Star Fox Switch 2 hits Metacritic 82, just behind SF64

For Switch 2 owners, the buying case is pretty clear, too. This isn’t a nostalgia cash-in, it’s the second-best reviewed Star Fox game ever, and that matters.

Star Fox Switch 2 is off to a very strong start, and the number everyone keeps circling is 82 on Metacritic. That score places it as the second-best Star Fox game in the series, trailing only Star Fox 64 from 1997, which still sits at 88. If you know the franchise history, you’ll understand why this is a big deal. Star Fox has spent years bouncing between cult favourite status and long gaps between releases, so seeing a new entry land this high feels like a proper return to form.

What many overlook is that the Star Fox series has never been a machine for constant releases. The original Star Fox arrived on Super Famicom in 1993, Star Fox 64 followed in 1997 on Nintendo 64, and after that the series became more of a memory than a steady presence. There were entries like Star Fox Adventures in 2002, Star Fox Command in 2006, and Star Fox Zero in 2016, but none managed to become the definitive modern answer. That makes this Switch 2 result feel extra meaningful. No exaggeration, for a lot of fans this is the first time in ages the series has looked truly healthy again. My verdict: 82 isn’t just a number, it’s a signal.

Why Star Fox Switch 2 matters for the series

Let's be honest: Star Fox has always carried a heavy legacy. The series lives and dies on how well it balances speed, precision, and that arcade-style rush of flying through tight corridors, dodging lasers, and hearing Slippy panic at exactly the wrong moment. When a new game gets an 82, it tells you the fundamentals are working. Reviewers don’t hand out that kind of score to a game that only survives on fan service.

And it gets better: the comparison with Star Fox 64 is actually flattering, not crushing. An 88 remains the peak, sure, but 82 is close enough to sit in the same conversation. That’s rare for a franchise with such a legendary high point. If you like numbers, think of it this way: the new game is just six Metacritic points behind the classic that defined the whole brand. For a series that many thought had lost momentum, that’s a huge win. Classic Japan, isn't it?

What this means in practical terms

For Switch 2 owners, this is the sort of score that makes a purchase easier to justify. You’re not buying a game that critics politely tolerated. You’re getting one that most outlets seem to agree is genuinely good, and in Star Fox terms, that matters more than flashy marketing. The series has always worked best when it feels crisp and immediate, the kind of game you can start after dinner, play for 30 minutes, and still talk about the next day. My tip: if you’ve been waiting for a reason to pick up something that feels made for Nintendo hardware, this is it.

Speaking of which... Japanese learners can get a lot out of Star Fox too. Even if the game’s text is light, Nintendo games often reinforce simple, memorable words in context, like 飛行機 (hikouki) for airplane, 空 (sora) for sky, or 対戦 (taisen) for battle. That kind of vocabulary sticks because it’s tied to action. If you ever study Japanese with games, you already know the trick, short bursts of repeated language are easier to remember than long lists from a textbook. And when Fox calls for a boost or a turn, the rhythm makes it feel natural. Convinced yet?

Star Fox 64 still rules, but the gap is smaller than you think

Ever wondered why Star Fox 64 remains untouchable? It was lightning in a bottle. Released in 1997, it nailed the branching route structure, the voice lines, and that feeling of flying through the Lylat System with zero wasted motion. It also arrived at exactly the right time for Nintendo 64, when 3D action still felt fresh and slightly magical. The score of 88 reflects that history, and it’s hard to argue with it.

Still, the gap to Star Fox Switch 2 is not embarrassing at all. Let’s be honest, a lot of beloved series would kill for an 82. Plenty of modern action games launch lower and spend months trying to recover public trust. Here, the message is much cleaner. The new game is not a perfect legend, but it is very much in the upper tier of the series. That alone makes it a worthwhile release for anyone who has ever shouted “Do a barrel roll!” at a screen. My verdict: the old king stays on top, but the challenger is real.

A buy or wait decision for Switch 2 owners

If you already own a Switch 2, the recommendation is pretty straightforward. Buy if you love arcade shooting, Nintendo history, or anything that reminds you why the company’s best games are so easy to pick up and so hard to master. Wait only if you want a bargain or you’re not sure the rail-shooter style is for you. For everyone else, this is one of those releases that feels tailor-made for a new console library, the kind of game people mention when they talk about system identity.

Oh, almost forgot: there’s also a collector angle here. Star Fox is one of those brands that seems to gain more value when it appears less often. That scarcity changes how fans react. A strong score like 82 doesn’t just help sales now, it can shape how the game is remembered years later. If the series keeps moving in this direction, Switch 2 may end up being the console that finally gives Star Fox a stable modern home. My tip: watch this one closely.

Sources

1. Metacritic
2. Nintendo

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