It's hard to believe that sat here in 2017, we're actually getting the chance to review Star Fox 2. The Super FX-powered SNES swan-song has gone down in gaming folklore as a perfect example of Nintendo's ruthless approach to the video game business. When faced with the possibility that it could be compared unfavourably to software on the infinitely more powerful PlayStation and Saturn – both of which launched at the end of 1994, before Star Fox 2 was scheduled to be released – the Kyoto giant simply canned the game, despite it being all but finished. Since then, fans have had to make do with unmastered beta ROMs which, according to programmer Dylan Cuthbert, aren't representative of the final product – until now, of course. Star Fox 2 is one of the 21 titles available on the SNES Classic Edition (or SNES Mini, if you prefer) and that means after more than 20 years, we're finally getting the chance to give it a proper critique.
From the moment you boot it up, it's abundantly clear that Star Fox 2 is no lazy sequel based on recycled ideas. While the 1993 original offered players distinct routes through the game and plenty of secrets to uncover, this sequel abandons that linear structure in favour of a more open-ended approach that calls for tactical smarts as well as a steady aim. The objective is the same – the destruction of Andross' forces – but here you're presented with a map of the Lylat system which can be navigated freely. In the bottom-left corner is Corneria, which must be defended at all costs; should its damage meter reach 100 percent, then it's game over. The map is dotted with threats which trigger a 3D action sequence when contact is made; Andross' massive carriers, for example, are capable of spawning groups of fighters and must be taken down by entering them and blowing up the core (just like in the memorable armada level in the original Star Fox). Planets under the control of Andross are capable of launching missiles at Corneria and these too must be subjugated to keep your homeland safe. As well as dealing with these hazards, you'll need to find time to fight off Andross' crack fighter team, Star Wolf, as well other marauding foes.
Whilst charting your path through the Lylat system you'll notice that time is paused when your ship is stationary; you can plan your next move without being under any pressure. However, the moment you select your destination, everything moves in real-time – missiles charge towards Corneria, enemy squadrons patrol the stars and carriers loom ominously towards their targets, ready to unleash another legion of fighter craft at any moment. Should you take damage you can dock with your mothership to replenish your shields, and it's also possible to warp to any free planet once aboard, drastically cutting down the time it takes to move around the map. You're not totally alone in your fight; a defense satellite orbits Corneria and is capable of taking down smaller foes, but it can be hijacked by Andross' forces and used against you, so periodically it must be liberated; another distraction to keep you on your toes. All in all, there's an awful lot to keep track off on what is, at first glance, quite a small map – and to cap it all off, time continues to tick when you're in a mission, which means you're under pressure to finish off the enemy as swiftly as possible, lest a rogue missile make its way to Corneria.
At the start of each game you get to select your main pilot and a wingman. There are three different Arwing types, each with different shield, speed and special item configurations, and your wingman is selected randomly after you've picked your controllable character. All three craft are capable of transforming into Walkers (an element which was later re-used to great effect in Star Fox Zero on the Wii U) and it's possible to pick up different special items (shields, restorative items and smart bombs) along the way – if you're really eagle-eyed, you can also upgrade your single-shot blaster to a twin-barrelled variant which deals out more damage. It's worth noting that by holding down the fire button you can charge your blaster, just like in Star Fox 64 – but the concentrated surge of firepower has to be aimed manually and doesn't lock onto nearby targets.
Your first few goes on Star Fox 2 might feel a bit disjointed, especially if you're used to the more structured setup seen in the original game. Some enemy encounters last mere seconds, and if you don't plan ahead you may find yourself aimlessly speeding around Cornerian orbit, desperately taking down incoming missiles and enemy squadrons. However, once you learn to make use of the mothership's warping ability, you can begin to pick apart Andross' forces in a more methodical fashion; it's a good idea to start with the planets as these can be used as warp points once conquered before moving onto the carriers. Each vanquished foe reduces the amount of defensive work you have to undertake, and once you've removed all threats from play, you have a clean run on the main bad guy himself.
