History of Star Fox in Timeline

Star Fox is a video game series created by Shigeru Miyamoto and published by Nintendo, centered around an elite combat team led by Fox McCloud. The games are set in the Lylat system and primarily feature aerial combat in the Arwing fighter. The original Star Fox was a 3D rail shooter, while later installments have expanded gameplay with more freedom of movement and alternative vehicle types, and on-foot gameplay.

June 1993: Promotional Star Fox Game Watch

Shortly after the release of the first Star Fox game, in June 1993, Nelsonic developed a promotional LCD-based Star Fox Game Watch, redeemable with a coupon found in boxes of Kellogg's Corn Flakes. It included a pair of earphones and a headphone jack but lacked a volume control.

1993: Release of Star Fox on SNES

In 1993, Star Fox (also known as Starwing in Europe and Australia) was released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The game, developed by Nintendo EAD and programmed by Argonaut Software, utilized the Super FX chip to provide 3D graphics. The game was inspired by the Inari Ōkami shrine visited by Shigeru Miyamoto.

Super Nintendo SNES Bundle with Super Mario World (Renewed)

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1993: Star Fox Comic Strip in Nintendo Power

In 1993, a monthly Star Fox comic strip, illustrated by Benimaru Itoh, began printing in issues 45 to 55 of Nintendo Power. It adapted the events of the original Star Fox and introduced exclusive characters like Fara Phoenix.

1993: Star Fox Comic in Corocoro Comic

In 1993, a one-issue Star Fox comic by Takao Aoki [ja] was printed in the 1993 Spring Break Edition of Corocoro Comic.

1993: Original Star Fox Release

In 1993, the original Star Fox, a forward-scrolling 3D rail shooter, was released, marking the beginning of the Star Fox series.

1995: Virtual Boy Tech Demo

In 1995, a tech demo of a Star Fox game was shown at E3 and the Winter Consumer Electronics Show, showcasing an Arwing doing spins and motions, using filled polygons for 3D visuals.

June 1997: Star Fox 64 Comic in Bessatsu Corocoro Comic

In June 1997, a Star Fox 64 comic by Takahiro Yamashita was featured in the June issue of Bessatsu Corocoro Comic.

1997: Release of Star Fox 64

In 1997, Star Fox 64 (also known as Lylat Wars in Europe and Australia) was released for the Nintendo 64. This version introduced fully spoken dialogue, off-the-rails movement, new vehicles and characters, multiplayer, and rudimentary on-foot gameplay. The game came bundled with the Rumble Pak.

1997: Landmaster Tank in Star Fox 64

In 1997, the Landmaster M1 tank first appeared in Star Fox 64 as a tracked light tank in two of the game's missions and one of the game's multiplayer maps.

2002: Release of Star Fox Adventures

In 2002, Star Fox Adventures was released for the GameCube. Developed by Rare, it is primarily an action-adventure game, with only small segments of space shooting. The game evolved from Dinosaur Planet, originally under development for the Nintendo 64.

2004: Arcade game abandoned

In 2004, the Star Fox arcade game was abandoned and never released.

2005: Release of Star Fox: Assault

In 2005, Star Fox: Assault, developed by Namco, was released for the GameCube. The game returned the series' focus to Arwing-based gameplay, but also included portions of on-foot missions. The game takes place one year after Adventures, with the Aparoids becoming a new threat to the Lylat system.

2005: Landmaster Tank in Star Fox: Assault

In 2005, The Landmaster M1 tank appears in Star Fox: Assault, though with some changes, including the substitution of tank treads with tires.

2005: Cancellation of Star Fox Arcade Game

In 2005, a Star Fox arcade game, originally planned as a companion to Star Fox: Assault, was cancelled for unknown reasons after being scheduled for release.

2006: Release of Star Fox Command

In 2006, Star Fox Command, developed by Q-Games, was released for the Nintendo DS. It was the first Star Fox game on a handheld console and offered online multiplayer. Gameplay is aircraft-based, incorporating strategy and abandoning its "fly-by-rail" roots, using the Nintendo DS's touch screen for plotting flight paths.

Nintendo DS Lite Crimson / Black (Renewed)

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2008: Landmaster Tank in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

In 2008, the Landmaster tank appeared in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as the Final Smash for Fox, Falco, and Wolf.

Nintendo Wii Console, White Premium Bundle (Renewed)

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October 2009: Miyamoto Disappointed by Sales

In October 2009, Shigeru Miyamoto expressed disappointment that sales of the Star Fox series in Japan had decreased during the preceding period.

2010: Announcement of Star Fox 64 3D

In 2010, Star Fox 64 3D for the Nintendo 3DS was announced in a conceptual trailer at E3.

Nintendo 3DS - Flame Red (Renewed)

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2011: Release of Star Fox 64 3D

In 2011, Star Fox 64 3D, a remake of Star Fox 64, was released for the Nintendo 3DS, marking the second Star Fox game on a handheld console.

Nintendo 3DS - Flame Red (Renewed)

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2014: First shown Star Fox Guard at E3

In 2014, Star Fox Guard was first shown at E3 under the name of Project Guard.

2014: Landmaster Tank in Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U

In 2014, the Landmaster tank appeared in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U as the Final Smash for Fox and Falco.

Nintendo 3DS - Flame Red (Renewed)

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February 2015: Clay-animated Show of the Series in Production

In February 2015, Adam Conover and other members of CollegeHumor were working with Shigeru Miyamoto to produce a clay-animated show of the Star Fox series.

March 2016: Announcement of Star Fox Guard's final name

In March 2016, Project Guard was announced under a final name: Star Fox Guard during a Nintendo Direct.

April 2016: Release of Star Fox Guard

In April 2016, Star Fox Guard was released for the Wii U, coinciding with the release of Star Fox Zero. Developed by Nintendo and PlatinumGames, it is a tower defense game.

Nintendo Wii U Console 32GB Basic Set - Black (Renewed)

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May 6, 2026: Announcement of Star Fox Remake

On May 6, 2026, a remake of Star Fox 64 for Switch 2, titled Star Fox, was announced. The gameplay, level design, and storyline are set to remain largely identical, but will feature modern visuals.