The Star Fox franchise, known for its distinctive space combat and memorable characters, has seen a recent remake of its iconic Nintendo 64 entry, Star Fox 64, which has now claimed the number one position in a comprehensive ranking of the series. This updated list reflects the addition of new games and a reassessment of existing titles.
The Latest Star Fox Entry
The latest addition to the franchise, a remake of Star Fox 64 released for the Switch 2 in 2026, has been met with enthusiasm. The remake is praised for its updated visuals, re-orchestrated music, and faithful rendition of the original gameplay, including modern shadow effects and character interactions. This latest title revitalizes the series, making it a strong contender for the best installment.
Revisiting the Classics
Star Fox 64, originally released in 1997 for the Nintendo 64, remains a high point in the series. It was lauded for its intuitive controls, engaging voice acting, and branching mission paths. A 2011 remake for the Nintendo 3DS, Star Fox 64 3D, offered a visual overhaul and successfully showcased the handheld's stereoscopic 3D capabilities, though its motion controls could be optionally disabled.
The original Star Fox, released in 1993 for the Super Nintendo, was a groundbreaking title for its time, demonstrating the console's capacity for 3D graphics. Despite a dated framerate by today's standards, it is still considered a playable and impressive game.
Notable Entries and Curiosities
Star Fox 2 holds a peculiar place in the series' history. Originally slated for release shortly after the first Star Fox, it was reportedly 95 percent complete before being shelved by Nintendo in favor of Star Fox 64. The game eventually saw official release over two decades later as part of the SNES Classic Edition and is now available via the Nintendo Switch Online service. While technically impressive for its era, its gameplay feels dated when played today, especially considering it was developed around the time the PlayStation launched.
Star Fox Adventures, released in 2002 for the GameCube, began life as a different game called Dinosaur Planet before being integrated into the Star Fox universe. While its Arwing flight sequences are scarce, the core adventure gameplay, which shares similarities with the Zelda series, offers a deeper exploration of the characters and their world.
Star Fox Guard, a 2016 title released with Star Fox Zero, is noted for its departure from traditional Star Fox mechanics. This tower defense game, starring Slippy and his uncle Grippy, is considered a relatively shallow experience and is skippable for those not invested in the series' broader offerings.
Mixed Receptions
Star Fox Zero, a 2016 Wii U release, attempted to blend a remake of Star Fox 64 with a series reboot. While it featured moments of compelling space combat, its intermittent reliance on awkward motion controls often hindered the experience. Despite these issues, it is recognized for adhering more closely to the classic Star Fox formula than some other entries.
Star Fox: Assault, developed by Namco for the GameCube in 2005, marked an effort to return to the series' roots after Star Fox Adventures. It included on-rails Arwing sequences but was significantly hampered by its on-foot segments, which suffered from imprecise controls, poor AI, and repetitive objectives. Though its multiplayer offered some enjoyment, it ranks low in the overall series.
Star Fox Command, released for the Nintendo DS in 2006, was directed by Dylan Cuthbert, who was involved in the original Star Fox. This entry blended strategy elements, requiring players to map out Arwing routes turn-by-turn, with traditional Star Fox shooting gameplay. It featured a substantial storyline and utilized touch-screen controls, making it a unique but sometimes overlooked installment.
Beyond the Core Games
While not a traditional Star Fox title, Starlink: Battle for Atlas on the Nintendo Switch is worth mentioning. The game integrated Fox McCloud significantly into its narrative and included a physical Arwing toy. It provided a notable Star Fox experience between the release of Star Fox Zero and the recent remake of Star Fox 64.