Video Game Classics: Star Fox
Some games will live forever as Classics. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be taking a look at Star Fox by Nintendo and Argonaut Software.
Released in 1993 for the SNES, and known as Star Wing in Europe, this rail shooter is one of the most revolutionary games ever crafted for the home consoles.
Despite the graphical limitations of its day, this much-hyped title delivered the first ever three-dimensional adventure on a Nintendo system. This was accomplished through the use of an added super FX chip within its cartridge. As a result, this then-cutting-edge co-processor made it possible for players to navigate 3D environments created from polygons.
Story wise, the adventure is centered on Fox McCloud and his star Fox Team, an ace mercenary team hired to defend their home world Corneria from the vast armies of Andross, an evil scientist-turned Emperor.
With the help of Peppy Hare, Slippy Toad and Falco Lombardi, you must shoot your way through several dangerous terrestrial and interstellar environments. Working together, you must blast away countless enemy ships, robots, creatures and obstacles, all while acquiring power-ups and making your way to massive end-level bosses. Defeating these foes, players are graded based on the amount of hits accumulated, and how well they assisted their teammates.
Unlike other rail-shooters, Star Fox allows players to adjust the speed though the use of the breaks and thrusters on their Arwing attack fighter. The game also included three different routes that can be chosen from the start, each with a different degree of difficulty.
Due to the game’s instant popularity, stunning visuals and lovable characters, it has spawned several sequels, the most notable of which was its breathtaking, and equally revolutionary remake called “Star Fox 64” in 1997, which introduced the use of force feedback.
An icon of the on-rails combat genre, the Star Fox team has since secured their place as official Nintendo Mascots, appearing in other flagship Nintendo titles, such as Super Smash Bros.
Available on the Wii’s Virtual Console, this is one challenging and addictive video game classic that should be rediscovered and enjoyed.
