What the New Star Fox on Switch 2 Actually Is
The new Star Fox Switch 2 game is a full visual and technical remake of Star Fox 64 that keeps the original’s missions and mechanics while adding online features and modern audiovisual upgrades tailored to Nintendo’s next-generation hardware. This remake targets players who are tired of shallow nostalgia projects but still want fast-paced, arcade-style space combat that feels as sharp as they remember. It is not a reimagining of the story or level structure. Instead, it rebuilds the 1997 classic with widescreen 4K presentation, 60 FPS performance, expanded cinematics, and new multiplayer systems, aiming to prove that the core Star Fox formula remains engaging. Scheduled to launch on June 25 exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, it slots in as a key Nintendo Switch 2 launch window title and a proof-of-concept for the system’s upgraded power.
Velan Studios Brings a Fresh Eye to a Familiar Classic
One of the biggest surprises is that this Star Fox 64 remake is a Velan Studios game, developed in collaboration with Nintendo rather than inside Nintendo alone. Velan, known for Knockout City and the experimental Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, built the project on its proprietary VIPER engine. The studio says VIPER “allowed us to bring Fox and his crew back in higher fidelity than ever before, with gameplay running at 60 FPS and all cinematics rendered in real-time.” That technical focus helps explain why character models and ships look so detailed while still reading instantly as Star Fox. Velan’s background in competitive multiplayer and playful, toy-like design also shows in the new online modes and co-op ideas, suggesting Nintendo picked the team to sharpen, not rewrite, what worked about Star Fox 64.
Switch 2 Power Makes Star Fox 64 Feel New Again
On Nintendo Switch 2, the Star Fox 64 remake gains the kind of visual upgrade that makes flying Corneria’s familiar route feel new. The Arwing’s blue-and-white hull is covered in individual panels and moving parts, rendered in clean 4K with modern lighting and shadows that play across buildings and mountains. Meteos’ asteroid field is dense with clouds of metallic debris that add depth without cluttering the screen. Cutscenes between missions now linger on Team Star Fox aboard the Great Fox, showing Fox, Peppy, Falco, and Slippy as detailed, expressive pilots rather than blocky N64 puppets. While Slippy’s hyper-real skin might be unsettling to some, the overall effect is that of a high-end animated series wrapped around the same tight mission structure. The Nintendo Switch 2 launch hardware finally gives this series the spectacle it always implied but could never deliver in 1997.
Hands-On: Why the Core Gameplay Still Works
Early demo impressions indicate that the Star Fox 64 remake wins over skeptics because it understands what not to change. The opening missions, from defending Corneria to weaving through the Meteos asteroid belt, mirror the Nintendo 64 layouts so closely that veteran players can almost fly them blindfolded. Barrel rolls, somersaults, branching paths through arches and waterfalls: all remain intact, and the controls feel essentially identical. That familiarity could have been a downside, but the fast-paced spacefaring gameplay still holds up. Dodging obstacles and lining up shots on small fighters and towering bosses feels satisfying without needing extra systems layered on top. The demo suggests that by resisting the urge to overcomplicate the formula, this Star Fox Switch 2 release turns what might have been remake fatigue into a chance to experience a tuned, good-as-you-remember version of the classic.
Co-op and Online Modes Show Velan’s Multiplayer DNA
Where Velan Studios puts its stamp on Star Fox is in multiplayer. Local and online co-op let two players share a single Arwing, one piloting and one gunning, each with a Joy-Con. The pilot handles movement and evasive maneuvers, while the gunner uses motion-style aiming for quicker, more precise shots than steering the whole ship’s reticle alone. It is reminiscent of Star Fox Zero’s asymmetric co-op, but without the complexity of dual screens. Classic split-screen Versus Mode is gone, replaced by 4v4 online battles that pit Team Star Fox against Team Star Wolf in objective-based matches. In the demo’s mode, squads shoot down AI pirates, secure cargo, and race it back to base for points, with extra points for downing enemy pilots. This multiplayer shift fits Velan’s Knockout City pedigree and gives the Nintendo Switch 2 launch line-up an engaging competitive Star Fox option.
