Star Fox Review Round-up: A faithful remake that flies high but rarely leaves orbit
Critics found a sharp, handsome Star Fox 64 remake that nails the fundamentals, even if its nostalgia plays safer than some hoped.
- Developer
- Velan Studios
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Release Date
- June 25, 2026
egg.network has not played Star Fox. This review round-up is built from published critic reviews and official details, linked at the end. The score is the critics' aggregate, not our own.
Critical Consensus
Critics landed on a mostly positive verdict for Star Fox, with the Metacritic average sitting at 81/100. The broad read is that Velan Studios has delivered a confident remake of Star Fox 64: sharp to control, visually impressive, faithful to the original structure, and easy to recommend to players who missed the Nintendo 64 classic.
At the same time, the praise comes with one very clear caveat. Several reviews argued that Star Fox succeeds more as a polished revival than as a bold new step for the series. Critics repeatedly circled back to the same tension: this is a beloved campaign rebuilt with care, but it is still another version of a story and structure Nintendo has revisited multiple times.
What Critics Say Works
The strongest praise focused on how cleanly the core rail-shooter action has survived the remake treatment. Reviews described Star Fox as retaining the familiar Arwing flow: automatic forward movement through enemy-filled stages, lasers and bombs for offence, and defensive moves like somersaults and barrel rolls to stay alive. Critics who responded positively found that the remake preserves the old arcade rhythm without making it feel clumsy or dated.
The presentation also earned major attention. Preview coverage had already singled out the crisp graphics, bold art direction, and more cinematic tone, and final reviews broadly continued that line. Some critics called it one of Nintendo’s best-looking games, while others framed the remake as the clearest and most polished way to experience Star Fox 64 today.
Faithfulness was another big win. Critics who loved the original saw value in how closely this version tracks the level design, branching routes, vehicle action, and Lylat System campaign structure. Reviews also noted that extended cutscenes add more narrative texture between missions, giving the characters and world a more developed feel than the older release.
Co-op also received positive notes from some critics. The campaign and challenge modes can be played by two players, with one handling piloting through traditional controls and another aiming and shooting with Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. Pocket Tactics, for example, responded well to both solo and co-op play, while other outlets treated the control options as part of Nintendo’s wider hardware showcase.
What Critics Say Falls Short
The biggest criticism is simple: critics wanted more new material. Several reviews felt that the remake is too cautious for a series that has been away from the spotlight. The inclusion of Challenge Mode and revised multiplayer gave critics something extra to discuss, but some found those additions thinner than expected.
That complaint hit hardest around campaign length and originality. TechRadar called out the campaign’s short length and limited multiplayer options, while Retro Gamer praised the remake overall but still wanted genuinely new content, such as a new level. GameSpot was more reserved too, viewing the package as a bare-bones refresh of a classic that still holds up well elsewhere.
The art style and tone also remained divisive. The reveal had already split fans because of the more realistic character redesigns and the decision to remake Star Fox 64 yet again. Critics generally warmed to the final game more than the reveal discourse suggested, but some still warned longtime fans that the more cinematic approach changes the feel compared with the campier Nintendo 64 original.
Who Critics Think It Is For
Critics generally framed Star Fox as an easy recommendation for newcomers. If someone knows Fox McCloud mainly from crossover appearances, reviews suggest this remake works as a clean entry point into the actual Star Fox campaign: the Lylat System, Andross, the Arwing, branching paths, and the Star Fox crew all arrive in a modernised package.
For veterans, the recommendation is a bit more conditional. Reviews from NintendoLife, GameReactor, GamesRadar+, Shacknews, and Retro Gamer were very warm, with several critics positioning it as the definitive or superior way to revisit Star Fox 64. But critics also warned that players who have replayed the 1997 game heavily should not expect many surprises.
So the audience split is clear. Critics say Star Fox is best for players who want a polished rail shooter, Nintendo fans curious about the series, and longtime fans happy to revisit a classic with better presentation. Players hoping for a fully original Star Fox sequel may come away more excited about what could come next than fully satisfied by what this remake adds.
What Matters For Malaysian and SEA Players
For Malaysian and SEA players, the key practical points are straightforward. Star Fox released on June 25, 2026, and is published by Nintendo for Switch hardware. The game includes single-player campaign play, Challenge Mode, competitive multiplayer, and co-op campaign support.
The multiplayer feature set also matters for local play. Critics and previews noted GameShare support for multiplayer across multiple Switch 2 consoles and different models of the original Nintendo Switch, through both local wireless and the internet. GameChat support is included for in-game multiplayer and general video chat, with webcam filters based on Star Fox squad members.
That makes the remake more than a solo nostalgia piece, at least on paper. For players here who usually play Nintendo games in the living room, at gatherings, or with siblings, critics suggest the co-op and local multiplayer hooks are part of the appeal, even if some reviews still found the overall multiplayer offering thinner than they wanted.
Final Take
Critics concluded that Star Fox is a strong remake with a familiar ceiling. It looks sharp, controls well, respects Star Fox 64, and gives newcomers a clean way into one of Nintendo’s classic rail shooters.
But the same faithfulness that made critics praise it also held it back for some. The consensus is that Star Fox is a worthwhile ride and a promising sign for the franchise, but not the big creative leap some fans wanted after so many returns to the same Lylat Wars framework.
Sources
Pros
- Critics praised the crisp rail-shooter gameplay and responsive controls
- Several reviews highlighted the bold visual overhaul and cinematic presentation
- Many critics found it faithful to Star Fox 64 while welcoming newcomers
Cons
- Critics said it lacks major innovation beyond the remake framework
- Some reviews wanted more original content and new levels
- Several critics found the campaign short and multiplayer additions limited
Final Verdict
With an 81 Metacritic average, critics broadly concluded that Star Fox is a polished and affectionate remake of Star Fox 64. The consensus is strong on presentation, controls, and nostalgia, but more mixed on whether another return to the same story does enough for a full modern revival.