Ethan Crossfield 
Star Fox Adventures has arrived on the Nintendo GameCube app for Nintendo Switch Online, and Switch 2 players can immediately enable one of the adventure game's most useful display options. Widescreen support lets the GameCube classic use a 16:9 presentation in both docked and handheld play, removing the need to settle for the original 4:3 format.
What Happened With Star Fox Adventures on Switch 2
Nintendo shadow-dropped Star Fox Adventures during the September 9 Nintendo Direct. It is the 11th GameCube game added to the service since the Switch 2 launched in June 2025 and the fourth GameCube release added during 2026. The game follows Fox McCloud through a mixture of on-foot 3D action-adventure sections and traditional Arwing rail-shooter sequences.
The release is also notable historically. Star Fox Adventures grew out of both a canceled Star Fox 64 sequel and the scrapped role-playing game Dinosaur Planet. It was Rare's only GameCube-published title before Microsoft acquired the studio shortly after the game's launch.
How to Enable the Widescreen Display
Players can select the display format when starting Star Fox Adventures for the first time. From the GameCube app's main menu, choose the game and wait for it to load. When prompted, press Start, move right with the control stick, and open the options menu. The display choices include standard 4:3 and widescreen 16:9 formats.
Selecting widescreen expands the visible image, removes the black bars at the sides, and hides the Nintendo Switch Online user interface. The options menu also includes settings for controller rumble, volume, and supported languages. Switch 2 players can use compatible controllers including the Pro Controller and the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube controller.
This is not the first GameCube release on the service to include the feature. Donkey Kong 64 and Soulcalibur 2 also offer widescreen support.
What to Watch Next for Star Fox Fans
Star Fox Adventures joins a growing but still selective GameCube lineup. Although 11 classic titles are now available, games such as Pokemon Colosseum and Super Smash Bros. Melee remain absent. Nintendo has not indicated when additional GameCube releases will arrive, leaving the future of the library open-ended.
The September 9 presentation also revealed a separate update for Star Fox on Switch 2. A free update scheduled for September 29 will add split-screen battles for up to four local players. The same console will also support online battles involving up to four players.
Key takeaways for Switch 2 players
- Widescreen mode is available in both docked and handheld play.
- The setting can be changed from the game's options menu during the initial startup process.
- Players can choose between 4:3 standard display and 16:9 widescreen presentation.
- Pro Controller and Nintendo Switch Online GameCube controller support is included.
- Star Fox fans can look forward to four-player battle additions in Star Fox on September 29.
Expert View
The widescreen option is a small addition with an outsized effect on how Star Fox Adventures feels on modern hardware. It makes the Switch 2 release more comfortable to play without changing the original experience, while the straightforward startup instructions keep the feature accessible. The larger issue is Nintendo's limited GameCube pipeline: with notable omissions still in the catalog, each new release raises expectations for what the service will add next.
