The Lost Foxes: What Happened to Star Fox's 90s Puppets, and Why a Switch 2 Revival Could Be Next

For thirty years, Star Fox fans have asked one question: what happened to the four iconic promotional puppets—Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, Slippy Toad, and Peppy Hare—that starred in a series of whimsical Japanese television commercials during the 1990s? The puppets, with their expressive faces and charmingly low-budget aesthetic, became beloved artifacts of a bygone marketing era, their fate a quiet mystery lingering in the corners of Nintendo fandom. Now, thanks to a new investigation by Time Extension, the answer has finally emerged: the puppets were destroyed due to material degradation. But as one mystery closes, another crackles with possibility. Rumors of a new Star Fox game for the Nintendo Switch 2, targeting a June 2026 release, have ignited hope among fans that the franchise may finally be ready to take flight again.

The Final Flight of the Puppets

The puppets were created by Shirogumi, a Japanese special effects and animation company known for its work on films and television. In a statement to Time Extension, Shirogumi confirmed that the puppets were crafted from natural rubber, with glued fur and feathers applied to their surfaces. These materials, while effective for short-term use on camera, proved tragically fragile. When exposed to air over time, the natural rubber began to degrade, causing the puppets to deteriorate rapidly. Preservation was deemed impossible, and the puppets were destroyed after production concluded.

The revelation came as a surprise even to key figures involved in the original Star Fox games. Dylan Cuthbert, the programmer behind the series, and Takaya Imamura, the artist responsible for the character designs, both told Time Extension they were unaware of the puppets' fate. For decades, fans had speculated about the puppets' whereabouts—some hoped they were locked away in Nintendo's archives, others feared they had been lost or discarded. The truth, while bittersweet, finally closes a chapter that has long fascinated the community.

The destruction of the puppets underscores a broader reality of the 1990s gaming industry: physical promotional materials were often treated as disposable. Unlike today's meticulously preserved marketing assets, these puppets were never intended to last. Their ephemeral nature makes them all the more poignant—a tangible link to a time when game marketing was more experimental, more tactile, and perhaps more charming. The puppets helped define the series' identity in Japan, their quirky presence in commercials embedding the Star Fox team into the cultural consciousness of a generation.

A Dormant Franchise Awakens?

The Star Fox series has been in a state of suspended animation for nearly a decade. The last mainline entry, Star Fox Zero (2016) for the Wii U, was met with mixed reception. Critics praised its ambition but criticized its convoluted controls and reliance on the Wii U GamePad's gyroscope—a gimmick that many players found frustrating. The game's commercial performance was equally underwhelming, and the franchise has remained largely dormant since. The most recent Star Fox content to reach players was Star Fox 2, a game originally developed for the Super Nintendo in 1995 but canceled before release. It finally saw the light of day in 2017 as part of the Super NES Classic Edition, and later became available through Nintendo Switch Online.

In recent years, Fox McCloud has made only cameo appearances. His most notable return came in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), where he was voiced by actor Glen Powell in a brief but memorable scene. This marked the series' most significant attention in years, and it hinted at Nintendo's ongoing interest in the character—if not the franchise itself.

However, Nintendo has demonstrated a willingness to reinvent classic franchises with stronger narratives. Kid Icarus: Uprising (2012) revitalized a long-dormant series with sharp writing, memorable characters, and engaging gameplay. More recently, Donkey Kong Bananza (2025) proved that even beloved franchises can be reimagined with surprising depth and ambition. These examples suggest that a Star Fox revival, if handled with care, could follow a similar path.

The Switch 2 Rumors Take Flight

The most compelling evidence for a Star Fox revival comes from industry insiders. NateTheHate, a well-known leaker with a mixed track record, has claimed that a new Star Fox game is targeting a June 2026 release. He expressed "extreme confidence" and "zero doubt" about the project's existence, adding that the game was initially planned for an April 2026 reveal. A marketing pivot could adjust that timeline, but the project itself appears to be in active development. However, fans should temper expectations until Nintendo makes an official announcement, as past leaks have occasionally proven inaccurate.

Details about the rumored title remain scarce, but some specifics have emerged. According to Alex Donaldson of RPGSite, speaking on the VGC Podcast, the game is described as "classic Star Fox style" with online multiplayer, "very good" visuals, and an emphasis on narrative and writing. This suggests Nintendo is taking the series' story more seriously, potentially addressing one of the major criticisms of Star Fox Zero—its convoluted and underdeveloped plot.

French journalist Oscar Lemaire initially reported that the game is "multiplayer focused" and could be a "spinoff." However, he later clarified that his comments were taken out of context, and he did not rule out a single-player campaign or high budget. This leaves the door open for a full-fledged mainline entry, rather than a lesser side project.

What a Revival Means for the Franchise

A new Star Fox game on the Nintendo Switch 2 could be a transformative moment for the series. The Switch 2's improved hardware would allow for stunning visuals and smooth 60fps gameplay—essential for a fast-paced rail shooter. The emphasis on narrative and writing suggests Nintendo is aware of the series' storytelling shortcomings and is prepared to address them. A well-crafted story, with memorable characters and emotional stakes, could elevate Star Fox beyond its arcade roots.

Online multiplayer could also modernize the franchise, drawing in new players who may not have experienced the original games. Whether cooperative, competitive, or both, online features could extend the game's longevity and build a community around it. At the same time, a return to "classic Star Fox style" gameplay would likely satisfy longtime fans who have been waiting for a worthy successor to Star Fox 64.

The success of Kid Icarus: Uprising provides a blueprint for how this could work. That game combined tight gameplay with a surprisingly deep narrative, earning critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase. If Nintendo applies a similar approach to Star Fox, the result could be a revival that honors the past while forging a new identity.

The destruction of the Star Fox puppets is a bittersweet end to a 30-year mystery, but it also symbolizes the series' long hibernation. However, with credible rumors of a Switch 2 title targeting a 2026 release, Fox McCloud and his team may finally be ready to take flight again. The puppets may be gone, but their spirit—a blend of charm, ambition, and a touch of 90s weirdness—could live on in a new Star Fox game. Whether Nintendo delivers on that promise remains to be seen, but for the first time in a decade, the sky no longer looks empty.