Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 Review: A Classic Reborn

After years of waiting, Nintendo has finally brought the Lylat System back to the forefront. Star Fox for the Nintendo Switch 2 is a ground-up remake of the iconic Star Fox 64, successfully modernizing the rail-shooter formula with a realistic art style and a suite of quality-of-life improvements. While it plays things relatively safe, it stands as the definitive way to experience this classic, earning a 8.5/10.

A Faithful, Polished Campaign

The core campaign remains essentially unchanged from the 1997 original. You take control of Fox McCloud and his squad—Falco, Peppy, and Slippy—as they defend the Lylat System from Dr. Andross. The branching paths, mission objectives, and iconic boss encounters are all here, but they have been given a significant visual overhaul. The game runs in crystal-clear resolution with stutter-free performance, making environments like the asteroid field of Meteo and the waters of Zoness look better than ever.

Nintendo has added fully-voiced, modest cutscenes between missions that provide context and character interaction. While they are brief, they add a nice layer of depth to the squad without sacrificing the game's brisk, replayable pace. Furthermore, the game now explicitly displays requirements for unlocking branching paths on the mission select screen, removing the guesswork that defined the original experience.

Multiplayer and New Mechanics

Beyond the campaign, the inclusion of Battle Mode is a standout addition. It features three 4v4 objective-based modes: Battle for the Bay (Domination-style), Meteorite Melee (crystal collection), and Deep-Space Dustup (cargo retrieval). The latter is particularly exhilarating, turning space dogfights into a strategic race for loot. It’s easily the most addictive part of the package, offering enough depth to keep players engaged long after the credits roll.

For those looking for something different, the game introduces a unique control scheme using the Joy-Cons as a mouse-like input on a flat surface. This shifts the perspective to a first-person cockpit view, offering a high-immersion way to play that feels distinct from traditional stick controls. While it takes some practice, it’s a brilliant option for veterans looking to experience the game from a new perspective.

Verdict

Star Fox on the Switch 2 succeeds because it respects the foundation of the original while providing meaningful, additive features. While some may find the character redesigns or the familiar campaign structure a bit safe, the technical execution and the sheer fun of the multiplayer modes make this a must-play title for both fans and newcomers.