3. Star Fox (SNES)
It’s been 23 years since the first Star Fox game was released on the SNES, and surprisingly we’ve only seen four more entries in the series since. The original game still holds up gameplay wise, even if the visuals feel a bit dated.
Star Fox was Nintendo’s very first game to use 3D polygon graphics, and crafted the iconic third-person rail shooting that Fox and company would return to for years. It differentiated itself from other rail shooters by giving players the ability to speed up and slow down, avoiding objects or enemy fire.
Much of what the original game did, Star Fox 64 would expand and improve upon years later. The SNES game had branching paths that players could choose between, with each route corresponding to a different difficulty level. However, each route also has its own set of unique levels, allowing for a bit of variation and replay value.
The story of Star Fox also sets up something we’d see again, with Fox and his mercenary team summoned by General Pepper from the planet of Corneria which is under attack from the mad scientist Andross. The game instantly gave us another one of Nintendo’s most recognizable mascots. Its fresh take on rail shooting coupled with the tight gameplay was enough to create a fanbase, and a new series for Nintendo.
