Eurogamer’s hands-on with the Star Fox Switch 2 demo was the highlight of the June Direct for a generation that grew up with Falco yelling on a SNES. Nintendo is keeping Star Fox locked to Switch 2, which means PC players get the trailer and nothing else. The good news for desktop space-combat fans: the genre’s PC scene is the strongest it has been in twenty years, with cockpit dogfighters, on-rails shmups, and roguelike space combat all represented on Steam.
We ranked seven Star Fox alternatives on PC. The list mixes pure dogfighting, narrative space adventures, and arcade-style on-rails picks. Each captures a slice of what Star Fox put on the map: tight ship controls, ace pilot fantasy, and bombastic spectacle.
Quick comparison
| Game | Best for | Cost | Standout | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chorus | Story-driven dogfighting | $39.99 | Sentient ship mechanic | Windows |
| Everspace 2 | Open-world space looter | $49.99 | Six-tier ship build system | Windows |
| Rebel Galaxy Outlaw | Open-world space sim | $29.99 | Skill-based dogfights | Windows |
| House of the Dying Sun | Fleet commander dogfighter | $19.99 | Tactical pause | Windows |
| Redout: Space Assault | On-rails space shooter | $19.99 | Fastest arcade pace | Windows |
| Strike Suit Zero | Cinematic mech-fighter hybrid | $14.99 | Strike mode transformation | Windows |
| Whisker Squadron: Survivor | Star Fox-flavored roguelike | $19.99 | Direct Star Fox love letter | Windows |
Why PC players still chase the Star Fox feeling
The thread recurs on r/StarFox and the broader space-combat communities:
- Star Fox 64 set the template for arcade space combat with tight controls, branching paths, and squadron commentary.
- The genre has had quiet decades but is currently thriving on PC with both indie and AA entries.
- Modern stick-and-throttle support, plus controller-friendly UIs, mean every pick on this list runs well without a $500 HOTAS setup.
- The story-driven adventure pieces (Star Fox Adventures, Assault) translate to PC as full RPGs with space-flight cores.
- The arcade on-rails feel of the original Star Fox is now a sub-genre (with Redout and Whisker Squadron carrying the torch).
The seven picks below cover the spectrum.
The 7 best Star Fox alternatives on PC
Chorus — story-driven dogfighting
Chorus by Deep Silver Fishlabs is the closest PC has to a modern Star Fox Assault. You pilot Forsaken, a sentient AI ship, in a redemption-arc story across a dark space-opera setting. The dogfighting layer is excellent (mouse-and-keyboard, controller, or HOTAS all work), the ship abilities (drift, teleport-strike, missile lock) keep encounters dynamic, and the story commits to its tone in a way arcade space combat usually does not.
For Star Fox fans who want a single-player narrative with sharp combat, Chorus is the most direct line.
Where it falls short: Some side missions feel padded. The dark tone is much heavier than Star Fox’s bright space-opera. Pilot voice acting can polarise.
Pricing:
- Free: Demo available
- Base: $39.99 (regular discounts to $14.99)
- vs Star Fox: PC-only, darker tone, deeper combat
Switching from Star Fox: Build a loadout that combines the Drift ability with the teleport-strike Rite. The combination is the closest analog to Fox’s barrel-roll-into-laser combo.
Download: Chorus on Steam
Bottom line: Pick Chorus when you want a narrative space combat game with strong dogfighting.
Everspace 2 — open-world space looter
Everspace 2 by ROCKFISH Games is the most loot-heavy pick. Six ship tiers, hundreds of weapon and module rolls, an open-world progression structure across multiple systems. The dogfighting feel is more arcade than sim, the story is competent without being the focus, and the build crafting is the real reason to keep playing.
For Star Fox fans who liked the upgrade loop (Arwing wings, smart bomb counts, hyper laser unlocks) and want it expanded to hundreds of hours, Everspace 2 is the deepest pick.
