Let’s be real for a second: when we all learned that Nintendo was bringing Starfox to the Switch 2, we all had the same reaction. We didn’t immediately cheer. We didn’t start pre-ordering. We let out a long, collective sigh that could have deflated a bouncy castle. “Another remake of Starfox 64?” we muttered, scrolling through our feeds.
Do a barrel roll? Again?
It’s easy to feel remake fatigue, especially when you’re a franchise loyalist who’s been dying for a continuation—a true, next-gen evolution of the series. But after sitting with the news, I’ve come to a startling conclusion: I’m actually okay with it. In fact, I think it’s the smartest play Nintendo has made in years.
We all know the history here. Starfox 64 is the gold standard. It’s the game that defined the series, the one we played until our thumbs blistered. But in the years since, the franchise has been a bit of a chaotic roller coaster. We’ve had experimental control schemes, weird peripheral requirements, and sequels that were, let’s say, acquired tastes.
The last few entries in the Starfox universe didn’t exactly set the world on fire. They were niche, confusing, and ultimately struggled to find an audience. If Nintendo had dropped a direct sequel to those titles on the Switch 2, they would have been preaching to the choir—and that choir is a very small group of people sitting in a mostly empty church. You can’t build a franchise renaissance on a foundation that people have actively avoided for a decade.
The Definitive Reset
This Switch 2 remake isn’t just an “upscale” job; it’s Nintendo hitting the reset button. By crafting the “definitive” version of Starfox 64, they aren’t just selling us a game we’ve played; they are selling a fresh, optimized, and modernized entry point to a generation of Switch 2 players who might never have picked up an N64 controller.
Think about it: this allows the widest possible number of people to experience Starfox without the baggage of the clunky, misunderstood sequels that came before. It’s a clean slate. It’s an accessible, polished experience that strips away the experimental fluff and reminds everyone why we fell in love with Fox McCloud in the first place.
The Long Game: Playing for the Future
So, why should we support a remake we didn’t ask for? Because it’s the only way to get the sequel we do want.
If this remake sells millions—and let’s be honest, the Switch 2 player base is hungry for titles that feel this sharp—it proves to the suits at Nintendo that Starfox is a viable, high-demand property again. Success creates permission. By turning Starfox 64 into a Switch 2 blockbuster, we create the financial and cultural momentum needed to greenlight a completely new adventure.
We have to eat our vegetables (this remake) to get the dessert (new entries) later. If Nintendo continues to alienate potential new players with sequels to unpopular games, the franchise dies in the bargain bin. But if they invite the whole room to the party with this remake? We might just be looking at the start of a whole new era. So, I’m in. Bring on the barrel rolls. Let’s make this thing a hit so we can finally move on to the next chapter.
