Star Fox 2
Star Fox 2 | |
---|---|
Multidirectional shooter, real-time strategy | |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Star Fox 2 is a
Like the original
By 1995, 3D technology was advancing quickly and the 3D game market was expanding, with competition from the Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn consoles. Concerned that the 16-bit graphics of Star Fox 2 would compare poorly against newer games, Nintendo canceled the Star Fox 2 release to prioritize its upcoming Nintendo 64 console. The Nintendo 64 game Star Fox 64 (1997) incorporated some concepts introduced in Star Fox 2.
In the years after the cancellation, various prototype ROM images were leaked online. In 2017, Star Fox 2 was officially released for the first time as one of 21 games included in the Super NES Classic Edition. In 2019, it became available for the Nintendo Switch to subscribers of the Nintendo Switch Online service.
Gameplay
Instead of following mostly linear paths inside predefined missions as in Star Fox, the player moves a team of two ships freely around a map screen that represents the Lylat system. When the player's ships make contact with enemy forces, the game switches to an action perspective, piloting the Arwing ship directly with controls and gameplay similar to the first Star Fox. When the player clears the specified objectives, they are taken back to the map screen to select a new destination.
The objective is to beat all enemy forces present in the map while defending planet Corneria, preventing its damage level from reaching 100%. The player must intercept fighters and incoming IPBMs (interplanetary
Star Fox 2 employs a semi-real-time strategy system. While selecting a destination on the map screen, the game is paused, but while the player's ships travel to their destinations, enemies and missiles also move toward theirs. While fighting enemies in the action screen, time moves at a slower pace than on the map screen, allowing other enemies and missiles to advance and cause damage. To prevent excessive damage to Corneria, the player may need to leave a battle to intercept another enemy.
Plot
After his defeat in the original
Star Fox 2 features six playable characters, more than any game in the series until
Development
Like its predecessor
The team decided early on to use the
Miyamoto considered the Star Fox series a platform for experimenting with new gameplay ideas.[3][5] The team experimented more with Star Fox 2 than Star Fox.[10] This led to gameplay ideas such as the platforming sequences with the robot walker.[10][4] Miyamoto took great interest in Cuthbert's platforming gameplay (before Super Mario 64's release in 1996).[3] At one point in development, the Walker sequences occurred in much larger space stations with energy gates that needed to be unlocked, a gameplay structure comparable to dungeon crawling.[2] Because of the Super FX 2's greater computing power, the team decided to have the fighters visibly transform into bipedal Walkers. The transformation was made in a realistic sense; the artists drafted the mechanisms by which the fighters transformed.[11]
Eguchi wanted to explore a more
Promotion at Winter CES
Star Fox 2 was playable on the show floor at the
Cancellation
By mid-1995, Star Fox 2 was nearing completion,[3] and was planned for release in August.[13][14] However, 3D technology was advancing quickly and the 3D game market was expanding, with competition from the Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn.[2][3][4] The consoles ran impressive 3D graphics that captured the public's attention.[3] Nintendo was concerned that the 16-bit Star Fox 2 3D visuals would be compared to the superior 3D capabilities of competing consoles.[3][9][17] Cuthbert said that Star Fox 2 would be "compared directly against games such as Ridge Racer, which felt like you finally had an arcade machine's power in your home".[3]
Nintendo decided to prioritize its upcoming Nintendo 64 console, including a new Star Fox game, Star Fox 64.[2][11] According to Cuthbert, Miyamoto wanted a clear break between 3D games on the SNES and Nintendo 64.[18] The Super FX 2 chip also raised the cost of production, which would have made Star Fox 2 an expensive release.[11]