Where it falls short: Some loot grinds feel repetitive late game. Story is functional rather than memorable. Some space-combat purists prefer simpler control schemes.
Pricing:
- Free: Demo via Steam Next Fest historically
- Base: $49.99, Stellar Edition with cosmetics $69.99 (regular discounts to $24.99)
- vs Star Fox: PC-only, much deeper build system, open structure
Switching from Star Fox: Spend the first few hours on the Striker tier ship before unlocking the Stinger. The Stinger’s mobility maps closest to the Arwing.
Download: Everspace 2 on Steam
Bottom line: Pick Everspace 2 when you want hundreds of hours of build-crafting on top of arcade dogfighting.
Rebel Galaxy Outlaw — open-world space sim
Rebel Galaxy Outlaw by Double Damage Games is the closest PC has to Wing Commander Privateer for a modern audience. The setting is 40 star systems, the dogfights have proper skill-based maneuvering (not Everspace 2’s arcade speed), and the playstyle choice spans mercenary, trader, pirate, or a mix. The country-blues soundtrack adds genre flavour no other space combat game matches.
For Star Fox fans who liked the squadron commentary (Slippy, Falco, Peppy) and want a similar character-driven space adventure, Rebel Galaxy Outlaw delivers without aping Star Fox directly.
Where it falls short: Dogfighting style is gun-camera-driven (mouse-look or analog stick) rather than free-look. Stations and trade UI feel less modern than Everspace 2’s. Story is loose.
Pricing:
- Free: No
- Base: $29.99 (regular discounts to $9.89)
- vs Star Fox: PC-only, deeper sim layer, less arcade
Switching from Star Fox: Use the gun-camera mode and the Sangrar ship class first. The Sangrar’s profile is the most agile in the game’s mid-tier.
Download: Rebel Galaxy Outlaw on Steam
Bottom line: Pick Rebel Galaxy Outlaw when you want a space sim with personality.
House of the Dying Sun — fleet commander dogfighter
House of the Dying Sun by Marauder Interactive is the tactical pick. You command a small strike fleet and pilot a flagship simultaneously; tactical pause lets you issue orders to wingmates between dogfight maneuvers. Mission length is 10 to 20 minutes, the pace is brutal at higher difficulty, and the leaderboard system gives the campaign infinite replay value.
For Star Fox fans who specifically liked the squadron command moments (“Cover Falco, he’s in trouble”), this is the genre’s most committed pick.
Where it falls short: Story is minimal. Visual style is intentionally stark. Some missions reward perfect-run precision over loose dogfighting.
Pricing:
- Free: No
- Base: $19.99 (regular discounts to $4.99)
- vs Star Fox: PC-only, deeper tactical layer, lighter narrative
Switching from Star Fox: Spend the first hour on the leaderboard-free training missions. The tactical pause is not a luxury at higher difficulties.
Download: House of the Dying Sun on Steam
Bottom line: Pick House of the Dying Sun when fleet command and tactical pause are what you want.
Redout: Space Assault — on-rails space shooter
Redout: Space Assault by 34BigThings is the most arcade pick. On-rails space combat with branching paths, fast pace, and a campaign that resolves in 6 to 8 hours. The combat feels closer to a Panzer Dragoon than to Star Fox’s free-roam segments, but the bombastic boss fights and the arcade scoring system carry the genre torch.
For Star Fox 64 fans specifically, this is the most direct gameplay match for “branching path on-rails space shooter”.
Where it falls short: Short campaign. Some difficulty spikes in mid-game bosses. Story is forgettable.
Pricing:
- Free: No
- Base: $19.99 (regular discounts to $4.99)
- vs Star Fox: PC-only, on-rails feel, much shorter campaign
Switching from Star Fox: Choose the branching path on every mission split. Two full playthroughs needed to see all paths.
Download: Redout: Space Assault on Steam
Bottom line: Pick Redout: Space Assault when you specifically want the on-rails Star Fox 64 structure.
