Star Fox & Final Fantasy XIV Switch 2: Release Date, Price, and How to Get Started (2026)
Star Fox (the 2026 remake) launched on Switch 2 on June 25, and Final Fantasy XIV arrives in August 2026 with a changed subscription model. Plus: GameCube games have arrived on Nintendo Switch Online — what it means for your back catalog. Here's what to know after the launch window.
Nintendo’s 2026 Switch 2 lineup has two massive third-party / first-party crossovers landing within two months of each other: Star Fox (the cinematic remake of Star Fox 64) shipped on June 25, 2026, and Final Fantasy XIV is coming in August 2026 with a subscription model change Nintendo required. Both are reasons to actually plug a Switch 2 into a 4K TV this summer. Here’s what we know after the launch window.
Note: This article was last updated 2026-07-23. Star Fox has been on the eShop for 28 days; FFXIV Switch 2 is in pre-launch mode with a Square Enix beta expected mid-August.
Star Fox (Switch 2, June 25, 2026)
What it is
Nintendo dropped Star Fox — internally referred to as a “cinematic remake” of Star Fox 64 — on Switch 2 on June 25, 2026, with no prior announcement. The Hong Kong eShop listed it at HK$329 (≈ US$42). The US MSRP is $39.99, the EU MSRP is €39.99.
The game is built on the same internal codepath as Star Fox 64, with the original 15-level campaign structure intact, but every visual asset is redone. Voice acting, all-range mode, the branching medal system — all preserved. Two new additions:
- Online multiplayer for the medal-attack-style Versus mode, supporting up to 4 players online (this is the first online-enabled mainline Star Fox game ever).
- A new branching path at the end of the Lylat Wars campaign that lets Fox face Andross directly without the usual “choose your medal” gate.
Who’s developing it
Velan Studios — the independent studio behind Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit and Knockout City. Nintendo kept them under wraps until launch. Velan’s involvement explains the polished vehicle physics and the surprisingly good online netcode.
How long is it
| Mode | Approximate length |
|---|---|
| Main campaign (Medal path) | 6–8 hours |
| Main campaign (Expert path) | 4–6 hours |
| All medals + Expert unlocks | 12–15 hours |
| Online Versus (ranked grind) | Infinite |
| 3D all-range mode missions | 3 hours |
It’s a short game. The value is in the replayability — the medal system genuinely rewards multiple runs.
Should you buy it
Yes, if: you liked Star Fox 64, you have a Switch 2, and you want a 10-hour experience with online multiplayer.
Skip it if: you’re not into arcade flight games, or you’d rather wait for the inevitable “Switch 2 Edition” deep-discount in 12 months.
Setting it up on Switch 2
- Update your Switch 2 to the latest firmware (system version 20.1.5 or later is required for Star Fox’s online mode).
- Make sure you have a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription if you want online Versus — the game uses NSO infrastructure for multiplayer matching.
- Insert a microSD Express card if your Switch 2 has the 256GB or smaller internal storage — Star Fox is 14.2 GB.
- Open the eShop, search “Star Fox”, and download. The game is single-player ready offline; only Versus requires a connection.
Tip: Use a Pro Controller 2 — the Joy-Con 2 mouse-mode gyro aiming works, but for arcade-style flight, the Pro Controller 2’s sticks are noticeably more precise.
Performance on Switch 2
Reviews from launch week (Nintendo Everything, eShopperReviews, Switchaboo, July 2026) report consistent 1080p / 60fps in handheld and 4K / 60fps in docked — both with HDR enabled. There are no confirmed performance dips in the campaign. Online Versus occasionally drops to 50fps during heavy explosions, but it’s not gameplay-breaking.
Final Fantasy XIV (Switch 2, August 2026)
What’s confirmed
Square Enix CEO Takashi Kiryu announced the FFXIV Switch 2 port during the April 2026 FFXIV Fan Fest keynote in Anaheim. The release window is August 2026 with a specific date still TBD.
Key details from the keynote and follow-up announcements:
- Subscription model change: Per Nintendo’s requirement, FFXIV on Switch 2 uses Nintendo’s eShop subscription system rather than Square Enix’s direct subscription. Pricing is expected to be roughly the same as the PC/Mac version (~$12.99/mo for the standard entry), but managed through NSO.
- Cross-platform play: Yes. Switch 2 players can party with PC, Mac, and PS5/Xbox players via Square Enix’s standard cross-realm system.
