After the absolute tradgedy that was Star Fox: Adventures, Nintendo realized that following one of the best rail shooters on the N64 with a bad Ocarina of Time clone was not the smartest move. To create the next game, they decided to (attempt to) distance themselves from it by having it developed by Namco instead of RareWare, a good choice given their experience with Ace Combat.
Unfortunately, multiple elements from Adventures stuck around for some reason. Ground combat is now used as filler between the 4 Arwing-only missions. The initial trailer for Star Fox: Armada shown at E3 2004 was actually booed by the audience, and subsequently retooled into Assault, which much of the fun of the previous two games restored. Sadly, it didn’t do well enough for Nintendo to continue the franchise on the Wii, but I think it’s still enjoyable enough to stand on its’ own as a good game.
Assault technically follows continuity with Star Fox 64. But, since neither game is particularly plot-heavy, nor do they explain much if anything, you don’t really need to have seen the previous games to understand Assault.
END ME SCOOB will be joining me as the person who has never played or seen a Star Fox game.
Episode #1https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ_W-HGTVUA
Episode #2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-VDtdR9VYo