Strike Suit Zero: Director's Cut — cinematic mech-fighter hybrid
Strike Suit Zero: Director’s Cut by Born Ready Games is the genre’s most cinematic single-player campaign. The Strike Suit transformation (turn your fighter into a flight-capable mech mid-combat) is the standout mechanic, and the soundtrack by Paul Ruskay and Junkie XL is one of the best in the genre. The campaign runs about 6-8 hours plus the Heroes expansion.
For Star Fox fans who liked the Walker Mode segments (Star Fox 64, Star Fox Zero), Strike Suit Zero is the closest analog on PC.
Where it falls short: Short campaign by modern standards. Mission variety is limited. Some early bosses gate on Strike mode timing.
Pricing:
- Free: No
- Base: $14.99, Director’s Cut with Heroes expansion (regular discounts to $4.99)
- vs Star Fox: PC-only, more cinematic, shorter
Switching from Star Fox: Lean into Strike mode for the boss fights. The mech form trades mobility for raw firepower.
Download: Strike Suit Zero: Director’s Cut on Steam
Bottom line: Pick Strike Suit Zero when you want a 6-hour cinematic space opera with mech transformation.
Whisker Squadron: Survivor — Star Fox-flavored roguelike
Whisker Squadron: Survivor by Flippfly is the love letter pick. It wears its Star Fox influences openly: anthropomorphic animal pilots, branching path missions, squadron commentary, the lot. The twist is the roguelike structure — runs are short, upgrades carry forward, and the gameplay loop rewards mastery across attempts. The visual style is voxel-cute, the soundtrack channels the SNES era, and the price is hobbyist-friendly.
For Star Fox fans who want the most direct emotional reference on this list, Whisker Squadron is the pick.
Where it falls short: Roguelike structure may not appeal to players wanting a structured campaign. Visual style is intentionally retro and polarises. Some run modifiers can feel runaway-powerful.
Pricing:
- Free: No
- Base: $19.99 (regular discounts to $9.89)
- vs Star Fox: PC-only, roguelike structure, direct homage tone
Switching from Star Fox: Run the Tutorial Squadron before queueing real runs. The roguelike upgrade tree rewards spec’ing into a specific build.
Download: Whisker Squadron: Survivor on Steam
Bottom line: Pick Whisker Squadron when you want the most affectionate Star Fox tribute on PC.
How to choose
- If you want narrative space combat: Chorus first, Strike Suit Zero second.
- If you want the deepest build system: Everspace 2.
- If you want a space sim with sandbox freedom: Rebel Galaxy Outlaw.
- If you want fleet command: House of the Dying Sun.
- If you want the on-rails Star Fox 64 feeling: Redout: Space Assault.
- If you want the most direct Star Fox love letter: Whisker Squadron: Survivor.
FAQ
Will Star Fox come to PC?
Nintendo keeps Star Fox as a Switch 2 exclusive. There is no announced PC release.
Which alternative has the closest gameplay to Star Fox 64?
Redout: Space Assault for the on-rails structure. Whisker Squadron: Survivor for the squadron tone. House of the Dying Sun for tactical depth.
What is the cheapest Star Fox alternative on PC?
Strike Suit Zero and House of the Dying Sun regularly discount to $4.99 each.
Are any of these games on Steam Deck?
Chorus, Everspace 2, Rebel Galaxy Outlaw, House of the Dying Sun, Redout: Space Assault, Strike Suit Zero, and Whisker Squadron all run on Steam Deck. Verified status varies.
Do I need a flight stick?
No. Every pick supports controller or mouse-and-keyboard cleanly. Flight sticks add immersion but are not required.
Which has the best soundtrack?
Strike Suit Zero’s Paul Ruskay / Junkie XL score is widely cited as the best in the modern space combat genre. Whisker Squadron channels the SNES Star Fox soundtrack directly.
