This was one I'd never played before. But I remember it was a big surprise when it was released with the Super Nintendo Mini back in 2017. For the first time, players could legally play the game.
And how was it?
For what it brings in graphical and gameplay ambition, I have no doubt Starfox 2 would have been successful had it released back in the 90s.
The presentation (while rough by 2026 standards) is good. This title would have pushed the Super Nintendo hardware to the limit, even with the Super FX chip. With the chaotic space battles, 3D arenas, and enemy tracking, it feels like a game that always runs choppy due the sheer amount of assets on the screen.
This is the weakest part of the experience for me. Because many of the levels require precision aiming in first person view, and that's hard to do when enemies flicker away or vanish unexpectedly from view.
The shaky framerate and controls require some getting used to, but when you get it, the game becomes much more enjoyable.
And how about that design? I'd say it's an improvement over the mostly linear gameplay in the first game.
Now you can choose from six main characters. Starfox and his original wingmates, Peppy, Falco, and Slippy return, along with female newcomers Miyu and Fay. From the start the game allows you to choose any two pilots to play as. Each one has distinct stats and looks to their aircraft, which I thought was a neat touch.
Then the game begins. Starfox 2 feels like a simple strategy game. Andross's forces will pepper Corneria with missile fire and enemy aircraft and it's your crew's job to defend Corneria from destruction by taking out hostile airship and bases. You move your two-ship formation throughout the Lylat System to strategically intercept or destroy oncoming forces that move when you move. Maybe it sounds complex reading this, but for a sequel to an on rails shooter, I found this addition to the gameplay refreshing.
Most of the mini-encounters take place in 3D arenas that can be admittedly hard to navigate in the heat of a dog fight. But the real surprise came with the walker mode. Press Select in certain stages and your plane transforms into a mechanoid walker. The transition was jarring at first, but I found the walker stages very cool. There's even a level toward the end that forces you to use both modes in a dungeon-like environment. I thought "Am I even playing Starfox anymore?" It was a pleasant surprise.
I wish there was more of the walker levels. Hell, I wish there was more Starfox 2 at all.
This game is VERY short. I beat it in about 45 minutes. And that's after never having played it before. There are some additional challenges like getting General Pepper's coins and racking up various bonuses to increase your final score, but there's still not enough game to go around here.
Yet, overall I found Starfox 2 to be a fun time. It's ambitious and bold in gameplay and clearly paved the way for what would be heavily refined in Starfox 64.
