Star Fox on Switch 2 Goes Beyond a Simple Remake, Due to its Expanded Multiplayer and Co-Op Features

More story content, multiple gameplay paths, new modes, and multiplayer options mean this could be the most replayable Star Fox game yet.

Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2 might look familiar at first glance, especially if you spent years playing Star Fox 64. The levels themselves closely follow the structure of the Nintendo 64 classic, but what surrounds those levels has been rebuilt in ways that make this feel more like a brand-new entry than a straightforward remake. 

One of the biggest changes comes from the game’s storytelling. The overall plot is still recognizable, but the way it is presented is expanded greatly. The new cutscenes, additional dialogue, and more character development help to flesh out the Star Fox universe in ways the previous games never dared to. 

The opening sequence is one of the easiest examples of this approach. 

Star Fox 64's events were once told using short text and images but have now been totally remade with cinematic storytelling. The prologue further explores James McCloud's last mission and introduces new information that could change some of the known lore. These additions add a new spin on familiar events, even for longtime fans.

But the story doesn’t end here. Earlier parts of the game also shed new light on Fox's academy days, Falco's experiences before joining Star Fox, and other elements of backstory that never got explored in previous entries. These moments are woven into the campaign in a way that doesn’t feel like an optional extra. 

The transitions between missions of the story have been remade too. New scenes are inserted into the major events to make the transitions between gameplay sections more seamless. The training sequence now plays a much bigger role in establishing the world and characters before the first mission starts. 

That also makes the game a perfect entry point for new players. This version is a reboot, so it has everything you need to know, rather than needing knowledge of previous Star Fox games. Character motivations, relationships, and key story elements are explained more clearly than ever before. 

Gameplay has received major upgrades as well. The controls are more responsive and fluid than in the original Star Fox 64, for a smoother overall experience. Graphically, it’s a much more detailed game, with environments that have a lot more depth and atmosphere. Corneria and the like now seem like whole environments, not just places to shoot.

The improvements are not just cosmetic. The soundtrack has been beefed up with orchestral arrangements that pack more punch into major moments throughout the campaign. The game really feels like a modern take on Star Fox rather than a rehash of an older title, combined with the improved presentation. 

At its core, Star Fox is still about the series’ trademark on-rails shooting gameplay. 

Much of the game time is spent behind the controls of the Arwing, fighting off enemy forces in scripted stages. But the game also has all-range mode segments that allow you to move and explore in full 3D. The Landmaster and Blue Marine are back too, for variety. The Landmaster and Blue Marine are back too for variety. It keeps the gameplay varied all the way through.

Where the game really differentiates itself from a traditional remake is in its replayability. Finishing the campaign once only reveals a portion of what the game has to offer. While a single playthrough consists of roughly seven missions, there are actually 16 different levels and 25 possible routes through the game. 

Actions within missions can also impact how levels play out. Some objectives will unlock alternate encounters, new areas, or special mission endings. Those results then determine what cutscenes play and where the story goes next. This means that two players may have quite different experiences of the same campaign.

The extra story content really adds so much more to these branching paths. Different paths can unlock more character interactions and unique story moments you may not see in one playthrough. This allows players to experiment with different playthroughs, rather than the campaign being a one-and-done experience. The game appears designed around repeated runs and discovery.

Difficulty options add another layer of flexibility. In the original Star Fox 64, difficulty was often tied to the route you selected. This new version allows players to choose a separate difficulty setting while still exploring different paths. That means players who want to experience every level can do so without being blocked by particularly demanding challenges.

A new challenge mode further expands replay value. After completing a level, players can return to it directly and tackle specific objectives. It’s good for replaying favorite stages without having to replay the whole campaign. The mode also adds new goals and score-based challenges that didn’t exist in the original game.

Part of the experience is chasing the high scores too. 

Star Fox, like the classic arcade games, rewards you as you improve and get better at each mission. Multiple branching paths, alternate objectives, and a challenge mode give you plenty of reasons to come back. Replayability may become one of the game’s strongest selling points for a lot of players.

Another interesting addition is the new mouse control. If played from a cockpit perspective, players can place a Joy-Con on a flat surface and use mouse-style aiming. This shifts the camera into a first-person view and changes how combat feels throughout each mission. It makes you experience the familiar stages in a totally different way.

The mix is made even more varied by cooperative play. Co-op mode allows two players to control one Arwing. One player controls the movement, while the other aims and shoots. This unusual setup promotes a different kind of teamwork and might enable players to reach higher scores or more challenging content.

It also has a brand new multiplayer mode outside of the main campaign. Up until now, three maps have been shown, each one having different rules and goals. Players can collect power-ups not available in the campaign, unlocking a wide variety of special abilities and attacks. The mode supports 4v4 battles both online and with friends.

Nintendo has also included augmented reality features that allow players to map Star Fox characters onto their faces during multiplayer sessions. Additional cosmetic content can reportedly be unlocked over time as well. These additions help multiplayer stand apart from the main campaign rather than feeling like a simple extra feature. 

One of the most consumer-friendly additions is the game's sharing functionality. 

With a single copy of the game, friends and family can join multiplayer sessions locally using their own Nintendo Switch systems. Online play also supports similar functionality through Nintendo's communication features. This means that groups can play together without everyone needing to buy their own copy.

All these additions make a package that seems rich in content. The expanded story, branching campaign routes, challenge mode, multiple control styles, cooperative play, and online multiplayer all point to this being far more than just your typical remake. There are plenty of reasons for long-time fans and newcomers alike to spend a lot of time checking out all that the game has to offer.

The value becomes even more noticeable when considering the price. While many major Nintendo Switch 2 releases are launching at higher price points, Star Fox is being sold for less than several other first-party titles. Digital pricing is even lower, and some retailers are matching those discounts with physical copies.

Taken together, Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2 looks less like a nostalgic remaster and more like a complete reimagining of the classic adventure. The familiar foundation remains intact, but nearly every part of the experience has been expanded or modernized. If the final product lives up to all that we've seen so far, it could be one of the content-richest Star Fox games Nintendo has ever released.