My Played Video Games Review: Star Fox for the Super Nintendo

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Star Fox, known as Starwing in other regions of the world, is a 1993 rail shooter game developed by Nintendo and Argonaut Software, and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom.

It might not be obvious today, but the original Star Fox was a groundbreaking title in the realm of console gaming, especially for its graphical advancements. This game was the turning point in the transition towards 3D graphics and showcased the power of the "Super FX" chip in certain Super NES games. Back then, the blocky polygonal shapes were considered amazing. It brought console games closer to the latest PC technology. Despite today's more advanced graphics, what remains crucial is that Star Fox's solid gameplay has stood the test of time.

Japan only box cover art (Image source)

The Story

In the distant Lylat star system, you pilot a futuristic, heavily armed space fighter called the Arwing. Your mission is to lead a counter-attack against an invasion force consisting of hundreds of alien tanks, fighter ships, laser gun emplacements, and super battleships. You'll maneuver at warp speed through foggy canyons, dense asteroid belts, and waves of the enemy's best defenses. Using skill and cunning, you must fight your way to the enemy's home planet, Venom, and destroy the Core Brain to achieve victory!

Box, manual and cartridge of the game. (Image source)

The Graphics and Sound

The graphics are where this game really shines. Who would have thought oversized polygons could add such a unique touch? In fact, almost the entire game is composed of these oversized polygons. Despite their simplicity, the graphics are among the nicest on the SNES. The lack of details allows for larger, more expansive levels, making each stage longer. Plus, the graphics never bothered me, and I’ve never met anyone who had an issue with the oversized polygons.

The soundtrack is impressive, featuring fast beats that add to the action. While the sound effects aren't as great, they still manage to hold up without dragging the game down. Some sound effects are decent, but others, like the characters' voices, can be a bit annoying.

Gameplay video sample of Star Fox on the SNES. Watch in 360p for near TV resolution of that time.

The Gameplay

The gameplay in Star Fox is quite spectacular. Players pilot a futuristic fighter aircraft called the "Arwing," which can perform various aerial maneuvers, shoot lasers, and launch nova bombs. The game offers three different routes to the final planet, Venom, each with unique challenges and varying difficulty levels. Each route has its own set of locations and unique challenges.

After completing each location, players face a boss battle. These bosses are generally tough, requiring a killer instinct, a keen eye, and quick reflexes to defeat. The overall challenge is quite high, so video game rookies might struggle to progress far in the game.

The controls are well-designed, with four preset controller functions that utilize all the buttons without needing excessive button mashing. However, players will need to frequently press the shoot button, so a moderately strong thumb is needed.

The replay value of Star Fox is quite high due to the three different routes, each leading to unique planets and challenges. This variety encourages players to explore all paths and discover the distinct experiences each one offers. Additionally, the game is filled with hidden secrets waiting to be uncovered, further enhancing its replayability and making it a title that players can enjoy multiple times.

My Verdict

Star Fox was fun in 1993, and it is still fun today. Although the graphics have dated, the game holds up very well, and with a soundtrack that sounds as fresh and exciting now as it did back then, you can't really argue with the classics. I would recommend this game to anyone who has played later Star Fox games, fans of rail shooters who want to experience one of the first, and gamers in general who can put graphics aside to enjoy what games are meant to be: enjoyable and fun.

Play it on the beloved Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on a darn good emulator.

Let's keep on gaming in the free world!