Nintendo just reminded everyone about the other Nintendo 64 classic it remade, and it did it with a free update that arrived last night. Star Fox for the Switch 2 got a Version 1.2.0 patch that adds new stages to battle mode, supports 4-player split-screen on a single Switch 2, and fixes how bosses signal damage. The update is a gentle nudge, not a reinvention, but it arrives at a moment when The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is looming on store shelves.
The timing is notable, though the source does not state it is deliberate. Nintendo is not launching a new Star Fox game this holiday season — it launched back in 2026 — but the company is giving players a reason to look at it again. The update is free, and it adds content that makes multiplayer more inviting. Whether that is enough to move the needle against a $50 price tag is another question.
What The Update Actually Adds
The headline feature is the addition of three new stages to battle mode. Katina, Sector X and Venom all come from the original Star Fox, and their inclusion means players who want to fight online now have more variety in their maps. Battle mode was already a solid draw for the game, but the new stages give it a reason to return.
The split-screen support is a quality-of-life improvement. Four players can join a single Switch 2 for battle mode, which means local multiplayer is viable without needing four separate systems. That is a small touch, but it removes a friction point for friends who want to play together in the same room.
Lobbies will no longer disband when the host leaves. That is a practical fix for anyone who has had a multiplayer session collapse because someone stepped away. The update also introduces new items that appear during battles, adding a layer of randomness to the fighting.
For players who just want to play the campaign, the biggest change is visual. Bosses now signal damage more clearly on screen, which makes it easier to tell when you are hitting a spot that actually hurts them. That is a quality-of-life fix that improves the experience without changing the game’s fundamental shape.
Why The Timing Matters
Ocarina of Time is coming out this holiday season, and it is likely to dominate attention. The Zelda title is a classic, and it carries a weight that Star Fox simply does not. Star Fox did not exactly sell like gangbusters when it launched, and the movie appearance earlier this year did not translate into a sustained sales push.
The holiday season is a crowded one, and having two N64 remakes on store shelves next to each other could create a problem. Ocarina of Time is currently priced at $50 for the digital version, which includes a story mode that runs less than two hours. That price point makes it a hard sell for Star Fox, which asks the same amount for a game.
A significant discount would help, but there is no indication one is planned. The update is free, which is a start, but it is not a price drop. The hope is that the new content will be enough to keep Star Fox in the conversation.
Battle Mode Gets The Attention
Battle mode is where the update does the most work. Katina, Sector X and Venom are all part of the original Star Fox universe, and their addition gives players new maps to explore. The split-screen support means those maps can be shared with friends in the same room, which is a meaningful addition for local multiplayer.
The lobby fix is a small but useful change. Disconnected lobbies are a common frustration in multiplayer games, and removing that annoyance is a service to anyone who plays regularly. The new items add a layer of randomness to battles, which keeps matches from feeling too predictable.
The combination of new stages, split-screen support and lobby stability means battle mode is now a more complete package. Players who were holding off because the multiplayer lacked variety now have a reason to jump back in.
The Campaign Fix
The campaign fix is a small but welcome one. The damage signaling is now clearer, which makes it easier to know when you are hitting a boss effectively. That is a simple change, but it removes a source of frustration for players who spent time trying to land hits on bosses that never seemed to react.
The update does not add new content to the campaign itself. There are no new levels, no new characters, no new story missions. It is a polish, not a reinvention. For players who have finished the game, there is little here to draw them back.
But for players who have not touched the campaign in a while, the clearer damage feedback is a good reason to return. It makes the experience smoother, even if it does not add anything fundamentally new.
Holiday Season Competition
The holiday season is a brutal time for video games. There are dozens of releases competing for attention, and the shelf space is limited. Having two N64 remakes next to each other is a mixed blessing for Star Fox.
Ocarina of Time is a bigger name, and it has a longer history with players. The fact that it runs less than two hours makes it a harder sell against a game like Star Fox. The $50 price tag puts them in direct competition, and Star Fox has not shown the same kind of momentum.
The update is a reminder that Star Fox exists, and it adds enough content to justify a second look. Whether that is enough to overcome the shadow of Ocarina of Time remains to be seen.
The Rumored Future
There are current rumors pointing to a new Star Fox game potentially in development. That would give fans a more substantial adventure starring Fox McCloud and the gang in the not-too-distant future. Until then, there is always Star Fox Adventures for the GameCube, which came to Switch Online over the summer.
The rumor is not confirmed, and there is no release window attached. It is a glimmer of hope for fans who want more from the series, but it is not a replacement for the existing game. The Switch Online arrival of Star Fox Adventures is a convenient alternative for players who want to explore a different part of the franchise.
Holiday Release Schedule
| Game | Price | Release Window |
|---|---|---|
| Star Fox | $50 | Launched 2026 |
| The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | $50 | This holiday season |
| Star Fox Adventures | Included with Switch Online subscription | Came to Switch Online over the summer |
The Bottom Line
The update is a smart move by Nintendo. It adds content that matters, especially for battle mode, and it comes at no cost to players. The timing is clever — a free update lands just as Ocarina of Time is preparing to launch, reminding everyone that there is another N64 classic worth owning this holiday season.
Whether it is enough to shift sales is another matter. Star Fox has not been a runaway hit, and a $50 price tag next to a Zelda title is a difficult position. The update does not solve that problem, but it does make the game feel more complete.
The holiday season will test whether Star Fox can hold its own. For now, the update is a welcome addition, and it gives players a reason to spend more time with a game that has flown under the radar for too long.
Source material: “Nintendo Reminds Everyone About The Other N64 Classic It Just Remade With A Free Update,” Kotaku.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.