- “I've been waiting for you, Star Fox. With my mighty intellect, the universe shall soon be mine to command as I see fit. Opposing me is truly a death sentence... Just ask your father.”
- —
Andross, sometimes known as Emperor Andross or Dr. Andross, is the main antagonist in the Star Fox series, and is the arch-nemesis of Fox McCloud. He is an evil mad scientist who is highly skilled in building technology, supernatural powers, and battle tactics. His forces have tried to take over the Lylat System many times. Exiled to the distant penal planet of Venom for his destructive and dangerous experiments with bio-technology, the mad scientist Andross has recently resurfaced as the supreme commander of a seemingly unstoppable military force. Striking without warning, his invasion fleets have overrun the minimal defenses outposts of the many planets in the Lylat system, and are even now attacking the most populous world in the system, Corneria. As a scientist on Corneria, Andross specialized in bio-technology and space warps. It is theorized that exposure to his own deadly experiments may have driven him mad. In the time since his exile, who knows how his continued experimental work may have affected him?
Biography
Chief Science Officer
Andross was born and raised on Corneria, fourth planet of the system, and his brilliance began to outshine other children, eventually growing up to be a brilliant Cornerian scientist with the purest of intentions. The research and results of Dr. Andross origianlly proved to be beneficial towards both Corneria and the Lylat System at large, earning him the title of a genius to be honored and respected. Over time, Dr. Andross had started to change his ways from good to ill, as he had been starting to focus all his time and energy researching bio-technology and space warps. His life's newfound efforts in researching unethical bio-technology and dangerous wormholes went in vain after they proved no use to the more peaceful citizens of Corneria, that left General Pepper of the Cornerian Army suspicious, often questioning the value of them. It was not long until both Andross and General Pepper came into a serious confrontation over the issue, and ordered all his work to be suspended. Not content with letting his work go to waste, Dr. Andross's mind became more and more twisted and his morals became demented, so he ignored his warnings and kept working on his dangerous experimentation in secret, with his wider growing lust for power bringing him to the point of insanity with a disregard for public safety.
First Class Offender
While being ordered to terminate his research, Andross continued on his work despite Pepper's demands, eventually with his experimentation causing a massive explosion that tragically destroyed a large portion of Corneria City, with his experiments also resulting in most of the Lylat System being reduced to a wasteland of near extinction. Infuriated, General Pepper placed Andross under arrest and tried him for treason as a first class offender, before having the maniacal scientist finally banished to the desolate planet Venom, in fear that he could potentially subvert the entire Lylat System if left to do his bidding. The General assumed that the traitorous ape would not survive.
Exile
Contrary to expectations, in exile and without any interference from General Pepper, Andross did not succumb to the disgraceful downfall and was able to get back on schedule, for he became a twisted shell of his former being and was driven by vengeful madness, going as far as exposing himself to his own lethal experimentation. Digging a maze of tunnels deep into the planet's crust, Andross soon built himself what he was denied back on Corneria, a palace of his own, where his thoughts and intentions shifted from protecting the Lylat System to destroying it and ruling a new galaxy under his new name as self proclaimed Emperor Andross. As the years progressed, Andross's evil ambition had served as a magnet to attract the scum of the Lylat system into his service, beginning to build armies of minions expected to willingly give their lives in the name of their master and the most powerful and intelligent of his followers had been promoted to positions of leadership in Venom's military machine, and each were given command of specialized war machines of great power. Andross dispatched these key lieutenants to seize strategic locations throughout the Lylat system. The machines they controlled came in a variety of shapes and sizes, and were always accompanied by fleets of support craft. With this new power founded by the forces of Venom, Andross created an empire.
Recon
Five years had passed since Andross was banished from Corneria, and General Pepper was informed by Corneria's observation station that they noticed strange signs of bioweaponry activity coming from Venom. Under direct order from the Cornerian Army, a band of mercenaries known as the Star Fox team were sent to investigate these sightings. The team consisted of three members: James McCloud, the founder and leader, Peppy Hare, his best friend, and Pigma Dengar, his other best friend. Upon their arrival however, the Arwing duo discovered too late that Andross's forces were lying in wait for them all along, as Pigma had turned his back on James and Peppy, leading his betrayed teammates into a deadly trap and set them up to be taken prisoners by Andross. Somehow, Peppy was barely able to escape from Venom on his own, and returned home to inform General Pepper and James’ son, Fox, about his father's fate, and to warn Pepper about the growing threat of Andross's new empire. The exact fate of James was never proven, but he was widely assumed to have been personally killed by Andross himself.
- “Only I have the brains to rule Lylat!”
