Star Fox Conquest: Zelda-Inspired Fan ROM Hack Revitalizes Nintendo’s Classic Series

Star Fox Conquest: Zelda-Inspired Fan ROM Hack Revitalizes Nintendo’s Classic Series The Star Fox franchise, developed by Nintendo, has had a complex history marked by innovation and reinvention.

After the critical and commercial triumph of Star Fox 64 on the Nintendo 64, fans had anticipated a return to the series’ 3D rail-shooting roots on the Nintendo GameCube.

Instead, Nintendo, in collaboration with the acclaimed developer Rare, surprised fans with Star Fox Adventures in 2002—a 3D action-adventure title that marked Rare’s final project with Nintendo and its only GameCube release.

Despite its departure from traditional series gameplay, Star Fox Adventures has grown in esteem among the retro gaming community for its ambitious design and engaging story. Building on this nostalgia, the fan community continues to demonstrate its passion for the Star Fox universe.

Enter Star Fox Conquest, an ambitious ROM hack crafted by well-known retro modder Zel.

This transformative project takes the revered Nintendo 64 classic The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and reimagines it as a new Star Fox Adventures experience.

Leveraging Ocarina of Time's foundational code, Zel and collaborators have rebuilt the gameplay to feature Fox McCloud—Nintendo’s iconic space pilot—on a fresh planetary quest, equipped with a sword, shield, hammer, and his signature blaster. Star Fox Conquest preserves flashes of its Zelda origins: early footage showcases Fox facing off against characters reminiscent of Deku Scrubs and encountering familiar fairy motifs.

However, substantial elements have been overhauled, including all-new original music evocative of both Star Fox and Zelda traditions.

Notably, Twitter user Syeo contributed to implementing Fox’s newly designed arsenal, enhancing the experience with inventive weapon mechanics and character animation. According to Zel, development on Star Fox Conquest began in early 2022, with steady progress updates provided to the community via social media.

He noted that the project’s significant code optimizations extend well beyond conventional ROM hacks, introducing fresh gameplay systems and a narrative thread inspired by Star Fox Adventures.

Sound design also draws from both Star Fox Adventures and other series entries, resulting in a unique blend. Though an exact release date for Star Fox Conquest has yet to be announced, the ROM hack is expected to debut within the year.

The project highlights both the enduring creative spirit within the Nintendo fandom and the ongoing demand for Star Fox Adventures-style gameplay, even as the series’ official trajectory remains uncertain.

Zel’s work stands as a testament to the modding community’s ability to reinterpret beloved classics, breathing new life into storied Nintendo franchises on platforms like the GameCube and Nintendo 64. Star Fox Conquest not only reinforces the nostalgia tied to Fox McCloud’s GameCube adventure but also serves as a compelling example of how iconic titles like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time can be transformed through ingenuity and passion.

Fans eager for updates can follow Zel and associated project contributors on Twitter for the latest developments as the ROM hack approaches its anticipated release.

Zelda Ocarina of Time Nintendo The Legend of Zelda The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Legend of Zelda Star Fox Conquest Star Fox Adventures Star Fox Classic Series