Since its debut on Nintendo in 1993, Star Fox, the classic rail shooter video game series, has made a name for itself over more than 20 years of history. At the time of its release, the use of filled, 3D polygons in a console game was thought to be revolutionary and ground breaking. To this day, the series is known for staying on the cutting edge of gameplay, visual aesthetics and overall product innovations. Let’s roll with Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, and the rest of the Star Fox team to explore some of the ways the series has evolved through the ages.
Overall Series
- Many elements of the debut game were inspired by the old-school puppet series Thunderbirds, characters from Japanese folklore, and architectural structures from shrines in Kyoto, Japan.
- Dinosaur Planet morphed into Star Fox Adventures for Nintendo GameCube when developers realized a lot of similarities with existing Star Fox characters.
- “Do a Barrel Roll!” The spoken dialogue in Star Fox 64 became some of the most iconic in gaming history.
Upon searching for the image below using Google, my screen did indeed do a barrel roll. Derp!
- Star Fox Command featured nine endings and concludes the longest single continuity storyline of the series before it reset with Star Fox Zero. Talk about the Harry Potter of Gaming.
Technology
- NESGlider, developed by Jez San and Argonaut Games, served as a prototype for the original Star Fox game. When the team’s progress was limited by available technology, Nintendo gave Jez and team permission to co-develop the Super FX chip–the first consumer-grade 3D graphics accelerator.
- With the release of Star Fox 64 for N64, Rumble Pak support was included years before vibration feedback became the standard feature it is today.
- If you thought the Apple Watch is cutting edge, did you know Star Fox developed a LED wristwatch that included four stages of gameplay in 1994?
Oh, sweet nostalgia.
Cameos
You can find Star Fox inspired costumes, references and swag throughout a variety of games, such as Bayonetta 2, Super Mario Maker, Yoshi’s Woolly World, Warioware: Smooth Moves, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy+, Steel Diver: Sub Wars; Pokemon Stadium 2, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Donkey Kong, Legend of Zelda, Mario Golf, Animal Crossing, and many more.
I absolutely love the plushie key chains swinging from those boots of death.
From affiliated games like Super Smash Bros. to cameo appearances in Yoshi’s Woolly World, Star Fox is a legendary series in the video game world. To check out the original infographic outlining the history of the Star Fox franchise, click here.
Star Fox Zero is scheduled for release this Friday, April 22 for the Wii U. To pre-order the game, click here.
What was your favorite game in the Star Fox series? Let me know in the comments below!