- —Andross
Four years passed since the presumed death of Andross. After the Lylat Wars, the galaxy seemed to be at peace. A Cornerian base was established on Titania for research on its ruins, but was unfortunately a front for the leader of the base, Captain Shears, to resurrect the great Andross by cloning genetic remnants of him found on the planet. Sometime during the past four years, a space gang of runaways, led by Katt Monroe, had hacked into the main database of Captain Shears’ files and discovered research documents on resurrecting Andross, although they initially believed that they were plans for a bioweapon. She managed to contact Falco, a former member of the gang, for assistance in dealing with what she found. Falco left without his team's permission while they were debriefed on the situation. Captain Shears misled the Star Fox team into believing the gang were actually servants of Andross, resulting in a dogfight between Fox and Falco. It was not until after Slippy explored the base and realized the truth, as well as the gang hailing Fox on the communications channel and explaining what happened and reviewing the files they hacked, that the fighting ended, although Slippy ended up captured in the process. Fox entered Captain Shears’ base on Titania in an attempt to stop him, but it was too late. The once powerful dictator Andross had awakened, despite Slippy's efforts in stopping Andross's revival. Captain Shears was crushed by the resurrected Andross, who thereafter immediately attacked Fox. Fox blinded Andross by throwing Shears's rapier at one of his eyes, escaping a close encounter and enraging Andross even more. Luckily, the Star Fox team managed to destroy the base and left Andross beneath its ruins by using a Landmaster.
- “I am reborn! The mighty Krazoa God!”
- —Andross
Legacy
- “I am the one and only true heir to the great emperor Andross! The new emperor, Andrew Oikonny!”
- —Andrew Oikonny
Although he was thought to be gone he was certainly not forgotten. Andross's descendants, nephew Andrew Oikonny and grandson Dash Bowman, both attempted to carry out his desires. Dash tried to revive the memory of his grandfather's original intentions of helping the Lylat system, whereas Andrew proclaimed himself the new emperor to continue Andross's evil intent on ruling the Lylat system.
Ghost
- “I am the ghost of Andross... I protect this place with my bioweapon!”
- —Andross
Other Appearances
Star Fox Comics
Andross in the first Nintendo Power comic.
A more normal depiction of Andross appears as the main antagonist in the Nintendo Power comic series, an alternate retelling of the original "Star Fox" game. Once a brilliant, respected scientist working for the Cornerian Army, he was actually working behind enemy lines to learn of their ways in order to finally get even with them for the linked deaths of his foster android pig parents. Andross is also accidentally responsible for the death of Fox's mother, Vixy Reinard, but he did try to rig her explosive for Fox's father. The reason for Vixy's accidental death was because Andross was madly in love with her and planned to get her family out of the way. He kept this dark secret to himself until his clone let it slip in front of Fox.
Later on in exile, Andross made the discovery that Venom hosted lifeforms of humanoid lizards. He deemed these lizards primitive until discovered ancient Venomian schematics for a "Telekinetic Amplifier," which he built to hypnotize and enslave the natives of Venom. It thus forms an essential piece of his empire as he expands his rule, with some resistance such as the four bandits later known as Star Fox and Corneria's main forces. The Telekinetic Amplifier itself resembles the final boss of the SNES game, showing that it is an invention of Andross in this version.
When the team infiltrates Venom in Act 5, Andross controls the core and uses the Telekinetic Amplifier in an attempt to dispatch Fox. Its defenses are initially impenetrable, but Slippy and Peppy take out Herbert in Andross's control chamber, who was powering the machine. When this happens, the Telekinetic Amplifier is weakened; Fox shatters the body and shoots the core. It would later be revealed that Andross was not inside it upon its destruction, but was rather relaying a transmission feed. Andross would soon strike back with other weapons such as mind-controlling transmitters and his own two clones.
Lylat Wars Comic

Fox meets Andross in the Star Fox 64 manga.
Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins

Andross in the anime, watching General Pepper with hatred.
The attack on the Cornerian people is ended when the Androsa warship is downed and Granga retreats, however, the Androssian threat is not over as a battle rages on in Sector Alpha, therefore General Pepper asks the Star Fox team to provide backup while he speaks with Peppy on his secret private channel because the discussion is strictly between them concerning that the attack was only the beginning and then discuss the importance of a weapon that Andross dared to rebuild. Pepper asks Peppy to do what must be done when the time comes, but it must kept strictly between them and the team must not find out.
The short ends with Andross learning that Fox now leads his father's team, and laughs knowing he'll enjoy the oncoming battle between them.Notes
- Andross' surname remains unknown. In instances such as "Star Fox" materials, the Nintendo Power Star Fox 64 strategy guide, and the opening prologue of "Command", he is named "Dr. Andross", hinting he goes by his surname. His nephew and grandson, however, have different surnames (Oikonny and Bowman, respectively). It is further unknown if Andross is the maternal or paternal uncle or grandfather to Andrew and Dash.
- Due to "Adventures" containing an English voice cast in all regions, he was also known as Andross in the Japanese version. In addition, the briefings in the load screens of the Japanese version of " Assault" also call him by that name. As he is otherwise usually known as "Andorf" in Japan, this may suggest that his full name includes both Andorf and Andross. Incidentally, both games were the only ones initially released in North America.
