Star Fox Adventures Lands on NSO Alongside Switch 2 Multiplayer Update

Nintendo is adding the GameCube classic Star Fox Adventures to its Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack library, the company announced Wednesday during a Nintendo Direct presentation. Concurrently, the Star Fox remake on Nintendo Switch 2 will receive a free multiplayer update on September 29, 2026. It is a double-dose of franchise news that manages to satisfy both retro collectors and local multiplayer fans who still believe in physical proximity.

The multiplayer update applies to the remake of the classic Nintendo 64 rail shooter Star Fox 64, which was developed by American studio Velan and released earlier this year. In its review, VGC called the remake "a stunning Lylat Wars revival" that "isn't quite a perfect remake" but remains "an audio-visual stunner." The upcoming update shifts the game's focus from solo flight paths to shared screen space.

The details

• NSO Addition: Star Fox Adventures (GameCube)
• Update Release Date: September 29, 2026
• System: Nintendo Switch 2
• Multiplayer Support: Four-player split-screen on a single system (local play and online co-op teams)
• New Stages: Katina, Sector X, and Venom, each with unique objectives

What is in the remake update?

Once the update arrives on September 29, 2026, up to four players will be able to play together in Battle Mode on a single Nintendo Switch 2 console. This support extends to local competitive play as well as forming teams to enter online battles. To support the expanded player count, Velan is adding three new stages to the game: Katina, Sector X, and Venom, with each arena featuring its own unique objectives.

It is a robust expansion for a remake that VGC noted "adds stunning visuals, a fantastic orchestral soundtrack, and brilliant cinematic touches that elevate the experience." The addition of local play offers a mechanical reason to return to the cockpit, even if your local squad has long since forgotten how to coordinate a tactical barrel roll.

How does the GameCube classic fit in?

While the Switch 2 remake focuses on polishing a classic arcade shooter, the inclusion of Star Fox Adventures on Nintendo Switch Online brings the GameCube release to a modern subscription audience. The move ensures that players who want to trace the franchise's history can transition directly from high-end modern remakes to the specific design choices of the early 2000s.

As VGC’s review noted of the remake, "While I’d have liked a little more care put into restoring its smaller parts, the Switch 2 remake is otherwise a fantastic way to discover or revisit a classic." Now, players have two distinct ways to do exactly that.

Whether you are coordinating with three friends on a single couch or revisiting a classic from the GameCube library, the Lylat system is about to get a lot more crowded.