One Forgotten Nintendo Franchise Can Atone for its Sins on the Switch 2

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One Forgotten Nintendo Franchise Can Atone for its Sins on the Switch 2

As a long-time fan of Nintendo and a dedicated follower of the Star Fox saga since its humble beginnings on the SNES, I can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgic excitement at the prospect of a new Star Fox game gracing the screen of the Switch 2. The series has been through its fair share of ups and downs, with its high points being some of my most cherished gaming memories.

The Nintendo Switch has been a great platform for Nintendo to rejuvenate some of its old but not forgotten series. Games such as Metroid Dread, F-Zero 99, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, and the forthcoming Mario & Luigi: Brothership have demonstrated that a franchise may seem dead, but it’s merely resting. These resurrected franchises have been significant commercial triumphs for Nintendo. Regrettably, one series never had an opportunity to thrive on the Nintendo Switch: Star Fox.

Since its groundbreaking debut with the original SNES game “Star Fox” and its sequel “Star Fox 64”, the series has been grappling with an identity crisis, remaining relatively inactive for nearly a decade. A revitalization of Star Fox is long overdue, and the anticipated Switch 2 appears to be the ideal platform for this transformation.

Star Fox Could Have A Return To Form On Switch 2

After Star Fox Zero, The Franchise Needs A Lift

Back in 2016, one of the latest installments in the Star Fox series from Nintendo was Star Fox Zero. Despite high expectations as the first major title in a decade for the franchise, it faced multiple problems. Critics pointed out its brief playtime and tricky controls on the Wii U GamePad. Furthermore, many felt that the game was too similar to Star Fox 64, which raised questions about whether Nintendo had exhausted the potential of the series.

Due to the fact that the Wii U was Nintendo’s least successful home console, it was always going to be a challenge for Zero to sell well. However, it ended up being an even bigger commercial flop than anticipated. With fewer than 500,000 copies sold, Star Fox Zero lagged significantly behind other games in the series and didn’t make money for Nintendo. As a result, apart from the official release of the previously canceled Star Fox 2 in 2017, the franchise has effectively gone back into hiding.

A New Star Fox Game Could Help The Franchise Find Its Voice

Since the release of Star Fox 64, one major challenge the series has encountered is its struggle to establish a distinct identity. Subsequent games have either deviated too much from the original formula that they no longer resemble Star Fox, or they’ve stuck too closely to it, resulting in being overshadowed by the classic titles. Additionally, Nintendo, aside from some remakes, has not developed a new Star Fox game in-house since 64. Instead, the publisher has typically delegated the series to collaborators and external developers, leading to inconsistencies.

With this in mind, Nintendo’s internal development teams stand poised to craft an impressive Star Fox game, leveraging the advanced capabilities of the Switch 2’s next-generation hardware. Notably, early Star Fox games showcased Nintendo’s technology exceptionally well, and a new iteration could repeat this feat for the Switch 2. Considering Nintendo’s history of pushing the limits of its hardware with their exclusive titles, a series like Star Fox could truly shine on the upcoming platform.

Nintendo’s internal development teams have a fantastic chance to craft a bold and innovative Star Fox title, leveraging all the capabilities of the upcoming next-generation hardware on the Switch 2.

The Switch 2 Could Help Sell A New Star Fox Game

It’s important to note that the original Star Fox Zero didn’t perform well for Nintendo in terms of sales. However, a future game on the Switch 2 should avoid experiencing the same commercial failure. The current Nintendo Switch has been incredibly successful, and the company has enjoyed substantial profits from reviving franchises on this platform. If they can capitalize on their existing audience when transitioning to the new platform, the Star Fox series may regain popularity like other Nintendo franchises have on the Switch.

Considering it’s been quite some time since Nintendo has officially mentioned or developed a fresh installment in the Star Fox series, it might seem unlikely that a new game will surface. However, if Nintendo decides to take another swing at it, especially with a new title on the potential Switch 2 console, they could successfully rekindle interest in Star Fox and make it popular once more across households. The franchise has had its ups and downs, but a well-executed new game could erase those past missteps.

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2024-09-01 21:34