Star Fox (2026 video game)
2026 video game
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Star Fox[a] is a 2026 rail shooter game developed by Velan Studios and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch 2. A remake of Star Fox 64 (1997), it adapts the original game's level design, story, and gameplay while introducing a new artstyle and rebooting the series.[b]
| Star Fox | |
|---|---|
Promotional artwork | |
| Developer | Velan Studios |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Composer | Stephen Barton |
| Series | Star Fox |
| Engine | Viper |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Release | June 25, 2026 |
| Genres | Rail shooter, shoot 'em up |
| Modes | Single-player, multiplayer |
After numerous reports and leaks of a Star Fox game following the protagonist Fox McCloud's appearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026), Star Fox was revealed in a surprise Nintendo Direct on May 7, 2026. Its reveal drew mixed responses for its art style and the decision to again remake Star Fox 64 after Star Fox 64 3D (2011) and Star Fox Zero (2016).
Star Fox was released on June 25, 2026. It received positive reviews, with praise for its gameplay, graphics, and faithfulness to the original, but criticism for the lack of innovation or additional features.
Gameplay
Star Fox is a third-person rail shooter in which players control a variety of vehicles piloted by Fox McCloud. The son of James McCloud, the deceased leader of the original Star Fox team, Fox leads his own incarnation of the titular mercenaries on a mission to stop the evil mad scientist, Dr. Andross, from destroying the Lylat System.[5][6]
As a remake of Star Fox 64, it retains similar gameplay and controls.[7] Controlling the Arwing, players automatically progress through the level. They must defend themselves against enemies and their surroundings, using offensive means such as lasers and bombs, or employing defensive moves like a somersault or a "barrel roll" to deflect incoming projectiles.[8]
The main story campaign of Star Fox is divided into different levels based on different planets in the Lylat System. Levels incorporate plot elements through dialogue and cutscenes. Players can alter the outcome of each level and uncover branching pathways to other levels.[9] Similar to Star Fox 64 and its first remake, Star Fox 64 3D (2011), the campaign supports three difficulties.[10][11] While shield and boost abilities are limited at the start of each level in Normal and Hard difficulty, they can be restored and expanded on by collecting gold and silver rings scattered throughout the level. Optional tasks unique to each level can be completed for other rewards. New to the story campaign are extended cut-scenes between levels, fleshing out the narrative, characters, and world.[8] An additional Challenge Mode is included, where individual levels can be replayed to achieve different objectives.[12]
Two multiplayer modes are included. In a competitive mode, players are separated into the Star Fox and Star Wolf teams and compete across three different maps with unique rules and objectives.[13][14] In co-op mode, two players can play the campaign, one player acting as the pilot and the other acting as the gunner. In both the single-player and co-op campaigns, a Joy-Con 2 can be used in mouse mode to target and shoot at enemies.[15] Additionally, the Nintendo 64 Wireless Controller is also supported.[16]
Star Fox supports the GameChat feature of the Switch 2, both for in-game multiplayer and general video chat. Players can use a filter for any Star Fox team member on their webcam.[17] The GameShare feature allows the multiplayer mode to be played across multiple Switch 2 consoles and different models of the original Nintendo Switch.[18][19]
Development and release
Star Fox was developed by Velan Studios, an American video game company based in New York.[20] It had previously developed Knockout City, Hot Wheels: Rift Rally, and Midnight Murder Club, and collaborated with Nintendo for Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit in 2020.[21]
In March 2026, industry insiders and journalists, primarily podcaster NateTheHate and Video Games Chronicle, reported that a classic-style Star Fox game was in development for a mid-year release, following Fox McCloud's appearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026).[22][23][24] However, Star Fox would not be formally revealed until a surprise Nintendo Direct presented by Shigeru Miyamoto and Yoshiaki Koizumi on May 7, 2026. The Direct itself was only announced ten minutes before broadcast.[25][26][1] While a worldwide release date (June 25, 2026) was confirmed in most markets,[14] the South Korea launch date was confirmed to be July 2 instead.[27] Ten music tracks were added to the Nintendo Music app on May 8,[28] and a demo version was announced and released one month later during another Nintendo Direct Presentation.[29]
Reception
Reveal
Star Fox's reveal received mixed reactions. The more realistic art style and character redesigns were divisive.[30][31][32][33][34] Some questioned the decision to remake Star Fox 64, which itself already reimagined the original Star Fox and inspired both Star Fox 64 3D and Star Fox Zero, making the 2026 installment the fifth game to use the same story.[35][36][37]
