Nintendo announced a new Star Fox title for the upcoming Switch 2 console during a surprise Nintendo Direct presentation [1].
The announcement marks the return of one of Nintendo's most storied franchises to the forefront of its software lineup. By leveraging the upcoming hardware, the company aims to expand the Star Fox brand and drive interest in the next generation of its console ecosystem [3, 4].
Shigeru Miyamoto represented the company during the online presentation, which was streamed worldwide [1, 4]. The event took place on June 25, 2024 [2]. While Nintendo has not provided exhaustive details on the gameplay, the reveal confirms that players will once again control Fox and his allies on the new system [2].
Reports regarding the specific nature of the game vary among industry sources. Some reports describe the title as a brand-new entry for the Switch 2 [3], while others state that a significant remake of Star Fox 64 is currently in development [4].
This project represents the first new release for the series since 2016, when the company launched Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Guard [3]. The franchise has seen limited activity in the intervening years, with the only other notable release being the long-delayed launch of Star Fox 2 in 2017 [3].
Nintendo is using the title to promote the capabilities of the Switch 2 hardware [3, 4]. The company has not yet disclosed a specific release date or pricing for the game or the console itself [1].
“The announcement marks the return of one of Nintendo's most storied franchises.”
The revival of Star Fox serves as a strategic pillar for the launch of the Switch 2. By reviving a dormant IP, Nintendo is attempting to recapture a legacy audience while demonstrating the technical leap between the current Switch and its successor. The ambiguity between a new title and a remake of Star Fox 64 suggests Nintendo may be utilizing nostalgia to ensure a strong software attach rate for the new hardware.