Star Fox 2 was canceled in mid-1995, when it was about 95% complete.[3] Nintendo still wanted the game finished after cancellation, so they took it through full localization and QA testing.[3][17][19] Cuthbert said there may have been no official announcement of cancellation,[2] and there was confusion about the game's status in the media. The August issue of GamePro printed that it had been delayed to 1996,[20] while Electronic Gaming Monthly wrote that had been canceled in their September issue.[21] Nintendo Power wrote in their September issue that "rumors of the demise of Star Fox 2 have been greatly exaggerated", with a release most likely coming in the first half of 1996.[22]
Release
For many years, the completed version of Star Fox 2 remained in Nintendo's archives.[3] Super FX games were not considered for Nintendo's Virtual Console content distribution service because Nintendo had difficulty emulating the chip.[23] In 2015, Miyamoto told journalists: "In my memory, I enjoyed [Star Fox 2] but I'm not sure I would release it, [...] I'd rather have people play a new game".[24]
Beta leaks
In the years following cancellation, ROM images of incomplete builds of Star Fox 2 were leaked anonymously onto the internet.[4] Cuthbert denied he had leaked it and suspected the ROMs had been taken from his hard drive after he left Argonaut.[25]
The first ROMs leaked in the late 1990s were early test builds with numerous software bugs.[5] These versions mostly consist of debug menus and sparsely populated landscapes; one version includes a 2-player mode.[4] A few years later, an anonymous person reached out to the emulation community, saying that they had a non-working copy of the final beta ROM. The community determined that an internal header was missing and were able to add the header to get it functioning.[4] The ROM image was leaked online after.[5] This version was in Japanese and much more complete than previous versions.[5] The emulation community was inspired by the release to improve Super FX chip handling in their Super NES emulators.[4] A fan translation patch was also released which took four people and over 100 hours of work.[4][5] The patch developers also changed a debug modifier that was set to zero, preventing Corneria from taking damage.[4]
All leaked ROMs are beta versions. Some gameplay features do not work correctly, are incomplete, or hampered by bugs.[9][26] According to Cuthbert, all the leaked ROMs lack the final few months of QA work. They were also all set up in debug mode, so the encounter systems and randomized gameplay elements do not work correctly.[3][9] Speaking about the final beta ROM, he said: "The basic parts are there, but there is an adage in game development, 'The last 10 percent is 90 percent of the game' and the ROM is missing that last 10 percent of iteration and refinement".[5]
Official release
When compiling a list of games to include on the Super NES Classic dedicated console, the system's producer proposed the inclusion of Star Fox 2. He thought it would be a waste otherwise to never release a completed and debugged game.[11] Nintendo had preserved the game since its completion, making it easy to bring it to the Super NES Classic.[27] The device was announced along with Star Fox 2's inclusion in June 2017.[28] The announcement came as a delightful surprise to Cuthbert.[9][17] No one from Argonaut or Q-Games was consulted or otherwise made aware ahead of the reveal.[2] Some of the original developers celebrated the announcement.[29]
The Super NES Classic was released on September 29, 2017, in North America and Europe and on October 5 in Japan.[30][31][32] The version is the localized English ROM that was completed in the 1990s,[19] though Cuthbert suspected Nintendo had to make minor changes, such as altering screen flashing, to get it past modern regulations.[2] Promotional artwork for Star Fox 2 was created by Takaya Imamura, the original Star Fox character designer.[11] The instruction manual was released digitally online and included concept art and design documents,[11] an unusual move for Nintendo.[33]
In December 2019, Nintendo released a video of upcoming games for its Nintendo Switch Online NES and Super NES services.[34] The update includes Star Fox 2 as a part of its portfolio of games, playable by those with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership as of December 12, 2019.[35]
Reception
Publication | Score |
---|---|
USgamer | 3/5[45] |
