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- Star Fox: Assault
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- Star Fox 64
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- Star Fox Adventures
Every 'Star Fox' Game, Ranked Best To Worst
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Vote up your favorite games in the main series; no spinoffs.
Are you and a friend arguing about the best Star Fox game? Settle it here with the ultimate ranking of all the Star Fox video games. With thousands of votes from passionate fans, this ranked list of Star Fox games celebrates the Nintendo franchise's history, highlighting what makes each game unique. Focusing on gameplay, storyline, innovation, replayability, and fan reception, this ranking aims not only to canonize Fox McCloud's epic space adventure, but to introduce and recommend lesser known titles to the casual gamer.
Released in 1997, Star Fox 64 stands out with fast-paced aerial combat, vibrant graphics, and an iconic branching storyline that captivated Nintendo 64 players. Star Fox: Assault shifts to more strategic gameplay, blending third-person shooting with traditional dogfighting in the skies, while Star Fox Adventures introduces an action-adventure twist, featuring lush, vibrant worlds on Dinosaur Planet. There's the beloved classic, the original Star Fox, which debuted groundbreaking 3D graphics on the Super Nintendo, setting a high standard for future rail shooters. Each installment contributed unique facets to the franchise, enhancing the beloved lore and expanding gameplay mechanics.
Strap yourself into the pilot's seat, and vote for the best games in the Star Fox series. Dive into this ranking, explore Fox McCloud's universe, and see how the top of the list transforms as new releases fly into our world.
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- Star Fox 64
“Do a barrel roll!” One of the top-selling N64 games, the second installment in the Star Fox series features Fox McCloud and his team as they defend the Lylat System from the evil scientist Andross. Renowned for its precise controls and engaging gameplay, the game includes characters like Peppy Hare and Falco Lombardi, alongside iconic vehicles like the Arwing. Its branching storyline provides significant replay value, and Star Fox 64's impactful combination of voice acting, multiplayer modes, and innovative Rumble Pak support helped cement its status as one of the greatest video games of its era.
- Released: 1997
- Developer: Nintendo EAD
- Genres (Video game): Shooter
- Series: Star Fox
- Designers: Takaya Imamura, Takao Shimizu, Shigeru Miyamoto
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Platform: Nintendo 64, Wii, Wii U
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- Star Fox: Assault
The fourth entry in the Star Fox series brings players into third-person shooter action as Fox McCloud and his team fight to save the Lylat System from the sinister Aparoids. Players experience various modes, from piloting Arwing spacecrafts and Landmaster tanks to engaging ground combat on foot. Popular characters, such as Falco Lombardi and Krystal, join the fight. The game received mixed reviews, but stood out for its orchestral soundtrack and dynamic vehicle-swapping gameplay, contributing to its lasting impact and recognition within the franchise.
- Released: 2005
- Developer: Namco
- Genres (Video game): Shooter
- Series: Star Fox
- Designers: Takaya Imamura, Shigeru Miyamoto
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Platform: Nintendo GameCube
- Sequels: Star Fox Adventures
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- Star Fox Adventures
Star Fox Adventures follows Fox McCloud as he navigates Dinosaur Planet, aiming to prevent its destruction. The game introduces characters like Krystal and Prince Tricky, combining action-adventure and shooter elements. While praised for its visuals and dynamic environments, some criticism targeted its departure from traditional series gameplay. Despite mixed reviews, the game significantly impacted the franchise by melding new narrative forms with established elements, influencing subsequent Star Fox iterations.
- Released: 2002
- Developer: Rare
- Genres (Video game): Shooter, Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator
- Series: Star Fox
- Designers: Chris Stamper, Shigeru Miyamoto
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Platform: Nintendo GameCube
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- Star Fox 64 3D
An enhanced 3D rail shooter experience on the Nintendo 3DS, the game has players control Fox McCloud as he leads his team against the villainous Andross in the Lylat system. The game maintains its original engaging gameplay with improved graphics and gyro control options, but lacks online multiplayer. The story follows Fox's quest to save the system with his allies Peppy, Slippy, and Falco. It received positive reviews, praised for its fidelity to the classic, but noted for limited new content, significantly impacting the franchise's legacy.
- Released: 2011
- Developer: Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.5
- Genres (Video game): Shooter
- Series: Star Fox
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Platform: Nintendo 3DS
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- Metaweb
- CC-BY
Star Fox, the inaugural installment of its series, introduces players to Fox McCloud and his team, including Falco Lombardi, Peppy Hare, and Slippy Toad, as they defend Corneria from Andross's forces. As a rail shooter, the game features impressive 3D graphics for its time, emphasizing aerial combat in the Arwing. It received critical acclaim for its pioneering visuals and engaging gameplay. This success established Star Fox as a flagship franchise, leading to further sequels and appearances of its characters in popular games like Super Smash Bros., cementing its lasting impact on gaming culture.
- Released: 1993
- Developer: Nintendo EAD
- Genres (Video game): Shooter
- Series: Star Fox
- Designers: Katsuya Eguchi, Yoichi Yamada, Takaya Imamura, Shigeru Miyamoto
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Famicom
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- Star Fox 2
6Star Fox 2
Released over two decades after its 1995 completion date, Star Fox 2 expands the series' universe and gameplay. The storyline follows Fox McCloud and his team, including new recruits Miyu and Fay, as they combat the returning antagonist Andross, aiming to save the Lylat system. This installment innovates with semi-real-time strategy elements, enabling players to navigate a map of the system while engaging in dynamic space battles and missions. Characters like Falco Lombardi and Peppy Hare return, with the fierce Star Wolf mercenary team also introduced. Though initially unreleased, the game has since been praised for its depth and creativity.
- Released: 2017
- Developer: Argonaut Games
- Genres (Video game): Shooter, Platform, Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Famicom
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- Star Fox Zero
The sixth installment features Fox McCloud piloting his Arwing in a classic 3D rail shooter gameplay style reminiscent of Star Fox 64. Players engage in missions with support from characters like Falco Lombardi while battling rivals such as Star Wolf. Despite mixed reviews, largely due to its innovative but polarizing control scheme, Star Fox Zero offered rich narrative content and visually engaging levels. Its gameplay introduced vehicle transformations and strategic layers, contributing to its distinct identity within the franchise.
- Released: 2016
- Developer: PlatinumGames
- Genres (Video game): Shooter, Adventure
- Series: Star Fox
- Publisher: Nintendo of America
- Platform: Wii U
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- Star Fox Command
Fox McCloud defends the Lylat system against the Anglar alien race in the franchise's fifth installment. The game showcases strategic map navigation and battle modes, with multiple characters like Falco Lombardi and Krystal joining Fox. Praised for its innovative gameplay and narrative choices, Command offers nine different endings based on players' decisions. It incorporates online multiplayer, enhancing the series' interactive experience. Though it diverged from the traditional on-rails design, the game's fresh approach received generally positive reviews and was celebrated for its strategic depth and character development.
- Released: 2006
- Developer: Nintendo
- Genres (Video game): Shooter, Simulator, Strategy
- Series: Star Fox
- Designers: Takaya Imamura
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Platform: Nintendo DS, Wii U
- Sequels: Star Fox: Assault
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