New 'Star Fox Zero' footage displays graphical upgrades

The Japanese website of “Star Fox Zero” has new exclusive gameplay videos, and it not only shows off the title's gameplay but also graphical improvements from the previous video shown last June. This is good news for those worried about the Wii U exclusive, as it shows that Nintendo is hard at work to make the game better.

Some of the visual improvements include players' ability to see lead character Fox through the glass of the ship’s cockpit. This wasn’t possible in the playable build that was showcased in the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), which took place in Los Angeles.

More effects were added to the game as well, according to Eurogamer. As can be seen in the video below, the game’s areas now have better lighting and higher resolution textures, which should make the title more immersive.

“Star Fox Zero” was originally going to be released this month, just in time for the holiday season. However, Shigeru Miyamoto, one of the game’s top designers, decided to delay it until April 2016, stating that the team could still polish the title’s visuals and maybe even work out some kinks. This seems to have been a smart move, as the game looks much better than it did a few months ago.

Aside from visual upgrades, Destructoid also confirmed that the development team is also working on improving players' experience on the gamepad of the Wii U. Since the title can be played on both screens, it’s vital that the team make the gameplay just as smooth in the gamepad as it is in a big-screen television.

When Nintendo first announced the game, the company stated that “Star Fox Zero” would be a must-buy title and would make gamers buy a Wii U. While Wii U sales have improved, thanks to titles like “Splatoon” and “Mario Maker,” it will be interesting to see how “Star Fox Zero” contributes to the gaming platform's performance when the title gets released next year.

Another Wii U game coming out in 2016 is the new “Legend of Zelda” title. While Nintendo is planning to release a new console next year, it looks like the Wii U will receive a number of quality games before it dies out.

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