The Star Fox franchise, which began in 1993, has seen a more infrequent release schedule compared to Nintendo's other major series. Despite the character's appearance in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the games themselves have often struggled to maintain momentum. Now, Velan Studios and Nintendo are set to launch a new Star Fox game for Switch 2, a release that echoes the series' past while potentially signaling a fresh direction for its narrative.
The Genesis of Star Fox
The original Star Fox debuted on the Super Nintendo in 1993, a collaboration between Nintendo and Argonaut. It was a notable early entry into 3D gaming, demonstrating that established level design principles could translate effectively to a polygonal space. Series creator Shigeru Miyamoto's fascination with puppet dramas and anthropomorphic characters influenced the game's distinctive visual style. Following its success, Nintendo developed Star Fox 64 for the Nintendo 64 in 1997. This iteration expanded on the original with features like multiplayer, additional characters, new missions, and vehicular gameplay, introducing the now-familiar narrative of Fox McCloud taking up his father's mantle against the villainous Dr. Andross.
Star Fox 64 was well-received, though some noted its similarities to the first game. However, it offered more branching paths and a greater variety of planets to explore than its predecessor. Subsequent entries would explore different gameplay directions. Star Fox Adventures in 2002, developed by Rare, shifted focus to a more adventure-based experience with on-foot exploration, drawing comparisons to titles like The Legend of Zelda. This departure earned a mixed reception, with some appreciating the novelty and others lamenting the lack of traditional space combat.
Evolving Gameplay and Stagnation
Star Fox Assault returned to space combat in 2005, introducing a new threat in the form of the Aparoid alien race. This installment brought back the Arwing and Landmaster tank, and even included some on-foot sections. However, its multiplayer mode was criticized for being underdeveloped. The following year, Star Fox Command on the Nintendo DS introduced a strategy-based approach to gameplay, where players positioned ships on the touchscreen to engage in combat. Command also continued the series' story, exploring new narrative arcs and branching paths.
Following these more experimental titles, the series entered a period often described as stagnation. Star Fox 64 3D on the 3DS in 2011 was a straightforward remake. Star Fox Zero for the Wii U in 2016, a joint effort with Platinum Games, revisited the Star Fox 64 formula with updated control schemes and vehicle transformations, but also faced criticism. A companion game, Star Fox Guard, a tower defense title, was also released but found to be too brief and uninspired.
The officially released Star Fox 2, originally canceled in 1995, appeared on the Nintendo Switch Online SNES Classics library in 2017. This game featured several mechanics that were later incorporated into Star Fox 64, but offered a distinct experience with pilot swapping, unique ship abilities, and real-time strategy elements.
The Future of Star Fox
After a decade-long hiatus, the upcoming Star Fox game for Switch 2 appears to be heavily influenced by Star Fox 64, featuring the familiar premise of Andross initiating a conflict across the solar system. However, Nintendo and Velan Studios seem intent on delving deeper into the franchise's lore. The new game includes a submenu with extensive entries on the galaxy's locations and history, offering more detailed background information than previously available. While Nintendo's long-term plans for Star Fox remain unclear, this renewed focus on storytelling suggests a potential for a richer and more expansive future for the beloved series.