Star Fox set for June 25

Nintendo just gave Star Fox something the series has not had in a long time — a clean, concrete release plan. In a 15-minute Star Fox Direct on May 6, the company announced a new Star Fox game for Switch 2, launching June 25. But the important detail is that this is not some vague “the franchise is back” teaser. Nintendo showed a very specific product: a modernized take on Star Fox 64 with new presentation, extra modes, and Switch 2-specific features. ### What did Nintendo actually announce? Nintendo’s own wording is pretty clear. Star Fox is “based on” Star Fox 64, and the company is pitching it as an action adventure with a complete visual overhaul for Switch 2. The release date is June 25, 2026, and pre-orders are already live on Nintendo’s store page. ### So is this a remake or a new game? Basically, it looks like a remake-plus. Nintendo is not describing it as Star Fox 64 HD or a straight remaster. The pitch is a “cinematic take” on Star Fox 64, with overhauled character designs, revamped stages, detailed cutscenes, fully voiced modern. ### What’s actually new here? A few things stand out. Nintendo says the game adds new gameplay modes alongside returning ones, lets players explore the Lylat System in greater detail, and includes a new 4-vs-4 multiplayer Battle Mode. It also supports Joy-Con 2 mouse controls and Nintendo wants the game to feel built for the new hardware. ### Why lean on Star Fox 64 again? Because it is still the clearest version of what Star Fox is supposed to be. The franchise has bounced between rail shooter, experimental control showcase, and identity crisis for years. Star Fox 64 is the installment most players agree on — fast-paced template makes a lot of sense. That last part is an inference, but it fits the product Nintendo described. ### Why does June 25 matter? Because launch timing is part of the strategy. Nintendo’s Switch 2 page is already framing the system around a steady flow of games and promotions, and Star Fox lands less than two months after this week’s Direct. That gives Nintendo another first-party killer app. ### Is this about the movie too? A little, yes. Nintendo explicitly tied the announcement to Fox McCloud’s appearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, saying moviegoers have seen Fox take to the skies and will soon be able to play him on Switch 2. That is cross-media Nintendo in a nutshell — use the movie to refresh awareness, then sell the game while the character is warm again. ### What’s the catch? The catch is expectation. Fans who wanted a fully original Star Fox sequel may see this as Nintendo playing it safe. Fans who just wanted the series to feel alive again may think safe is exactly the right move. Turns out both reactions can be true. A polished Star Fox 64-based revival could rebuild the audience — but it probably will not end the long argument over what Star Fox should become next. ### Bottom line? Nintendo did not just announce “more Star Fox.” It announced a very specific version of Star Fox, on a very specific date, for a very specific job: give Switch 2 another recognizable first-party game on June 25, and see whether a cleaned-up classic can relaunch a franchise that has been stuck in orbit for years.