10 HARDEST Levels in Star Fox

10 Hardest Levels in Star Fox

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we’re taking a look at 10 of the toughest levels we’ve ever endured in the “Star Fox” games.

Sauria

“Star Fox Assault” (2005)

“Star Fox Assault” is already a bit of a tough game to play with its obtuse level design and controls. Sauria is a prime example for how flawed it is. This mission in particular takes an eternity to get through because of how vast the map is compared to other missions and how chaotic things can become in a matter of seconds. Not only are enemies constantly harassing you left and right, but the awful checkpoint placement will often cause you to basically start the entire mission over again. Needless to say, getting the medals for this one was not worth the mental anguish.

Aquas

“Star Fox 64” (1997)

Aquas is difficult for a very unique reason in that this is the only level in the entire game where you get to pilot Star Fox’s very own sub, the Blue Marine. Just like the Landmaster, this vehicle controls very differently from the Arwing both in movement and in combat. It moves very slowly through Aquas’s waters, and your standard lasers will soon prove to be not all that useful since the Blue Marine is incapable of charging shots. Your best means of defense is to ignore Peppy’s advice. “Use bombs wisely”? Nah, we’re using them without mercy, even on single targets. You have an infinite supply anyways!

Fortuna

“Star Fox” (1993)

At first, Fortuna doesn’t seem to be that much of a slog to get through. Sure, there aren’t a ton of enemies firing at you, but many of them, particularly the dragonfly-like enemies, are tough to land shots on. The difficulty doesn’t ramp up until about midway through when you have serpents in the water blowing massive fireballs at you. The boss of this level, the Monarch Dodora, will also make things tougher than they need to be as its weak points are incredibly small. Really, this level is going to cause some players a headache.

Asteroid Belt (Default)

“Star Fox Command” (2006)

For many “Star Fox” fans, “Command” is already a tough game to stomach on account of its intense focus on All-Range combat. The final mission of the default route here is a prime example of how tedious this format can really get. Many of the enemies you’ll encounter hit hard and are hard to hit. The thing is that they aren’t hard to hit because of their speed. No, some of them are hard to hit because their vulnerable points only open when they’re attacking. Otherwise, your shots are going to deflect off or just vanish entirely. So, know which units are best for regular combat and which should prioritize going after missiles. And yes, use bombs wisely.

Sector Z

“Star Fox 64” (1997)

Though it is the quickest level in “Star Fox 64”, Sector Z is also one that has haunted many players. For the first minute or two, Sector Z is just another All-Range encounter: fly around and shoot however many enemies you can. But about a third of the way through, you will have to face waves of copperhead missiles heading straight for the Great Fox. The third and final wave is what dictates whether or not you head for Area 6. First off, if Falco was downed in your previous level, you already have an uphill battle. But if you never went to Zoness to help Katt Monroe and shoot all of the searchlights, hope you’ve got enough smart bombs to take down three copperhead missiles by yourself!

Test of Fear

“Star Fox Adventures” (2002)

“Star Fox Adventures” has become more widely accepted by fans over the years despite its awful ending. However, one other portion of the game that no player looks forward to is the Test of Fear, one of the trials required in obtaining a Krazoa Spirit. On paper, this trial sounds simple: keep the red line within the green bar to help Fox maintain his sanity. In execution, this can be one of the most aggravating moments in “Star Fox” history as the position of the red line is constantly fighting you and the cutscene gets incredibly distracting. Players have reported having an easier time with this by muting their TV, but man, what’s the point of this minigame if we can’t enjoy the cutscene let alone hear it?

The AegisCam Snatch Missions

“Star Fox Guard” (2016)

For as neat of an idea as “Star Fox Guard” was, the AegisCam Snatch missions have left a sour taste in the mouths of just about anyone who played this spin-off. The gimmick to these missions is that you only get one AegisCam to use at the start of the mission. Yes, you can move it around, but the constant need to adjust coupled with how big and elaborate maps can get makes these missions incredibly frustrating. It doesn’t help that some missions make you go for an extensive period of time in using the one camera before you get the chance to acquire a second or third one.

Sector Z

“Star Fox” (1993)

No, this is not a typo. Sector Z does appear in the original “Star Fox”, and it is the hardest level in the entire game. Whereas the Nintendo 64 remake had you surviving an ambush and taking down giant missiles, Sector Z is simply another on-rails level but with a significant increase in the number of obstacles and enemies hurdling towards you. The final section has you flying into an enemy fortress to destroy its core, and this part can be just as overwhelming with its cramped spaces. You really have to stay on your toes if you hope to make it to MacBeth!

Aparoid Homeworld

“Star Fox Assault” (2005)

Yes, “Assault” makes a second appearance here, and the Aparoid Homeworld is what really kills our drive in revisiting the game. We understand that the last mission or two of any video game should be a challenge, yes. The thing is that this ninth mission makes things way more aggravating than it needs to be. For starters, it’s tough to navigate the Aparoid Homeworld in general with its labyrinthian layout. Second, you are constantly getting bombarded with blue Aparoids, which explode upon death or contact with Fox. These two issues alone can make the ninth mission go on for way longer than it should. And if you die at any point, whatever progress you made is lost. Have fun doing the entire process over again!

Area 6

“Star Fox 64” (1997)

Even with the headaches “Assault” can create, Area 6 remains to be the hardest level in “Star Fox” history. Venom is tough in the games it appears in, but Area 6 is the ultimate test of skill. Here, you’re going against a non-stop assault of enemies of various kinds on top of heavily equipped starships. If you want to get to Venom, it is crucial that you answer every single call from ROB 64, maintain the highest power level for your lasers, and make sure Falco, Peppy, and Slippy are able to join you in time for this mission. You want that 300-hit medal? You better make sure you check every one of those boxes AND keep a few smart bombs in your pocket, especially for the minefield and quintet of missiles that follow it.

What’s the hardest “Star Fox” level you’ve had to endure? Let us know down in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe to MojoPlays.