Star Fox Shines as the Switch 2’s Top Visual Highlight

The standout exclusives for the Switch 2 have primarily focused on expansive gameplay. Mario Kart World offers a vast continent for racing, Donkey Kong Bananza lets you demolish everything in sight, and Pokopia introduces a creative, Minecraft-like experience within the Pokémon realm. However, Star Fox takes a different approach. This remake of a classic Nintendo 64 title is an on-rails shooter that features meticulously crafted action sequences and stunning visuals. Its linear design allows the developers to create what might be the most visually impressive game on the Switch 2. Given that Star Fox shines when it immerses you in a breathtaking sci-fi adventure, these visual enhancements are significant.

Star Fox retains the core elements of its predecessor, Star Fox 64. You step into the shoes of Fox McCloud, an anthropomorphic fox pilot (who recently made a surprise cameo in a popular movie), leading a team of mercenaries on missions to combat an evil scientist named Andross. While the storyline is straightforward, it involves Fox and his crew undertaking various missions across the galaxy. The overall structure and level design closely mirror the original N64 game.

Even if you’re familiar with the original, the differences in this remake are immediately noticeable. Each mission is accompanied by voiced cutscenes that enrich the narrative and provide context for your objectives. These moments allow for more character interaction outside of their ships, and surprisingly, seeing Fox enjoy an energy drink between battles adds a fun touch.

This cinematic feel extends into the gameplay itself, which looks absolutely stunning: ships soaring over oceans, leaving trails in the water; colossal enemies dominating the screen while lava cascades around them; and intense firefights amidst floating debris in space. Strip away the talking animals and cheesy dialogue, and you might mistake it for other epic space adventures like Star Wars or No Man’s Sky.

The visuals and cutscenes significantly modernize the nearly 30-year-old Star Fox 64. The controls also feel much more responsive (though that might just be a relief from using an N64 controller). For a comparison of how the game has evolved, you can look at one of its iconic scenes from the early stages, contrasting the Switch 2 version with the N64 classic available through a subscription service.

However, Star Fox does show its age in some aspects. As a classic arcade-style space shooter, it relies on repetition. The initial playthrough lasts about an hour, but to uncover everything, you’ll need to replay levels to discover new paths that unlock additional missions and the true ending. This can be time-consuming, especially since some levels are quite challenging. The tank mission is a great concept, but after several hours of struggle, I’m not eager to tackle those targets again.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with this structure, and I do enjoy going back for high scores occasionally. However, it can feel at odds with the modern presentation that suggests a cinematic experience. The simplistic narrative feels even more lacking against the backdrop of the epic visuals, and while the cutscenes are impressive, their frequent repetition means you’ll likely find yourself hitting the skip button often.

Star Fox also introduces several new features. A challenge mode offers additional objectives for each level, an expanded multiplayer includes online play, and there are quirky virtual avatars that I didn’t get to try out. These additions are nice, but the core experience remains centered on the campaign and its various unlockable missions.

The game arrives at a time when remakes are dominating the single-player landscape. Major franchises like Resident Evil, Final Fantasy, and Dragon Quest have turned remakes into major releases, while highly anticipated upcoming titles, including a revamped Halo and a mysterious Ocarina of Time remake, are also updates of beloved classics.

Star Fox exemplifies both the strengths and weaknesses of this trend. The visual upgrade enhances the experience, making it feel even more like an interactive sci-fi film. Yet, it also highlights the awkwardness that can arise when retro gameplay meets modern graphics. In this case, the balance leans in Star Fox’s favor, but it also heightens my curiosity about how Nintendo will approach remaking one of the most iconic and influential Zelda games.

Star Fox is set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 25th.