Star Fox

Lore & Background

The Lylat System is a cluster of planets—Corneria, Macinau, Norfair, and others—home to intelligent animal species. The Star Force, a military organization based on Corneria, fields the Arwing, a sleek three-seat fighter capable of hyper-jump travel between star systems. Fox McCloud, the youngest and most skilled pilot in the Force, commands a crew that includes the hot-headed falcon Falco Lombardi, the bumbling but loyal toad Slippy Toad, and the veteran white hare Peppy Hare, who served as Fox's mentor and co-pilot.

The central conflict of the franchise revolves around Andross, a power-hungry alien who seeks to harness the energy of the Lylat System's planets to fuel his own empire. Across multiple games, Andross and his armies of Grunts, Z-troopers, and massive mecha threaten the stability of the entire region. Fox and his crew must fight through waves of enemies, destroy Andross's fortress, and ultimately confront the warlord himself in a climactic Arwing-versus-Andross showdown.

The series expanded beyond pure rail-shooting with titles like Star Fox Adventures, which shifted into a third-person action format on the GameCube, and Star Fox Assault, a team-based shooter. Despite a long gap between mainline entries, the Star Force crew remains a recognizable and fan-favorite part of Nintendo's roster, and their presence in Smash Bros. keeps the Lylat System alive in the crossover imagination.

In Their Own Story

The cockpit of the Arwing hummed with the low thrum of its engines as Fox pressed the throttle forward. Ahead, the violet rings of Andross's fortress spun slowly against the black, studded with the cold white light of a thousand Grunt gunships. Falco's voice crackled over the comm, sharp and impatient: "You call that a plan, Captain? I call it a suicide run with extra steps." Fox grinned, feeling the familiar warmth of the hyper-jump charge building in the rear thrusters. Slippy's engine made a nervous sputtering sound. Peppy, steady as ever, called out coordinates. Fox banked hard, the G-force pressing into his fur, and dove toward the fortress's glowing core. The stars smeared into long ribbons of light. Somewhere out there, Andross was waiting with his arms crossed and his jaw set. Fox didn't care. He'd been flying since he was a kit, and he was about to show the whole Lylat System exactly what a red fox could do.

Reader's Guide

Star Fox punches well above its weight in the Smash Bros. crossover, contributing two of the fastest and most technically demanding fighters in the entire roster.

Fox McCloud debuted in Melee and has been a mainstay ever since. His move set emphasizes speed, aerial mobility, and a signature up-smash that launches opponents skyward. Falco Lombardi joined in Brawl and mirrors Fox's aggressive, fast-paced style with a slightly heavier, more brash kit. The two share a visual and mechanical kinship that makes them a natural pair, and their shared taunt—Fox's confident smirk and Falco's cocky grin—reinforces their crew-bond.

Stages transport players deep into the Lylat System. Corneria, with its lush green terrain and the distant silhouette of the Arwing hangar, has been a fan-favorite since Melee. Andross's ship offers a dark, metallic arena aboard the villain's fortress. The Star Fox stage (3DS/Wii U and Ultimate) places fighters on a moving Arwing cockpit, complete with a scrolling starfield backdrop.

The Arwing itself appears as a rideable item in several entries, letting any fighter pilot the iconic craft across the stage. In story modes, Star Fox elements surface through background details, item spawns, and in Ultimate's World of Light, where the Lylat System's aesthetic informs certain areas. Fox and Falco also appear as background characters in other stages, and their presence in the roster is a constant reminder that Smash's magic lies in letting a space-faring fox and a battle-hungry falcon trade blows alongside a plumber, a sword-wielding princess, and a giant robot.

Did You Know?

• Star Fox 2 was cancelled in 1995 after development stalled, but the completed game was later released in 2017 as part of the Super Nintendo Classic Mini console.
• Fox McCloud and Falco Lombardi share a nearly identical base move-set structure, differing mainly in speed, weight, and individual special moves—a design choice that lets them feel like two flavors of the same aggressive
• The Arwing's three-seat layout (pilot, gunner, rear gunner) was a deliberate design choice to give the player a sense of a full crew even though only one person was playing.
• Peppy Hare, Fox's mentor, appeared as a playable character in Star Fox Adventures but has never been a standalone fighter in any mainline Smash Bros. title.