Star Fox Review, Gameplay Impressions, Videos and Top Features for Switch 2

The best Star Fox game has arrived to jumpstart the second year of the Nintendo Switch 2. 

Star Fox 64 originally released on the Nintendo 64 in June 1997 and later Star Fox 64 3D released in 2011 for the Nintendo DS. While a reimagining was released for the Nintendo Wii U with Star Fox Zero, this latest version of Star Fox ties everything together to provide the best version of one of Nintendo's greatest packages. A complete remake with additional features, Star Fox for the Switch 2 is a must-play game for fans who grew up with the series and especially for gamers who have always wanted to understand why Star Fox is among the most beloved franchises in Nintendo's library.

Gameplay Impressions

When Star Fox 64 first released, it was truly a mind-blowing experience to see such a cinematic adventure from Nintendo, complete with voice acting and at the time, the introduction to rumble with the Rumble Pak for the N64 controller. With the advanced hardware of the Switch 2, it remains a spectacular feat to see such a fully-released title from Nintendo as every aspect is top notch. 

First and foremost, the gameplay is phenomenal as Star Fox remains one of the best-feeling and best-controlling fighter pilot games available. Although there are times when the player has free range of the ship in All-Range Mode, the game is mostly an on-rails shooter, which is the often best approach for this type of game because it allows the player to focus on the most fun aspect, shooting enemy ships, incoming projectiles and obstacles.

Whether playing handheld or docked with the Switch 2 Joy-Cons or Switch 2 Pro Controller, the gameplay is smooth and responsive. Players can shoot lasers, build up charged shots, launch projectiles, speed up, slow down and of course, do a barrel roll, which is always satisfying. Players can also toggle between third-person and first-person perspectives with the simple press of a button. While the player is often controlling Fox in the classic Arwing in space, there is also the Blue-Marine for a fantastic underwater level and a Landmaster for a ground-based level. These different vehicles, locations and maps provide a great change of pace during the campaign to keep it fresh and provide variety.

Overall, there is variety across the board with this iteration of Star Fox as gamers can play the campaign multiplayer locally or online with GameShare, same with general multiplayer and the challenge mode for endless replayability. That has always been key for Star Fox since N64 because the campaign isn't lengthy. In fact, that's a major part of the appeal of Star Fox and the on-rails shooter genre. 

Star Fox features different difficulty settings but mastering Star Fox to see everything it has to offer is no easy feat, which extends its gameplay runtime by many hours as players will need to unlock the Expert route to fully see through with the campaign. There are high scores to obtain across the campaign in addition to the challenge mode and general multiplayer. Learning the best routes and enemy patterns increases the difficulty aspect and replayability as players chase alternate paths, medals and the Expert route. Star Fox has always been an entertaining game to hop into for a run dating back to N64 and that remains true with this superior version.

In addition to the exhilarating gameplay, the music is thrilling and the voice acting is entertaining as players get to experience the different dynamics and personalities between Fox, Falco, Peppy and Slippy. Cementing the entire experience is the excellent graphics as this now looks how players likely remember Star Fox 64. The cutscenes, art style, lighting and shadow works are all among the best from Nintendo. This is easily among the most cinematic experiences Nintendo has ever offered, providing gamers with their own version of 'Star Wars' in their universe.

Conclusion

Overall, Star Fox remains pure fun and one of the most exciting titles in Nintendo's vast library. It is a remake that stays true to the source and enhances it in every way. It most certainly has the classic Nintendo seal of quality because it runs smoothly on the Switch 2 whether playing in handheld, tabletop or docked. 

Star Fox features endless replay value thanks to its multiplayer but even after nearly 30 years since Star Fox 64, it's still wildly entertaining to go through its classic campaign. Regardless if players have been experiencing this since 1997 or jumping in for the first time, Star Fox is certainly a must-play for Switch 2 owners. Given how successful this version is as the complete package of one of the most ambitious games from N64, it's exciting to think about the future of Star Fox in a new tale.