Star Fox 2 received generally favorable reception from critics during its inclusion on the Super NES Classic Edition in 2017.[45] Polygon's Ross Miller found it to be ambitious and fun.[46] Destructoid's Chris Carter complimented the constant swap between viewpoints and playstyles, minimal "RPG-like" exposition between levels and the introduction of Star Wolf, stating that they added character into the game but noted its short length and criticized the low framerate.[36] Eurogamer's Christian Donlan described it as an unusual but "wonderfully surprising and inventive" sequel that builds upon the first Star Fox, due to its more roguelite nature.[37] GamesRadar+' David Houghton gave positive remarks regarding the evolution of the franchise's core ideas and free-roaming 3D planets, but criticized its uncohesive game mechanics, overly ambitious ideas and "choppy" technical performance.[39]
HobbyConsolas' David Martínez commended the Arwing's transformation mechanic, open levels and introduction of new Star Fox members and Star Wolf but criticized the game's short length, technical shortcomings and controls, feeling that it was not well-rounded as the first entry.[40] Digital Trends' Mike Epstein felt that Star Fox 2 took some of the biggest risks the Star Fox franchise had attempted.[47] The Verge's Andrew Webster called it "a fascinating experience".[48] GameSpot's Michael Higham gave positive remarks to the land vehicle sequences, freedom of approach to manage an incoming threat and off-rails 3D dogfights in space, but criticized its poor technical performance, short length, and lacking sense of adventure when compared to the first Star Fox, among other aspects.[38]
Legacy
After Star Fox 2 was canceled, Argonaut's contract with Nintendo ended.[17] Cuthbert left Japan and moved to the United States to work with Sony.[3][17] In 2001, he returned to Japan to establish Q-Games. The company collaborated with Nintendo in 2006 to develop Star Fox Command,[3] and again in 2011 for Star Fox 64 3D.[49] Cuthbert found the experimentation with Star Fox 2 personally helpful in his career.[3]
Star Fox 2 inspired the design of later Star Fox games.[9][10] Free-range flying and grounded vehicle gameplay were implemented into Star Fox 64,[50][51] as was the Star Wolf team.[5] Nintendo and Q-Games played Star Fox 2 to gather inspiration on its strategic gameplay elements for Star Fox Command.[3][5] Miyamoto asked Cuthbert to make Command more similar to Star Fox 2 than the original Star Fox.[3] The Arwing's ability to transform into the Walker was re-introduced in Star Fox Zero (2016).[5][24] The game also drove ideas for future Nintendo 64 games.[3] Cuthbert believes a lot of the platforming experimentation they ran in Star Fox 2 gave Miyamoto confidence for Super Mario 64.[3][4]
Notes
- ^ Finished on September 12, 1995, then originally planned for an early 1996 release.
- ^ The game is programmed for and runs on Super NES consoles. It never received a physical release for the platform, but the ROM image was re-released on the Super NES Classic Edition microconsole.
References
- ^ Wright, Steven T. (October 24, 2017). "Star Fox 2: By the numbers". Polygon.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Machkovech, Sam (October 3, 2017). "Original Star Fox staffer tells story of sequel's shelving, surprise launch". Ars Technica. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x McFerran, Damien (May 21, 2015). "Feature: The Full Story Behind Star Fox 2, Nintendo's Most Famous Cancellation". Nintendo Life. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Cockburn, Matthew (May 2006). "Whatever happened to...Star Fox 2". Retro Gamer. No. 25. pp. 28–30.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Reeves, Ben (September 30, 2017). "The Inside Story On The Star Fox Sequel That Took 22 Years To Release". Game Informer. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Starfox II in progress". Edge. No. 3. December 1993. p. 8.
- ^ a b McFerran, Damien (July 4, 2013). "Born slippy: the making of Star Fox". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Powered-Up: The Super FX Team". Nintendo Power. Vol. 69. February 1995. pp. 60–61.
- ^ a b c d e f g O'Brien, Lucy (June 27, 2017). "Star Fox 2's Programmer Was as Surprised as You Are About its Inclusion on the SNES Classic". IGN.
- ^ a b c d e f Irwin, Jon (June 29, 2017). "Q&A: Inside the 22-years-late release of Star Fox 2". Gamasutra. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f "Star Fox & Star Fox 2 Developer Interview - SNES Classic Edition". Nintendo. 2017. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- ^ a b "All show, no go at Winter CES". Edge. No. 18. March 1995. p. 7.
- ^ a b c "Short ProShots" (PDF). GamePro. No. 68. March 1995. p. 140.
- ^ a b c "Star Fox 2". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 68. March 1995. pp. 104–107.
- ^ a b "Winter CES". Nintendo Power. Vol. 70. March 1995. pp. 26–28.
- ^ "PreNews: CES Arrest". GamePro. No. 69. April 1995. p. 146.
