The Star Fox series is one that hasn’t had a lot of time in the spotlight. Originally released for the Super Nintendo in 1993, the game made use of the Super FX chip to provide a groundbreaking 3D on-rails experience for its time. It would be followed up by Star Fox 2, which included a strategic galaxy map and ditched linear stages for free-range, open maps. However, this title would ultimately be left unreleased until 2017 as Nintendo’s focus shifted elsewhere—to the Nintendo 64.
In 1997, a reboot of the original Star Fox was released in the form of Star Fox 64. While the title featured the same on-rails gameplay as the original—with an all-range mode introduced for select stages—nearly every aspect of the game was elevated to a new level thanks to the N64’s power. With incredibly smooth gameplay, visually stunning graphics, and now-iconic voice acting, Star Fox 64 became the pinnacle of the series. We just didn’t know it at the time.
Following Star Fox 64, the series took an unexpected turn. In 2002, Star Fox Adventures was released for the Nintendo GameCube, but it was unlike anything that came before. Originally, the game had begun its life as an original title called Dinosaur Planet before the developers, Rare, were asked to convert it into a Star Fox game. Rather than being an on-rails shooter, it was an action-adventure game more reminiscent of Nintendo’s very own The Legend of Zelda, complete with mini Arwing sections between areas. This title was then followed up by the third-person shooter Star Fox Assault in 2005, which contained a few on-rails sections, and finally by Star Fox Command in 2006. Command launched for the Nintendo DS, made use of the touch screen for its controls, reintroduced Star Fox 2’s tactical map, and focused solely on dogfighting other ships. Despite returning to Arwing-focused gameplay, it was ultimately a shallow, repetitive experience that seemingly put an end to the entire series. Sadly, fans would have to wait nearly ten years before they would see another completely new entry, which came in the form of Star Fox Zero.
Released in 2016, following Star Fox 64’s 3DS remake in 2011, Star Fox Zero was yet another reboot of the original Star Fox, using Star Fox 64 as its main source of inspiration. While it recreated some of the stages from 64, it was also mostly its own unique experience. It contained the classic on-rails gameplay fans had been asking for and included a walker transformation for the Arwing, something originally intended for Star Fox 2. Unfortunately for some, the game featured an unconventional control scheme due to releasing on the Nintendo Wii U, where it utilized the Wii U GamePad. The GamePad was used as a viewfinder to physically aim and shoot at enemies while the TV view was used to fly around. It required quite a bit of multitasking, and despite being the game fans had been waiting for in theory, this alone turned many players off. While it wasn’t for everyone, the release of Star Fox Zero at least shone a glimmer of hope on the franchise, and once again, fans were left waiting patiently for a sequel.
The Return of Star Fox:
Yet another ten years following the release of Star Fox Zero, and twenty years after Star Fox Command, the series has once again returned as Star Fox for the Nintendo Switch 2. As its name implies, it is yet another reboot of the original story, but more than that, it is actually a complete remake of Star Fox 64! The beloved classic has finally returned in a new form, rebuilt from the ground up while making full use of the power of the Switch 2. Featuring the same story, stages, and general gameplay, it is both a title longtime fans are already very familiar with and a perfect entry point for newcomers. However, just because it is a remake, it doesn't mean everything is the same. In fact, despite the stages themselves being rebuilt nearly 1:1, there are still plenty of changes and additional content to take on. It is thanks to this new content that Star Fox is able to break free from Star Fox 64 to stand on its own, while also not necessarily replacing its predecessor. This is what sets Star Fox apart from the Nintendo 3DS version of Star Fox 64, which was nearly an exact remake, and why even those who have finished the original hundreds of times might want to consider returning.
