Star Fox 2 / スターフォックス2 - Super Nintendo - Intro & Normal Mode Playthrough [UHD 4K]
6Full gameplay playthrough / longplay / walkthrough / guide of the complete SNES Classic Edition / ニンテンドークラシックミニ スーパーファミコン release of Star Fox 2. Finally after 21 years the finished version of Star Fox 2 sees the light of day. Originally planned for release in 1996, it's fair to say Star Fox 2 now holds the title for the longest time from development to final release. The final game is very much like the previous leaked BETA version, but with a number of bug fixes, balance changes and improvements to the presentation.
Original version of this video which is now unlisted for the commentated version. We are keeping this one up in case anyone wants to use the footage in the video. If Nintendo objects to this version being up we will happily remove this on request from them, but it can be found here: https://youtu.be/6ZRL6ypI6QE
Now that we've seen the final version, you can understand in part why Nintendo, had concerns over how the game would have looked and sold in 1996. Certainly when you compare it to titles like Panzer Dragoon on the Sega Saturn, which released in 1995, Star Fox 2 doesn't cut the mustard. However, that is a 32bit game and this is a 16bit one, also Super FX games never had great graphics, even at the time reviewers said Super FX chip games didn't look that great. Instead the key factor to the Super FX chip was the fact it allowed the Super Nintendo to handle 3D.
Star Fox 2 uses a very different gameplay format to the original SNES game and even the various sequels in the series. As a SNES game it really breaks away from the standard game design of most titles on the system. As Star Fox 2 runs in both real time as you play and is in part is randomly generated. So you never twice get the same experience, making it a very unique title.
Unlike Star Fox where the difficulty decided your path through the game in Star Fox 2, Normal and Hard mode appear more as a training exercise for the unlockable Expert mode. As the harder the difficult gets the more forces Andross has at his disposal and the more planets he captures when you start the game. As the planets Andross captures at the start of each game are random you really have to be able to adapt as you play each time. As the game plays in real time, spend too long on a planet mission and you might find Corneria takes damage from a missile or enemy reinforcements join in a space battle. The end result is a game where your decisions will affect the final out come. This time there are no on-rail stages, instead the game takes place in small arena like area, both on the ground and in space. In most missions you get full 360 degree control of your vehicle and the Arwing can also transform into a walker on ground missions. The ultimate goal is to aim for the best end rank by destroying as many of Andross's troops as possible while beating the game quickly. If you want to unlock all the secrets this game has to offer you will need to collect all the General Pepper coins and get a star rank on Expert mode.
A highly polished title overall, that does have some problems, the free roaming space combat doesn't work as well as it should. The enemy A.I. is awful and just performs the same moves over and over again. The star wolf team battle really show this issue up, the game is also very short and it's a pity the two player mode didn't appear in the final version.
Star Fox 2 ends up being one of the most technical and mechanically impressive titles on the old 16bit system. Made up of a unique fusion of ideas and concepts, when you look at modern Nintendo, 3DS & Switch titles like the stale copy & paste design of Zelda Breath of the Wild. It's doubtful if Nintendo could now produce a game as interesting and original as Star Fox 2 was, but we will watch and see what comes in the future.
Also known as: スターフォックス2 (Japan) Starfox 2 (Alternative spelling) SNES Mini, SNES Classic
Release: 2017
Developer: Nintendo & Argonaut Software
Publisher: Nintendo / 任天堂株式会社
Format: Super Nintendo (SNES) / Super Famicom (SFC) / スーパーファミコン
Star Fox 2 is available on the Super Nintendo Classic Edition & ニンテンドークラシックミニ スーパーファミコン console currently available for sale.
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