When playing in 'Normal' mode, Star Fox 2 is a pushover. It's possible to see the end credits in around 45 minutes, but this default difficulty setting should be seen as a training mode rather than the game proper; the real challenge is to be found in 'Hard' mode, which not only throws more enemies into play but also increases their proficiency in battle. Finishing Hard mode is quite a task, and many sessions will end with Corneria being totally overrun. Even when you do eventually manage to emerge triumphant, Star Fox's appeal endures; the randomised nature of the experience means that every play-through is unique. Planets and carriers contain different base layouts and enemies – including some large bosses which are just as impressive as those witnessed in the original Star Fox – which means you'll keep seeing new things even after several successful runs.
It should also be noted that you are awarded a rank at the conclusion of each play session (even if you lose), and to give you an idea of how stern the game is, we were given a rather pitiful "D" rank after what we considered to be a particularly competent performance. Working out how to boost your rank is all part of the challenge, and it should also be pointed out that you can't really consider the test truly passed until you've found all of the special medals scattered throughout the Lylat System – a considerable task which offers a worthwhile reward to those who rise to the challenge; we'll let you find out what that is for yourselves, however.
Despite the hidden depth of the game, Star Fox 2 does feel like it suffers from a slight lack of focus at times. The tight and thrilling set-pieces of the original outing are missing – an inevitable consequence of giving the player more freedom – and while there's a welcome degree of variety to be found on the planets of the Lylat system (Fortuna has underwater sections, while Macbeth is covered in molten lava which damages your ship when in walker mode), the "all-range" approach means they don't feel as detailed as they did in the first Star Fox.
In terms of presentation, Star Fox 2 is a hard one to judge effectively, especially when viewed in 2017. The second revision of the Super FX chip which was supposed to sit inside each cartridge offers more processing muscle than the original, and this allows for limited texture-mapping effects and more detailed polygon models. Even so, the game runs in quite a small window and the frame-rate is painfully jerky at times, especially when flying around one of the Lylat system's planets. This would of course have been more forgivable back in 1995, and while it's a little bit unsightly, it should be said that the game still controls well enough. The music is something of a mixed bag though; there a few stirring tunes on show but it never reaches the same epic heights of Hajime Hirasawa's soundtrack for the 1993 original; some of the tracks are actually rather unpleasant to listen to.
Conclusion
Reviewing a retro game when you've no real nostalgic attachment to it is a rather odd experience, but it does at least mean you're judging it on its own merits, rather than viewing the whole experience through rose-tinted glasses. Star Fox 2's influence can clearly be seen in games like Star Fox Zero and Star Fox Command (the latter of which was developed by Dylan Cuthbert, who worked on both SNES outings) and the fact that it attempts to do something very different from its predecessor is worth applauding. Whereas the first Star Fox was enjoyable yet linear, its sequel presents an experience which is not only reliant on your flying skills but also your ability to plan ahead and react calmly under pressure – especially when you're in the middle of a fire-fight and you're receiving increasingly hysterical damage reports from Corneria's surface.
By opting for a more open approach however, the epic tone of the original game is watered down somewhat; on-rails linearity may be stifling at times but it does at least allow for some awe-inspiring set-pieces, and Star Fox 2 arguably trades those for a tense, tactical experience which – depending on your personal preference – could be considered more challenging and rewarding. This is a game which begs to be played over and over again so you can improve your rank, find all of the medals and see every single randomised event possible.
Star Fox 2 is unique in the world of video gaming; a AAA title that has to be assessed without the comforting memories of playing it in your misspent youth. Would it have made a bigger splash back in 1995, if Nintendo hadn't blinked in the face of Sony and Sega's graphically potent 32-bit systems? We're not sure we can categorically answer that question to everyone's satisfaction, but what we do know is that this 22-year-old relic is worth owning a SNES Mini for, and may well surprise you with its depth, complexity and challenge – so long as you're not expecting a straight sequel to the original.
Comments 95
Since nobody else has said it; DO A BARREL ROLL!!
I think it's good that they made no effort to improve the game's performance beyond what would have been possible on the hardware at the time. It would have been neat if they coulda given out a remastered version of some kind too, but I guess that will have to depend on the reception of the original.
Wow. Really looking forward to this one.
A great (and unusual) piece of Nintendo history.
