Star Fox Review: Can’t Quite Teach an Old Fox New Tricks
Star Fox Review – When Nintendo unveiled its remake of Star Fox 64 for the Switch 2, fans were left wondering: Did anyone really want this? The result is a polished revamp of the 1994 classic, stripped of its original designation and reimagined with sleeker graphics and enhanced environments. While the game embraces modern design elements, its core gameplay remains rooted in the arcade-style rail-shooter mechanics that defined its predecessor. This nostalgic repackage feels like a fever dream of retro charm and contemporary polish, but whether it’s worth the $50 price or $60 for a physical cartridge depends on how much you value its evolutionary steps over its foundational roots.
Campaign’s Nostalgic Overhaul
The narrative campaign opens with a cinematic adaptation of the original game’s opening text crawl, rekindling the tale of Fox McCloud’s father, betrayed by a trusted ally and captured by the villainous Dr. Andross. Three years later, Fox leads his father’s mercenary crew in a renewed battle against the same foe. The missions, once brief and dialogue-driven, are now transformed into full-fledged animated sequences, giving each briefing a cinematic flair. However, this approach occasionally feels forced, as if the developers are trying to bridge the gap between 1990s simplicity and 2026’s cinematic standards. While the visual storytelling is a highlight, it’s hard not to notice the story’s familiar beats, which have been reheated multiple times since its debut.
Visuals: A Double-Edged Sword
Visually, the game is a triumph. Planets are rendered with stunning detail, and spacecraft models exhibit a level of precision that would have been unthinkable in the early ’90s. Yet, the presentation isn’t without its drawbacks. Fox’s character design, now reimagined with photorealistic textures, sparked immediate backlash upon the trailer’s release. His original designer, who wasn’t involved in the remake, expressed a preference for the version seen in the Super Mario Galaxy movie, suggesting that the new look, while technically advanced, sacrifices some of the charm that made the original iconic. The lighting, in particular, feels like a missed opportunity—Fox’s cockpit is often bathed in an unnatural, garish green glow that disrupts the otherwise immersive atmosphere.
“His original character designer… admitted to preferring the Super Mario Galaxy Movie version of Fox to this remake’s.”
Campaign Duration and Co-op Modes
Completing the main campaign takes roughly an hour to two hours, depending on your skill level and how often you’re forced to restart after a death. However, the game’s true ending requires a second playthrough, where players must uncover hidden routes and secrets that extend the runtime nearly fourfold. This design choice adds replay value but may frustrate those seeking a straightforward experience. The co-op mode, while inventive, introduces an unconventional mechanic: splitting Joy-Cons between two players, one steering the ship and the other using a mouse for laser targeting. This gimmick, though novel, feels like a trade-off, as it complicates the gameplay for those unfamiliar with such a setup.
Battle Mode: Engaging Multiplayer
Battle Mode, the game’s multiplayer component, proves more entertaining than the campaign’s narrative. Players engage in 4v4 matches where objectives include capturing points or collecting energy from meteorites, creating a dynamic and fast-paced experience. The mode’s inclusion of augmented reality features adds a layer of interactivity, especially for those with webcams. By linking their faces to in-game avatars, players can mimic expressions in real-time, from raising eyebrows to opening mouths for speech. This is particularly amusing when controlling Slippy Toad, whose exaggerated chin inflation becomes a humorous reflection of the player’s own face movements.
“If you’re playing as Slippy Toad and puff out your cheeks, you’ll see him inflate his chin.”
Conclusion: Worth the Price?
Despite its technical achievements, Star Fox struggles to fully reconcile its past with its present. The campaign retains the sensibilities of a 1990s arcade game, with its linear structure and simplistic mechanics, even as the visuals and story are given a modern facelift. While the remaster’s attention to detail is impressive, it doesn’t quite elevate the core experience. The game’s charm lies in its nostalgic appeal, but its modern iterations feel like a compromise—trying to satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers with a blend of old and new.
For those with friends eager to dive into competitive play or a tolerance for unconventional co-op mechanics, the remake offers a rewarding experience. However, if you’re looking for a game that feels truly forward-thinking, this version may fall short. The price point, particularly the $60 physical cartridge option, feels steep for a product that’s more of a nostalgic rehash than a revolutionary take. If you’re willing to embrace the original’s spirit while enjoying its sleeker presentation, you might find value in the remake. But if you’re seeking a fully reimagined Star Fox, this game may not be the one to inspire.
In the end, Star Fox stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of its source material. It’s a game that doesn’t break new ground but instead rekindles the flame of a classic. While the improvements are undeniable, the question remains: Can this polished version of a 30-year-old franchise justify its cost? The answer may depend on your perspective, but one thing is certain—the game’s nostalgia is as strong as ever, even if its evolution feels incomplete.
