It must be hard being Nintendo sometimes. Having such a rich back catalogue of first‑party IPs to pick from must make choosing the next smash hit a tricky task. For every Mario and Zelda, there is a 1080° or F‑Zero waiting patiently in the wings. Fox McCloud and his team definitely fall into that second column. They have been left circling the hangar since Star Fox Zero landed back in 2016.
Now, a decade later, Nintendo has finally brought the beloved‑by‑fans Arwing back into action with Star Fox on Switch 2. It feels as much like a fresh start as it does a celebration of everything fans loved about the series in the first place.
Lylat’s Back
It is worth remembering that Star Fox on Switch 2 is a remake of Lylat Wars (Star Fox) on N64, which was itself a remake of Starwing (Star Fox) on SNES. Add in the DS titles and this is effectively the fifth retelling of the original game. Nintendo is clearly using this moment as a hard reset for the series.
Once again, you step into the cockpit of Fox McCloud as he leads the Star Fox team against the ever‑returning menace of Andross and a growing alliance of new enemies threatening the Lylat System. It is hardly the most original setup, but deep storytelling has never been the series’ strong point.
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Instead, it is the relationships between Fox and his crew, Falco, Peppy and Slippy, that give the adventure its charm. Their light‑hearted banter crackles across the radio during missions and keeps things lively.
What is new on the tale front is a set of genuinely stunning cutscenes. These evolve with how you play, add lore and backstory, and build the relationships between Fox and the rest of the team. It is a smart way to make a familiar story feel more dynamic.
Updated in the Right Places
Where the story keeps things familiar, the gameplay shines. Nintendo has stuck to the fast‑paced shooting that made Lylat Wars a classic. The game also mixes in larger all‑range battles, branching routes and optional objectives that encourage replaying missions. Every level introduces new ideas without overstaying its welcome.
One moment you are weaving through asteroid fields, the next you are dogfighting above floating cities or taking on enormous mechanical bosses that fill the screen.
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The controls feel wonderfully responsive. Switch 2 handles smooth 60fps action that makes every barrel roll and laser blast satisfying. Thankfully, the awkward motion controls from Star Fox Zero have been left in the past, along with the game wholesale, which is no bad thing.
The difficulty ramps up gradually. Veteran pilots will find plenty to chew on, while generous checkpoints and optional assists make the campaign approachable for newcomers. Finding every hidden route remains a proper test of skill.
Replayability
The main campaign can be finished in around four to five hours, but as with previous entries, that is only the beginning. Multiple routes, unlockables and harder difficulty settings give you plenty of reasons to jump back in.
Multiplayer has also been revamped. You get a two‑player asymmetrical co‑op mode for the main campaign and challenges, plus an eight‑player (4v4) objective‑based Battle Mode. It adds welcome variety and gives the game more staying power.
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Visually, Star Fox is stunning on Switch 2. The game leaves almost every other title on the system in the dust. The colourful planets burst with detail, explosions and cinematic moments, giving the adventure a real sense of scale.
The orchestral soundtrack deserves also plenty of praise. It blends classic Star Fox tunes with new compositions that frame each battle perfectly.
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Star Fox is exactly the comeback the series needed. It respects its roots without feeling tied down by them. Star Fox spread its wings and serve up exciting arcade‑style action that is as entertaining today as it was decades ago. Long‑time fans may wish Nintendo had taken a few bigger risks, but what is here is polished, confident and, most importantly, fun from start to finish.
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