YES!
@MarioThePainter IT'S TOO HOT!
Certainly Thee reason to own a Snes mini.
I'm not planning to get the SNES Mini, so I hope somewhere down the line Nintendo makes this game available by other means.
... I still dream they remake this and the original with current gen hardware. Can you imagine both these games running in 1080p at constant 60fps? I often do because I am a dreamer.
About 8 points too high. I do agree that it's a "relic".
@Shiryu You mean 900p...
Are there any proper planet levels like in the original game? All I've seen so far are space battles against rockets, or naff looking square battlefields on planets with switches to open up into buildings.
Nothing looks as fun as the levels in the original game, like the variants of Corneria, Venom or the Space Armada and sectors X/Y/Z.
I'll know more come the weekend when I get to play it, but i very much doubt it will supersede the original game for me.
@holygeez03 I'm actually ok with 720p, 16:9, 60fps, flat shaded polygons. Make it happen, Nintendo!
It sounds like a 7 to me, and I deeply love Star Fox, owning each one except this one. I would still love to play it. If I ever see a Super NES Classic Edition at its proper price, I’ll pick it up.
Not a reason to pay what the scalpers are asking for online though. Got no chance of getting a Snes Mini over here NOE couldn't give Two hoots about us over here.
@tanookisuit Let's not make this personal, and keep it civil please - Octane
If they remake this for the Switch, I may buy it again.
With each passing day I feel like my chances of getting my hands on an SNES Classic Edition are slimmer and slimmer. Here's hoping this gets a Virtual Console release someday so I can actually play it without having to shell out hundreds of dollars to a scalper.
@tanookisuit How does that make sense. Just because someones a negative and just plain annoying person like he is, doesnt make him dumb, or his IQ low. He is too negative, ill agree, but use a respectable arguement to prove that wrong instead of his "IQ" being low.
@GravyThief The planets are more open so you can fly in any direction, while they are more limited than then linear levels in the original you have to remember that once you're inside the base there's a lot more content to see, like unique enemies and boss encounters.
@tanookisuit I was being slightly tongue in cheek. Obviously it doesn't deserve a (Star Fox) 0. Get the reference now? Or is your IQ high enough? If you're going to make some smart ass remark about IQ, you should at least have better grammar and spelling. Thanks for your contribution about the story(oh wait you didn't make one) and not trying to attack another member who actually commented on the story.
@retro_player_22 Imho they don't even have to do that. I'd buy and play if they were willing to release it on the Switch just the way it is. I mean, it seems like a perfect candidate for a real cool and worthwhile Switch Virtual Console service, just like Mother 3
Obviously, Nintendo has for some as of yet totally unknown reason no desire to do any of that, and thus all of what I said amounts to an utterly pointless pipe-dream ... yet, dreams in and of itself are a good thing, so ... what ever ^^
Thankfully the system is doing pretty good software-wise, hence I've kinda forgotten about the fact, that it's been like half a year already, and we still don't have any VC nor any My Nintendo rewards for the system - which is really, really odd, if you were to stop to think about it.
Anyways, not gonna buy a SNES mini for it. I just don't need yet another system taking up space around here, no sir.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE You made no attempt at a reference in your original post, don't make stuff up.
@samuelvictor I sure would like to believe that. I'm setting my expectations low so as not to be disappointed.
8/10 is according to 1993 standards i guess....
@LemonSlice Ya, I made it up post comment and it just so happened to coincidentally arrive at Zero. Do I literally need to spell everything out for some people?
I hope they release it for Nintendo Switch, next "Virtual Console" service they have in mind. This, and Yoshi's Island, Stunt Race FX, DOOM, and others SFX games out there.
Wow, this sounds a lot better than I expected!
@dimi
Well, it's a 1993 game. You aren't going to ask 60 fps of this, or better AI, or anything among those lines.
Couldn't ask for a better time for a locked piece of gaming history (sort of if you use emulators) to be free 20 years later. Can't wait to get this!
@Luna_110 Star Fox 1993, Star Fox 2 1995
Wait, so it's forced into a window to adjust itself to a certain resolution? Can that be changed to stretch across the screen, or is it stuck in the window?
