Nintendo has officially announced the first new Star Fox game in two decades, bringing the legendary space combat series back to Nintendo Switch 2. The reveal was made during a Nintendo Direct presentation, sparking excitement among fans old and new. The announcement marks a new era for one of Nintendo 's most iconic characters , Fox McCloud , and his team.
The new game is simply titled “ Star Fox ” and is based on the classic Star Fox 64 , one of the most beloved games in the series that was released in 1997 for the Nintendo 64. The developers have chosen to retain the original level design that made Star Fox 64 so popular, while completely redesigning the characters and upgrading the graphics to take advantage of the Switch 2’s capabilities. This approach reflects Nintendo ’s philosophy of honoring the past while embracing modern technological advances.
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Early gameplay footage shows off stunning modern graphics with detailed characters, including a stunningly realistic Slippy Toad. Character rendition has been dramatically improved over previous releases, utilizing advanced rendering techniques that bring out every detail of the series’ beloved heroes. Facial expressions, movement, and overall aesthetics have been significantly upgraded, creating a more immersive experience while maintaining the nostalgic feel of the original.
One of the most iconic elements returning is the famous in-ship banter, the dialogue between the Star Fox crew members during missions. Players will have the opportunity to hear iconic phrases like “Do a barrel roll!” and “Can't let you do that, Star Fox!” again, while the sound quality will be significantly improved thanks to the capabilities of the Switch 2.
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New features and vehicles in Star Fox
In addition to the traditional Arwing, players will be able to pilot a variety of vehicles, including a submarine for underwater missions. This addition promises to bring new dimensions to the gameplay, extending the action beyond space and offering variety to the missions.
According to The Verge, the announcement of the new Star Fox comes at a time when Nintendo Switch 2 looks relatively thin for the rest of 2026.Aside from Star Fox, the only first-party titles planned are Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Rhythm Heaven Groove, Splatoon Raiders , and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave. This strategic choice shows that Nintendo is focusing on quality over quantity, investing significant resources into each title.
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The return of the Star Fox series is a significant move for Nintendo , as the last major release was Star Fox Zero for the Wii U in 2016 , which was not well received by players due to its complicated controls and mandatory use of the GamePad . Prior to this, the series had gone through a long period of dormancy, with Star Fox Command for the Nintendo DS in 2006 being the previous major release. The 20-year absence from a successful release has created high expectations among the gaming community.
The game is expected to be one of the main system sellers for the new console, attracting both nostalgic players and new fans. Fans of the series are eagerly awaiting more details about the release date and additional features of the game.
