Now that Star Fox has officially touched down on the Nintendo Switch 2, I assumed it would be the perfect excuse for Nintendo to go warp speed on branding. I expected an onslaught of official tech and accessories plastered with the faces of Fox, Falco, Peppy, and Slippy. As it turns out, I was only half right.
Nintendo has released a new Star Fox mousepad, which the official Nintendo Store UK Twitter (X) page suggests you can use to "pilot your mouse (or Joy-Con 2 controller) over." It features a crisp render of the team pulled directly from the new game’s box art, and it is a decent-looking piece of kit. However, if you were hoping this marked the start of a wider Star Fox accessory line for the Switch 2, you are going to be disappointed. This is not the start of a collection; it is a standalone Nintendo Reward.
How to Claim the Star Fox Mousepad
If you have been busy grinding out Nintendo Switch Online challenges, you might already have the currency needed to grab this item. The mousepad is available exclusively through the Nintendo UK store for 500 Platinum Points. It measures 23 x 22cm and is constructed from synthetic rubber. While it isn't quite the "free" swag some might hope for, it is currently the only official Star Fox-themed hardware available for the new console.
Missing the Mark on Custom Hardware
I spent the weekend barrel-rolling through the Lylat System, and I have to say, the game is a blast. The final Star Wolf encounter is noticeably more difficult this time around, which kept me on my toes. That said, the experience would have been even better if I were playing with a controller or case sporting that iconic red Star Fox logo.
It is frustrating to see the lack of support here when you look at how Nintendo handles other titles. Take Splatoon Raiders, for example—a game that has not even launched yet—which already has a pair of blue and yellow Deep Cut-themed Joy-Cons available for pre-order at $99/£74.99. Even the Super Mario Galaxy Movie saw a wave of tie-in hardware, such as the Turtle Beach Rosalina Rematch controller. Compared to those, Star Fox feels like it has been left out in the cold.
I would have taken anything: an Arwing-shaped Switch 2 camera, or even just some custom thumbsticks. For now, I have claimed my mousepad and sent a silent plea to Nintendo for more Star Fox gear. If you are looking to build the ultimate setup for your own flight through the Lylat System, you will have to look toward general gaming hardware, as the dedicated Star Fox collection remains a dream for the future.