Star Fox Zero Developer Giles Goddard Reflects on Series Direction and Simplicity
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Published on: June 29, 2021
Description
Star Fox Zero marked the last major entry in Nintendo’s iconic space shooter franchise, landing exclusively on the Wii U in 2016.
Developed by Nintendo and PlatinumGames, Star Fox Zero aimed to revive the spirit of the original Super Nintendo title but instead garnered a mixed reception.
Players and critics cited the unconventional control scheme as a chief drawback, tempering excitement for the series’ future on Nintendo hardware.
One industry veteran who has weighed in on the series’ trajectory is Giles Goddard.
Known for his programming work on the original Star Fox for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Goddard recently shared his perspective in an interview with GameXplain.
Addressing what could make a new Star Fox iteration successful, the developer advocated for a return to simplicity over technical experimentation.
Goddard explained, "A refreshed Star Fox experience could benefit from a more focused approach, steering clear of unnecessary gameplay gimmicks or complex free-roaming elements introduced in titles like Star Fox Zero.
By scaling back to what made the franchise’s earliest entries enjoyable, there’s an opportunity to capture the essence that resonated with fans."
When asked about producing a new game in the original Star Fox style, Goddard emphasized the importance of innovation.
He remarked that simply replicating the visual style enabled by the early ’90s Super FX Chip would serve little purpose.
"If another installment were to happen, it should either adopt a distinctly modern look or a highly stylized retro approach, but not just reuse the blocky polygons of the past.
Technology has evolved, and there’s more value in pushing creative boundaries rather than revisiting old limitations."
While Goddard currently focuses on other projects—his latest being a VR snowboarding game—the conversation highlights an enduring question among the Nintendo community: Should future Star Fox titles return to their roots on platforms like Nintendo Switch and the eShop, or continue to experiment with new mechanics? Star Fox Zero remains a point of discussion, both as a unique experiment on the Wii U and as a reminder of the challenges in balancing nostalgia with innovation.
Star Fox Zero was released worldwide on April 21, 2016, and, despite its polarizing reviews, the series maintains a dedicated fanbase eager for news from Nintendo Direct events and potential future releases.
With insight from veteran developers like Goddard, the debate over the right path for Star Fox remains as relevant as ever in the landscape of Nintendo’s storied franchises.
