About this game
Star Fox is the 1993 Super Famicom game that demonstrated 3D polygon graphics were possible on a home console — not through the console's own hardware, but through a specialized coprocessor chip: the Super FX (GSU-1), developed by British studio Argonaut Software. Fox McCloud and the Star Fox team pilot Arwing fighters through seven planetary systems to defeat the evil scientist Andross. The game is considered the first fully polygon-based 3D rail shooter on a home console. Argonaut's Jez San and chip designers created the Super FX; development team members noted that 'the Super NES was just a box to hold the chip.'
Key Features
First fully polygon-based 3D rail shooter on a home console. Super FX chip (GSU-1) by Argonaut Software enables real-time 3D polygon rendering. Three difficulty routes (Easy, Normal, Hard) determining which planets are visited. Wingman AI companions (Peppy, Slippy, Falco) who provide advice and need to be protected. Boss encounters at each planet. Score multipliers from enemies destroyed.
The Story Behind
In 1993, 3D polygon games existed in arcades and on high-end workstations, but no home console had achieved them authentically. The Super FX chip's development by Argonaut Software — a British studio brought in specifically for this hardware challenge — represented a then-radical approach: designing a custom silicon chip to solve what the main CPU could not. The chip ran at 10.7 MHz and handled all polygon transforms, freeing the SNES CPU for game logic. The result was a game that felt genuinely from the future of hardware, arriving three years before the PlayStation's 3D capabilities became mainstream.
Tricks & Tales
The game is titled 'Star Wing' in PAL regions because a German rock band called Starfox held a trademark on the name in Europe. The Super FX chip was first publicly described as 'MARIO Chip 1' (Mathematical, Argonaut, Rotation, Input/Output chip), but this name was not used in final documentation. Jez San, who led Argonaut's chip team, later founded an online poker company (PKR Ltd.) with the IP royalties from the Super FX's success.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
Japan and North America: Star Fox. PAL regions (Europe, Australia): Star Wing — renamed due to a trademark held by German band Starfox. All versions use the same Super FX chip and gameplay. The PAL Star Wing box art differs from the Japanese/NA versions.
Available in our shop
Hand-cleaned and tested units shipped worldwide from Toyohashi, Japan. HP direct purchase exclusive: we include a printed shop owner's note card with every order.
Direct purchase supports this museum directly. eBay Top Rated Seller · 1,750+ reviews · 100% positive feedback.
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