- ^ a b c d e Dring, Christopher (June 27, 2017). "Dylan Cuthbert: "Star Fox 2 release is a big awesome surprise"". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- ^ "Why Did Nintendo Cancel Star Fox 2?". Siliconera. March 28, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- ^ a b Bailey, Kat (August 22, 2017). "Nintendo Quietly Translated Star Fox 2 Back in the '90s, and That Version is Appearing for the First Time on SNES Classic". USgamer. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- ^ "The Mail". GamePro. No. 73. August 1995. p. 12.
- ^ "EGM Letters". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 74. September 1995. p. 22.
- ^ "Pak Watch: Where Are They Now?". Nintendo Power. Vol. 76. September 1995. p. 113.
- ^ ""ニンテンドークラシックミニ スーパーファミコン"収録作の選定理由は? 出荷台数はどうなる? 任天堂の回答を公開". ファミ通.com (in Japanese). June 28, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
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- ^ DeWoody, Lucas (January 31, 2005). "AMN Interview With Dylan Cuthbert". Kombo. Archived from the original on June 18, 2008.
- ^ Bailey, Kat (June 26, 2017). "Our Biggest Question About Star Fox 2 on the Super NES Classic". USgamer. Archived from the original on September 1, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- ^ Williams, Leah (August 4, 2021). "The Tricky, Essential Art of Preserving Canceled Games Like Starfox 2". Kotaku. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
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- ^ Duwell, Ron (June 28, 2017). "Star Fox 2 developers were so shocked by the game's release that they threw a party!". TechnoBuffalo. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
- ^ Farnham, Donovan. "Star Fox 2 is alive, will be released on the SNES Classic". CNET. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
- ^ "Nintendo Announces SNES Mini, and it'll Include Star Fox 2". Kotaku UK. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
- ^ "Nintendo Classic Mini Super Famicom sold 368,913 units within first four days in Japan". Gematsu. October 11, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
- ^ Kohler, Chris (September 5, 2017). "Nintendo Releases Original Star Fox 2 Design Docs". Kotaku. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
- ^ "NES & Super NES - December Game Updates - Nintendo Switch Online". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
- ^ Phillips, Tom (December 5, 2019). "Long-lost Star Fox 2 headed to Nintendo Switch Online". Eurogamer. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ a b Carter, Chris (September 27, 2017). "Review: Star Fox 2 - Making history". Destructoid. Enthusiast Gaming. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Donlan, Christian (September 27, 2017). "Star Fox 2 review - Reborn Slippy". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ CBS Interactive. Archivedfrom the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Houghton, David (September 27, 2017). "Star Fox 2 review: "You might not love it like you want to, but it's good to have the missing-in-action hero home"". GamesRadar+. Future US. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Martínez, David (September 28, 2017). "Análisis de Starfox 2 para Nintendo Classic Mini SNES". HobbyConsolas (in Spanish). Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on October 2, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Claiborn, Samuel (September 27, 2017). "Star Fox 2 Review - A fantastic miss for Fox". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 19, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ Nintendo Life. Nlife Media. Archivedfrom the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Ronaghan, Neal (September 27, 2017). "Star Fox 2 Review: Quick - let's go back to 1996, release this then, and rewrite history". Nintendo World Report. NINWR, LLC. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Rairdin, John (September 30, 2017). "Star Fox 2 Review - Second Opinion: The game that makes every other Star Fox game even better". Nintendo World Report. NINWR, LLC. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ USgamer. Gamer Network. Archivedfrom the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ Miller, Ross (September 22, 2017). "Star Fox 2 on the SNES Classic is more ambitious and different than we expected". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ Epstein, Mike (September 29, 2017). "'Star Fox 2' review - Unearthed after 22 years, 'Star Fox 2' is more fascinating than fun". Digital Trends. Designtechnica. Archived from the original on September 1, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
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- ^ "Shoshinkai". Nintendo Power. Vol. 92. January 1997. p. 25.
External links
- Official Star Fox 2 website - Nintendo.co.jp (for United States)
- Official Star Fox 2 website - Nintendo.co.jp (for Europe)
- Design documents for StarFox 2 released by Nintendo - 1, 2