Star Fox (series)

Star Fox
Star Fox series logo. Based on the Star Fox: Assault logo.
Genres	Shoot 'em up, action-adventure
Developers	Nintendo Argonaut Software Rare Namco Q-Games PlatinumGames
Publishers	Nintendo
Creators	Shigeru Miyamoto
Platforms	Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U
Platform of origin	Super Famicom/Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Year of inception	1993
First release	Star Fox February 21, 1993
Latest release	Star Fox Zero/Star Fox Guard April 21, 2016

Star Fox is a video game series created by Nintendo. The games follow an independent mercenary unit of anthropomorphic animals called Star Fox, led by chief protagonist Fox McCloud, and their adventures around the Lylat system. The original Star Fox (1993) was a forward-scrolling 3D rail shooter, though later titles added more directional freedom. The game's concept was inspired by a shrine to the fox deity Inari Ōkami, which Shigeru Miyamoto visited regularly. The shrine was accessible through a series of arches, influencing the gameplay.

The first game in the series, developed by Nintendo EAD and programmed by Argonaut Software, used the Super FX Chip to create the first accelerated 3D gaming experience on a home console. The Super FX Chip was an additional math co-processor that was built into the cartridge and helped the Super NES better render the game's graphics. The Super FX Chip has been used in other Super NES games as well, some with increased processing speed. Its reboot, Star Fox 64, further revolutionized the video game industry by being the first Nintendo 64 game to feature the Rumble Pak.

Due to perceived issues with the German company StarVox,Star Fox and Star Fox 64 were released in PAL region territories as Starwing and Lylat Wars respectively. However, as of Star Fox Adventures, Nintendo went back on this decision so future games could be released worldwide with the same name.