Star Fox: Release Date, Price, Platforms, Gameplay, & Comparison To SF64

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The classic game Star Fox is making a comeback after nine years! Following a cameo in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Fox McCloud will star in a remake of Star Fox 64, simply called Star Fox. Nintendo surprised fans with the announcement during a recent Direct presentation, and the game is scheduled to launch this summer.

The Star Fox series, a Nintendo staple, hasn’t seen significant innovation in years, with past attempts to revamp its on-rails shooting style falling short. A remake of the original Nintendo 64 game could signal a renewed effort, especially with talk of a completely new Star Fox title in development. This new game might be a good way to gauge whether players are still interested in the series.

The new Star Fox game is scheduled to launch on June 25, 2026, marking a nearly nine-year gap since the previous installment, Star Fox 2 (which was originally developed in 1995 but not released until later). This release fits well with Nintendo’s plans, as they typically release a new first-party game each month. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is coming out in May, Star Fox in June, and Splatoon Raiders in July. Currently, it doesn’t look like you’ll be able to play Star Fox before the official June 25th release date.

Star Fox Platforms

The new Star Fox game is only available on the Nintendo Switch 2 and won’t be released on the original Switch. This means the series has skipped a generation, as Star Fox 2 previously came out on the SNES Classic. While original Switch owners can play a little bit of the new Star Fox through a feature called GameShare with a Switch 2 owner, they won’t be able to play the full game. The new version takes advantage of Switch 2 features like GameChat and Mouse Mode, and the graphics look significantly improved compared to the original Switch.

Star Fox Price

You can download Star Fox for $49.99, or buy a physical copy for $59.99. Digital pre-orders are available now on the Nintendo eShop, and physical copies can be pre-ordered from many retailers. The higher price for physical copies is due to a new Nintendo policy where first-party cartridge games cost $10 more.

I’ve always thought digital games should be cheaper since they don’t cost anything to make copies of, and it’s cool to see Nintendo finally doing that for everything. Ten bucks off for going digital isn’t a bad deal if I don’t get a physical copy, but even at $50, some people are going to be upset, especially since Star Fox is basically a remake of a game from almost 30 years ago.

Star Fox Gameplay Details

If you’re new to the series, Star Fox games are usually ‘rail shooters,’ meaning you fly along a set path while shooting enemies and avoiding obstacles. This new version, released in 2026, is a remake of the classic Star Fox 64, so it includes the original gameplay features from the very first game, plus some new additions. Typically, you’ll fly through levels at a fixed speed, blasting enemies, collecting items, and searching for hidden paths.

In certain missions, the Star Fox team uses a feature called All-Range Mode, which first appeared in Star Fox 64. Unlike typical levels with a set path, All-Range Mode lets players freely fly around a large arena, and is often used during boss battles. Nintendo gave a detailed look at the game’s gameplay during the Star Fox Direct presentation on May 6th.

The core story of Star Fox closely mirrors the original Star Fox 64. You play as Fox McCloud and his team – Falco, Peppy, and Slippy – a group of mercenaries tasked with protecting the Lylat system from Andross, a dangerous scientist who has seized control with his army. How well you do on each mission determines which planets you can visit next, as some areas require you to complete earlier objectives first.

Star Fox (2026) Comparison To Star Fox 64

The biggest change in this new version of Star Fox 64 isn’t just how much better it looks, but the overall art style. While Star Fox characters have always been stylized, the new Star Fox game, releasing in 2026, makes the characters look more realistic. Interestingly, Fox McCloud’s new design is quite different from how he appeared in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which came out just a few months ago in April.

The new Star Fox game boasts significantly improved visuals and storytelling. While the original Star Fox 64 had few cutscenes, this remake features many more, including a detailed opening sequence showing the tragic mission of Fox’s father, James McCloud – a story that was only briefly told in the original game. Beyond taking advantage of the new Switch 2 hardware, the remake also introduces several fresh gameplay features.

The most exciting new feature is likely the online multiplayer. While the original Star Fox 64 offered four-player split-screen battles, Star Fox (2026) lets you engage in four-on-four online dogfights. A new Challenge Mode has also been added, featuring unique objectives for campaign missions, and is separate from the already difficult Expert levels. The Star Fox series hasn’t had much attention lately, and this updated take on Star Fox 64 could be just what it needs to regain popularity.

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2026-05-10 17:03