Star Fox
Star Fox is a 1993 rail shooter developed by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo, famous for pioneering console 3D polygon graphics through the specially designed Super FX chip built into the cartridge. Players pilot the Arwing fighter, leading a team of anthropomorphic animal pilots against the forces of the villain Andross.
The on-rails structure guided players through varied space and planetary battles, with branching path choices offering different routes and difficulty levels across three main courses. Chatty wingmen who could be shot down or rescued, cinematic set pieces, and boss encounters gave the action a strong sense of personality and drama. Barrel rolls and boost maneuvers added a layer of skill to dodging enemy fire.
Though its flat-shaded visuals now look primitive, the game was a technical marvel that proved polygonal 3D was possible on home consoles. The Star Fox series has continued across later Nintendo hardware, and the original endures as a landmark of console graphics innovation.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Star Fox, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
Whisker Squadron: Survivor Indie
€ 19,99An indie rail shooter directly inspired by Star Fox.
Whisker Squadron: Survivor runs on PC, Mac, Linux, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Ex-Zodiac Indie
€ 10,99An unashamed Star Fox tribute: low-poly rail shooting, barrel rolls and boss runs.
Ex-Zodiac runs on PC, Mac, Linux, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Sky Rogue Indie
€ 19,99An arcade-style indie flight combat game with retro polygon looks.
Sky Rogue runs on PC, Mac, Linux. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 3D
€ 9,99The other great 90s arcade flight game, mission-based and playable on modern Windows.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 3D runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Steam Deck.
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