Legacy

Star Fox 2

2017, Super NES Classic

Star Fox 2 was developed and finished but never released for the Super NES. It introduced a number of characters and features that became mainstays in the series, including the Star Wolf team and transforming vehicles.

More than two decades after it was canceled, the full game was released for the first time ever via the Super NES Classic console in 2017. You can read more about Star Fox 2 in the next chapter!

Star Fox 64

1997, Nintendo 64

Along with a drastic visual upgrade, Star Fox 64 formally introduced players to the villainous Star Wolf team, as well as the Landmaster, an agile tank used for two ground missions. Fox’s wingmen were each given unique support abilities, such as scanning bosses or locating alternate routes.

Certain sequences, most notably boss battles and multiplayer, took place in “All-Range Mode,” which allowed for total 360-degree flight, another concept lifted from Star Fox 2.

Star Fox 64 included the Rumble Pak and was the first game to support the accessory, which soon became a standard feature of every home console controller.

Star Fox 64 was known as Lylat Wars in Europe.

Star Fox Adventures

2002, Nintendo GameCube

Star Fox Adventures saw Fox McCloud leave the Arwing behind for a grand epic adventure in the same vein as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Developed by Rare, Star Fox Adventures was a substantial departure from the rest of the series and was initially conceived as an original game called Dinosaur Planet.

Star Fox Adventures is also particularly notable for the first appearance of Krystal, Fox’s romantic interest and eventual mainstay of the franchise.

Star Fox: Assault

2005, Nintendo GameCube

Developed by Namco, Star Fox: Assault follows the events of Star Fox Adventures, with Krystal replacing Peppy Hare as the fourth member of Star Fox. Gameplay built upon Star Fox 64’s mechanics, while adding on-foot single-player sequences and expanded multiplayer.

Star Fox Command

2006, Nintendo DS

Star Fox Command was Nintendo’s first Star Fox collaboration with Q-Games (PixelJunk series), which was founded by ex-Argonaut Software programmer Dylan Cuthbert (X, Star Fox, Star Fox 2).

Building off of Star Fox 2’s open-ended mission structure and turn-based strategic elements, Star Fox Command tasked players with completing various brief objectives to progress the branching story. There are a total of 14 playable characters, each with their own unique ship and abilities.

The plot takes place after Star Fox: Assault, and there are nine possible endings depending on the player’s decisions and performance throughout the game.

Star Fox Command was the first Star Fox title to feature online multiplayer.

Star Fox 64 3D

2011, Nintendo 3DS

Co-developed by Nintendo EAD and Q-Games, Star Fox 64 3D was a port of the Nintendo 64 classic for the Nintendo 3DS. The most notable difference between the two versions was a “3DS Mode,” which re-balanced certain aspects of the game for use with the 3D visuals and gyro controls.

Star Fox Zero

2016, Wii U

Ten years after the last original Star Fox game, Nintendo teamed up with PlatinumGames (Bayonetta, Nier: Automata) for a new Star Fox title. Although largely similar to previous games, most notably Star Fox 64, Star Fox Zero was officially separated from the rest of the series as neither a sequel, prequel, or remake.

The game featured vibrant visuals and several new vehicles, including the Walker, Gravmaster, and Gyrowing. Both the Star Fox and Star Wolf characters returned, along with many familiar locations.

The Retro Arwing and Black Arwing could be unlocked via the Fox and Falco amiibo, respectively.

Star Fox Guard

2016, Wii U

Star Fox Guard was a tower-defense game developed by the same team as Star Fox Zero and bundled with it upon its release in 2016. Players protect bases owned by Slippy Toad’s uncle, Grippy, from an army of robots by using a network of security cameras and weapons.