In June 2026 Nintendo is released Star Foxanother remake in a long line of them. The original Star Fox was released in 1993 on the Super Nintendo in North America, and it was one of the best-looking games in a while. Despite getting off to a rocky start, the series became one of the most confusing franchises in Nintendo's portfolio. Instead of every game being a sequel, a handful of the big games are based on the original SNES game, branching off in different ways. Star Fox 64 is like a reboot, and then Star Fox Zero is like a remake of that game.
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The upcoming Switch 2 game is specifically a remake of Star Fox 64so it's all quite confusing. With that knowledge in mind, let's go ahead and rank which is the definitive one Star Fox experience so far based on the original material, taking into account story, gameplay and visuals.
Who is that character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Start
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)
4
Star Fox
Perfect for his SNES days
Star Fox
- Released
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March 22, 1993
- Developer
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Nintendo, Argonaut Software
- Publisher
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Nintendo
Star Fox was a looker in 1993, before the days of larger 3D consoles. It managed to make itself seem more powerful than it actually was, giving off a fake 3D look when players zoomed through scenes on rails. Today, the game looks like a bunch of triangles and other polygonal shapes going through alien worlds and star systems. Visually, the game doesn't hold up as one of the best-looking SNES games, but that's not all the game's fault.
Star Fox is also extremely difficult, with the controls feeling a little stiff, and it's very hard to tell who's an enemy and who's an ally in the heat of battle. Powers are also very basic, as players can perform a drum roll, shoot lasers, and drop bombs, all of which must be earned. On the plus side, the incoherent babble of enemies and allies is charming, and has become a second language for SNES fans who want to drop an obscure reference during nerdy conversation. Total, Star Fox is a technically impressive and important game on the SNES, but not exactly.
3
Star Fox Zero
Weird controls Lower this arrow
Star Fox Zero is currently the best-looking version of this adventure, but that's only because the 2026 remake isn't out yet. It's also one of the few Wii U games that didn't get a Switch port. It was a big step up in technology, from the N64, or technically 3DS, to the Wii U. All the scenes were reworked and much better detailed, especially the first planet Corneria, as it actually looks like a city instead of a bunch of polygonal models. There are also new mechanics and vehicles such as the Walker, which allows players to switch between flying and ground maneuvers. There's also the Gyrowing vehicle for some missions, and both are welcome additions that make the game feel newer, but they won't blow any minds.
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As good as the visual upgrades and new vehicles are, that's about where the kudos end as this remake decided it had to be played with motion controls using the Wii U GamePad. On the TV screen, players will see their ship flying around like most versions of the game. On the Wii U GamePad, the perspective will be in first person, which technically makes it easier to target enemies. The problem is that it can be difficult to see back and forth between the TV and the Wii U GamePad. Not everyone likes motion controls, and there was never an option to turn them off, which is why Star Fox Zero is a split entry despite having such a high-caliber developer, PlatinumGames, helping Nintendo.
2
Star Fox 64
A reboot that is still fun to this day
Star Fox 64 is a reboot and the gold standard for the entire series. It put everything into better context, with levels having more intricate designs, and the Arwings being easier to pick out among enemies. Friendly fire was still a problem when trying to help allies in battle, but at least they looked like ships instead of triangles. While it wasn't exactly a walk in the park, it was a more balanced game in terms of difficulty as well. The length didn't change too much, as it could easily be completed in under two hours, but figuring out the different orbits between the planets became an easier process.
In terms of controls, the Arwing and other vehicles were also better, although there weren't many new powers to speak of beyond the lasers and bombs. Finally, while the jobber jabber of the old characters was certainly charming, the actual voiced deliveries were funny in Star Fox 64, too, leading to tons of Nintendo memes online like “Do a barrel roll!” Thanks to the Switch's online library, it's still playable, but even without the Switch's save state features, players can still have fun firing it up on an old N64 console, which Star Fox 64 is easily one of the best games on the system.
1
Star Fox 64 3D
Amazing controls, interface and 3D models
Star Fox 64 3D
8/10
- Released
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July 14, 2011
- ESRB
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e 10+ // Fantasy Violence
Compared to the other versions, Star Fox 64 3D is just a direct remaster of Star Fox 64. It's the exact game on the 3DS as it is on the N64, just with a few control tweaks and a few interface things that deserve mention. For starters, like most first-party Nintendo games, it supports 3D visuals when cranked up to max. It's not the best use of the 3D slider, but it still looks impressive.
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On the lower screen, allies and other messages can appear, which can lead to a more immersive experience. The function could have been good in Star Fox Zero too, if only the motion controls weren't a must. Total, Star Fox 64 3D isn't a huge improvement over the original, but it's technically a better game if players still have a 3DS and are willing to hunt down a cartridge. It controls, looks and sounds better without compromising the core concept with some weird gimmick. Also, the gimmicks that are there, like the 3D slider and motion controls, are optional.
Upcoming Games: Star Fox (2026)
This is just a preview of the upcoming game, and as of now, Star Fox 64 3D is the cream of the crop. That said, the remake looks interesting and has some notable changes that not all fans are excited about. For starters, all the characters have been redesigned to look more like realistic anthropomorphic animals rather than cartoon animals. The overall visuals have been beefed up, blowing away any performance Star Father Zero out of the water.
Another cool feature is that the game will use GameChat, allowing players to map their facial and mouth movements to their character while playing multiplayer. It also supports GameShare, which remains one of the best features of the Switch 2 overall. Gameplay wise, it looks like not much will change as players can go through the campaign with different vehicles besides the Arwing, blasting enemies and bosses until kingdom come. On June 25, it will be interesting to see how Star Fox remake ranks.
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