Star Fox (series)
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The Star Fox series (スターフォックス Sutā Fokkusu?) is a video game franchise published by Nintendo. The original game was a forward-scrolling 3D rail shooter. Later sequels added more directional freedom as the series progressed.
The first game in the series, developed by Argonaut Software, used the Super FX Chip to create the first accelerated 3D gaming experience on a home console. The Super FX Chip was an additional math co-processor that was built into the game pack and helped the Super Famicom and SNES render the game's graphics. The Super FX Chip has been used in other Super Famicom/SNES games as well, some with increased processing speed. Its sequel, Star Fox 64, further revolutionized the video game industry by being the first Nintendo 64 game to feature the Rumble Pak.
Due to trademark issues over the name Star Fox in PAL region territories, Star Fox and Star Fox 64 were released in those countries as Star Wing and Lylat Wars respectively. However, Nintendo bought the rights before the release of Star Fox Adventures so future games could be released worldwide with the same name.
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[edit] Released games
[edit] Star Fox
The first game in the series, Star Fox (Star Wing), was released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993. Developed by Argonaut Games, it used the Super FX chip to simulate 3D graphics during a period of predominately 2D games. In Star Fox, Fox McCloud and his team, Slippy Toad, Peppy Hare, and Falco Lombardi, take on Andross, who threatens to overthrow the Lylat system.
[edit] Star Fox 64
Released in 1997 for the Nintendo 64, Star Fox 64 (Lylat Wars) introduced full spoken dialogue, fully three dimensional graphics, and new vehicles and characters. The game came bundled with the Rumble Pak, a force feedback attachment.[1] Star Fox 64 is often considered the beginning of the Star Fox canon, and is one of the more popular games in the series.[citation needed]
[edit] Star Fox Adventures
The next Star Fox game, Star Fox Adventures, was released in 2002 for Nintendo's next home console, the Nintendo GameCube. Developed by Rare, the game is predominately an adventure game in which Fox is armed with a mystical staff; traditional space shooting is limited to small segments between chapters. Its roots can be traced to Dinosaur Planet, a canceled video game Rare was developing late in the life cycle of the Nintendo 64. Adventures introduced new characters, including Krystal and Prince Tricky. Adventures takes place eight years after the events of Star Fox 64 and received positive reviews.[2]
[edit] Star Fox: Assault
Nintendo hired Namco to develop Star Fox: Assault, released in 2005, for the GameCube. The emphasis returned to ship-based shooting, but also had portions of on-foot missions. Assault takes place one year after Adventures, with the Aparoids becoming a new threat to the Lylat system. While returning to its roots, Assault was released to mixed reviews, with the main complaints being control problems, the short length of the main game, and the amount of on-foot missions.[3]
[edit] Star Fox Command
Star Fox Command was developed by Q-Games for the Nintendo DS. It is the first Star Fox game for a handheld console and the first to offer online multiplayer. Like the original Star Fox, gameplay is completely aircraft based, and uses gibberish chatter instead of the voice acting of previous installments. Command utilizes a new system of gameplay, incorporating strategy and abandoning its "fly-by-rail" roots. Players plot flight paths and engage enemies in an open arena-style flying mode using the Nintendo DS's touch screen. Each character has a unique ship with different abilities. For example, Slippy's ship has no lock-on feature and slower boosts, but has stronger lasers and shielding; Fox McCloud pilots the redesigned Arwing II. Command features nine endings, determined by the player's story progression choices.
[edit] Canceled games
[edit] Star Fox 2
Star Fox 2 was the sequel to Star Fox, again developed by Argonaut. The game was cancelled even though it was completely finished. Many of its new ideas were implemented for the forthcoming Star Fox 64, such as the rival team Star Wolf, all-range mode, charge shot, and a multiplayer mode (though Star Fox 2's multiplayer mode was no longer featured in the final beta).
[edit] Star Fox (Virtual Boy)
Star Fox (Virtual Boy) was a tech demo for the Nintendo Virtual Boy. It never developed beyond that point, but similar elements were found in Red Alarm.
[edit] Star Fox (arcade)
Originally planned as a companion game with Star Fox: Assault, it was abandoned and never released.[4]
[edit] Related games
[edit] Star Fox (Wii)
Although unannounced, Nintendo game designer Shigeru Miyamoto has expressed interest in a Star Fox game for the Wii console.[5] Series designer Takaya Imamura has also hinted at the game.[6]
[edit] Super Smash Bros. series
Two Star Fox characters have appeared in the Super Smash Bros. franchise of fighting games. Fox McCloud has appeared in all three as a playable character while Falco Lombardi was featured in Super Smash Bros. Melee as an unlockable character, with Peppy Hare, Slippy Toad, and Wolf O'Donnel also making brief cameos in Melee.
[edit] References
- ^ Johnston, Chris (23 May 1997). Rumble Pak Titles On the Rise. gamespot.com. Retrieved on 25 June 2006.
- ^ Star Fox Adventures Reviews. GameRankings. Retrieved on April 22, 2006.
- ^ Star Fox: Assault Reviews. GameRankings. Retrieved on April 22, 2006.
- ^ Namco Brings GCN Support. IGN. Retrieved on January 12, 2007.
- ^ Miyamoto on StarFox Wii and Super Mario Galaxy. SPOnG.com. Retrieved on September 2, 2006.
- ^ SF Command's producer has a small idea.... Games Radar. Retrieved on February 18, 2007.
[edit] External links
- Official Star Fox website
- Arwing Landing - fan site
- Starfox-Online - fan site
- The Starfox Database - fan site
- Lylat Wars - A GameSpy based fan site
- Starwing HQ - fan fiction site
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Star Fox video games
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Star Fox • Star Fox 2 •Star Fox 64 • Star Fox Adventures • |
