Our Verdict
Elden Ring Nightreign wins
Elden Ring Nightreign wins for sheer depth and value: it adds 100+ hours of new content, 40+ bosses, 8 Legacy Dungeons, and a transformative co-op mode for $39.99. Star Fox Eclipse is a shorter, more focused experience (15-20 hours) that’s polished to Nintendo’s usual perfection. Nightreign offers more content per dollar and appeals to a broader audience of RPG fans.
June 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting months for gaming this year, headlined by two massive releases that couldn’t be more different. On one side, Nintendo delivers Star Fox Eclipse, the first major Star Fox title in over a decade and a flagship title for the Switch 2, featuring stunning 4K visuals at 60fps, innovative Joy-Con 2 motion controls for piloting the Arwing, and a brand-new open-world Lylat system to explore. On the other side, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco release Elden Ring Nightreign, a massive expansion to the 2022 masterpiece that adds an entirely new map (the Land of Shadow), 8 new Legacy Dungeons, 40+ new bosses, new weapon types, and a co-op mode that fundamentally changes how you experience the game. Both games represent their respective genres at their absolute peak: Star Fox Eclipse is a tight, polished arcade-action experience with Nintendo’s signature charm, while Elden Ring Nightreign is a deep, punishing, 100-hour RPG expansion that rewards mastery and exploration. We’ve played both extensively and break down every aspect to help you decide which to prioritize—or why you should just get both.
Every category compared head-to-head. Check marks indicate the winner in each category.
| Category | Star Fox Eclipse | Elden Ring Nightreign | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | June 12, 2026 | June 5, 2026 | |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch 2 (exclusive) | PS5, Xbox Series, PC, Switch 2 | |
| Genre | Arcade Rail Shooter / Action-Adventure | Action RPG / Open World | |
| Main Story Length | 15-20 hours | 60-100 hours | |
| Graphics | 4K 60fps, stylized sci-fi art | 4K 60fps, dark fantasy | |
| Combat Depth | Accessible, arcade-style | Deep, methodical, punishing | |
| Multiplayer | Local co-op, online leaderboards | Full co-op campaign (up to 3 players) | |
| Replayability | High-score chasing, alternate paths | New Game+, builds, co-op variety | |
| New Content | Entirely new game (reboot) | Expansion (needs base Elden Ring) | |
| Content Volume | 8 worlds, 20+ levels | 1 new map, 8 dungeons, 40+ bosses | |
| Learning Curve | Easy to pick up | Steep learning curve | |
| Accessibility Options | Extensive (Nintendo standard) | Limited (Souls-like standard) | |
| Motion Controls | Joy-Con 2 (excellent implementation) | No | |
| Price | $69.99 | $39.99 (expansion) | |
| Physical Edition | Yes, with Arwing replica pre-order | Yes, with art book | |
| Metacritic (predicted) | 88-92 | 90-95 | |
| Family Friendly | Everyone 10+ | Mature 17+ | |
| Game of the Year Potential | Strong contender | Very strong contender |
Yes, Elden Ring Nightreign is an expansion that requires the base game. You should also be reasonably far into the base game (or have a high-level character) to access the new content, though a new character can reach it after about 10-15 hours.
Absolutely. Star Fox Eclipse is designed as both a reboot and a fresh starting point. While longtime fans will appreciate callbacks to Star Fox 64 and Star Fox Assault, new players can jump right in.
Both games look stunning but achieve very different aesthetics. Star Fox Eclipse uses a vibrant, stylized sci-fi art style that runs at a rock-solid 4K 60fps on Switch 2. Elden Ring Nightreign uses detailed dark fantasy visuals with advanced lighting and particle effects that push hardware harder.
If you can afford both, absolutely. They offer completely different experiences that complement each other perfectly. Star Fox Eclipse is great for quick sessions and local multiplayer fun, while Elden Ring Nightreign is a deep solo/co-op RPG journey.
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