- At least in Nintendo Power comics, Andross is also accidentally responsible for the death of Fox's mother, Vixy Reinard, but he did try to rig her explosive for Fox's father. As a note to the above, the reason for Vixy's accidental death was because Andross was madly in love with her and planned to get her family out of the way. James' later death was obviously more intentional. This makes Andross responsible for the deaths of both Fox's parents.
- In the manga "Farewell, Beloved Falco", the original SNES incarnation of Andross is telepathically projected on computer monitors as resurrected Andross begins to awaken.
- The same source also implies that Andross's hatred of Fox for his earlier defeat were recorded in genetic memory, since he was largely amnesiac beyond his name due to not recognizing Slippy, but had his memories resurge just from a brief glance at Fox while the latter was dueling Shears.
- In virtually every Star Fox medium, the main threats usually had some tie to Andross ("Star Fox", Star Fox 64, "Zero" and "Star Fox 2" had Andross as the primary villain and final boss, "Farewell, Beloved Falco" had a Cornerian Millitary turncoat force lead by Captain Shears attempting to resurrect Andross, "Adventures" had the SharpClaws being manipulated by Andross, and "Command" had the implication that the Anglar species were a bioengineered race created by Andross). The only exception was "Assault", where the main threat, the Aparoids, had absolutely no ties to Andross.
- Although Andross himself did not appear in "Assault", his monochromatic insignia is present throughout the Sargasso Hideou and the Oikonny Rebellion briefing, granting him one small appearance in that game.
- Andross stated in "Adventures" that he now intended to destroy the Lylat System, instead of conquest. This different ambition may be attributed to the developer change.
- His original Japanese name, Andorf, may be a portmanteau of Android (in reference to his initial robotic-looking final boss appearance) and Adolf (as in Hitler). His revised English name, Andross, may instead be a reference to Sir Edmund Andros; Andros was the Governor of the Dominion of New England while it existed, which he ruled restrictively and cruelly.
- When Krystal gives her account of General Pepper and Andross's feud in "Command", the image shown is almost a reversal of the one from "Star Fox 64" with Andross and Pepper in the opposite positions (Pepper having a slightly incensed disposition while Andross is scolding Pepper from behind in Command, with Andross having an incensed disposition while General Pepper is scolding Andross from behind in 64.).
Names in Other Languages
Language | Name |
---|---|
Japanese | アンドルフ (Andorufu) Andorf (天才科学者 Genius Scientist) |
Chinese | 安德羅斯 (Traditional) 安德罗斯 (Simplified) (Āndéluósī) |
Korean | 안돌프 (Andolpeu) |
Russian | Андросс (Andross) |
References
- NINTENDO POWER Star Fox 64: Official Nintendo Player's Guide. Redmond, WA, Nintendo of America. 1997.
- http://f.starfox-online.net/archives/starFox64.comReconstructed/andross.html
- http://f.starfox-online.net/archives/starFox64.comReconstructed/lieutenants.html
- http://f.starfox-online.net/archives/starFox64.comReconstructed/minions.html
- http://f.starfox-online.net/archives/starFox64.comReconstructed/starwolf.html
- Star Fox (End Credits)
- http://starfox64.baldninja.com/sf64cast.htm
- http://starfox643d.nintendo.com/#/characters/supporting
- List of Super Smash Bros. series Trophies (Star Fox series)
- http://starfox64.baldninja.com/sf64cast.htm
- Star Fox 1993; Instruction Booklet
- http://sfc.krystalarchive.com/text/titaniaAndrosssLegacy.html
- Star Fox 64 1997; Instruction Booklet
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Characters | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Supporting Characters | Vivian Hare • General Pepper • Marcus • Slippy's son • Peppy's granddaughter | |
Bosses | ZaZanga 9 • Splitter • Devil Shark • Octopod • Biobrain • Star Wolf (Wolf, Panther and Leon) • Death Crab • Pigma Dengar • Solar Satellite • Killer Bee • Dune Worm • Monarch Dodora • Grunner • Arrow Head • Anglar Emperor | |
Enemies | Anglar Starfish • Elite Fighter • Anglar Missile • Anglar Mothership | |
Locations | Corneria • Aquas • Asteroid Belt • Fichina • Katina • Sector X • Sector Y • Sector Z • Solar • Titania • Venom | |
Navigation | Plot • Missions • Gallery • Videos • Script |
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Bosses | Mirage Dragon • Tektron • Hunter Fantron • Space Blade • Algy • Pigma • Leon • Wolf • Andross | |
Enemies | Moth Glider • Planet Missile • Night Fang • Hal Bird • Skull Toad • Sky Kicker • Spread Missile • Brain Spoiler • Spiral Kite • Cannon Bomber • Prison Bow • Turtle Missile • Station Missile • The Spinners • Metal Boomerang | |
Locations | Corneria • Satellite Defense Platform • Titania • Meteor • Fortuna • Macbeth • Venom • Eladard • Cannon Betrayer • Secret Base • Astropolis • | |
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