Everything about Star Fox on Switch 2: Release date, gameplay and more

Star Fox returns to its place among Nintendo's major releases with an announcement that surprised even those who closely follow the company's events. After years without a new, relevant adventure for Fox McCloud's team, the franchise reappears more modern, revisiting a beloved classic with new features. Below, see everything we already know about the game!

Star Fox's story on Switch 2 and gameplay

The Star Fox campaign on Switch 2 retains the core story familiar to fans: the threat posed by scientist Andross to the Lylat system and the Star Fox team's mission to prevent the destruction of the planets. Fox McCloud continues to lead his team alongside Falco, Slippy, and Peppy, piloting the iconic Arwing spaceship on action-packed space missions.

The game revisits classic locations like Corneria, Sector Y, and Zoness, but now with a much higher level of detail, taking advantage of the new console's hardware. The levels follow the traditional auto-progression style, where the player advances while facing enemies, dodging obstacles, and confronting enormous bosses.

Despite the familiar structure, Star Fox has more depth between missions, with new scenes and expanded dialogue that help to better understand the characters. The gameplay remains fast and direct, but with adjustments that make everything more fluid and responsive. Classic maneuvers are still present, such as the famous barrel roll, acceleration, emergency brakes, and high-speed dodges.

New game modes in Star Fox

In addition to the main campaign, Star Fox has extra modes that significantly increase the content and extend the game's lifespan:

• The Campaign mode offers different difficulty levels and encourages the player to replay stages to unlock alternative paths. Depending on performance, new routes appear, changing the way the Lylat system is explored;
• Challenge Mode, on the other hand, has extra objectives in already completed levels. Here, the focus is on surpassing specific goals, such as higher scores or different tasks within the same missions. This mode encourages repetition without becoming monotonous
• Finally, there's Battle Mode, which pits teams against each other in matches with varied objectives on familiar maps from the franchise.

Will there be multiplayer?

Yes, multiplayer is one of the most talked-about aspects of Star Fox on the Switch 2. The game includes online matches in a 4v4 format, dividing players between Team Star Fox and Team Star Wolf. Matches aren't limited to direct combat; they also feature objectives like area control, item collection, and cooperative missions within the map.

In addition to online play, there is support for local matches and sharing features between consoles. Another interesting point is the integration with the Switch 2's communication system, allowing interaction between players during matches. There is also a curious cooperative mode: two players can control the same ship, one piloting and the other focused on firing. 

Is Star Fox a remake of Star Fox 64?

Yes, the new Star Fox is a reinterpretation of Star Fox 64, a classic originally released on the Nintendo 64. However, it's not just a simple visual update. The project was rebuilt based on the original game, maintaining the same set of stages and main structure, but with important changes in several areas. The scenarios were redone, the characters received new models, and the story scenes were expanded with more dialogue and new cutscenes.

The soundtrack also received a new orchestral recording, with a more cinematic atmosphere. Even so, the classic rhythm of the franchise was preserved, maintaining the arcade identity that has always marked Star Fox. In other words, it's a modern reimagining that respects the original but expands the experience with new visual and narrative elements.

When will Star Fox be released on Switch 2?

Nintendo has confirmed that Star Fox will be released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 25, 2026.

The game arrives with a set price and full localization in Brazilian Portuguese, which reinforces the company's interest in reaching wider audiences with this relaunch of the franchise.

The announcement took place during a presentation dedicated to the game, reinforcing the title's importance within the console's new phase. Furthermore, the release is part of a larger Nintendo strategy to strengthen the Switch 2's initial catalog with well-known franchises.

With this, Star Fox returns to the spotlight at a time when Nintendo is betting on combining nostalgia and new features to attract both old fans and new players.