Star Fox Zero The Battle Begins [Episode 1]

Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins – A Fun Teaser That Leaves Fans Begging for More

If you’re a Nintendo fan, you’ve probably heard of Star Fox—the classic space shooter series where you pilot an Arwing, yell “Do a Barrel Roll!” at your TV, and save the galaxy with a ragtag team of animal pilots. So when Nintendo dropped Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins in 2016, a 15-minute animated short to hype their Wii U game, fans were stoked… but also left wanting way more. Let’s break down why this little gem worked—and why we’re still crossing our fingers for a full series.

First off, the basics: this short was a collab between Nintendo, Production I.G (the studio behind Ghost in the Shell), and Wit Studio (yes, the Attack on Titan people). It aired on April 20, 2016, just two days before the game hit shelves, and it’s basically a prologue to Star Fox Zero. The plot? Andross, the evil ape exiled from the Lylat System, attacks Corneria and kidnaps General Pepper. Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, Peppy Hare, and Slippy Toad suit up in their Arwings to stop him. Simple, right? But for fans, it’s like hanging out with old friends—especially if you grew up with the N64 classic.

Now, let’s talk about what fans actually thought. Spoiler: most loved it, but everyone agreed it was too short. One MyAnimeList user summed it up perfectly: “It was fun, it lacked Star Wolf and a good boss fight though.” Another said, “I liked it but obviously at only 15 minutes, not much time for substance. Fun to see the old gang again, though.” Yeah, 15 minutes is barely enough to set up a mission, let alone dive into character backstories or epic battles. But hey, it’s a promo—what do you expect?

The best part? The nostalgia hits. Fans went wild for the “Do a Barrel Roll!” moment (a line so iconic it’s basically a meme). One user even said, “I got my barrel roll so I’m happy lol.” The voice acting also got props—especially the English dub. “The voice acting was superb (Eng. dub version),” gushed a fan, while another added, “Wow, better than I expect. I actually liked the dub.” For a series that’s all about personality, hearing Fox’s cocky quips and Peppy’s dad-joke advice felt just right.

But not everything was perfect. The CGI animation split the crowd. Some loved it—“The animation was really well-done, really makes me long to see more CGI of that quality in anime,” said a viewer—but others thought it was choppy. “My only real complaint is the frame rate in this anime, it was worse than Ajin,” one fan griped. Another added, “The CG Animation was a letdown especially coming from Nintendo—they know how to do cutscenes in their games but the frame rate for the CG was awful.” Fair point: Nintendo’s game cutscenes are usually top-tier, so the short’s janky moments stood out.

And then there’s the biggest request: MORE. Like, way more. Fans are begging for a full series. “Seriously, Nintendo, just make this a full-length anime,” pleaded one user. Another dreamed of “a more mature version of a Star Fox Anime,” while someone else joked, “Full Anime Series would be a great idea. After they finish with Attack On Titan Season 2 that is.” Even non-gamers got hooked—one viewer who knew the characters from Smash Bros. said, “I found it enjoyable… I’d have liked to have seen more.”

Let’s be real: Star Fox has all the makings of a great anime. You’ve got a ragtag team, intergalactic politics, epic space battles, and even a rival crew (Star Wolf, who was missing here—boo!). Imagine a 12-episode series where we dive into Fox’s struggle to live up to his dad’s legacy, Falco’s rebellious streak, or Peppy’s past as a veteran pilot. Throw in some Attack On Titan-level animation (since Wit Studio is already on board) and you’ve got a hit.

But until that happens, The Battle Begins is a fun little treat. It’s not deep, it’s not long, but it’s pure Star Fox charm. Whether you’re a diehard fan who still has their N64 controller or a newbie who knows Fox from Smash, it’s worth a watch—if only to hear that barrel roll line one more time.

So, Nintendo… if you’re listening? Let’s make this happen. We need more Arwing dogfights, more Falco sass, and more of that classic Star Fox magic. Until then, we’ll just rewatch this short and cross our fingers. And hey—if you haven’t seen it yet? Grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy 15 minutes of space-faring fun. Just don’t forget to do a barrel roll when you’re done. 🚀

Final Verdict: 7/10. It’s a fun, nostalgic teaser that leaves you craving a full meal. Here’s to hoping Nintendo answers the call—and gives us the Star Fox anime we all deserve.