Ethan Crossfield 
Nintendo is putting Star Fox back in the spotlight with two updates arriving close together. Star Fox Adventures will become available through Switch Online on Switch 2 later today, while the June Star Fox 64 remake is scheduled to receive free multiplayer additions on September 29. The combination gives players both a classic single-player adventure to revisit and a reason to return to the newer release.
What happened
The immediate release is Star Fox Adventures, the 2002 GameCube title developed by Rare. It is coming to Switch Online later today for Switch 2 players, bringing one of the more unusual chapters in Nintendo's spacefaring series to the current platform.
The other announcement concerns the Star Fox remake released in June. Nintendo has confirmed an update for September 29 that will add local split-screen multiplayer and three additional multiplayer stages. The update is described as free, giving owners new ways to play without requiring a separate purchase.
Why it matters
Star Fox Adventures has always stood apart from the rest of the franchise. Rare originally began work on it as a non-Star Fox project before the game was converted into a Star Fox release. That history is apparent in its design and helps explain why it feels different from the series' more familiar action-focused entries.
That difference is also part of the game's appeal. Its unusual place in the Star Fox canon makes the Switch 2 release more than a routine retro addition: it gives newer players access to a title shaped by a distinct development path, while longtime fans can revisit one of the franchise's most unconventional experiments.
Meanwhile, the remake's multiplayer update addresses the part of the game that benefits most from additional content. Local split-screen support broadens its appeal for groups playing together, and the three new stages should provide fresh spaces for existing multiplayer fans to explore.
What to watch next
Players interested in Star Fox Adventures can look for its Switch Online arrival later today. Those focused on the remake should mark September 29, when the new local multiplayer options and stages are scheduled to go live.
The two announcements also create a useful split in Nintendo's Star Fox strategy. Adventures strengthens the Switch 2 library through a notable GameCube-era release, while the remake receives post-launch support aimed at extending its multiplayer life. For now, the key question is how much attention each side of the franchise can retain once both are available in the same ecosystem.
Key takeaways for Star Fox players
- Star Fox Adventures arrives on Switch Online for Switch 2 later today.
- The game began as a Rare project that was not originally planned as a Star Fox title.
- The Star Fox 64 remake launched in June and receives its next update on September 29.
- The update adds local split-screen multiplayer and three new multiplayer stages.
- Both announcements give players a new reason to revisit Star Fox on Nintendo's current platform.
Expert View
This is a smart way to revive interest in Star Fox without treating the series as a single-style franchise. Star Fox Adventures brings historical curiosity and a distinct adventure format, while the remake's free multiplayer update focuses on keeping active players engaged. Nintendo is serving two different audiences at once: fans who want to explore the series' past and players looking for more reasons to play together now.
