remember. those aren't metal boots. they're metal legs

In the SNES game, yes, but that fact is less canonical as of Lylat Wars.

Originally the amputation for the metal legs was to handle the G-forces that the characters would have to endure in order to pull off being pilots in Arwings. However, Lylat Wars' introduces a G-Diffuser system which probably is what your life bar is attributed to. With said G-Diffuser system, which appears to be common technology at the time, the need for metal legs becomes a lot less necessary. That said, the legs still look robotic in the few moments to see them.

The actual designs weren't redone until Adventures was released, be rare. In which they become oversized boots. A fact that is later used by Assault and Namco. Then Command and Q-Games/Nintendo. Then later when Lylat Wars was remade for the 3DS, Nintendo/Q-Games seem to give them boots rather than robotic legs. Incidentally, in SSB they appear to be metallic, in melee they appear to be robotic, in Brawl they appear to be leather boots and oversized enough to have their own cartoon series written by Disney.

It is feasible that they could have the G-Diffuser and the legs to combat G-forces, but it's just as likely that tight, large boots are being used to the same effect later on. Not to mentionthat the original SNES artwork was designed off the puppets, that needed metal legs in order to stand upright (alleged).

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It's a moot point though. Who says we're piloting at speeds and forces enough to require metal legs anyway? My character's piloting skills are likely on par with Slippy, or worse; he'd rather avoid being in those situations. :P

well considering that it changed when rare did star fox. which the first game they did was nintendo mainly saying. "we already have a fox. lets use him. i don't except that reality. to me they are metal legs. and the most logical reason to me for why they are metal legs instead of g-force leg suit is that they lock into their ship so only specific pilots could fly. pilots from star fox specifically being the only pilots to those arwings

The only obvious change is when Rare did it. It could be it was changed in Lylat Wars, but was not made clear due to graphical quality. The G Diffuser system is what actually allows the Arwing to fly from my interpretation, as the loss of control is evident every time you are hit by laser fire. In addition, it is referenced as being necessary when you start at Corneria by requiring to check it before they begin the mission. Plus when Falco is first chased, he complains ha something is wrong with the G Diffuser. An interpretation of the name could be that it diffuses and/or negates the G Forces involved because of Sci-Fi hand waving.

That's a lot to cover!