Not every player will love the updated character designs, but the new models are undeniably intricate, and everything looks sharp while maintaining strong performance. The remake also includes new and expanded cutscenes throughout the campaign. One letdown, though, is the prologue mission featuring Fox’s dad, James McCloud: despite the marketing emphasis on it, it turns out to be a cutscene rather than a playable segment.

Along with the improved visuals, the voice work is also upgraded, even if it doesn’t land as flawless as it could. Some of the older entries’ playful campiness is reduced, but the overall effect is a net improvement. When you compare Nintendo’s various Star Fox retellings, the Switch 2 version stands out as both the best-looking and the best-performed. The campaign itself is an upgrade over prior versions thanks to these changes, but players who have already spent a lot of time with earlier releases may struggle to justify the $59.99 asking price—especially since the core game is already accessible on Nintendo Switch 2 via the Switch Online Expansion Pack’s N64 library.

Star Fox Multiplayer is a Mixed Bag

Co-op is where some players are likely to take issue. Instead of offering a full co-op campaign, the Switch 2 remake uses one of Nintendo’s more limited co-op approaches. In this setup, the game effectively divides responsibilities between two players: one controls the Arwing’s movement while the other handles the guns. That split can make the experience feel awkward, and it’s easy to sense the mode was included largely to give the game a co-op label. It isn’t the kind of true shared campaign that many players would expect, and going in with that expectation is likely to lead to disappointment.

The biggest multiplayer problem is the complete absence of split-screen. Star Fox 64 was known for its split-screen multiplayer, and removing that feature is a major step backward for local play. The game does support GameShare, which at least makes local matches somewhat easier by allowing play across multiple Switch systems, but the lack of split-screen remains the remake’s most significant misstep.

If you can live without split-screen, the PvP side can still be enjoyable, though it’s light on content. Multiplayer matches are 4v4, and you can compete against local friends on other Switch consoles, bots, or online players. At launch, there are only three multiplayer maps, so matches can start to feel repetitive quickly. Still, multiplayer-specific power-ups and the competitive energy help keep the mode from feeling completely stale.

Finishing Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2 typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on skill level. Beyond the main run, there are alternate routes, a Challenge Mode for added variety, and multiplayer to extend the experience.

Still, if you’ve already played Star Fox on Nintendo 64 or 3DS, the Switch 2 remake will feel familiar in a big way—so the $59.99 price can be hard to justify. On the other hand, if you’re new to the series, this release may deliver noticeably more value, since it offers a fresh first look at the classic campaign and its variations.