The last, true Star Fox game - titled Star Fox Assault - was released back in 2005. Since then, it's been nothing but spin-offs and remakes. It's been nearly ten years...but the wait is finally over: Nintendo just announced that a brand-new, full-fledged Star Fox game is on the way to the Wii U!

Now called Star Fox Zero, Nintendo's newest game is a return to form for the series: there's no overblown RPG elements or watered-down portable experience. It's clear that Star Fox Zero is being designed from the ground up as a true successor to Star Fox 64 - that being said, there's plenty here that fans have never seen in any Star Fox game.

This is far more than another simple on-rails shooter: get ready for dual screens, giant bosses, mechs and brand-new transforming vehicles!

From the outset, it's obvious that Nintendo knows what its fans are hoping for: nobody wants to run around smacking dinosaurs with a stick (looking at you, Star Fox Adventures). It should be all about flying, shooting and barrel-rolling...and, judging by the short trailer that Nintendo showed off earlier today, Star Fox Zero is exactly that.

Of course, it just isn't Star Fox with blasting enemies out of the sky, and there's definitely plenty of that in Star Fox Zero. The core gameplay returns to the series' signature style: semi-on rails segments in which players are tasked with shooting down wave after wave of enemies. As usual, the Arwing will be players' main tool for doing so - but it's not the only one, either.

The Walker, one of the game's new vehicles, is based on a design from the cancelled Star Fox 2 on the Super Nintendo, and it appears to have made the 20-year jump intact. Think of it this way: what if the wings on Fox's ship turned over and became mechanical legs? It's joined by the GyroWing, a helicopter-esque vehicle that specialized in stealth missions.  That's not to say that it can't fight, but it's clear that the GyroWing was designed with stealth-based missions in mind.

If the GyroWing doesn't sound like your thing, don't worry - Star Fox Zero isn't a stealth game - especially considering Fox's next ride. The Landmaster tank from Star Fox 64 is back in a big way, and with a whole lot more agility - you won't have to worry about slamming into haphazardly-placed train tracks anymore, as the tank can now take to the skies!

In prior games, specialized vehicles were limited to specifically-designed stages - but that's not the case in Star Fox Zero. From the looks of things, players will be able to choose whichever vehicle they want to pilot in previously-cleared levels, meaning that it's entirely possible to bring the Landmaster tank into space on a second run. Replayability has always been a huge selling point for Star Fox games, and it's good to see that the same will hold true for Star Fox Zero.

It's been a long, long time since fans were able to strap into an Arwing and do a barrel roll - thankfully, it won't be much longer before they can do it again. Star Fox Zero will be available on Wii U sometime later this year.

Stay tuned for more E3 2015 coverage all week from TechTimes and T-Lounge!