For this review, rather than simply looking at what is different between the versions of Star Fox 64, we will be doing a complete deep dive. Yes, this is in fact still Star Fox 64, but it is also a bit more than that. With the introduction of challenges, a new battle mode, and a large amount of additional story content—including a new encyclopedia—this is a beefy package that greatly expands upon what came before. However, despite so many steps forward, there are a few steps back, and that is what holds the game back from reaching its full potential. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Same Story, New Coat of Paint
The story of Star Fox is a retelling of the original tale, with additional context to further flesh out the universe. Rather than beginning with a narrated wall of text to describe the events leading up to the game's opening, Star Fox on the Nintendo Switch 2 opts for a fully animated scene showcasing exactly what happened on the fateful day the original leader of the Star Fox team, James McCloud, went missing in action.
Just as the original story foretold, following the evil scientist Andross being banished to the planet Venom, James and his team are sent to investigate reports of strange activity there. Along the way, James is betrayed by his comrade, Pigma, and his closest friend, Peppy Hare, barely escapes the attack to return home and inform James's son, Fox, of what happened. Years later, Fox himself steps up as the leader of the new Star Fox team, along with his best friend Slippy Toad, Peppy Hare, and newcomer Falco Lombardi. While the group gets by handling various job requests, it is when Andross returns and declares war on the Lylat System that the team is truly given a chance to shine, leading us to the true beginning of the story.
Like in the original, mini-scenes play out before each mission, but this time around, they too are fully animated and fleshed out. Rather than simply seeing the characters' faces and listening to short exchanges of dialogue, these multi-minute scenes take us inside the Great Fox and give us the opportunity to see the cast interact with each other. Their general banter, occasional bickering, thoughts and feelings on the current turn of events, and even discussions about their next move—we get to see it all. It is refreshing to witness and helps give the game itself an almost film-like feel, but the most appreciated aspect of it all is how the title now handles additional paths.
Rather than simply playing a cutscene that only corresponds to the upcoming mission, story scenes are constantly adjusted based upon your actions and the paths you take during the game. This can be seen right from level one, where players are given the option to follow the standard path or follow Falco through a waterfall. Completing this path, which ends with the Star Fox team fighting the original boss from Star Fox on the SNES, takes the team to Sector Y rather than Meteo. However, during the story scene between missions, Meteo will still be discussed, and players will be given the option to head there anyway. While this option was technically available in the original, that game simply continued on as if the Sector Y requirements were never met.
Thanks to this added detail, the game gives players even more reasons to try out every possible path, of which there are 25 in total. However, this isn't the full extent of the added story content.
A very welcome surprise is the inclusion of a Star Fox encyclopedia, which provides additional context for not just the characters, but the world itself. Entries are unlocked not only by beating the game's various stages, but also by completing specific challenges or meeting set conditions. Once unlocked, players can read them at any time from the main menu and learn more about the universe in the process. These entries are pretty substantial overall and are perfect for those craving to learn more about Star Fox, with even one-off side characters getting a bit more time in the spotlight.
The Campaign
After the opening cinematics finish, players are given control and are allowed to jump into the game's main campaign mode. Right from the get-go, the option to play both Easy Mode and Normal Mode is unlocked, with a harder Expert Mode awaiting those who complete Normal with all medals unlocked—something that is accomplished by hitting the target score in each stage. Additionally, players are given the choice to either go at it solo or in co-op mode, which allows a second player to use motion controls to aim and shoot at enemies while player one handles the flying itself. For those who have been following the entire series, it is basically an adapted version of Star Fox Zero's Wii U GamePad controls. Once the player count and difficulty settings are decided, the game begins, and players are thrown into the first stage: Corneria.
As previously mentioned, the campaign features multiple paths, which encourages additional playthroughs—more so than ever this time around. There are 25 possible path combinations to follow, with each one requiring players to meet specific conditions within the stages themselves. The first split happens in Corneria itself and can be triggered by flying under the stone arches. Moving past Corneria, many of the stages have a secret to find or special conditions to meet, which the game usually does a great job of providing hints for. Like in the original, team chatter is still a thing, with more dialogue added this time around, and listening to the advice given will usually lead players to uncovering these alternate routes. Missing them isn't the end of the world, of course, as all paths lead to either one of two endings, and a newly included Challenge Mode also helps show the way. This makes the Switch 2 version of Star Fox much more beginner-friendly, and it can even help those who are a bit rusty remember all of the hidden secrets. However, that is not the only improvement made to the Campaign Mode's progression.
