As rumours of a new Star Fox game swirl, we finally know what happened to the series’ iconic promotional puppets from the 90s
In the early 1990s, Nintendo deployed puppet versions of Star Fox characters—Fox McCloud, Slippy, Falco, and Peppy—as part of the promotional campaign for the classic SNES title Star Fox (or Starwing in some regions). These distinctive promotional mascots captured public attention during the game’s marketing push but subsequently faded from public view once the campaign concluded.
Time Extension recently investigated the decades-long mystery surrounding the fate of these iconic puppets. The publication reached out to key figures in Star Fox’s development, including programmer Dylan Cuthbert and artist Takaya Imamura, hoping to uncover clues about where the puppets ended up. However, neither developer had clear information about what became of them.
After following multiple leads, Time Extension ultimately succeeded in solving the mystery and discovering what happened to the promotional puppets. The investigation provides closure to an overlooked piece of Nintendo’s promotional history from the early 90s.
The timing of this discovery coincides with renewed interest in the Star Fox franchise, as rumors have begun circulating about a potential new Star Fox game in development. This resurgence of attention to the series has rekindled curiosity about its legacy and historical significance.