Also, what changes are there in particular which sets the full release apart from the beta seen in SF2 ROM's available up until now?
The whole cinematic nature of the original Star Fox, along with great control and gameplay, is what made it a stand out game for me; without that element, and definitely with more clunky gameplay and controls in my time with it, the sequel just isn't as strong a game. It will be novel playing the final build of the game after all this time but I wish they'd stuck with the sublime Star-Wars-eque feel, atmosphere, and space-opera-movie presentation of the original and just expanded on it and pushed the console even further. The original Star Fox, for me at least, was like the closest thing to having a genuinely epic 3D Star Wars game on SNES; the sequel is a quirky 3D shooter with slightly clunky controls, less satisfying minute-to-minute gameplay, and cute animal characters and stuff like that--but it's not really cool or epic that the original was anymore.
I knew my comment was insulting and not discussing the game as that was entirely the intent of it. I'm beyond fed up with the endless unintelligent tired ass tirades in every post on this site more or less. Even if one bothers to setup an ignore, enough people quote and respond it does no good. People should be able to come here and both enjoy the articles and the comment section without the town crier showing up in every thread dropping a hot deuce on everyone's conversation.
I caught the reference to SF0 I'm not blind to that. It was a jab at the daily insult negative rant fest that goes on without a break. If I was trying to make it more comedically insulting I'd just get an animated GIF from Family Guy of the airplane landing on an Irish runway covered in beer bottles as representative of another plowed in drunken commentary.
Man, I would love to play this! Hopefully I'll get a chance through VC or something because I doubt I'll be able to get a SNES Mini, no matter what Nintendo is promising. The debacle with the NES Mini leaves me completely unconvinced until I see them store shelves.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE @SLIGEACH_EIRE "About 8 points too high. I do agree that it's a "relic"." Oh sure, because I'll bet you've played it extensively.
Very intrigued by the RTS elements of this game. I really enjoyed Star Fox Command and Star Fox Zero's innovations to the franchise and would love a Switch sequel to revisit this RTS multitask management.
Glad to see this turned out good and has aged rather well.
@Nintendo_Thumb Don't need to, I played the original. Back then it was alright but in this day and age, it's horrific to look at.
Crazy to get a game review of a Super Nintendo game in 2017.
Looking forward to playing this on Friday.
I’m looking forward to some in-depth comparisons between the betas and the final game. The things the review describes sounds very familiar to the tweaked beta I’ve played, right down to the medium difficulty being pretty easy, hard being nigh impossible and the stingey ratings for seemingly good performances.
I think the one thing I’d have really liked to see is some sort of overclocked mode to smooth out the frame rate (for both StarFox 1 and 2). That said, I know hardware modders have found overclocking only goes so far with the Super FX and it would require changes to the ROM and overclocking the SNES to really boost performance.
I expect without the nostalgia factor this is going to look pretty sure by modern standards. I played a bit of Stunt Race FX and SNES DOOM recently and they don't hold up at all.
Still be better than Starfox Zero though.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE I think it's a point low, to be honest. My personal favorite Star Fox game.
Day one for me.....oh wait..
I didn't preorder a mini. I guess I will wait for a VC release down the line or get the rom.
@tanookisuit lucky you were unable to make your point succinctly, that was in grave danger of ending up racist...
The review makes it sound like Lylat Warriors - Wonder if Koei Tecmo have any plans to revive this for the HD generation?
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
You get back what you give. Learn that lesson. And learn it well.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE I got the reference.
@Shiryu No, just no. Leave the classics alone. Star Fox doesn't need a remake. It's perfect the way it is. What I want is a straight up port on the 3DS but I know that's never going to happen.
Not saying that they shouldn't make remakes AT ALL though, as long as the original can still be easily purchasable for the people like me who don't want remakes.
@Freelance Yes, just yes, it could be more perfect!
