Which Star Fox Game to Play First: A Newcomer's Comparison
For most newcomers, the 1993 original Star Fox is the best place to start. Star Fox 64 is a very close second, and the later games take the series in different directions.
In this article
In one best-of list of the series' games, it's ranked as the best, which makes it the safest first pick for a newcomer [1]. The original Star Fox (1993) is a forward-scrolling 3D rail shooter, so the core idea is easy to pick up [2].
Star Fox 64 is a very close runner-up, so it's a strong choice if the original doesn't click for you [1]. Both games give you the classic shooting experience the series is known for.
The later games change the style, so the right starting point depends on what you enjoy. This article compares the games side by side, so you can match one to your taste and decide where to go after your first run through the series.
How do the Star Fox games compare at a glance?
The later games change the style, so the right choice depends on what you enjoy.
Game | Style | Best for |
|---|---|---|
Star Fox 64 | Classic shooter | Close second to the original |
Star Fox Adventures | Zelda-style adventure | Players who want exploration over shooting |
Star Fox Assault | Shooter | Players who want more action |
The original is a rail shooter, so it keeps your attention on the shooting. The Nintendo Life list ranks it above the rest of the series [1]. Its style is simple because you move along a set path instead of roaming freely [2].
Star Fox 64 is the closest match to the original, so it is the next stop if you want a classic shooter. [1]
Adventures is a different kind of game. It plays more like an adventure game in the vein of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time or Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask [3]. If you come in expecting a pure shooter, you may be surprised.
Assault is still a shooter, and the Nintendo Life list says it is one the writer is enjoying quite a bit [1]. Try it after the classics if you want more variety.
Why is the 1993 original a good place to start?
Star Fox (1993) is a forward-scrolling 3D rail shooter [2]. In a rail shooter, the action moves forward along a set path, so your main job is aiming and shooting.
That simplicity matters most in your first session. Later games add more directional movement [2], which gives you more freedom but also more to learn. The original lets you focus on the core shooting without juggling extra controls.
A long-running fan guide ranks it first in the series, saying the original star fox/starwing is the best [1]. You don't need that ranking to decide, though.
Playing it first also gives you a clear baseline. Once you have finished a few stages, you will know how the rail-shooting style feels to you. If you have only an evening, one stage at a time is a fine pace.
Here is a simple way to begin:
- Play through a few stages and focus on how the rail movement feels.
- Move on to the other games once you know whether you enjoy that style.
Each step builds on the last, so you do not need to master everything at once.
Is Star Fox 64 the better choice for a first game?
Star Fox 64 is a strong first pick if you want a classic shooter that feels polished and you would rather not start with one of the series' later detours. It is a very close runner-up to the original Star Fox [1], so you give up very little by starting here.
One fan wrote that Star Fox 64 was the first game they played when they were a young kid. They felt it had everything perfect from top to bottom [4]. That kind of memory matters for a first game, because a game that feels complete from start to finish tells you quickly whether the series suits you.
Here is how to decide. Choose Star Fox 64 if you want a shooter that feels tight from the first mission to the last. In practice, you can play a few missions over a weekend and see whether the flying and shooting keeps your interest. If it does, you have a clear sense of what the series is about before you move on.
If you find you are not sure about flying-and-shooting games, this is a low-pressure way to find out. You will not have to commit to a long, unfamiliar adventure to learn whether the core style clicks for you.
Once you finish it, you will know whether the series' classic style is for you. From there you can explore the later entries at your own pace, or go back to the original to see where the series began.
Should you start with Star Fox Adventures?
Star Fox Adventures plays more like a Zelda-style adventure game than a shooter. If you came for the arcade flight-and-blast feel, save it for later. Adventures is more of an adventure game in the vein of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time or Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask [3]. It also helps to read Star Fox Adventures Walkthrough in Spanish.
What changes for a shooter fan
If you want shooting, Adventures is a different experience from the original. You should expect more exploration and less of the straight flight-and-blast rhythm. A newcomer who expects a shooter may find the game slower and more focused on puzzles.
That gap is why the order matters. A shooter fan and an adventure fan get very different things from the same series. Starting with the style you already like keeps your first game enjoyable.
When Adventures makes sense
Consider Adventures after you know whether the series' core style works for you. Once you have played a shooter and enjoyed it, the change in tone reads as a choice rather than a surprise. You can then decide whether an adventure-driven take is worth your time.
Think of it as a second step. Players who already like Star Fox's flight and combat are the best fit for a game that trades some of that for exploration. If you are still deciding, a shooter shows you what the series is about before you commit.
Where does Star Fox Assault fit in?
Star Fox Assault is worth playing after the earlier games, not before them. It appears in Nintendo Life's guide to the best Star Fox games, so it is a recognized part of the series rather than a footnote [1]. To go further, see Star Fox Review and Strategy Guide.
Assault is a shooter, so it suits you if you want more action after the classics. Think of it as the next step once you have enjoyed blasting through the early games and want the pace to pick up. If you prefer slower, more deliberate play, the older titles may serve you better as a starting point.
Playing it later also helps you notice what has changed. If you go straight to it, the differences can feel like a surprise. If you play the earlier games first, you know the series' core style and can decide whether the new approach suits you.
A simple plan is to play the classics first, then move to Assault when you want something new. For example, after you finish one shooter and still want more, Assault gives you a fresh challenge without starting from the series' basics.
Keep your expectations realistic. Assault is not the place to learn the series. It rewards players who already know what Star Fox is about and want to see how the formula stretches.
So which Star Fox game should you play first?
Start with the original Star Fox from 1993, since it gives you the best first experience in the series. Its forward-scrolling 3D rail shooter style keeps things simple, while later games add more directional movement [2]. Many fans consider it the best of the bunch [1].
If you want a close second, pick Star Fox 64. It is a very close runner-up to the original [1], and it has the classic feel that makes the series easy to enjoy right after the 1993 game.
Save Star Fox Adventures and Star Fox Assault for later. Adventures plays more like a Zelda-style adventure game [3], so it feels quite different from the shooters.