Fox McCloud
Fox McCloud (Japanese: フォックス) is a fictional character from the Star Fox series of video games. He was created by Takaya Imamura. As his name implies, he is a fox (although anthropomorphized), and the protagonist of the Star Fox series. According to Star Fox 64 Player's Guide, Fox's image was modeled after the Japanese god Inari's foxes, though they are white while McCloud bears Red Fox markings. Fox even wears a red "bib" around his neck, much like the statues at the Inari shrines.
Fox McCloud hails from the planet Corneria in the Lylat System and pilots the Arwing space ship as leader of the mercenary Star Fox team, summoned by General Pepper. He is the son of James McCloud, founder of the Star Fox team. In Star Fox 64, his father was captured and killed by his archnemesis Andross.
In Super Smash Bros. series, Fox's voices were done by Shinobu Satōchi. For English dialogue of Super Smash Bros. Melee and Star Fox Adventures, Fox's voice was done by Rare's Steve Malpass, and in Star Fox: Assault, his voice was done by Jim Walker.
Appearance in games
Fox McCloud has been featured in several games, beginning with the original Star Fox for the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom:
- Star Fox (scrolling shooter, 1993)
- Star Fox 64 (scrolling shooter, 1997, for the N64)
- Super Smash Bros. (fighting game, 1999, N64)
- Super Smash Bros. Melee (fighting game, 2001, by Nintendo, GameCube)
- Star Fox Adventures (adventure game, 2002, GameCube)
- Star Fox Assault (shooter, 2005, GameCube)
Fox also has small cameos in other games, notably Stunt Race FX, where a portrait of him can be found in track-side billboards. In F-Zero GX, a Fox McCloud custom paintjob can be applied to the vehicles.
Star Fox Adventures
In Star Fox Adventures, set eight years later, Fox McCloud calmed the conflict on Dinosaur Planet by returning the SpellStones to their rightful positions, freeing Krystal by returning the five remaining Krazoa Spirits to their rightful positions, and defeating a reawakened Andross. After that, he returned to Great Fox, and General Pepper paid him for saving Dinosaur Planet (Star Fox). He and Krystal were reunited, and Krystal joined the Star Fox team. Immediately afterwards, the Star Fox team used the money that Fox received to repair the Great Fox.
Star Fox Assault
In Star Fox Assault, Fox played a crucial role in defeating the Aparoids, firing the final shot to bring down the Aparoid Queen. Due to the Aparoid threat, Fox and his team joined forces with their rivals, Star Wolf, to defeat the Aparoids.
Star Fox Assault Vs. Mode Skills
- Health = 3/5
- Speed = 3/5
- Jump = 3/5
- Arwing Skill = 4/5
- Wolfen Skill = ?
- Landmaster Skill = 4/5
- On-Foot Skill = 4/5
- Special = None
Super Smash Bros. series
Fox McCloud is also one of the characters in the original Nintendo 64 Super Smash Bros. game and Super Smash Bros. Melee. He is lighter in the original Super Smash Bros. than in Super Smash Bros. Melee (Falco Lombardi emulates how Fox McCloud was in the original Super Smash Bros.) Fox's blasters are more rapid but do not make his opponents flinch, while Falco Lombardi's blasters are not as fast, but cause opponents to back away. Fox is also generally regarded as a top-tier character in the latter game.