Nintendo’s latest Star Fox game, set for release on 25 June, has fans divided. While the new realistic designs of characters like Fox McCloud and Falco Lombardi impress with their detail, they’ve also sparked a backlash from those who miss the simpler, more cartoonish look of yore.

The new visuals push the series closer to a puppet-like realism, which some find appealing, while others liken them to 'Five Nights at Freddy’s' characters gone wild. The change in appearance is particularly noticeable on Fox and Falco, where fans are scrutinizing everything from their fur textures to facial proportions.

Some defenders argue that the redesigns bring a new level of personality reminiscent of the original SNES-era promotional art, suggesting it might be for the better after all. Wolf, in particular, seems to have won over many critics with his rougher texture and more intimidating appearance.

The backlash highlights a broader conversation about the modernization of classic video game characters. While Nintendo’s new features, such as Joy-Con 2 Mouse Controls and GameChat Character Avatars, might be impressive, they’ve struggled to reconcile this with fan expectations for a remake that many had hoped would look exactly like their childhood memories.