Star Fox 64 Remake’s Character Redesigns Get Thumbs Up from Original Art Director

Despite some mixed reactions to its reveal, the upcoming Star Fox has gained a notable supporter in Takaya Imamura. The Nintendo icon, who co-created Fox McCloud and served as the art director for Star Fox 64, has expressed his approval of the remake’s revamped character designs.

Unveiled during a surprise Nintendo Direct, this new Star Fox is a complete remake of the beloved Star Fox 64. While many elements of the classic are being refreshed, one of the most striking changes is the character designs. The game opts for a more realistic portrayal of Fox McCloud and his crew, moving away from the cartoonish style seen in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Although some fans voiced their concerns about this new direction, Imamura took to social media to share his enthusiasm.

“The new work is exactly the visuals I had in my head back when I was making Star Fox 64!” Imamura stated, as translated from his comments. He previously mentioned that he preferred Fox’s design in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie over the new game. “I absolutely love the super realistic character expressions too. That said, the movie version of Fox is just too cute.”

Imamura’s latest remarks clarify an earlier post that hinted at his mixed feelings about the new designs. When a fan inquired about his thoughts after the reveal, he remarked, “I guess this is how it turns out if I’m not supervising… or something like that.” Some fans interpreted this as a subtle critique of the new designs, although he also noted, “I think the concept is good.”

His recent endorsement carries weight, given his pivotal role in the Star Fox series. Imamura was a graphic designer for the original Super NES game, crafting its characters, and held various supervisory and producing roles in subsequent titles. After retiring from Nintendo in 2021, he launched his own independent game, The Omega 6: The Triangle Stars, and has confirmed he is not involved in the new Star Fox.

Mark your calendars: Star Fox launches on June 25 for Nintendo Switch 2.

Barrel rolls are back on the menu!