Star Fox is back in the spotlight. With his upcoming appearance in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie and a new Star Fox game reportedly in development, Fox McCloud is trending heavily on social media—and not just for his classic rail-shooting antics. A longstanding fan theory claiming that Fox is actually an amputee has resurfaced, sparking debate among longtime Nintendo fans.

How the Amputee Theory Started

The theory originated from older Star Fox games, where character models and certain illustrations led some players to speculate that Star Fox pilots had amputated legs, presumably replaced with prosthetics. Supporters of this theory pointed to real-world air force pilots who can endure higher G-forces without legs, suggesting that in-universe, the Star Fox team might have undergone similar modifications. While unusual for a Nintendo title, the theory gained traction in certain fan circles due to its plausibility within the sci-fi context of the franchise.

Miyamoto’s Reaction Puts the Rumor to Rest

Star Fox creator Shigeru Miyamoto has weighed in, and his response was anything but supportive of the theory. According to Kit Ellis, Nintendo of America’s former marketing lead, Miyamoto’s reaction when asked about the amputee rumors was a mixture of shock and disbelief, described as “‘wait, what?’ / ‘get me out of here’ / ‘are you nuts?'”

This reaction strongly suggests that the theory is not canon. Fans can likely expect to see a fully intact Fox McCloud when he makes his debut in the Super Mario Galaxy movie next month, putting the speculation to rest once and for all.

What This Means for Fans

While fan theories can often spark interesting discussions, this particular rumor now appears to be one of the more outlandish ideas in the Star Fox community. With the character poised for a big return in both film and game form, players and audiences alike can look forward to experiencing the adventures of Fox McCloud in his original, fully-legged form.

The upcoming Star Fox game, though details remain scarce, is expected to capitalize on the renewed interest in the franchise, possibly bringing classic rail-shooter mechanics to a modern audience along with new gameplay innovations. For fans of the series, the next few months promise exciting developments as the interstellar adventures of Fox and his team continue.