Takaya Imamura, the Star Fox team's original character designer, said he preferred Fox's design in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, but was nonetheless supportive of the 2026 game and praised its "clear direction".[38] Despite preferring the "cute" art-style of the movie, he cited the designs of the 2026 game as "exactly" what he had in mind when designing for Star Fox 64. He concluded, "no matter what style or arrangement they take on, the moment these four come together, they're instantly recognised as Star Fox".[39] He later expressed awe at "the improvements in graphics" made since the Nintendo 64 original, in part because Star Fox 64 "aimed to create demo scenes and presentations" that could compete with the PlayStation's pre-rendered graphics without contrasting with "the unique appeal of [the Nintendo 64's] real-time graphics".[40]
Previews
In early June 2026, press outlets were given an opportunity to preview Star Fox. Responses were predominantly positive, albeit with different responses about on how it compared to Star Fox 64. Common topics included the bold visual direction, gameplay innovations, tonal differences from the original, and if Star Fox 64 was worth remaking in the first place.[41]
Logan Plant of IGN praised the "crisp graphics, snappy controls, and majestic orchestral soundtrack", describing Star Fox as "a significantly expanded and surprisingly cinematic retelling of the Lylat Wars".[42] Alex Olney of NintendoLife was also enthusiastic, saying "if Nintendo were set on remaking Star Fox 64, I'm not sure if they could've done a better job than what I've experienced so far".[13]
Dashiell Wood of TechRadar was more critical about how Star Fox 64 had "been remade and re-released repeatedly over the years" and suggested that more original level designs should've been included to justify the 2026 release.[43] Brian Shea at Game Informer argued that the choice to remake Star Fox 64 was earned. He reasoned the franchise had been absent long enough for "multiple generations of players" to remember the Star Fox cast "more as Super Smash Bros. characters than stars of their own game series".[9]
Andy Robinson at Video Games Chronicle praised Star Fox as "one of the best-looking Nintendo games ever". However, he warned fans to be prepared for "tonal changes" made to the characters and story, contrasting the campy tone of the original with the new game's more cinematic approach.[8] Michael McWhertor at Polygon described Star Fox as "a tech test, showing off innovations like Joy-Con 2 mouse controls and the Switch 2 camera". He further speculated that because "Star Fox games have often served as technical showcases for Nintendo's hardware", "something bigger down the line" is likely.[7]
Reviews
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 81/100[44] |
| OpenCritic | 94% recommend[45] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Destructoid | 8/10[46] |
| Eurogamer | 4/5[47] |
| Game Informer | 8.25/10[48] |
| Gamekult | 7/10[49] |
| GamesRadar+ | 4/5[50] |
| Giant Bomb | 4/5[51] |
| IGN | 8/10[52] |
| Jeuxvideo.com | 9/20[53] |
| Nintendo Life | 9/10[54] |
| PC Games (DE) | 7.5/10[55] |
| Shacknews | 10/10[56] |
| TechRadar | 3.5/5[57] |
Review aggregator Metacritic gave Star Fox a weighted average score of 81 out of 100 from 105 critic scores, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[44] Review aggregator OpenCritic compiled seventy-seven reviews, resulting in an average score from "top critics" of 83 out of 100 and calculating that 94% of critics recommended the game.[45]
Jim Norman at NintendoLife gave Star Fox 9/10. Calling it "a sublime remaster of Star Fox 64", he cautioned "those who have already played through the '97 classic hundreds of times won't find any surprises here". Nevertheless, he recommended it to both newcomers and veterans of the Star Fox series, and optimistically concluded that "if this is a taste of what the next original adventure holds, then I've never been more ready to fire up the G-Diffuser".[54] Kayleigh Partleton of Pocket Tactics awarded it 8/10, calling it "a blast" both in solo and co-op modes.[58] David Caballero at GameReactor awarded Star Fox 9/10 and echoed the sentiment that it was "Nintendo's finest remake".[59]
Andy Robinson of VGC gave Star Fox 4/5 and called it "a fantastic way to discover or revisit a classic" despite desiring "a little more care put into restoring its smaller parts".[60] Steve Watts of GameSpot gave it 7/10, considering it a "bare-bones" refresh of a Nintendo 64 classic that "still holds up very well" and is available to play on Nintendo Switch Online.[61] Nathan Birch at WCCFTech gave it 8.5/10, noting that while "more original content could have been added", it "should satisfy veteran and newcomer wingmen alike".[62] Jada Griffin at IGN gave Star Fox 8/10. While she also bemoaned that "the new Challenge mode and revamped multiplayer don't go quite as far as I'd like", she praised Nintendo for proving that "the Arwing isn't out of style quite yet".[52] Kyle Hilliard of Game Informer awarded it 8.25/10, noting that although "another remake of Star Fox 64" was not desired, he still had "a great, nostalgic time".[48]