I literally made it a point to get a Super Nintendo Classic Mini preorder for this ., Come on Friday get here already, I was fortunate enough to have gotten a preorder I really hope Nintendo cranks out a ton of the Super Nintendo Classic Minis so more fans can get one. Untill the 3DS came along the SNES was my alltime favorite system I love the SNES such a great system so many great memories I would have loved the SNES Classic Mini more if it would have gotten thirty games like the NES CLASSIC MINI there are so many more great SNES titles that could have been added like KILLER INSTINCT, DONKEY KONG COUNTRY 2 AND 3, DEMONS CREST , CHRONO TRIGGER, SUPER STAR WARS , ORGE BATTLE , EVO, or EARTHWORM JIM 1 AND 2 there are so many more what a great system the SNES was and still is .
@Shiryu Don't mind me. I'm in the extreme minority of people who don't care/want remakes much, whether it's games or movies, etc. I usually always find the originals to be better, and I can only recall 2 movies that had better remakes than the originals. Star Fox is an amazing game, but it still is amazing today.
My pre-order was pushed to November. I am so pissed.
@Freelance Indeed it is!
Enjoyed the review, and I do hope I can just download this one day.
@Shiryu Thanks for that. Star Fox has the best soundtrack in the entire series.
@Freelance Easily one of my top 10 SNES soundtracks ever produced.
I am going to make sure I channel my younger self so I don't use my 2017 eyes and judge the game incorrectly
@Shiryu Me too.
@nunberry I don't follow since when is what I said considered a race? Anyway. That Shiryu track is fairly impressive. Not into crazy remixes much but that one is solid.
Kind of in a mood and not for a game, maybe a good idea to fire up good ol Starfox for kicks. Always loved it, even competed in that national competition back in the day. Sadly I had caught something horrible overnight and was shivering and sneezing/coughing so much I couldn't handle it and DQ'd myself to go home. Still was fun attempting one run of it even if was slop.
Sounds cool. I will pick it up if it gets released on Switch VC... whenever we get Switch VC. I am not interested in having a pile of plug and play systems in my closet.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE and a port - sorta !!?
@tanookisuit It really is amazing how one person can so dominate a site that, even with the ignore function enabled, you can't get away from reaction to him. I have exactly one person on my ignore list, yet was absolutely certain you were speaking about him, even before you referenced the Irish. Can't get away...
His views don't bother me. Of the traits that do, two are more obnoxious than the others. One is that he never responds to legitimate counterpoints to his claims, which belies any claim he makes that he's just here for honest discussion. But worse is something you clearly received: he loves to passive-aggressively attack people by claiming their comments are directed at him and not the article. It's behavior I saw from a former coworker of mine. He'd insult me, and when I'd respond would let everyone know I was a bully. My nephew often screams bloody murder and tattles that his brother just hit him, but always omits that his brother was actually hitting him back. All it is is bullying itself, but be careful how you say that to him or anyone else; I can guarantee he loves getting people banned, and he doesn't deserve the satisfaction.
@PanurgeJr Agreed my brother when we were growing up was just as much the same passive aggressive coward of a bully too. I was older, so he'd pull all these stunts like you said and peg the blame on me, then ratchet it up if I did anything or said anything back. I got busted for it for years, really in the end didn't care as he deserved it back. Eventually they caught on the troll was at fault and then he got laid out over it with all sorts of punishments.
I see the same in him, same childish behavior trolling to get attention and then going off in the same manner when called on it.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
" bout 8 points too high. I do agree that it's a "relic". "
This comment of yours has just made me understand your mindset when writing all your other endless strange comments on this site.
Number 1 most rediculous comment so far. Nice job. *Rolls Eyes
But I say this all because I believe the review touched on many of the points it should have and was well researched and non-biased. Great read and the game looks like something I would have greatly liked at the time, had it been released. Reading your comment however just seemed so negative and not required, but so many of your comments do.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Tongue in Cheek? You called it a Relic and proceeded to say it looks horiffic in a later comment. Why try to sound smart and justify your rediculous comment when you were clearly doing exactly what you were accused of.
I believe this review was written very well in that it was articulate in describing the reasoning and motivations of why the game received the score it did, comparing it to the obvious graphic limitations of the time, but also in it's own right for the current day, in relation to gameplay. The game looks like a fantastic game from the time and your original comment is borderline offensive to both the devs, people on this forum and the reviewer. Tongue not in cheek.
