When does the Star Fox 64 remake come out? Nintendo’s Star Fox launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 starting June 25, 2026, priced at $49.99. The company showed this ground-up remake during a surprise Nintendo Direct on May 6, 2026, marking Fox McCloud’s first major solo adventure in nearly ten years.
Quick Facts: What You Need to Know
- Release Date: June 25, 2026
- Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 (Exclusive)
- Price: $49.99 USD
- Developer: Nintendo
- Key Features: 4v4 online multiplayer, local co-op, AR face filters, full voice acting
Star Fox 64 Remake Revives a Classic for New Hardware
Nintendo is bringing back one of its most loved space shooters with a complete rebuild of the Nintendo 64 classic. This isn’t a simple port with HD textures. The team created entirely new assets, gameplay systems, and story elements while keeping the core on-rails shooting that fans remember from 1997.
From what we’ve seen in the reveal trailer, the Arwing handles with tight precision. The Landmaster tank and Blue-Marine sub return for planet-side and underwater missions. Nintendo confirmed that missions follow the familiar branching paths based on your performance, letting you choose between easy and hard routes through the Lylat system.
A Fresh Visual Style and Deeper Story
The Star Fox 64 remake adopts a striking new look that gives Fox and his crew more detailed fur and faces. Several viewers compared the aesthetic to the stop-motion animation seen in Fantastic Mr. Fox. This visual shift helps the characters express more emotion during the newly added cutscenes.
Story plays a bigger role this time. Nintendo added full voice acting for every briefing and mission, plus expanded dialogue scenes. The Direct even ended with a prologue featuring James McCloud, Fox’s father who died before the main events. This suggests the remake will explore backstory elements that the first game only hinted at.
Multiplayer Combat and Co-op Play
The Star Fox 64 remake adds several multiplayer modes missing from the old cartridge. Players can join 4v4 battles online or locally, choosing sides between Star Fox and Star Wolf teams. These matches include goals like zone control and crystal collection, moving beyond the simple deathmatch options from past entries.
Local co-op brings a split-screen option where one player pilots while another handles the guns. “Pass me the controller” arguments might end with this setup, as both players participate during the same mission. This mode requires two Joy-Con 2 controllers or gamepads that work with the system.
Switch 2 Exclusive Features and Controls
As a Nintendo Switch 2 only release, this Star Fox remake uses several hardware features other consoles can’t match. The system supports the Joy-Con 2’s mouse-style controls, letting you aim by sliding the right controller across a flat surface. This creates PC-like precision for headshots on enemy ships.
The USB camera allows active AR filters during online chat. Your facial expressions map onto the animal pilots in real-time, so when you smile, Fox smiles back. It’s a silly but fun addition that uses the hardware in unexpected ways.
Nintendo also confirmed it works with the revamped N64 controller for Switch 2, giving purists a way to play with the old button layout.
Pricing and Franchise Future
At $49.99, the Star Fox 64 remake sits below the standard $70 price tag many Switch 2 games carry. This positions it as a mid-tier release, similar to other remakes like Metroid Prime Remastered. The lower price point makes sense for a game built on existing level designs, even with the new content added.
Nintendo seems to view this release as a test. If this remake sells well, we might see new Star Fox games rather than just re-releases. The company hopes to introduce Fox McCloud to players who missed the N64, GameCube, and Wii U entries.
Compared to other rail shooters out on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, such as House of the Dead: Remake or rail-shooter sections in games like Call of Duty, Star Fox offers a more family-friendly arcade play with Nintendo’s polish.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Star Fox 64 remake release date?
The game launches on June 25, 2026, only for Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo announced this date during a Direct showing on May 6, 2026.
How much does Star Fox cost on Nintendo Switch 2?
Nintendo priced the Star Fox 64 remake at $49.99 USD. This sits below the typical $70 price point for most first-party Switch 2 titles.
Does the new Star Fox support multiplayer modes?
Yes. The remake includes 4v4 online and local multiplayer battles where teams compete as Star Fox or Star Wolf. It also features a local two-player co-op mode where one person flies and the other shoots.
What new features does the Star Fox 64 remake include?
Beyond updated graphics, the game adds full voice acting, new story cutscenes featuring James McCloud, Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, AR camera face filters for online chat, and team-based multiplayer modes not present in the first Nintendo 64 version.
Is Star Fox coming to the original Nintendo Switch?
No. This remake stays exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, taking advantage of the newer hardware’s improved processing power and unique controller features.
Fans of arcade-style space combat should mark their calendars for June 25. The Star Fox 64 remake offers enough fresh content to justify another trip through Corneria while keeping the tight shooting mechanics that made the first game a hit. Grab your Joy-Con 2 controllers and prepare for barrel rolls.
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