The Medal System in Star Fox for Switch 2 has received some improvements, with the game itself telling players the required number of points needed to obtain one for each stage. This is done by shooting down enemies, breaking special targets, and combo-killing enemies with a single charge shot. Some stages have much stricter requirements and ask that nearly all enemies be taken out with a well-placed charge shot, while others provide more than enough opportunities to rack up the points. Being able to see the target goal by simply pausing the game really goes a long way and doesn't leave players guessing whether they'll make it or not. The hit counter will also change colors to signify you've unlocked the medal, though sometimes this occurs after taking down a boss and isn't always immediately visible. Medals also require all team members to survive, so players still need to keep that in mind before letting an enemy shoot down Slippy.
The Basics and Stage Structure
When it comes to the basic controls and structure of the stages, Star Fox remains faithful to the original release, right down to the ability to use the Nintendo Switch N64 controller. The vast majority of the game is spent in an Arwing, the team's fighter spaceship, with a few missions taking place in the Landmaster tank and the one-time-use Blue-Marine submarine. Stages themselves are mostly on-rails, with the Arwing constantly moving forward, but there are select moments where the wings open up and All-Range Mode is enabled. This allows for full movement and provides a radar to help track target locations. Outside of these sections, every stage forces players to follow set paths while avoiding obstacles as they shoot down as many enemies as possible along the way. It is a pure arcade-like experience, and one that becomes very addictive as you continue to master it, though it does take some practice.
By default, the controls follow airplane standards, where pulling back on the joystick goes up and pushing forward moves down, but these settings can be adjusted for those who prefer them inverted. Holding L or R will tilt the Arwing left or right, allowing for sharper turns, and double-tapping either will pull off the barrel roll technique to reflect incoming bullets. There are also advanced maneuvers, such as the somersault and u-turn, which prove useful, along with a boost and brake button to either speed up or slow down. Such actions require expending the G-Diffuser energy bar located under the Arwing’s health bar, but thankfully, it recharges quickly. Arwings also come equipped with a standard laser, which can be upgraded by picking up power-ups found during the stages, but damaged wings will cause the loss of such upgrades. Floating silver rings will heal the Arwing of any damage received during a stage, while collecting three golden rings will greatly increase the Arwing’s overall health. Wing repair kits can be found from time to time as well, but these are rare and usually provided by the Great Fox’s support packages that get dropped at specific points in each stage.
As for attacking, three options are available. The default laser, along with its upgraded levels, is the main form of offense, and it can be used to build up energy to release a charge shot. Charge shots will lock onto and follow enemies, causing a mini-explosion once they collide with the target. This explosion can also damage nearby enemies and potentially take down entire groups with one shot. Doing so provides the player with bonus points—something often needed to meet the Medal requirements—and it is also the most effective way to take down swarms and smaller targets that are harder to hit via manual aiming. Along with the charge shot, a limited number of bombs can be picked up and used in each stage, which can be shot out and manually detonated to clear large groups and deal massive damage. They are especially effective against bosses, with some even requiring their use.
Challenge Mode
Once players complete the Campaign Mode at least once, Challenge Mode unlocks and provides additional ways to tackle each stage.
Here, any previously completed level can be freely selected, but with an additional checklist of goals to accomplish while playing through them. These challenges range from speedruns, where a timer constantly ticks down, to completing the area’s secret objectives, to simply taking out specific targets before arriving at the end. Since they do not all need to be completed in a single run, players can keep coming back as many times as needed to finish them all, providing plenty of replay value in addition to the standard Campaign playthroughs. It even gives longtime fans new ways to tackle the stages they know like the back of their hand, and challenge themselves in new ways.
