Nintendo is bringing Star Fox back to life this June, reviving the beloved N64 classic for Switch 2 with a visual transformation that modernizes two decades of pixelated space combat. The remake launches June 25 and is available for preorder starting immediately across major retailers.
The new version keeps the core gameplay intact, preserving all the original levels and linear mission structure that made Star Fox 64 a cult favorite in 1997. Players will still pilot the Arwing through planets like Corneria and Fichina, dodging obstacles and battling enemies alongside the same cast of characters: Fox McCloud, Slippy, Peppy, and Falco. But the graphics have been completely rebuilt from scratch, replacing the jagged polygons and blurry textures of the original with sharp, modern visuals.
Nintendo's pricing strategy initially placed physical copies at $10 more than their digital counterparts, following the company's new Switch 2 pricing structure. However, both Amazon and Walmart are undercutting that premium by offering physical preorders at a $10 discount, effectively matching the digital price of $49.99. This rare deal on physical game copies extends to other Switch 2 launches like Splatoon Raiders and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book.
Beyond the graphics overhaul, the remake introduces fresh voice acting and new cutscenes to complement the modernized presentation. The campaign itself remains relatively brief by today's standards, clocking in at roughly two and a half hours for a single playthrough. But the game is designed for replay, with bonus challenge lists and adjustable difficulty settings that encourage players to return to familiar missions. A new addition is a 4v4 battle mode featuring dogfights across three arena-style stages, giving the experience more competitive depth than the original offered.
Preorder pricing currently shows digital copies at $49.99 across Amazon and Nintendo's official store, while physical copies sit at $59.99 at Best Buy and Nintendo's store. The Amazon and Walmart discounts bring physical versions down to $49.94, eliminating the price advantage of going digital. As of now, no preorder bonuses are attached to any retailer's offer.
This is the second remake of Star Fox 64, following the 2011 release of Star Fox 64 3D on Nintendo 3DS. How this classic formula will land with players raised on modern action games remains to be seen, but for those who grew up blasting through the Lylat system, the updated visuals and preserved gameplay should feel familiar enough to satisfy nostalgia.
Author Emily Chen: "A straight remake with next-gen graphics could feel like a cash grab, but Nintendo's keeping the core experience intact and letting retailers compete on price, which is the right call for a reissue."
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