NatetheHate's Claim: What Was Actually Said?
NatetheHate, a podcaster and Nintendo insider known for occasionally getting things right before official announcements, put out a report suggesting Nintendo has a new Star Fox title in development targeting a 2026 release window. On top of that, a Zelda remake is reportedly being planned for the Switch 2. No specific Zelda title was named, which is exactly the kind of detail that sends fan communities into overdrive.
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Plot twist: this isn't the first time Star Fox has been rumoured for a comeback. The franchise has been dormant since Star Fox Zero launched on Wii U back in 2016, a title that received a pretty divided reception due to its motion controls. That's nearly a decade of silence from Fox McCloud and the Arwing crew. So when a credible-ish name floats a 2026 release, people pay attention.
The reason is simple: Nintendo fans have been waiting. And waiting. And then waiting some more. From my experience following Nintendo news cycles, the longer a beloved franchise sits quiet, the louder any rumour about it gets amplified.
Why a Zelda Remake for Switch 2 Makes a Lot of Sense
Let's be honest: Nintendo loves a well-timed remake. Link's Awakening got a gorgeous remake in 2019. Skyward Sword HD launched in 2021. The pattern is clear. Releasing a polished Zelda remake alongside or shortly after a new console gives players a reason to upgrade, and it gives Nintendo a relatively lower-risk title to pad out a launch window.
Which Zelda Game Could It Be?
Speculation in communities like r/zelda is pointing toward titles that haven't received the remake treatment yet. Wind Waker and Twilight Princess are fan favourites that originally launched on GameCube and Wii, got HD ports on Wii U in 2013 and 2016 respectively, but never made it to Switch. That gap feels intentional at this point. A Switch 2 version of either would be huge.
What I especially like about this rumour is how it connects to Japanese gaming culture on a deeper level. Zelda, known in Japan as Zeruda no Densetsu, which you'd write as ゼルダの伝説 in Japanese, is one of Nintendo's crown jewels. The franchise carries enormous cultural weight in Japan, where Nintendo is headquartered in Kyoto. That city, by the way, is also where you'll find Nintendo's original playing card factory turned gaming empire. Classic Japan, isn't it?
Switch 2 and the Remake Strategy
The Switch 2 is confirmed to be backwards compatible with Switch 1 titles, which actually makes a clean, rebuilt remake more appealing than a simple port. Nintendo needs reasons for players to choose native Switch 2 software. A visually upgraded Zelda remake fits that strategy perfectly. Not bad, right?
Star Fox: Why the Franchise Deserves Another Shot
Star Fox has always had a complicated relationship with Nintendo's release schedule. The series peaked commercially with Star Fox 64 in 1997, known in Japan as Lylat Wars, and has struggled to recapture that magic ever since. Star Fox Zero's divisive controls didn't help. But the characters, the universe, and the on-rails space combat formula, none of that has lost its appeal.
Unlike what we're used to seeing with Nintendo's bigger franchises, Star Fox doesn't get annualised entries or frequent spin-offs. It's treated more like a special occasion game, which ironically makes it feel more exciting when it does show up. A 2026 release would give the development team, whoever that turns out to be, enough runway to build something properly.
No joke: if Nintendo pairs a new Star Fox with solid online multiplayer and drops the gimmick controls, this could genuinely be one of 2026's most talked-about releases. Personally, I'd love to see PlatinumGames involved again, they co-developed Star Fox Zero and, controversial controls aside, the core gameplay loop was sharp.
What This Means for Nintendo Fans and Japanese Learners
That brings us to the bigger picture. Nintendo's 2026 lineup, if these rumours hold, is shaping up around two very different audiences. Zelda remakes pull in the broad, casual-to-core crowd. A new Star Fox skews toward longtime fans who grew up with the N64 era. Together, they'd cover a lot of ground.
For anyone learning Japanese with a love of Nintendo games, this is actually a great moment to dig into some vocabulary. The word for rumour in Japanese is uwasa, written as 噂. You'll see it pop up constantly in Japanese gaming news. And if you follow Japanese Nintendo fan sites or the official Nintendo Japan Twitter feed, you'll notice how differently localised titles get discussed compared to their Western counterparts.
A great example: Star Fox is actually called Star Fox in Japan too, unlike some titles that get completely different names. But Zelda games often have subtitle differences between regions worth exploring if you're building your gaming Japanese vocabulary. See what I mean?
Before I forget: NatetheHate's claims are still unverified as of now. Nintendo has not confirmed either project. Treat this as informed speculation from a source with a decent but imperfect track record, not as confirmed news. The original report via Playday.one is worth reading for the full context.
On the flip side: even if one or both of these titles don't materialise in 2026, the conversation around them says something real about what Nintendo fans actually want. And Nintendo does listen, even if their timeline and ours rarely match up. My tip: follow NatetheHate's podcast directly if you want Nintendo insider content without the clickbait filter, he tends to be more measured in audio format than headlines suggest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is NatetheHate and how reliable are his Nintendo leaks?
NatetheHate is a Nintendo-focused podcaster and insider who has correctly predicted several Nintendo announcements in the past, including details around Switch titles. His track record is solid but not perfect, so his claims are best treated as credible rumours rather than confirmed news.
Which Zelda game might get a remake for Nintendo Switch 2?
No specific title has been named. Fan speculation focuses heavily on The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, both of which received Wii U HD versions but have never appeared on Switch in any form.
When was the last Star Fox game released?
Star Fox Zero launched on the Wii U in April 2016. That makes it nearly a decade since the last mainline Star Fox release, which is a big part of why a 2026 announcement would be so significant for longtime fans.