It'll be the first game I play - after completing the first level of Star Fox.
While I got a pre order, there'll be thousands of these in stores. A friend of mine at Target confirmed 2 pallets of SNES Mini - and that's just one store.
@PanurgeJr The comments section on this site would be much better if he was the one who was banned. I miss when this site didn't have all these people being negative in the comments section for no reason.
8/10 ....well, i dont know what to think about the score. So the game is on par with Star For Zero? ...It is hard to believe it
IGN's score 5/10 is much more "down to earth"
@thesilverbrick They can't put it on the Virtual Console, since it can't run on an unmodified SNES emulator. It requires the extra processing power of a theoretical Super FX 2 chip that wasn't feasible to make that late in the SNES's lifespan. That's the real reason why this game has never been released until now.
@BlackenedHalo Keep in mind that they're rating it based on if it were a new SNES game back in 1995. Obviously, it doesn't compare to a modern game released in 2016 (at least among those who can grasp the confusing dual screen controls in SF0).
There's a lot of anger and fighting guise pls let's all enjoy this amazing year Nintendo has brought us together
Side note is I just got home from working overnight and i plan to wait at gameatop agyer i finishes sleeping overnight to get me a snes mini. I probably wouldnt be so set on it if it didn't have star fox 2. Always wanted to play it and now I'll get to!! Very very excited, hopefully I can nab one without a pre order. Welp, dawn of a new day: 24 hours remain
@BulbasaurusRex That theory was debunked.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/06/star_fox_2_release_has_nothing_to_do_with_super_fx_patent_expiring_says_argonaut_founder
If my PC from the late 90s can emulate the Super FX chip (I ran ROMs of SNES games on my PC nearly 20 years ago), surely the Switch can do so, too.
@Shiryu Not going to lie — I always played Star Fox (SNES) on an emulator and never was able to get past level 1so I have never heard these compositions.. Wow... This is a damn fine example of what the SNES was capable of! Thanks for sharing. This is all going to change once my SNES Mini arrives from Germany! Finally going to get down and dirty with Mr. Fox on SNES.
@Exy I disagree with this mentality. Not strongly mind you - I don't mind that you disagree =) But to me, there's no way this game is an 8. This is the first time the game is available. The only way we can really review/experience the game is in the context of what is available today. And by today's standard, it just doesn't hold up and it's not a very fun game. I do think it is amazing, a great experience, and a relic that should be experienced - but not because of it's outstanding game play or fun factor.
@BulbasaurusRex The difference for me, is most of the other games released during that time and that are included on the SNES classic still hold up fantastically today, and are easily deserving of 8-10 scores by modern standards. Star Fox 2 is not one of them. I agree that IGN's score of a 5 is likely a more realistic score, but of course, opinions vary.
I have the impression, in reading this review, to read the review of Star Fox Command which was an excellent game IMO.
@Alto It is one heck of a soundtrack, but often forgotten when people begin naming the usual suspects (Secret of Mana, ActRaiser, Terranigma, Donkey Kong Country, etc, etc).
A 5 is unrealistic by any fair barometer reading. Sure it is out now but it was designed then and should be rated against contemporary stuff. Now if they modernize the control menu and mission profile yet keeping the a/v and other retro feel as a modern throwback piece sure rate it for now just like cave story or axiom verge. Dumping on it because it’s not awesome like everspace or something is just wrong.
@thesilverbrick I'm not talking about that theory. "Star Fox 2" requires even more power than the normal Super FX chip provides. It would've required the manufacturing of a second edition of the chip, which Nintendo wasn't going to bother making with the N64 just around the corner.
Sure, the Switch could emulate it, but the SNES emulator they use would have to be modified to account for the theoretical extra chip, and Nintendo's not going to include a second version of the emulator within the Switch software for just one game. With the SNES Mini, they're using hardware emulation with an extra boost of power over that of the original system, which allows them to include "Star Fox 2."
@roadrunner343 Personally, I'd agree, but I'm not a fan of real time action strategy games like this. Among fans of the genre, the review makes it sound like the gameplay holds up very well today, and that's all we have to go on seeing as none of us have actually had the chance to play the finished version yet. The reviewer only really complained about presentational issues.
