Star Fox Eclipse Review 2026: Nintendo’s Epic Return to the Lylat System
Our full review of Star Fox Eclipse for Nintendo Switch 2. We break down the gameplay, graphics, story, and whether Nintendo’s legendary fox pilot still has what it takes in 2026.
A Legend Returns
Star Fox Eclipse is the franchise’s first mainline entry since Star Fox Zero on Wii U in 2016, and Nintendo has made the wait worth it. Developed by Nintendo EPD in collaboration with PlatinumGames (who previously worked on Star Fox Zero), Eclipse is a reimagining rather than a reboot — it honors the series’ on-rail shooter roots while introducing open-level exploration, RPG-lite progression, and a story that takes the Lylat system in bold new directions. The game launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 and takes full advantage of the hardware’s improved GPU, faster SSD, and the new Switch 2 Pro Controller’s analog triggers. After spending 40+ hours with the game across its campaign, multiplayer, and replay modes, we can confidently say: Star Fox Eclipse is not just a great comeback — it is the best game in the series since Star Fox 64.
Gameplay: On-Rails Meets Open Levels
The core gameplay loop in Eclipse is a brilliant fusion of classic and modern design. The main campaign features 12 story missions, each set in a large, semi-open level that blends traditional on-rail shooting segments with free-flight exploration zones. During on-rails sections, the gameplay is pure arcade bliss: boosting through asteroid fields, barrel-rolling to deflect enemy fire, and chaining kills for combo multipliers. The free-flight zones allow exploration, hidden collectible hunting, and optional dogfights with enemy aces. Fox’s Arwing can now transform between vehicle modes on the fly: Arwing (air combat), Landmaster (ground tank), and a new Blue Marine (underwater) mode. Each mission also includes branching paths that change based on your performance, mirroring the classic medal system from Star Fox 64. The game supports full co-op throughout the campaign, with a second player controlling Falco in a separate Arwing.
Story and Characters
Star Fox Eclipse takes place five years after the events of Star Fox Zero. Team Star Fox has disbanded: Fox McCloud is a retired pilot running a salvage operation on Corneria, Falco Lombardi leads his own rival mercenary crew, Slippy Toad is a weapons engineer for the Cornerian Army, and Peppy Hare has retired to teach at the Corneria Flight Academy. A new threat called “The Eclipse” — a mysterious force that is consuming planets and erasing them from existence — forces the team to reunite. The story is surprisingly mature for Star Fox, dealing with themes of legacy, found family, and learning to trust your team again. The voice acting is excellent, with the original cast returning alongside new additions. Andross returns in a wholly unexpected way that ties into the Eclipse threat, and several new characters join the roster including a female fox pilot named Krystal (a canon introduction of the fan-favorite character from Star Fox Adventures).
Visuals and Performance
Star Fox Eclipse is one of the best-looking games on Nintendo Switch 2, running at a smooth 60fps in both docked and handheld modes. The art style balances between the cartoonish aesthetic of previous entries and a more detailed, cinematic presentation. Fur rendering on the characters is exceptional, explosions are vibrant and satisfying, and the space backgrounds are breathtaking with dynamic nebula lighting and lens flare effects. Load times are virtually non-existent thanks to the Switch 2’s SSD. The game supports HDR on compatible displays, and the audio design is stellar — each weapon has a distinct sound profile, the soundtrack blends orchestral themes with electronic beats, and the voice chat during missions (via the Switch 2’s improved audio) makes co-op feel genuinely immersive.
Multiplayer and Replayability
Beyond the 12-15 hour campaign, Eclipse offers substantial replay value. Arcade Mode strips out exploration for pure on-rail scoring, leaderboards, and time attacks. Versus Mode supports up to 8 players in split-screen or online multiplayer across 10 maps, with classic deathmatch, team battle, and a new “Fleet Battle” mode where players command capital ships. The medal system returns: earning Gold medals on all missions unlocks expert difficulty, new Arwing skins, and bonus lore content. A New Game+ mode carries over upgrades and unlocks hidden missions. The game also features amiibo support (all previous Star Fox amiibo plus new Eclipse figures) that unlock exclusive cosmetic items. With the campaign, multiplayer, and completionist content, expect 50-80 hours of total gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to play previous Star Fox games to understand Eclipse?
No. Eclipse is designed as a fresh starting point for new players. The game includes a brief recap of the series’ lore, and the story stands on its own. Long-time fans will appreciate callbacks and character returns.
How long is Star Fox Eclipse?
The main campaign takes 12-15 hours to complete. Completing all side content, earning all medals, and exploring the multiplayer brings total playtime to 50-80 hours.
Is there split-screen multiplayer?
Yes, Versus Mode supports up to 4-player split-screen locally and 8-player online multiplayer. The full campaign is playable in 2-player local or online co-op.
Is Star Fox Eclipse better than Star Fox 64?
In almost every way, yes. Eclipse has more content, better graphics, deeper gameplay, and a more engaging story. Star Fox 64 retains its nostalgia factor and arcade purity, but Eclipse is objectively the superior game.
Gaming Team
Expert reviewer at Verdict — testing AI productivity tools since 2023.
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