📰 New article from RetroRGB
Star Fox Super FX3 Mod Released
https://retrorgb.com/star-fox-super-fx3-mod-released.html
Remember how Star Fox on the SNES felt like watching paint dry through a keyhole? The framerate dips were legendary, often turning intense dogfights into slideshow presentations. Well, say hello to the Super FX3 mod.
Developers Sunlit and the legendary Randy Linden have released a patch that upgrades the original cartridge with the same “Super FX3” chip powering SNES Doom. The result? A smoother, more consistent 20fps with significantly fewer stutters. They’ve also added rumble support and MSU-1 audio for a richer experience.
Here’s the catch: it’s not quite magic. The FX3 chip itself is four times faster than its predecessors, but Star Fox still bottlenecks on the main CPU, which has to send drawing commands. So, while it’s a massive improvement, you’ll still see occasional chugs, especially in chaotic levels like Sector Z. And no, it won’t fill the screen—hardware limitations prevent direct VRAM access, keeping that classic letterbox intact.
Right now, you need the latest Mesen emulator to play. But the real excitement is brewing for hardware enthusiasts, as the FXPak Pro and MiSTer are already working on native support. If you’ve got an old SNS lying around, this might just be the upgrade you’ve been waiting for.