Why I’m Most Excited for Starfox Switch 2’s SOUNDTRACK

I am PUMPED for this OST.

Based on the brief snippets we've heard in the trailer so far, it sounds like Nintendo is treating the music with the care and respect it deserves. And as someone who absolutely loves the original Star Fox 64 soundtrack, that's a big deal.

I'll probably write a dedicated post about this later, but I genuinely think Star Fox 64 has one of the most underrated soundtracks on the Nintendo 64. In fact, I still consider it to be composer Hajime Wakai's best work. The melodies are fantastic, the themes are memorable, and the score does an incredible job of selling the game's cinematic, space-opera atmosphere.

The only thing holding it back was the sound font.

The compositions themselves are excellent.

We did get some Starfox 64 pieces fully orchestrated in Star Fox Assault - but that was a huge missed opportunity.

While I appreciated hearing those themes performed with real instruments, the arrangements never quite landed for me.

My biggest issue was the tempo.

Many of the Starfox 64 arrangements were slowed down to a snail’s pace compared to their Nintendo 64 counterparts. The result was that some of the energy and urgency that made the original music so memorable was lost. Instead of sounding exciting and dynamic, many of the arrangements felt restrained and oddly subdued.

And I wasn’t terribly impressed with the arrangements either. They felt a bit safe. Outside of a few standout tracks, they never struck me as particularly inspired reinterpretations of the source material.

And that's why the new Switch 2 remake has me so excited!

From what little we've heard in the trailers, these arrangements sound much more faithful to the spirit of the originals. They capture the energy, momentum, and excitement that made the Star Fox 64 soundtrack so special in the first place while finally giving the music the orchestral treatment it deserves.

And that's all I've ever wanted!

A proper orchestral interpretation of Hajime Wakai's score that stays true to the original compositions instead of reinventing them.

Of course, I'll need to hear the full soundtrack before making any final judgments. But based on the trailer alone, I'm optimistic.

Very optimistic.

If Nintendo sticks the landing, we may finally get the definitive version of one of the Nintendo 64's most underrated soundtracks.

And I can't wait to hear it!