It has been a long wait for Fox McCloud to return to the cockpit, but Star Fox on the Nintendo Switch 2 proves that some things are definitely worth the wait.
The game takes full advantage of the massive leap forward in power offered by Nintendo’s new hardware; this entry doesn’t just reboot the franchise, it elevates it into a cinematic spectacle that feels like playing through a high-octane summer blockbuster.
It is worth noting that this is my first Star Fox experience; I did not play the original Lylat Wars (or Star Fox 64 everywhere else) when it was released back in 1997. My first introduction to the character was through the Super Smash Bros series and the Glen Powell-voiced character in this year’s Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Do a Barrel Roll!
The first thing that hits you is the sheer scale of the worlds. The cinematic graphics that are able to be achieved here by the Switch 2’s upgraded architecture are on full display, and they really do impress.
Gone are the days of sparse planetary corridors; Lylat is now a living, breathing system, fully realised for this generation. We’ve all seen the incredible water effects as you fly out into the world, whether you’re skimming the solar flares of Solar or weaving through the dense, neon-lit skyscrapers of Corneria.
The lighting and particle effects create a sense of speed and depth that hasn’t been seen in this series before. The transition from dogfighting in space to planetary atmospheric entry is seamless, really making it feel like a game that can stand out in 2026.
Despite the technical leap, the heart of the game remains its animalistic cast. Fox, Falco, Peppy, and Slippy are back with more expressive animations that are more like their real-life counterparts than the overly cartoony versions seen in the Mario Galaxy film.
The animations are complemented by some top-tier voice acting that brings out each one of their distinct personalities.
The banter is sharper than ever, and seeing the fur-shading and micro-expressions on the characters during mid-mission comms adds a layer of immersion that makes you genuinely care about your wingmen. It’s that classic Nintendo charm blended with a more mature, polished presentation.
Story-wise, everything is intact. The relatively short 1-2 hour single player campaign did surprise me at first. But as I went back through and replayed the levels, deliberately making different decisions, it opened up new areas to the stages, which were a complete surprise and kept me wanting to find every hidden cut scene and plot point.
Having your teammates fly with you and ask for cover or jumping in to cover you always keeps you on your toes, and the variety of enemies and boss fights allows for varied gameplay.
Now this update has taken full advantage of the Switch 2’s updated controls. You can play in both hand-held and docked mode with a Pro Controller, but where this game really takes off is in mouse mode. Converting the Joy-Con 2 into this mode allows for real precision in controlling your ship and shooting enemies down.
Better With Friends
Doing this in local multiplayer is what really made this an enjoyable experience. Working in tandem while one steers and the other shoots was a lot of fun, and a couple of arguments in my house. I appreciated the attention given to local co-op and how incredibly responsive the mouse controls are for this game.
While the campaign is a great time and a genuine thrill ride, the real longevity lies in the online multiplayer. Nintendo has leaned into the chaos, offering local and online modes that range from classic four-player dogfights to massive 8-player fleet battles. The ability to switch between Arwings and Landmasters on the fly during a match keeps the pacing frantic.
There is a certain brand of joy in pulling a barrel roll to dodge a friend’s homing missile at the last second, and the Switch 2 handles the high-intensity action without a stutter. To start the fun, you can connect your Nintendo Switch 2 camera and choose a character to have as your avatar.
The face and mouth of the character move in sync with your real-life movements, and a large part of my sessions was testing the animal’s tongue reactions on characters like Slippy and everyone fighting to get Fox or Wolf first.
Each level offers something different here; there is a capture the flag type level where you need to maintain control of a tower for a length of time while staving off the opposite team, one of my favourite levels involves avoiding fallout from rocks but blasting them open and collecting their energy before the opposing team can do the same.
It really feels like a lot has gone into making the multiplayer varied and short enough bursts to keep you coming back over and over. I am excited to jump back in as the game releases and spend a lot more time in this mode.
Final Thoughts
The hype is real for this one, for years I have heard about Star Fox and the many hours my friends sunk into their N64 consoles while I was playing on my PS1. The gameplay, the endearing characters, and impressive multiplayer all officially have me on board as a convert.
For fans who have been playing this game for decades now, the fresh coat of paint and reinvigorated multiplayer more than justifies the price of admission here. Starfox is one of the best games on the Nintendo Switch 2 and a must-have for fans both old and new.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Visuals and music; Engaging multiplayer; Mouse mode is fun
Lowlights: Short single-player mission
Developer: Velan Studios
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2
Available: Thursday, June 25
Review conducted on Nintendo Switch 2 with a code provided by the publisher.
Featured header image also provided by the publisher.
