Velan Confirms Star Fox for Switch 2 Runs at 60fps as Nintendo Releases Free Demo

Q: With classic lines missing from the demo, can Velan's Star Fox reboot truly satisfy nostalgic fans on the Switch 2?

Yes—probably for many longtime fans, but not without caveats. The demo suggests Velan Studios understands what made *Star Fox 64* endure. Early reactions point to faithful on-rails gameplay, sharper controls, strong 60fps performance, and a major visual upgrade on Switch 2. Nintendo’s broader pitch—a cinematic reworking of *Star Fox 64* with real-time cutscenes, full voice acting, orchestral music, co-op, and 4v4 multiplayer—gives nostalgic players more than a simple remaster. The main risk is that nostalgia is not only about mechanics. Some players have already fixated on the missing “Do a barrel roll!” line in the Meteo demo, and others say the sound design feels flatter than the N64 original. For a series so tied to memorable radio chatter and audio cues, those complaints matter. If the final game trims too many iconic lines or softens the original’s punchy soundscape, part of the emotional connection could be lost. Still, the evidence so far favors cautious optimism. The demo includes only the tutorial and an early stage, so missing lines there do not necessarily mean they are gone from the full game. And for many fans, responsive flight, polished presentation, and respect for the original structure will matter more than whether every famous quote appears in the opening slice. So the reboot can satisfy nostalgic fans if the full release preserves the series’ personality as carefully as it preserves its gameplay. Right now, it looks close—but not fully proven.

3 articles · Updated · Nintendo Everything · Jun 9

Velan Studios said it is developing Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2, confirming the project after speculation that an internal Nintendo team or another outside studio was handling it.
60fps gameplay and real-time cinematics are being delivered through Velan’s in-house Viper engine, which the studio said lets Fox McCloud return in higher fidelity than before.
A free Switch 2 demo launched alongside the reveal, offering a tutorial and the opening Meteo stage.
The game marks Velan’s second Nintendo collaboration after 2020’s Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit; the studio also previously made Knockout City for Switch.