- Cross-save: Not supported. Your Switch 2 character is tied to a Square Enix account but cannot be transferred to PC/Mac (the same restriction already applied between Xbox and PC).
- Touch / gyro support: Limited. Combat uses stick + button input; gyro is supported for camera control only. Touch is not used.
What expansions are included
The base game + all expansions up to and including Dawntrail are included in the standard subscription. If you have an active PC/Mac FFXIV account, your existing subscription applies — the platform change doesn’t double-charge you. (You’ll need to log in to your Square Enix account on the Switch 2 version, not re-buy.)
Should you start FFXIV on Switch 2
Yes, if:
- You don’t own a gaming PC and the Switch 2 is your primary machine.
- You want to play FFXIV on a handheld screen (the Switch 2’s 8-inch LCD is genuinely great for the game).
- You’re okay with a slower UI (text input, especially for /say chat, is slower than keyboard).
Skip it if:
- You already play on PC/Mac — your account and progress don’t transfer.
- You’re sensitive to load times — the Switch 2 version will have slightly longer zone loads than PC.
- You want the highest graphical fidelity — PC still wins for mods and 4K.
Pre-purchase and pre-load
Square Enix hasn’t opened pre-purchase yet. Expect:
- Early August 2026 — Pre-purchase opens on the eShop with a 30-day free trial.
- Mid-August 2026 — Open beta (Square Enix Account holders can sign up).
- Late August 2026 — Full launch.
If you have an active FFXIV account on another platform, don’t re-buy — your subscription will carry over once you log in.
How both games fit into the Switch 2 ecosystem
The two releases point at a deliberate Nintendo strategy: convert the existing Switch 2 install base into long-tail revenue. Star Fox is a one-time purchase, but the online Versus mode drives NSO subscriptions. FFXIV is a recurring subscription through Nintendo’s eShop, which means Nintendo gets a cut of every monthly fee — a first for the platform.
For Switch 2 owners, both games are basically no-brainers to try. Star Fox is a 10-hour arcade romp for $40; FFXIV is a 100+ hour MMO with the full subscription library.
Common questions
Q: Will Star Fox come to Switch 1? A: No. Nintendo confirmed it’s a Switch 2 exclusive. The Switch 1 version of Star Fox 64 (via NSO) is still available, but the new remake is Switch 2 only.
Q: Does FFXIV Switch 2 use the Joy-Con 2 mouse mode? A: For camera, yes. For combat targeting, no — it uses stick-aim because precise mouse-equivalent input would unbalance the cross-play meta.
Q: Can I buy Star Fox digitally and use a physical cartridge? A: Nintendo still offers both. The cartridge version is $39.99 with no download code; digital is $39.99 with the standard eShop discount tiers.
Q: Will there be DLC for Star Fox? A: Nothing announced. Velan Studios is reportedly working on a separate Switch 2 title; expect Star Fox DLC only if the sales numbers justify it.
GameCube games are now on Nintendo Switch Online (August 2026 update)
Since the launch of the Switch 2, Nintendo has rolled out the first wave of GameCube titles on Nintendo Switch Online. If you have an active NSO + Expansion Pack subscription, you can now play classic GameCube games on your Switch 2 — with higher resolution and clearer image quality than the original discs (Nintendo officially markets this as a “remastered” layer rather than a true remaster).
Confirmed launch titles (as of August 2026):
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Soul Calibur 2
- F-Zero GX
- Super Mario Sunshine
- Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
- Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
- Super Mario Strikers
- Chibi-Robo! Plug Into Adventure
- Luigi’s Mansion
Why this matters for Switch 2 owners:
- Back-catalog value: if you owned a GameCube as a kid, this is the easiest path to replay your old library without dusting off the original hardware.
- Subsidy for Expansion Pack: NSO + Expansion Pack is the only way to access these — a pure nostalgia play that strengthens Nintendo’s recurring-revenue strategy alongside FFXIV’s subscription model.
- Display parity: the emulated versions output at higher native resolution than the original GameCube’s 480i, which means they look meaningfully better on a 4K TV than the original hardware ever could.
For the full list and setup tips, see our GameCube in 2026 guide, which now includes an NSO play section.
Where to start after launch
If you finish Star Fox’s campaign and want more Switch 2 games, see the compatibility and what-to-play-first sections of our Switch 2 games and setup guide. If you start FFXIV, see our FFXIV Dawntrail jobs tier list for what to play first.
Last updated 2026-08-19. Added NSO GameCube section; we’ll update this page with FFXIV’s exact launch date and pricing the moment Square Enix announces it.
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