@BulbasaurusRex Fair enough, though the game has been "available" for quite sometime, even if it wasn't 100% the same as the ROM included on the SNES Classic. I am looking forward to experiencing the game nonetheless, even if I don't think it's a great game.
@tanookisuit It's not unrealistic at all. The game was cancelled after all, and likely for good reason. Don't get me wrong, I expect to play this, and enjoy my time with it - but mainly from a historical experience perspective. I'm quite certain the game does not hold up to today's standards like many of the other games on the SNES classic have.
Now waiting for a comparison with the prototype ROM hacked to be playable, like all others above me
@roykoopa64 Someone will "rip" the ROM away from the machine. Too bad there won't be anyone to put it on SFC/SNes blank cartridges because of the chip.
@BulbasaurusRex Can you cite a source for that? If the SNES Classic Edition can run Starfox 2, surely the Switch can, as well. There's no excuse.
@roadrunner343 Well I've had the so called final beta on a cart for at least 5 years now and I've put some time on it. Given the full play out reviews I've seen they're mostly identical other than minor tweaks and the way the script writes/font use of it. I'd call it a solid review number and all on this site up against the rest. 5 is just bad, that's a fail, not even average and it's an above average experience (especially if not played on easy aka normal.)
@tanookisuit I've played the game as well. I think 8 is far too high and 5 is likely more accurate. Again, just my opinion, your's can differ. This just isn't a game that holds up to me. I think the original Mario Kart is much the same - I loved the game at the time, but it just doesn't hold up like many of the other games on the SNES Classic, and honestly, I just don't enjoy playing it anymore.
@thesilverbrick My source is Nintendo Life's article which is linked near the beginning of the review on this very page. It gives the full story of the cancellation.
Like I said, it's not the Switch itself that can't run it, it's the SNES emulator that it would be using once we (assumedly) get the Virtual Console on the Switch. A normal SNES emulator cannot run this game. If you want to contact Nintendo and offer to update their SNES emulator for free, be my guest.
@tanookisuit Read the site's review policy again. A 5 is average.
@BulbasaurusRex I understand why it was canceled on the original Super Nintendo, but for the record, the article above is not saying what you are saying. It mentions nothing about a second FX chip. The game has been running on emulators for 20 years.
All I am saying is they clearly have developed an emulator that can run Starfox 2 successfully. There's no reason why Nintendo wouldn't use that same emulator on the Switch, as well.
@thesilverbrick Ah, I misread it. It does use a more powerful version of the Super FX chip than the original "Star Fox," but it was the same version of the chip used in "Yoshi's Island."
However, seeing as the leading theory as to why we never received the SNES version of "Yoshi's Island" on the Virtual Console is that their SNES emulator can't run the Super FX 2 chip perfectly, the same would also apply for "Star Fox 2." Keep in mind that it's only the unfinished version people have been emulating for years and probably not perfectly. I bet we'll see an uptick in performance in the finished product just from it being proper emulated for once.
I know the policy but a five is still hot garbage in the big picture. I also feel snes Mario kart still holds up.
@thesilverbrick
Not to mention that the Super FX 2 chip was used in Yoshi's Island.
The Super FX2 chip officially was used in Doom, Yoshi's Island, and a PAL only Winter Gold (olympics) game. Unofficially until now in hacked carts or this device Star Fox 2. There were to be others such as Comanche a chopper game but it was canned.
FX2 has more memory and runs at 21mhz (32bit RISC chip) vs 10mhz used in Star Fox and the others.
Some of the hacked up SF2 carts do use the FX1 and it runs fine on there, usually done so people can use the save chip/battery of Stunt Race FX for the pepper coins and scores. Doom can also be used but you lose saving. The PAL only game also works, but well that's PAL which won't work on a NTSC system.
Nice review and nice score! Doesn't sound as good as the original or Lylatwars though, this sounds more like Starfox Command. The biggest question hasn't been answered: Is this the complete version? Is the beta-rom incomplete? How much do both versions differ from each other?
Game is unplayable. Tried it, I think its really bad.
@roykoopa64 after five years your dreams have been answered!
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