Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2 launched on June 25, 2026, and its Challenge Mode is where the game's real depth lives. Beyond the main campaign's branching paths, 192 optional missions are spread across all 16 stages, ranging from quick hit-count tasks to punishing Expert objectives that demand near-perfect runs. If you want to see everything this game has to offer, Challenge Mode is where you spend most of your time after the credits roll.
How does Challenge Mode work?
Challenge Mode runs parallel to the main campaign but operates under its own separate rules. You can only access stages you've already reached through the campaign's branching path system, so unlocking all 16 levels first is a prerequisite for tackling every challenge. The campaign features multiple routes through the Lylat System, and you'll need to explore alternate paths to open every stage.
Each stage has exactly 12 challenges: 6 Normal and 6 Expert. The Expert set for any given stage only becomes available after you've completed all 6 Normal challenges for that level. You can preview Expert stage layouts before unlocking Expert difficulty in the campaign, which is a useful way to scout what's coming.
Challenge Mode stage select
One of the most player-friendly mechanics here is checkpoint-free progress saving. When a challenge's checkbox appears on screen after you complete its objective, you can quit the run immediately and the completion saves. You don't need to finish the entire mission. If you fail a challenge's requirements mid-run, the game shows a grayed-out box so you know to restart without wasting time.
What do you unlock through Challenge Mode?
Completing challenges earns you Character Avatars and AR Accessories for use in Game Chat when a USB camera is connected. You start with the Star Fox and Star Wolf teams already unlocked, but additional classic Star Fox characters are gated behind Challenge Mode completions and campaign medals. The Battle Banner cosmetic system, which displays your profile to opponents in online Battle Mode, also draws on challenge completions, with 61 backgrounds and 79 emblems available to unlock across the game's various systems.
All Challenge Mode objectives by stage
Here's every challenge broken down by stage and difficulty. Use this as your completion checklist.
Corneria
Meteo
Meteo asteroid field run
Sector Y
Aquas
Katina
Fichina
Zoness
Zoness Radar Buoy approach
Solar
Sector X
Sector Z
Macbeth
Titania
Area 6
Bolse
Venom
Venom 2
Essential tips for clearing Expert challenges faster
How to boost your fire rate on Switch 2 Pro Controller
Hit counts are the backbone of several Expert challenges, and firing faster directly translates to more hits. When playing with the Switch 2 Pro Controller, map the two paddle buttons underneath (GL and GR) to the A/fire action. Hold Home, navigate to the GL/GR Buttons config section, assign both paddles to A, and you now have three separate fingers cycling through fire inputs. This is especially effective during dense enemy waves in stages like Area 6 and Zoness.
Managing wings and laser upgrades
On Expert difficulty, any collision causes instant wing damage. A damaged wing makes the Arwing drift, which throws off precision targeting. When a wing breaks, the next laser upgrade item automatically becomes a wing repair pickup instead. Plan your routes through upgrade items accordingly, and prioritize staying clean over chasing extra hits in early sections.
Quit early after completing an objective
Once a challenge's checkbox appears on screen, the completion is saved. You do not need to finish the mission. For challenges with conflicting requirements in the same stage, this means you can complete one objective, quit, then restart and chase a different one without wasting a full run.
Wingman management for score-based challenges
Several Expert challenges require hitting specific hit counts without damaging teammates. Your wingmen (Peppy, Slippy, and Falco) fly alongside you, and stray shots count against you. Practice your lock-on charged shots for grouped enemies rather than spraying free-fire lasers into formations where an ally might be in the crossfire.
Difficulty comparison
Understanding which difficulty rules apply to Challenge Mode helps set expectations before you start.
Expert Mode itself is locked until you collect all Normal Medals in the campaign, so if Expert Challenges feel out of reach, finishing the Normal medal set is the prerequisite.
For players still getting familiar with the game's systems, the Star Atlas: Holosim page is a separate title worth exploring if you enjoy strategy games alongside arcade action. For everything else in Star Fox on Switch 2, check out the full Star Atlas: Holosim strategy guides collection, or jump straight into the beginner strategies and core mechanics guide to build your foundation before tackling the hardest Expert challenges.