subdirectory_arrow_right Star Fox Zero (Game)
▲
1
▼
When Star Fox Zero was originally scheduled to come out in the holidays of 2015, it didn't feature a map screen or branching paths, or even (by default) Smart Bombs, two core components of classic Star Fox titles such as the original Star Fox on the SNES or Star Fox 64.
Shigeru Miyamoto's original vision for Star Fox Zero, when it began development in 2014, was for it to be more like an episodic TV show (as in, a linear set of episodic, bite-sized missions), similar to his biggest inspiration for Star Fox, the 1965 TV series "Thunderbirds", as opposed to earlier games like Star Fox 64 that were designed more like an epic, longer movie. At E3 2014, he compared the tried-and-true Star Fox gameplay as the "primetime programming", while the quirkier, more experimental fare (referring to Star Fox Guard) as the "late-night programming". As explained by Miyamoto in early 2016, the initial decision to remove Smart Bombs as a core game mechanic was to streamline and simplify the gameplay, to force the player to focus more on using their own techniques and skills to get through the levels. Originally, Smart Bombs would have only been available through the special SNES Arwing mode only accessible through the Fox McCloud amiibo figure or alternatively, collecting all of the game's 70 medals.
However, after Star Fox Zero's initial poor showing at E3 2015, particularity from die-hard Star Fox 64 fans, it was decided to delay the game and attempt to make it more like a long-form movie in the similar vein of SF64, by including an arcade mode (that is unlocked by playing through the story mode, a single linear list of missions like what Miyamoto had intended) with additional branching pathways and also the re-inclusion of Smart Bombs as a universal gameplay mechanic.
Shigeru Miyamoto's original vision for Star Fox Zero, when it began development in 2014, was for it to be more like an episodic TV show (as in, a linear set of episodic, bite-sized missions), similar to his biggest inspiration for Star Fox, the 1965 TV series "Thunderbirds", as opposed to earlier games like Star Fox 64 that were designed more like an epic, longer movie. At E3 2014, he compared the tried-and-true Star Fox gameplay as the "primetime programming", while the quirkier, more experimental fare (referring to Star Fox Guard) as the "late-night programming". As explained by Miyamoto in early 2016, the initial decision to remove Smart Bombs as a core game mechanic was to streamline and simplify the gameplay, to force the player to focus more on using their own techniques and skills to get through the levels. Originally, Smart Bombs would have only been available through the special SNES Arwing mode only accessible through the Fox McCloud amiibo figure or alternatively, collecting all of the game's 70 medals.
However, after Star Fox Zero's initial poor showing at E3 2015, particularity from die-hard Star Fox 64 fans, it was decided to delay the game and attempt to make it more like a long-form movie in the similar vein of SF64, by including an arcade mode (that is unlocked by playing through the story mode, a single linear list of missions like what Miyamoto had intended) with additional branching pathways and also the re-inclusion of Smart Bombs as a universal gameplay mechanic.
Gamenesia summary of info prior to Star Fox Zero's announcement:
https://web.archive.org/web/20140714223509/http://www.gamnesia.com/news/everything-we-know-about-star-fox-u#.U8RbJxvP1qa
Shigeru Miyamoto Time interview:
https://time.com/4245215/starfox-wii-u/
Shigeru Miyamoto Mashable interview:
https://mashable.com/article/star-fox-zero-preview
https://web.archive.org/web/20140714223509/http://www.gamnesia.com/news/everything-we-know-about-star-fox-u#.U8RbJxvP1qa
Shigeru Miyamoto Time interview:
https://time.com/4245215/starfox-wii-u/
Shigeru Miyamoto Mashable interview:
https://mashable.com/article/star-fox-zero-preview
Related Games
Star Fox Zero
Star Fox 64 3D
Star Fox Adventures
Star Fox Command
Star Fox: Assault
Star Fox 2
Star Fox 64
Star Fox Wii
Star Fox
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Star Fox
Super Smash Bros.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Kirby's Dream Course
Yoshi's Woolly World
Donkey Kong 64
Mario Party 4
Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest
Resident Evil 2
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D
Kirby's Star Stacker
Mischief Makers
Bomberman Hero
Pokémon Colosseum
Donkey Kong Barrel Blast
Pokémon Gold Version
Dragalia Lost
Mario Bros.
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
New Super Luigi U
New Trivia!
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
Kirby's Dream Land
Fatal Frame 2: Wii Edition
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
Pokémon Moon
Dinosaur Planet
Pokémon Rumble U
Mario Party 3
Super Mario Spikers
Yoshi
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
Super Paper Mario
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Glory of Heracles
Mario Pinball Land
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels