The PlayStation 5 just got a new indie game reminiscent of Star Fox, as developer Chuhai Labs and publisher Balor Games launched Wild Blue Skies, an indie game based heavily on 90s arcade rail shooters. The PS5 version of Wild Blue Skies is now available to purchase on the PlayStation Store for a fraction of the price of Star Fox‘s recent Switch 2 remake.
The arrival of Wild Blue Skies came months after Star Fox returned to the spotlight. Star Fox on Switch 2 is a remake of 1997’s Star Fox 64, with a new character art style that initially drew mixed responses from Nintendo fans. While Star Fox may not be one of the top IPs within Nintendo’s repertoire, that has not stopped the rail-shooter series from achieving success in its own right. The physical edition of Star Fox went on to be the top-selling Switch 2 game in the UK following its launch, beating out games like EA Sports FC 26 and Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition.
New Game Wild Blue Skies Takes Heavy Inspiration from Star Fox
Although Star Fox is exclusive to the Switch 2, players on other platforms now have an indie alternative game to consider. Wild Blue Skies is now available for $14.99 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam. The $14.99 price is one-fourth of the cost of Star Fox‘s digital edition on the Nintendo eShop. Created by Chuhai Labs, Wild Blue Skies is described as a throwback to 90s rail-shooters. Though it does not outright mention Star Fox by name, the inspirations that Wild Blue Skies took are quite apparent. Players assume control of an anthropomorphic canine pilot named Bowie Stray, as he leads the Blue Bombers on a mission to save the world from Grimclaw. Bowie’s teammates are a deer named Roe Whitetail, the reptilian rookie Thorne Prickle, and the old bull Chuck Barbacoa.
Kyoto-based developer Chuhai Labs previously stated that the studio was founded by Giles Goddard, who previously worked on the first Star Fox game as a programmer with Nintendo. Initially developed as Wild Blue, the shooter was renamed to its current title in November 2025. The main cast of Bowie, Roe, Thorne, and Chuck are respectively voiced in English by Jonah Scott, Suzie Yeung, Edward Bosco, and Daman Mills. Keen-eyed fans may recognize Yeung in particular for her role as Yuffie Kisaragi in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series.
However, Wild Blue Skies is not the only Star Fox-inspired indie game to come out this summer. Fans of both Star Fox and Resident Evil Zero can check out Fright Train once it launches on Steam starting September 15. Fright Train is a third-person survival horror roguelite set in Antarctica, as players assume the role of a canine paranormal specialist named Doug Barker.
Reviews for Wild Blue Skies have ranged from mixed to mostly positive as of this writing. The PS5 version currently holds a rating of 4.33 stars out of 5, while the Steam port of Wild Blue Skies sits at 58% positive. Given the direct inspiration that Star Fox has had on Wild Blue Skies, time will tell how the latter will fare by comparison.
- Released
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August 13, 2026
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
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Chuhai Labs, VITEI BACKROOM Inc.
- Publisher(s)
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Balor Games