Star Fox Review
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2
Release Date: June 25, 2026
Main Story Length: 3 hours
Developer: Velan Studios
Reviewed on Switch 2
A Blank Slate, and a Big Surprise
I went into Star Fox on Switch 2 having never touched the original N64 release. No nostalgia, no baseline, no idea what I was walking into. That blank slate turned out to be a gift, because this remake didn’t just meet expectations I didn’t have — it became one of the biggest surprises I’ve played this year.
A Short Campaign That Never Wastes Your Time
The first thing that hit me: this game doesn’t need to be long to be great. The main campaign clocks in at roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, and there’s almost no fat on it. No padding, no busywork missions, no filler stretches just to inflate a playtime counter. Every level moves with purpose. You finish a mission and you’re already being pulled into the next one. It’s a campaign that trusts its own pacing instead of leaning on length to feel substantial — and it works.
More Than Enough Reasons to Return
A short campaign could’ve been the whole story here, but Star Fox isn’t finished with you once the credits roll. Branching routes, unlockable abilities, score chasing, and harder difficulty tiers turn a tight adventure into something with real staying power. Want to find every path through the game? Go for it. Want to master a stage and chase a better score? That’s on the table too. The replay value ends up outpacing what the runtime alone would suggest, and that’s the kind of design choice that separates a good remake from a forgettable one.
A Modern Coat of Paint That Still Feels Like Home
Visually, this remake gets it right. The presentation is sharp, colorful, and clearly modernized — but it never loses the personality that made the original memorable in the first place. The cutscenes are brief, and that’s a strength, not a shortcoming. In just a few short bursts, the game builds a cast you actually care about. Fox, Falco, Peppy, and Slippy all land with real warmth, and by the time the stakes ramp up, you’re rooting for this team without the story ever needing to slow down to earn it.
Where the Remake Truly Comes Alive
This is where Star Fox stops being impressive and starts being great. The controls are incredibly responsive, making every dogfight feel rewarding instead of chaotic. Weaving through enemy fire, threading shots between obstacles, and pulling off last-second maneuvers all feel incredibly satisfying. Missions stay fast without ever becoming overwhelming, striking a balance that a lot of arcade-style shooters fail to walk.
The audio deserves just as much praise. From crisp weapon effects to an energetic soundtrack, every encounter carries an extra level of excitement because the sound design never fades into the background. It constantly reinforces the speed and intensity of each mission.
A Nice Bonus, Not the Main Event
Online multiplayer rounds out the package nicely. The 4v4 battles are fast, chaotic, and full of constant action. It’s not a mode I see myself coming back to on a regular basis, but I’m glad it’s here. It adds another layer of value to the game without taking attention away from what makes the single-player campaign so enjoyable.
The Verdict
Whether you’re revisiting a Nintendo classic or experiencing Star Fox for the very first time like I did, this remake is an easy recommendation. It respects your time instead of padding it, backs up its tight campaign with meaningful replay value, and proves that great games don’t need to be massive to leave a lasting impression. This one leaves its mark in under two hours — and then gives you plenty of reasons to come back for more.
