Original Star Fox Designer Comments on New Character Designs for Switch 2 Game

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The recent unveiling of the new Star Fox game on the Switch 2 has sparked varied reactions from fans, particularly regarding the more realistic look of characters like Fox McCloud. Interestingly, even the original character designer admits the game’s cinematic presentation is visually superior. Although no longer with Nintendo, the artist still appreciates all iterations of the characters, even if he has a personal favorite.

Nintendo is releasing a remake of the original Star Fox 64, marking the fourth time they’ve revisited or reimagined the game in nearly 30 years. The announcement trailer has already been viewed 2.3 million times, and while fans are generally excited about the June 25, 2026 release, reactions are mixed. Taking advantage of the Switch 2’s improved hardware, Nintendo has given the characters a more realistic look, making Team Star Fox appear more animalistic than before. This shift to realistic CGI has surprised some fans who preferred the classic, cartoon style of previous Star Fox games, especially after Fox’s visually striking appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Many are also disappointed that this new release is another remake of Star Fox 64 instead of a brand new sequel that moves the franchise forward.

Star Fox’s Original Character Designer Thinks the Movie Looks Better

Amidst the online buzz about the new designs for the Star Fox character, Takaya Imamura – the original graphic designer for the series – has shared that he actually likes the character’s look in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie better than the design for the upcoming Switch 2 game. Imamura has been interacting with fans on Twitter, discussing the Switch 2 version of Star Fox since it was revealed. While he has a preference for the movie version, he still thinks the Switch 2 design is “good in its own way” and has a clear vision. He also feels the concept is solid and seems to acknowledge that this is how Star Fox will look when he isn’t directly involved in the design process.

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Takaya Imamura, who spent 32 years at Nintendo before retiring in 2021, remains a popular voice online, especially when it comes to Nintendo news and the upcoming movies. Known as the art director for The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, he’s recently shared his thoughts on the live-action The Legend of Zelda film, suggesting that hearing Link speak could diminish the series’ unique appeal. Along with his comments about Star Fox, it’s clear Imamura is enjoying retirement by freely discussing and analyzing his work with fans online, just like one of them.

Even if some fans aren’t thrilled with the changes in the new Star Fox game, there’s hope for more to come. Rumors suggest Illumination, the studio behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie, is working on a Star Fox movie, which makes sense after Fox McCloud’s cameo in their recent film. If the upcoming Star Fox game, releasing in June, does well, it could also lead to a brand new sequel.

As a longtime fan, it’s just great to see Star Fox back, even if it’s not exactly the game we’ve all been dreaming of for years! So many of us have been hoping Nintendo would revisit some of their older franchises – things like Star Fox and F-Zero – because it felt like they’d been forgotten with all the focus on the big names. I’m still hoping for a full story continuation for Team Star Fox on the Switch 2, but honestly, seeing Nintendo dust off these older, less-played games and introduce them to a new generation is a really positive sign!

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2026-05-08 03:04