Nintendo has rolled out a new update for Star Fox that fans can download right now, bringing new battles, items, and more to the game. Star Fox served as the first new game in the franchise in nearly a decade and a remake of Star Fox 64.
The newest entry in the Nintendo space shooter franchise served as a major comeback. The Star Fox series had not received a new game since 2018 with the release of the SNES Classic, which included Star Fox 2 as a playable version of the previously canceled game. Star Fox has seen several sizable gaps in its releases since the franchise’s heyday in the 1990s and early 2000s, with a five-year gap between Star Fox Zero in 2016 and Star Fox 64 3D in 2011, and a similar gap between the latter and Star Fox Command in 2006. Now, Star Fox‘s triumphant return is getting a brand-new update.
Star Fox Adds New Battle Mode Stages and More
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The Version 1.2.0 update for Star Fox officially went live on September 29th, adding three new Battle Mode stages among other content. Players can now engage in online battles set on Katina, Sector X, and Venom, with the patch notes also teasing new items that players can find in battle. Star Fox‘s split-screen function got a big upgrade with the game’s newest update, allowing up to four players to team up on one Nintendo Switch 2 console, with the split-screen mode also supporting online matchmaking as a group. Star Fox‘s new patch also included a multitude of quality-of-life changes for the game, ranging from greater visual clarity when damaging certain bosses and causing online lobbies to not disband when the host leaves.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Star Fox‘s newest patch included a wealth of bug fixes for the game alongside its new content. Campaign Mode was the subject of several fixes aiming to curb crashes, including freezes after playing on Venom in Challenge Mode and when defeating certain bosses at the same time as being shot down. Nintendo also made some helpful changes to online lobbies, fixing a bug that would affect progression in multiplayer matches if the host disconnects and issues on stages like Venom 2.
The release of Star Fox has been part of a significant comeback for the franchise as a whole. Fox McCloud played a major supporting role in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, helping Mario and friends to pursue Bowser Jr. through space. Star Fox saw decent sales success following its release, debuting atop the sales charts in multiple regions, including Japan and the United Kingdom. Nintendo has not revealed any major sales data for Star Fox following its release, though the game did receive generally favorable reviews.
Star Fox is not the only major Nintendo remake planned for 2026, closing out the year with a classic Zelda game. Nintendo is gearing up to debut a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in early November, reimagining the franchise’s first 3D adventure with enhanced graphics and updated gameplay. The new version of Ocarina of Time marks the 40th anniversary of the Zelda franchise, also being joined by a special Ocarina of Time-inspired Switch 2 console and a new Pro Controller. Nintendo’s 2026 schedule is showing serious love for some of the Nintendo 64’s most beloved games.
Star Fox Version 1.2.0 Patch Notes
Added Elements
Battle Mode
- Added 3 new stages: Katina, Sector X and Venom.
- Added new items that appear during battles.
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The split-screen feature now allows up to four players to play together on a single Nintendo Switch 2 console.
- A controller is required for each player. When playing split-screen, Joy-Con 2 and Joy-Con controllers can also be used in solo horizontal grip.
- Added a feature that allows participation in random matches as a team by using the split-screen function.
Changes and Adjustments
Campaign Mode / Challenge Mode
- When you select “ABANDON CAMPAIGN” after getting a game over in Campaign Mode, confirmation dialog will now appear.
- The visuals have been adjusted to make it easier to see when you are damaging certain bosses.
- The “Find the hidden power-up in the secret corridor” challenge of “Sector X” has been modified so that it can be completed even if the wing-repair item is obtained.
Battle Mode
- In Online Battle, the online lobby will not disband after the host leaves.
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When playing in full screen mode while using a camera in GameChat, the camera feed will now appear on the game screen during matches when you shoot down an enemy aircraft and other instances.
- A separately sold USB camera is required.
- The camera feed and microphone audio are transmitted only to the GameChat members.
- You can also use character avatars and AR accessories.
Training
- The positions of the goalposts on the left and right sides in the “Use tilt to fly through the goalposts” challenge has been adjusted to make it easier to pass through.
Bug fixes
Campaign Mode / Challenge Mode
- Fixed a bug where the game would occasionally crash if the player repeatedly selected RESTART while playing Corneria.
- Fixed a bug where, if the player’s ship was shot down at the same time as defeating the boss Bacoon in Aquas, the game would freeze if Bacoon was defeated again after restarting.
- Fixed a bug where, if the player’s ship was shot down at the same time as defeating the boss Gorgon in Area 6, the game would freeze if Gorgan was defeated again after restarting.
- Fixed a bug where, in rare cases, the main body of the boss Goras in Titania would not reappear after its arm submerged in the ground, causing the game to freeze.
- Fixed a bug where, after playing Venom in Challenge Mode, the game would freeze if the player resumed Campaign Mode from where they left off and cleared Venom.
- Fixed a bug where, in rare cases, a sound would not play or would play twice after selecting RESTART during gameplay.
- Fixed a bug in the Zoness challenge “Destroy every Radar Buoy without being spotted” where destroying a Radar Buoy by colliding with it while piloting the Arwing did not result in a failure.
Battle Mode
- Fixed a bug that would occasionally cause the game to crash when starting an Online Battle match.
- Fixed a bug in Online Battle that would occasionally cause the game to stop progressing normally for the host and remaining participants if the host’s connection was lost.
- Fixed a bug where, during a match, when a player’s score exceeded approximately 1200, approximately 1000 points of the score were not correctly calculated.
- Fixed a bug where the durability of the Arwing’s wings would decrease after playing Challenge Mode on expert difficulty and then playing Battle Mode.
- Fixed a bug where, after interrupting a play session of Venom 2 and then playing Battle Mode, it sometimes became impossible to perform somersaults or U-turns.
Other Changes
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We have addressed the issue of third-party USB cameras not functioning correctly within the Star Fox game despite working properly on the Nintendo Switch 2 console.
- Not all USB cameras are guaranteed to work.
- If a third-party USB cameras do not work, please use the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera.
- Fixed several issues to improve the gameplay experience.
- Released
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June 25, 2026
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Multiplayer
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Online Co-Op
