Review: Star Fox

There are certain games that become legendary long before you ever get the chance to play them. For me, the original Star Fox 64 was one of those titles.

Growing up in South Africa during the 90s, gaming information was a luxury. Internet access was practically non-existent, and the imported videogame magazines at CNA were often too expensive. Luckily there was a bookshop at Overport City called Paperweight (a play on pay per weight) and they sold magazines that were a few months old at the fraction of the price. Given that our releases were often months or years behind this didn’t bother me.

Also, I got an N64 a few years after it released so playing games on launch day wasn’t a thing back then. I also got my gaming news on Friday afternoons, watching Cybernet with the voice of our generation, Lucy Longhurst.

Star Fox 64 was everywhere. Critics adored it, players couldn’t stop talking about it, and it quickly earned a reputation as one of the Nintendo 64’s defining experiences. I never actually played it.

Three decades later, Nintendo has given the game a second life on Nintendo Switch 2. While this remake preserves everything that made the original special, my lack of nostalgia meant I experienced it through completely fresh eyes.

The result is a game I enjoyed, but perhaps not quite as much as those who grew up with Fox McCloud and his team.

Gameplay

The core gameplay remains an arcade-style rail shooter where you pilot an Arwing through beautifully designed levels, blasting enemy ships while weaving between obstacles and giant bosses.

Although most stages guide you along a fixed route, several encounters open into larger arenas where you have complete freedom to manoeuvre before progressing. Secret objectives and branching paths encourage multiple playthroughs rather than treating the campaign as a once-off experience.

The game mostly feels immediate and responsive. There are no unnecessary progression systems or bloated mechanics. You simply jump in and start flying. I’m not a big flight simulator fan, I like the idea of it more than actually playing them, like the idea of having pears in a bowl more than eating them, and this goes for the other flight-intensive games like Ace Combat or Star Wars Rogue Squadron so I appreciate that it isn’t too complicated.

Visually, Nintendo has done an excellent job modernising the experience without losing its identity. Character models are far more expressive than ever before, and the facial animations during cutscenes give Fox, Falco, Peppy and Slippy much more personality than I expected. The expanded cinematics also help flesh out the story without overstaying their welcome. Some of the in-game elements could have been slightly better but it’s still a pretty game.

One of the standout additions is the camera integration. If you have a compatible USB-C camera connected, GameChat can overlay your reactions while playing online, adding a surprisingly fun social element that feels uniquely Nintendo. It’s not something everyone will use regularly, but it’s a clever showcase for one of the Switch 2’s new features.

I also appreciated the range of difficulty options. Whether you’re completely new to rail shooters or looking for a more demanding challenge, there’s enough flexibility here to make the game welcoming without sacrificing the satisfying sense of progression. More experienced players can still chase better routes and tougher objectives.

It’s easy to understand why Star Fox 64 became such an influential Nintendo classic. The tight controls, branching level design, memorable characters and arcade pacing still hold up remarkably well, and this remake introduces them to an entirely new generation in the best possible way. The game retails for around R1 100,which is a touch too high for my liking. Had it been priced at under a thousand it would have been a bit more compelling.

If you’ve never played Star Fox before, this is unquestionably the version to experience. If you’re returning after decades away, there’s every chance it’ll remind you why the original became one of Nintendo’s most celebrated games.

Final Verdict

Star Fox is a polished and respectful remake that successfully introduces one of Nintendo’s most important games to a new audience. While I admired its design more than I loved it, there’s no denying why this series became such a phenomenon in the late 90s. Whether you’re reliving a childhood favourite or discovering it for the first time, this is still an entertaining trip through the Lylat System.