Nintendo Unveils Unexpected Star Fox 64 Remake for Switch 2, and It Looks Promising

Star Fox is making its return as a Nintendo exclusive for the Switch 2, bringing a fresh remake of the beloved Star Fox 64 from the original Nintendo 64. The announcement came unexpectedly during a special Star Fox Direct that dropped without prior notice on Wednesday. Interestingly, the game’s existence had leaked ahead of time last month, which is unusual for Nintendo.

This remake revisits the classic levels but enhances them with updated graphics and new cutscenes, including mission briefings that were absent in the original. Players will once again join Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, Peppy Hare, and Slippy Toad as they battle to save the Lylat system from the villainous exiled scientist Andross.

Scheduled for release on June 25, 2026, the game is expected to be priced at $40 for the digital version and $50 for the physical copy in the U.S., based on pricing in Japan, though Nintendo has yet to confirm these details.

Star Fox 64 previously received a remake for the 3DS and is currently available on Switch Online through the Expansion Pack. The Switch 2 version will feature mouse controls, Game Chat avatars that reflect your facial expressions, and compatibility with the re-released N64 controller. Additionally, players can look forward to new in-game challenges and the return of PvP modes.

Nintendo typically provides advance notice for its Direct showcases, making this surprise announcement even more intriguing. It comes just a day before the company’s latest earnings report, following a decline in stock prices that began during the 2025 holiday season. The marketing push for Star Fox’s comeback also coincides with a recent cameo by the character in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, where he was voiced by Glen Powell.

Will the nostalgia of millennials be enough to encourage a new generation of parents to introduce their Roblox-loving kids to this N64 classic remake? We’re about to find out!

Update 5/6/2026, 6:24 p.m. ET: The headline has been adjusted from “looks very cool” to “looks fine,” reflecting my changing impressions from the start of the Direct to its conclusion.