Nintendo has once again caught the gaming world off guard by stealth-announcing a remake of Star Fox 64 (known as Lylat Wars in Europe) for the Nintendo Switch 2. The announcement came during a Nintendo Direct that was not advertised until just 10 minutes before it aired at 11pm BST on Wednesday night, leaving European fans scrambling to tune in.
A Surprise Direct in the Dead of Night
Nintendo has a long history of unconventional behavior, but the company has been particularly unpredictable this year. As of May, there has been no first-party Nintendo Direct, leaving gamers in the dark about the company's plans for the rest of the year. Despite credible rumors of a Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and at least one new Star Fox game, the exact nature of these projects remained unclear. Insiders disagreed on whether one or two new Star Fox titles were in development, but most agreed that an old-school entry would arrive in the first half of 2026.
The game in question is now confirmed to be a remake of Star Fox 64, not an entirely new title. While this is mildly surprising, the manner of its announcement is even more curious. Nintendo gave only 10 minutes' notice for the Direct, which aired at a time that is midnight in mainland Europe. This approach suggests that Nintendo is either indifferent to European viewing habits or deliberately avoiding leaks, though it proves that even Nintendo is not immune to information slipping out.
Why Star Fox 64 Again?
It may seem odd that Nintendo chose to remake Star Fox 64 rather than the original 1993 SNES game (known as Starwing in Europe). However, Star Fox 64 has already received a remake for the Nintendo 3DS, making it easier to port and enhance compared to the massive upgrade required for the original SNES title. Additionally, Star Fox 64 is widely considered the best game in the series, featuring both linear and all-range levels that offer full freedom of movement. It also includes a four-player competitive mode, which has been retained and slightly expanded in this new version.
Visual and Gameplay Enhancements
According to Nintendo, the level design remains identical to the N64 original, but the graphics have received a major overhaul. The characters have been redesigned in a pseudo-realistic style that differs from Fox McCloud's appearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie or the cuddly models from the original SNES box art. While the graphics are impressive, Fox's wide mouth gives him an odd expression, as if he has just swallowed a plate. A standout new feature replaces your face with a character's when using GameChat, with the camera mapping your facial movements onto the CGI avatar.
New gameplay options include optional mouse controls for first-person view, though players can also use the wireless N64 controller for a classic experience. A co-op mode allows one player to pilot the ship while the other acts as a gunner. Three separate difficulty modes ensure accessibility for all skill levels. Additionally, a new Challenge mode introduces Achievement-like goals, and there are new cut scenes and lore details, including a prologue featuring Fox's father.
Release and Naming Confusion
Confusingly, the remake is simply titled Star Fox, which likely rules out a future remake of the original SNES game. It will be released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 25, 2026. This date coincides with the period when Nintendo typically holds a not-E3 style Direct, but given the company's unpredictable behavior this year, it is impossible to know if they will continue that tradition.
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