The reaction to Nintendo’s new Star Fox 64 remake on Switch 2 says a lot about the risks of redesigning classic characters, because despite the improved graphics, better lighting and more detailed models, many fans think Fox McCloud and the gang have lost some of their charm in the recently revealed remake. One of the biggest lessons character designers can learn from the best retro games is that silhouette matters, perhaps more than detail. What stands out and needs to be remembered from old games, like Star Fox or indeed Super Mario , are the bold shapes, oversized expressions and confident weirdness that made those characters instantly recognisable. Modern remakes often chase realism first, but realism can flatten personality surprisingly quickly and remove the quirks that made the characters appealing in the first place.…