Modernize [Sat 5th Nov, 2022 20:00 GMT]: A new teaser trailer has been uploaded – revealing a November 11th release date: For those who missed it, here’s the first teaser trailer! kando (@kandowontu) November 4, 2022 Original article [Fri 12th Aug, 2022 11:15 BST]: There’s been no good news about a Star Fox game on the Switch, and Nintendo fans are getting worried. None more so than modder KandoWontu who is nearing completion of work on “Star Fox Exploration Showcase,” a mod for the 16-bit SNES classic that not only attempts to adapt the original game, but to create entirely new structures to include new levels, ships, weapons and (yes, you guessed it) a fully functional multiplayer mode. What exactly did it take to get into this iconic game code, and when will we be able to get our feet on it? Jack Yarwood at our new sister site, Time Extension, had the opportunity to sit down with KandoWontu to find out all this and more. The modder’s original plan was to simply add Star Fox 2’s signature all-range mode as well as some fun new camera mechanics from his colleague, Starxxon (simple, right?) However, it seems KandoWontu’s hunger was much greater, as he states. in the interview: After that, I thought why not switch ships? And the weapons? And before you know it, I’ve added new features and hidden codes. These new features are, in our opinion, the most exciting part of the mod, and there is a lot being added. “At this point,” says KandoWontu, “I’ve added a full second map with the original intact and still playable, the new map has 3 new courses, a secret level, new backgrounds/enemies/bosses/music and more but !’ Images: KandoWontu It’s gotten to the point now where “much more” seems like an understatement. The list of new features added includes a full pre-game mod menu, two-player mode, new ships and weapons, a New Game+ mode, and a whole bunch more (see the original article for the full list). Replayability seems to be at the forefront of KandoWontu’s mind though, and so he’s added a fully functional toggle menu to the game, allowing you to jump in and change mods as you please. As you can see from the photos above, the array of options looks pretty impressive. The mod wasn’t without its challenges — especially that pesky multiplayer mode — but KandoWontu managed it with a little help from his friends. Speaking with Jack, he listed a full team of other modders (including SegaRetro92, phonemike, livvy94, MrL314, Euclidium, Sunlitspace542, chuckborrisnorris, and Random Stuff) who were integral to various aspects of the project, from textures to music composition. It stands to reason that when it comes to Star Fox, victory is a team effort. Star Fox 5 Player Netplay?? Ugh KandoWontu previously stated that the Star Fox Exploration Showcase would be available in late August, but as the project has grown exponentially, that date had to be pushed back to late October. You’ll be able to grab the newly enhanced code here when it goes live (though keep in mind you’ll need a legitimate copy of the original ROM to play it). For a closer look at what this mod means for the SNES system, check out the full Time Extension interview where Jack and KandoWontu explore the modder’s entry into the Star Fox franchise and more. What do you think about this huge mod? Start your engines and head on over to the comments to let us know! And don’t forget you can feed your appetite for retro gaming goodness — Nintendo and non-Nintendo — by checking out Time Extension in all its fresh glory, we guarantee you won’t regret it! Further reading:
