Star Fox Adventures, a notable departure from the series' traditional flight combat, has been added to the Nintendo Switch Online service. The GameCube title is now available for subscribers of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier, as announced during the September 2026 Nintendo Direct.
Originally released in 2002, Star Fox Adventures marked a significant shift by featuring Zelda-like action-adventure gameplay. In the game, players control Fox McCloud as he explores Dinosaur Planet on foot, engaging enemies with a staff and solving environmental puzzles, rather than piloting the iconic Arwing. This entry also introduced the character Krystal, who would later become a prominent figure in the Star Fox universe.
The game was developed by Rare, and it represented the studio's final project for Nintendo before its acquisition by Microsoft. Star Fox Adventures remains a divisive title among fans, with many seeing it as the point where the franchise began to stray from its roots. Subsequent entries like Assault and Command received mixed receptions, and the later Star Fox Zero was met with criticism from both fans and critics.
In addition to the shadowdrop of Star Fox Adventures, the recent Nintendo Direct also revealed that a free update for the current Star Fox game is planned, which will introduce new multiplayer features and maps. This update is scheduled to launch on September 29. The remake of Star Fox 64 for Switch 2, released earlier this year, had previously helped to regain some favor with the fanbase.