Star Fox is celebrating its 30th birthday this year. Developed in conjunction with the British studio Argonaut Software, the game represented a major turning point for Nintendo. The creation of the Super FX chip meant that polygons could be rendered on a home console for the first time. The original Star Fox’s 3D visuals were stunning back in 1993, offering a sense of depth that set it apart from other shooters of the time. The Super FX chip represented the next step forward for video games, the third dimension, and paved the way for Shigeru Miyamoto and company to begin work in earnest to create what would become Super Mario 64.
Fox McCloud and his crew boarded their Arwings 30 years ago today when Star Fox launched in Japan for the Super Famicom. You can revisit this classic action game today with a #NintendoSwitchOnline membership! pic.twitter.com/EUmzXoxqbw
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 21, 2023
Star Fox itself has developed a rabid following in the years since. Although not every game has thrilled (we’re looking at you, Star Fox Command), many have offered intense, engaging adventures through the Lylat System and beyond. The characters are incredibly iconic, inspired by old marionette shows that Miyamoto loved watching as a child. Takaya Imamura, a longtime artist at Nintendo who worked on the Star Fox series from its inception, shared a special drawing via Twitter celebrating the anniversary:
フォックス!30年以上僕を支えてくれてありがとう!そして君の登場するゲームに関わったすべての人!ありがとう!
Thank you for supporting me for over 30 years, Fox! And everyone involved in the games you’ve appeared in! Thank you!
#スターフォックス #starfox pic.twitter.com/NFgeCZb4T5— 今村孝矢 / Takaya Imamura (@ima_1966) February 20, 2023
If you’re interested in playing any of the Star Fox games, the original, its previously unreleased sequel Star Fox 2, and Star Fox 64 are all available to Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass subscribers. Definitely give these a play if you have yet to try them. Star Fox is one of the best shooter series out there and deserving of love all the accolades its getting for hitting 30. Many happy returns, Fox and co.
Sources: Nintendo of America and Takaya Imamura Twitter Pages