One of Nintendo’s Core Franchises Hasn’t Had a New Game in Nearly 10 Years

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As a long-time Nintendo fan, what I’ve always loved about them is their ability to constantly surprise us. They’re masters at taking characters we’ve known for years, even decades, and finding fresh, new ways to let us play with them. Think about it – Mario and Zelda haven’t stayed stuck in one type of game! They’ve gone from classic side-scrollers to huge open worlds, and each new game feels different with new ways to play, updated graphics, and interesting stories. Thankfully, we usually get new installments of our favorite series pretty regularly, though sometimes we have to wait a bit longer for the next adventure.

Many dedicated fans often find themselves discussing Star Fox. This space shooter was once a key part of what made Nintendo great on the SNES and Nintendo 64, but it’s been a long time since a new game was released. With 2026 on the horizon, the lack of news about Fox McCloud and his adventures is hard to overlook.

Star Fox Has Been Absent for Almost a Decade

It’s been a while since a brand new Star Fox game. The last major release, Star Fox Zero, came out on Wii U in 2016 and was made with help from PlatinumGames. It tried a new approach with unique motion controls and a cockpit view, but it didn’t gain much traction and became linked to the Wii U’s overall struggles. Since then, the only Star Fox release has been Star Fox 2, which was actually an unfinished game from 1995 that Nintendo finally made available through its online service.

By 2026, it will have been a full decade since a new Star Fox game was released. Considering how popular Star Fox once was – right up there with franchises like Mario and Zelda – that’s a significant amount of time. The Nintendo Switch saw many of Nintendo’s biggest series revived, and even some older, less well-known titles like Pikmin and Famicom Detective Club made a comeback. Unfortunately, Star Fox didn’t get the same treatment, and fans have only seen Fox McCloud appear as a character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

It’s particularly disappointing given how few science fiction games Nintendo actually makes. Even Metroid, their other sci-fi series, had a long eight-year gap between installments, with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond finally arriving. This is unusual when you compare it to franchises like Mario and Zelda, which get new games more frequently. Nintendo has proven they’re willing to take chances and bring back older series, like with Kirby Air Riders, so it’s puzzling why they haven’t prioritized continuing their space-based adventures.

Where Did It Go Wrong for Fox McLeod?

The challenges faced by the Star Fox series aren’t due to a lack of passion, but rather a constant search for identity. From the very beginning, each Star Fox game has been closely tied to showcasing new gaming technology. The original Star Fox demonstrated the power of the Super FX chip, Star Fox 64 highlighted features like rumble and voice acting, and Star Fox Zero tried to make the Wii U GamePad a compelling feature. Let’s just say Star Fox Adventures doesn’t quite fit the mold. Each game seemed to focus on overcoming a technical hurdle just as much as telling a creative story.

The original method worked for a while, but eventually stopped being effective. While the gaming industry focused on improving overall experiences and moving beyond simple tricks, Star Fox kept trying to come up with new control schemes instead of improving the actual gameplay. Players consistently requested a modern version of the classic on-rails shooting style, with more diverse missions, a sense of accomplishment, and the option to explore freely. However, they received games with unusual controls that made them less fun to play.

The series also suffered from a lack of narrative progress. Constantly revisiting the events of the Lylat Wars didn’t allow the characters to develop, and Fox, Falco, Peppy, and Slippy ended up feeling like simple stereotypes compared to characters in other Nintendo franchises. Because the story didn’t move forward, the series felt stuck in the past as the action-adventure genre continued to change. Nintendo either couldn’t or wouldn’t update the series, and it has largely remained unchanged.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Needs to Revive Star Fox

Nintendo was slow to act, so other game companies tried to create similar experiences. Ubisoft’s Starlink: Battle for Atlas was the most obvious attempt to update the classic Star Fox gameplay. Interestingly, the Switch version of Starlink actually featured Fox McCloud and his Arwing, and many players thought these sections felt more like a true Star Fox game than Nintendo’s recent releases.

Independent developers have stepped up to create similar experiences as well. For example, Whisker Squadron, made by an artist who worked on Star Fox 64, offers fast-paced, arcade-style shooting that clearly takes inspiration from Nintendo’s classic game. Wild Blue Skies is openly designed as a tribute to Star Fox, featuring bright characters, missions with multiple paths, and a nostalgic style specifically for fans who want to see that series return.

Nintendo hasn’t seemed interested in bringing back one of its older, beloved franchises. However, the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is a great chance to change that and potentially excite a new generation of players. Historically, new Nintendo consoles have been the catalyst for a Star Fox return. A new game in the series could successfully combine the classic, fast-paced on-rails gameplay with optional open-world exploration. Adding elements like character progression, customizable ships, and co-op multiplayer could further enhance the experience, all while maintaining the series’ signature arcade-style action.

The Star Fox series needs a fresh direction to stay exciting. Introducing a new villain, showing an older Fox McCloud, or even focusing on a new character could keep the story relevant while still respecting its history. Nintendo has successfully updated classics like The Legend of Zelda and Metroid without changing what makes them special. With 2026 marking a decade since the last Star Fox game, it’s starting to feel like a missed opportunity rather than a celebration.

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2026-01-01 18:18