Star Fox Switch 2 previews: a cinematic Star Fox 64 remake with strong voice acting and new modes

Star Fox – Nintendo's remake of the N64 classic Star Fox 64 – launches June 25 as a Switch 2 exclusive. The physical edition costs $60 and the digital version $50, with Amazon and Walmart currently price-matching the physical copy down to $50.

Previews are unanimous that this is far more than a simple HD remaster. The script has been completely overhauled and backed by some of the strongest voice acting and cutscene direction seen in a Nintendo game. The opening training mission on Corneria has been rebuilt from scratch: instead of learning controls alone, Fox runs through a virtual reality combat simulation alongside Falco, Slippy, and Peppy, which doubles as a character introduction. One previewer describes the tone as Star Wars: A New Hope with animals – Fox himself has visible whiskers and ears that fold back when he speaks, the world feels grimy and lived-in, and a majestic orchestral soundtrack sells the blockbuster ambition. The Switch 2 hardware renders noticeably denser, more detailed environments; Polygon notes that flying through the Meteo asteroid field now feels genuinely terrifying in a way the original never managed.

New modes add meaningful replay value. Pilot and Gunner mode splits the Arwing between two players – one flies, one handles weapons using Joy-Con 2 mouse controls – and Polygon found it unexpectedly intense co-op. Battle Mode lets players go head-to-head controlling the Star Wolf team. GameShare support is confirmed, and the branching route system from the original, including the alternate hard path from Corneria to Sector Y, is fully intact alongside new challenge modes.

Some fans are still disappointed this is another Star Fox 64 remake rather than a brand-new entry – the previewers acknowledge that reaction is fair. But those who spent hands-on time with the game came away convinced Nintendo has delivered the best possible version of this material in 2026. Fox McCloud's cameo in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, combined with this high-gloss remake, has plenty of people reading it as groundwork for something bigger down the line.