Going into a remastered or remade game with a long history can sometimes be a dicey proposition. Do you want something that recreates your original experience down to a T for the next generation of consoles, or do you want developers to take the original idea and expand it into something familiar yet refreshingly new? That’s probably a question for long-time fans of the classic Nintendo 64 game, Star Fox 64, which was recently remade for the Nintendo Switch 2 as Star Fox.
I found myself in what was perhaps an interesting position while playing the title, as it was my first experience with any game in the franchise. While I had a Nintendo 64 back in the day, my focus was mainly on THQ’s wrestling games, with occasional dips into Super Mario and Mission: Impossible. Coming to Star Fox in 2026 takes away both familiarity and expectation, which isn’t a bad thing. It also lets me look at the game with zero bias.
Here’s the log line: Fly across the stars and skies with the Star Fox squad! Blast your way through this enemy invasion in a fast-paced adventure that will have you tearing through space, soaring across planets, and shooting foes out of the sky at every step of the way.
I’m happy to say that from the moment Star Fox kicks in, I was impressed. Visually, the cut scenes are just outstanding, and arguably worth the price of admission alone. The setup and backstory of the world are explained in cinematic detail, showcasing the power of the Switch 2. Getting into the gameplay via a tutorial was extremely helpful for me, a newcomer to the franchise, and really to this style of shooter, which I rarely play. For context, I think the last time I played something remotely similar was Space Harrier on my SEGA Master System, so, you know, things have changed. I was immediately engaged with Star Fox, which I believe says a lot about the game as a whole, and the strengths it likely had back when this title first appeared on the Nintendo 64.
In just about a year, the Nintendo Switch 2 has proven its value as an upgrade to the original device, and Star Fox is one of those exclusive games you can pick up and immediately have a good time with. While I can’t speak to how longtime fans might feel about the return of a classic, as a first-time player of Star Fox, I now see why the franchise has become a beloved classic for gamers.
