Star Fox 2 dev reflects on Nintendo’s decision to cancel the game’s SNES release

Nintendo and Argonaut Software completed work on Star Fox 2 for the Super Nintendo back in 1995, but the game ended up being held back from release. It wouldn’t be until 2017 that the title would finally get its time in the spotlight as a built-in title for the SNES Classic.

Star Fox 2 pushed hard against the limitations of the Super Nintendo and the ideas set forth in the original Star Fox, making for a pretty bold and unique experience. That said, the wow factor of the graphics in the original Star Fox just didn’t pack the same punch in Star Fox 2 thanks to Sony launching the PS1 in 1994. Most games on PS1 were much more sophisticated on the polygon front, leaving Star Fox 2 to look rudimentary at best.

In a chat with Retro Gamer, Star Fox 2 programmer Dylan Cuthbert looked back on Nintendo’s decision to scrap Star Fox 2’s launch on the SNES. While it was no doubt disappointing after years of work, Cuthbert also clearly understood why Nintendo made the move.

Again, while it took literal decades, Star Fox 2 did eventually make its way to the public. Cuthbert commented on that late release, saying that it made him “very happy” to see the game finally get a chance to find an audience.