There are three courses in Star Fox (sometimes interchangeably referred to as “levels”), each representing increased difficulty and featuring new stages, obstacles, and bosses.
Planet IV: Corneria
The planets featured in Star Fox were given rich backstories and further developed as the series progressed. Corneria, the game’s starting level, is known as the “bread basket” of the Lylat System. Home to 85% of the system’s sentient population, as well as the center for culture and politics, Corneria is an Earth-like farming world whose geology consists of endless caves and tunnels. The mostly peace-seeking population uses this labyrinthine system as shelter during times of war, having built entire cities underground. Due to the planet’s valuable resources, and the presence of the Cornerian Army, conquest over Corneria is Andross’ primary objective.
Corneria and Venom are the only planets repeated across all three courses. These dioramas, resurrected from the pages of Nintendo Power, provide a unique vantage point of Corneria’s progressively more challenging variations.
Course 3
Course 3 is the ultimate test of a Star Fox player’s skills and deftly demonstrates the game’s diverse locales—from the vast expanses of endless space to the disparate surfaces of the oceanic Fortuna and the volcanic Macbeth.
3-2 Asteroids
The Asteroid Field appears in two courses. The density of mineral-rich planetoids in the area makes space travel highly ill-advised. Cornerian scientists speculate the Asteroid Field, also known as Meteo in later games, is all that remains of an erstwhile planet within the Lylat System.
3-3 Fortuna
A beautiful but brutal world filled with vicious aerial and aquatic creatures, Fortuna provides an extraordinary break from the otherwise technology-laden locales. The stage’s boss, a colossal two-headed dragon, was tamed by Andross and turned into a living weapon with powers exceeding state-of-the-art munitions.
3-4 Sector Z
There are three “Sector” nebulae that appear in the shape of the letter for which they are named. Sector X and Y are found on Course 2. While Sector Y is a somewhat calmer endeavor, Sectors X and Z are extremely challenging obstacle courses consisting of numerous rotating beams and other debris left behind from previous battles. Due to the dangerous traversal and high damage caused by debris collision, Sector Z is regarded as one of the most difficult locations in the series.
3-5 Macbeth
Macbeth’s dense atmosphere and active volcanoes have colored the world crimson (though later games would re-color it green). Shaped by a long history of geological disasters, Andross uses the planet’s hollow crust to stockpile his force’s weaponry.
3-6 Venom Orbit
Before taking the fight to Andross’ base, one last space battle must be won within the planet’s orbital airspace.
3-7 Venom Base
Regardless of the course, the game’s final stage starts with a dramatic downward spiral onto the stormy surface of Venom, the accompanying soundtrack signaling the epic climax to Fox’s adventure. Having enslaved the natives of Venom, Andross has darkened the skies with pollution from the construction of his military machines.
Bosses
Each course in Star Fox concludes with a confrontation against a screen-filling boss. Unlike in future games, Fox’s wingmen leave him to battle each boss alone.
Andross
The many faces of Andross…
Beyond the Stars
The Lylat system is not without its secrets. Two mysterious anomalies await discovery…
Black Hole
The Awesome Black Hole, as it’s called in the game, is a space graveyard filled with Andross’s failed experiments. The area is filled with debris made up of pieces of enemies and bosses from throughout the game. From a story perspective, the Black Hole is said to be where Fox’s father vanished.
Flying through a Warp Ring in the Black Hole relocates the player to specific worlds, similar to the warp pipes in Super Mario Bros.
Out of This Dimension
If the Black Hole was going for “cool,” Out of This Dimension was definitely going for “unusual.” This psychedelic area cannot be exited, and unlike the Black Hole, it has its own boss, which is seen as an alternate ending for the game.
To reach Out of This Dimension, players must enter the Asteroid Belt on Level 3. Destroying the second large asteroid encountered reveals a phoenix-like alien. Flying into this creature transports the Arwing to the surreal space.
Slot Machine
The true threat to the galaxy: gambling! The Slot Machine lies at the end of the Out of This Dimension area. Shooting the giant machine’s lever spins the reels. Three 7s cause the boss to self-destruct, while other combinations have different effects such as providing healing items or shooting missiles at the player.
