The last Star Fox game came out almost a decade ago. Nintendo has barely acknowledged the franchise since. Then Fox McCloud shows up in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, fans lose their minds over Glen Powell's performance, and suddenly the rumor mill is spinning at full barrel roll speed.
According to prominent Nintendo leaker NateTheHate, that momentum is about to translate into something concrete. He's claiming a brand-new Star Fox game will be officially announced this month, specifically through the Nintendo Today app or Nintendo's X account.
How this rumor built up steam
The trail starts in late March, shortly after Nintendo surprised everyone by announcing Fox McCloud as part of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie roster. NateTheHate, whose track record includes correctly calling the exact date of the Switch 2 reveal and multiple Nintendo Direct dates, went on his podcast and stated that Nintendo is actively working on a new Star Fox title. He added that an announcement was imminent and a release was expected for summer.
Video Games Chronicle then backed up the claim independently, specifying the game is targeting the Nintendo Switch 2.
That alone would have been enough to set forums ablaze. But NateTheHate went further. When a user on X directly asked him whether the April announcement claim was still on, he replied: "I said StarFox will be announced this month via Nintendo Today or X." When pushed on his confidence level, his answer was simply: "yes."
Here's the thing about NateTheHate's track record: he doesn't usually double down unless he's certain. Hedging is the leaker's best friend, and he's not hedging here.
danger
This is still a rumor based on leaker claims, not an official Nintendo announcement. Treat it accordingly until Nintendo confirms anything.
Why Nintendo's timing actually makes sense
The Fox McCloud appearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie wasn't just a fun cameo. Audience reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with many viewers calling him one of the film's highlights. That kind of organic enthusiasm is exactly the kind of marketing momentum a publisher dreams about.
Star Fox has been dormant since Star Fox Zero in 2016, a game that divided fans sharply over its mandatory motion controls. The franchise has real history behind it: the original Star Fox on SNES was a technical landmark, and Star Fox 64 remains one of the most beloved Nintendo games ever made. Fans haven't forgotten the series, they've just been waiting for Nintendo to remember it too.
Launching a new entry on the Switch 2 during the console's first year, riding the wave of fresh movie-fueled nostalgia, is about as logical a play as Nintendo could make. According to the Polygon breakdown of the leak, NateTheHate expects the reveal to happen as a low-key drop, similar to how Nintendo announced Splatoon Raiders, rather than a big Direct centerpiece.
Watch the Nintendo Today app
What the Star Fox community is actually hoping for
The reaction from longtime fans has been a mix of excitement and cautious optimism. The appetite is clearly there, but so is the memory of Star Fox Zero's gimmick-heavy design. What most players want is a return to the fundamentals: tight on-rails shooting, memorable boss fights, branching mission paths, and the Corneria crew actually feeling like a team worth flying with.
For extra context on the franchise's roots, it's worth noting that original Star Fox programmer Giles Goddard has been working on an indie spiritual successor called Wild Blue through his studio Chuhai Labs. The fact that one of the game's original creators is building something similar suggests the on-rails space shooter genre still has plenty of life left in it, and that Nintendo has room to do something genuinely exciting here if they get the design right.
What to watch for this month
If NateTheHate's call is accurate, the announcement won't come through a scheduled Nintendo Direct. You'll want to keep notifications on for the Nintendo Today app and Nintendo's official social channels. The leaker's comparison to the Splatoon Raiders reveal suggests this could drop any day, without a countdown or teaser campaign.
The Switch 2 is building a strong first-year lineup, and a new Star Fox would be a serious statement about Nintendo's commitment to reviving dormant franchises. Whether this is a full sequel, a reimagining, or something else entirely, April is shaping up to be a month worth watching closely. Make sure to check out more:
