Star Fox: Length, Routes, and 100% - Complete Guide

Alexandre Jollier July 7, 2026 at 2:20 PM

In brief

Star Fox on Switch 2 wraps up its campaign in 2 to 3 hours, but the real game starts after that with 25 routes to unlock and hidden objectives to hunt down. Expect 20 to 25 hours to finish everything, including 100% completion and Expert mode - a structure built for replayability rather than a linear adventure to swallow in one sitting.

Star Fox on Switch 2 is short. Very short. But while the main campaign wraps up in a few hours, the real challenge begins afterward - and there's enough to keep you busy for dozens of hours if you want to see everything.

How long to finish the campaign?

Expect 2 to 3 hours for a first run of the main campaign. Experienced players who already know Star Fox 64 or Star Fox 3D can get under 2 hours. Complete newcomers will be closer to 3 hours, or even 3h30. The structure is the same as the original game: 7 stages per run, each lasting between 10 and 15 minutes. No more, no less.

Note

This isn't a flaw to hide - it's the DNA of the franchise since 1997. The game is designed to be replayed, not swallowed whole once and shelved.

The route structure: 16 stages, 25 combinations

The real heart of the game is its branching system. There are 16 stages in total, but a single run only goes through 7 of them. Combining all the possible paths gives 25 unique routes. Each alternate path unlocks by completing a hidden objective in the previous stage - which means you'll often have to replay the same levels with a different eye to unlock the branch you want.

The difficulty of the routes also varies noticeably. Some paths are clearly more demanding than others. Don't expect to unlock everything cleanly on your first attempts.

100% completion: 20 to 25 hours minimum

To finish everything - all the routes, all the medals, and Expert mode - plan for 20 to 25 hours. Here's what that actually involves:

Unlocking the 25 routes: each branch requires spotting and completing the hidden objective in the previous stage. Tedious, especially without a guide...
Getting all the medals on Normal: this is the mandatory prerequisite to access Expert mode. No shortcut.
Switching to Expert mode: only accessible once all the Normal medals are in hand. The real test for franchise fans.
Reaching the true ending: as in Star Fox 64, you have to replay the game several times to unlock the canonical conclusion - a single run isn't enough.

Is it worth it at that price?

Honestly, the question is worth asking. At €50 plus the cost of NSO, and with Star Fox 64 still available on the retro consoles of Nintendo Switch Online. The remake brings fresh visuals and refined gameplay, but the campaign itself hasn't been stretched out. Nintendo is clearly banking on multiplayer and replayability to justify the price.

If you're a franchise fan who wants the definitive version - this is probably the one for you. If you're looking for a game with dense content for solo play, it's a bit of a hard pill to swallow.

For you, is a 2-3 hour campaign a dealbreaker, or are you mainly here for the routes and multiplayer?

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to finish Star Fox's main campaign?

Between 2 and 3 hours for a first run, depending on your experience. Star Fox 64 veterans can clear it in under 2 hours, while newcomers will land closer to 3h30. The core structure hasn't changed: 7 stages of 10-15 minutes each.

Why are there 25 routes if I only play 7 stages per run?

There are 16 stages total in the game, but each campaign only goes through 7 of them. Combining every possible path and hidden branch generates 25 unique combinations. Unlocking each route requires completing a hidden objective in the previous stage.

How much time should I set aside for 100% completion?

Expect 20 to 25 hours at minimum. That includes unlocking all 25 routes, earning every medal on Normal, switching to Expert mode, and reaching the true ending. Without a guide, hunting for hidden objectives can be tedious.

Do you absolutely have to finish the game multiple times to see the canonical ending?

Yes, just like in Star Fox 64. A single run isn't enough - you need to replay the game several times to unlock the full conclusion. This is intentional and has been the franchise's DNA since 1997.

At 50 euros, is this remake really worth buying?

It depends. If you're a fan of the franchise and want the definitive version with fresh visuals and refined gameplay, it's for you. If you're looking for a dense, content-rich solo game, it's a tough pill to swallow - Nintendo is clearly betting on multiplayer and replayability.

Key takeaways

The solo campaign wraps up in 2-3 hours, which has been normal for the franchise since 1997.
16 stages in total, but only 7 per run: 25 route combinations to unlock by hunting down hidden objectives.
100% completion demands 20-25 hours including every medal, Expert mode, and the true ending.
The game bets everything on replayability and multiplayer to justify its 50 euros, not on a stretched-out campaign.
Some routes are noticeably more demanding than others, so don't unlock them all on your first attempt.