Battle Mode
The final new addition to Star Fox is its newly revamped Battle Mode. While the original did include a basic four-player versus option, Star Fox on Switch 2 takes this initial concept and turns it into a four-versus-four team battle mode, where players can either play as the Star Fox Team or Star Wolf Team. Once in a battle, players navigate an open map, shooting down members of the opposing team, including the minor enemies that spawn alongside them. Power-ups are also scattered throughout the map to help give you an advantage, and periodically, a “capture zone” will appear to gain extra points. Players need to stay within these zones and fend off the other team to claim them, and those who do so will be rewarded greatly. By the end of the match, the team with the most earned points will be dubbed the winner and can then head into the next battle.
Similar to the original, Battle Mode can be played locally against friends by using GameShare, or even against bots; however, the biggest improvement is the introduction of online play—something that was previously only featured in Star Fox Command until the closure of the GameSpy servers. This is where players will finally be able to show off their skills against others while using a standard control scheme, and prove just how great of a pilot they truly are. It is exactly what many fans have been waiting twenty years for, and now it is finally here. The only downside is the lack of maps at launch.
On another note, players with a camera can use it to take control of their pilot’s face, which is a fun little feature.
A Few Setbacks
While Star Fox is a great remake of the Nintendo 64 classic, there are a few areas where the game is lacking, with the biggest issue being the lack of feedback when damaging most bosses. Putting aside the original, which included clear audio and visual cues, it is a staple in game design to let players know their actions are effective—this doesn’t really happen here, and that can be a problem.
Although most normal enemies in the game simply need to be shot down, bosses have specific requirements to even deal damage to them. For some, it is a bit more obvious with glowing marks that need to be targeted, but for others, you simply need to figure out what to shoot and when. Peppy will now provide advice and direct the player if the fight drags on too long without any progress, but even when one knows exactly what to do, it isn’t always clear if you are actually, well, doing it. The only way to know for sure is to constantly keep checking the boss’s health bar to see if it is going down. This isn’t always available, however, as it is tied directly to Slippy being active on your team. If he is taken out, or if it is a stage where Slippy is absent, then players are going at it completely blind. This also extends to objects within the environment that can be destroyed, where there are no longer clear indicators of what can be blown up or what is solid.
Outside of this issue with feedback, there’s no denying that both the new art direction and voice acting will not resonate with everyone. Personally, I didn’t mind the changes and enjoyed hearing new lines in place of the ones I’ve memorized since childhood, but some of the voices do seem a bit lacking at times. Additionally, the boss deaths no longer pack the same punch, with most of them just crashing their ships rather than being blown into tiny pieces. This isn’t the only part of the game toned down either, as even the most gruesome part of the original has now been made mostly mechanical—most likely to avoid increasing the age rating with the new realistic art style.
The other letdown is the fact that the local Battle Mode multiplayer is reserved for GameShare only. This means other users need another Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 console to play together. While users who upgraded to the Switch 2 while keeping their original Switch will have this as an option, not everyone is in this situation, nor can they justify buying multiple units just to play multiplayer. For those hoping to be able to play four-player multiplayer with their family and friends, it's important to note it simply may not be possible for you.
Overall, none of these “problems” ruin the experience, but they do hold the game back from being what some might consider a “perfect” remake. If anything, the damage feedback could always be fixed in a future patch, but at the moment, players will just have to learn to adapt.
Should you play it?
Star Fox is the glorious return of a childhood classic. With gameplay that is just as smooth as ever, a new Challenge Mode to take on, and an expanded cinematic story, it is exactly the game fans of the series have been waiting for. While a few minor issues hold it back, it is still a must-play, and the perfect entry point for newcomers.
Welcome back Star Fox Team! We missed you!
VERDICT: Recommended
Reviewed on Nintendo Switch 2
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