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The clock above counts down to Star Fox on Switch 2, Nintendo's long-rumored revival of the franchise, expected in summer 2026 as a first-party Switch 2 flagship.
The new Star Fox is Nintendo's revival of the dormant arcade-flight franchise, built ground-up as a Switch 2 first-party title. Reporting points to Nintendo EPD partnering with Q-Games — the studio founded by Star Fox Command director Dylan Cuthbert and historically responsible for several of the franchise's spin-offs — on the project. The Joy-Con 2's mouse mode is expected to figure heavily in cockpit aiming controls, addressing the long-standing design tension that hurt Star Fox Zero on Wii U.
The franchise has been dormant since 2016's Star Fox Zero, with Nintendo signaling that the new Switch 2 launch window is the right moment to bring Fox McCloud and the Lylat System back into circulation. Summer 2026 release positioning anchors the Switch 2 first-party calendar in its second year.
A return to the on-rails plus all-range mode structure of Star Fox 64 is widely expected, with Joy-Con 2 mouse-mode aiming the major modern-control hook. Nintendo has not confirmed which Star Fox characters return — whether the Star Wolf rivalry is rebuilt, whether Krystal returns from Star Fox Adventures — though the marketing tease has emphasized Fox McCloud and the Arwing.
Star Fox on Switch 2 launches in summer 2026 (exact date pending), with day-one availability on Switch 2 hardware. The title is expected to be at full Switch 2 retail price.
For more 2026 Switch 2 first-party events, see the Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake countdown and the Splatoon Raiders countdown.
When does Star Fox release? Summer 2026 (exact date pending). What platform? Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. Is it a remake or new game? A new entry, not a remake. Will Fox McCloud be back? Yes — confirmed by Nintendo's reveal materials.
