Nintendo · Argonaut Software · 1993–1997

STAR FOX

The game that gave the SNES real-time 3D. A 10.5 MHz RISC coprocessor, a polygon Arwing, and a team of mercenary pilots defending the Lylat System from Andross.

1993SNES Launch
3Games Covered
22Lylat Stages
10.5MHz Super FX

3D Combat in 1993

Star Fox launched on the Super Nintendo in 1993 as proof that a home console could render real-time 3D polygon graphics — not via tricks, but with a dedicated coprocessor in the cartridge itself.

Nintendo and Argonaut Software co-developed the Super FX chip — a 10.5 MHz RISC processor embedded in the Star Fox cartridge that handled all polygon calculations, freeing the SNES CPU for input and audio. The result was a space combat rail shooter unlike anything available on home hardware: Fox McCloud and the Star Fox team flying polygon Arwings through three-dimensional asteroid fields, planetary surfaces, and deep space battle zones.

The game established a franchise that continued through Star Fox 64 (1997) on Nintendo 64, a cancelled SNES sequel that finally reached players in 2017, and entries across every major Nintendo platform since. The original remains the most technically audacious — a game built simultaneously with the hardware that made it possible.

Star Fox SNES - Corneria opening mission gameplay screenshot
Corneria — the opening mission
Star Fox SNES - Meteo asteroid belt mission
Meteo — the asteroid belt
Star Fox SNES - Fortuna jungle planet mission
Fortuna — the jungle planet
Star Fox SNES - Venom final planet approach
Venom — Andross’s world

Star Fox in Action

Star Fox SNES — Full Longplay (4K60) All three routes through the Lylat System — Route 1 through Route 3
The History of Star Fox From Argonaut’s pitch to the Super FX chip — the full story

Lylat System Intelligence

About This Fan Page

A fan tribute to the Star Fox series covering the SNES and Nintendo 64 era (1993–1997). All game content, characters, and trademarks belong to Nintendo Co., Ltd. This site is non-commercial and generates no revenue.

7Pages
3Games Covered
4People Profiled
22SNES Stages
15Curated Videos