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Entertainment • Video Games

Star Fox

Star Fox is a Nintendo video game series created by Shigeru Miyamoto.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Star Fox is a Nintendo video game series created by Shigeru Miyamoto. The franchise centres on Fox McCloud and the Star Fox team, a group of anthropomorphic animal mercenaries who fight threats across the Lylat system in spacecraft and, in later games, on foot.

Overview

Star Fox is a long-running Nintendo action series built around space combat and a recurring cast of anthropomorphic animal characters. Its stories usually follow the Star Fox team as they oppose threats to the Lylat system.

Gameplay

The series started as a rail shooter, with players flying along fixed paths in spacecraft such as the Arwing. Later games added more open flight segments, vehicle variety, and on-foot gameplay.

Development and history

The first Star Fox game was developed by Nintendo EAD with Argonaut Software and released in 1993. The series later continued on Nintendo 64, GameCube, DS, 3DS, Wii U, and Switch.

Characters and setting

The central character is Fox McCloud, leader of the Star Fox team. The team’s adventures take place mainly in the fictional Lylat planetary system, often in conflict with the villain Andross.

Key facts

  • The series began with Star Fox, released in 1993 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
  • The original game is a 3D rail shooter and was notable for using the Super FX chip to enable polygonal graphics.
  • The main cast is a team of anthropomorphic animals led by Fox McCloud.
  • Most games are set in the fictional Lylat system and involve combat in Arwings and other vehicles.
  • Later entries expanded the gameplay beyond rail shooting to include more freedom of movement and on-foot sections.
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Canadian context

Star Fox has been available on Nintendo platforms widely used in Canada, and Canadian players have long known the franchise under the European title Starwing for the original game in PAL markets.

Frequently asked questions

What is Star Fox?
Star Fox is a Nintendo video game series focused on space combat and a team of anthropomorphic animal characters led by Fox McCloud.
Who created Star Fox?
The series was created by Shigeru Miyamoto and developed and published by Nintendo, with early assistance from Argonaut Software.
What was the first Star Fox game?
The first game was Star Fox, released in 1993 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
What genre is Star Fox?
It is primarily an action series, best known for rail shooter gameplay, with later entries adding more action-adventure elements.
Where is Star Fox set?
Most of the series is set in the fictional Lylat system, a science-fiction setting used across the games.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Fox
    Supports: Series overview, creator, characters, setting, and platform history.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Fox_(1993_video_game)
    Supports: Original game release, developers, publisher, and Super FX/3D rail shooter details.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Fox_64
    Supports: Later series entry, genre, and platform continuation.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Fox_Adventures
    Supports: Expansion of the series into action-adventure gameplay.