Star Fox 64 hit the N64 in 1997, and is still considered a top rail-shooter. So it's not much of a surprise to discover that Star Fox 64 3D, which re-builds in the N64 title from the ground-up, is the first real killer app for the Nintendo 3DS.
When you join the Star Fox crew, you'll be propelled into the depths of a solar system at war. And depending on how you proceed along the game's branching paths, you might restore peace to the universe--or you might simply stare into the mocking, robotic eyes of a decoy. Never give up. Trust your instincts.
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Rail Shooter
ESRB Rating: E10+
When you join the Star Fox crew, you'll be propelled into the depths of a solar system at war. And depending on how you proceed along the game's branching paths, you might restore peace to the universe--or you might simply stare into the mocking, robotic eyes of a decoy. Never give up. Trust your instincts.
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Rail Shooter
ESRB Rating: E10+
THE BASICS: Fly Like a Fox
Star Fox 64 follows the adventures of Fox McCloud, an ace pilot, and his band of mercenary friends. The group is called upon to save their home solar system, Lylat, from the mad scientist Andross. Andross has planted himself on the barren planet of Venom, and Fox and his pals must make their way across the galaxy to take down the twisted ape-man.
Star Fox 64 3D is a rail shooter, meaning that, for the most part, you (as Fox) fly on a set path through several levels and shoot down enemy ships that try and stop you. Most levels have more than one exit, and finding these secret back doors will propel off the beaten path. As a result, Star Fox 64 3D has a lot of terrain to explore, even though it's a rail shooter. Moreover, you occasionally switch to a 360-degree "All Range Mode" to take down boss characters, and you even get a chance to pilot a tank and a submarine.
Your wingmen (Falco Lombardi the pheasant, Peppy Hare, and Slippy Toad) help you by shooting down enemies, giving advice, and analyzing the weak points of boss characters. Once in a while, they'll get into a jam, and you'll have to bail them out of trouble by shooting down troublesome bogeys. If you fail, you'll have to endure without their help (and their banter) for a whole level.
If you get weary about the whole "teamwork" thing, you and your pals can engage in some local multiplayer dogfighting action. You can also challenge yourself by attempting to bring down every single enemy on every single level.
Star Fox 64 3D is a rail shooter, meaning that, for the most part, you (as Fox) fly on a set path through several levels and shoot down enemy ships that try and stop you. Most levels have more than one exit, and finding these secret back doors will propel off the beaten path. As a result, Star Fox 64 3D has a lot of terrain to explore, even though it's a rail shooter. Moreover, you occasionally switch to a 360-degree "All Range Mode" to take down boss characters, and you even get a chance to pilot a tank and a submarine.
Your wingmen (Falco Lombardi the pheasant, Peppy Hare, and Slippy Toad) help you by shooting down enemies, giving advice, and analyzing the weak points of boss characters. Once in a while, they'll get into a jam, and you'll have to bail them out of trouble by shooting down troublesome bogeys. If you fail, you'll have to endure without their help (and their banter) for a whole level.
If you get weary about the whole "teamwork" thing, you and your pals can engage in some local multiplayer dogfighting action. You can also challenge yourself by attempting to bring down every single enemy on every single level.
THE GOOD
Great Graphics -- Star Fox 64 3D rebuilt the polygonal models from Star Fox 64 and added significant polish to make the environments you fly through look like much more than a series of flat polygons. The game's animal cast looks a lot more organic this time around, too (you can see Fox McCloud's teeth when he talks!).
Excellent Use of the 3D Effect -- Star Fox 64 3D utilizes the Nintendo 3DS's 3D feature to its fullest. There's a real sense of depth: meteors fly out at you, enemy ships sneak up from behind, and projectiles zoom past you. This may well be the first game that you'll play end-to-end with the 3D effect on.
Lots of Character -- For better or worse, the original Star Fox 64 was a game that spawned a thousand memes ("Do a barrel roll!" "Can't let you do that, Star Fox!"). That's because the game's cast of characters is a pretty colorful, humorous bunch, and that holds true for Star Fox 64 3D as well. The old, beloved script is intact, with some new additions, and has been re-recorded with improved sound quality.
Lots of Control Options -- Star Fox 64 3D lets you control Fox with the Nintendo 3DS's built-in gyro sensor, or the circle pad, or a combination of the two. Whether you're a Star Fox veteran or a newcomer to the series, you should find something that works for you.
Excellent Use of the 3D Effect -- Star Fox 64 3D utilizes the Nintendo 3DS's 3D feature to its fullest. There's a real sense of depth: meteors fly out at you, enemy ships sneak up from behind, and projectiles zoom past you. This may well be the first game that you'll play end-to-end with the 3D effect on.
Lots of Character -- For better or worse, the original Star Fox 64 was a game that spawned a thousand memes ("Do a barrel roll!" "Can't let you do that, Star Fox!"). That's because the game's cast of characters is a pretty colorful, humorous bunch, and that holds true for Star Fox 64 3D as well. The old, beloved script is intact, with some new additions, and has been re-recorded with improved sound quality.
Lots of Control Options -- Star Fox 64 3D lets you control Fox with the Nintendo 3DS's built-in gyro sensor, or the circle pad, or a combination of the two. Whether you're a Star Fox veteran or a newcomer to the series, you should find something that works for you.
THE BAD
No Tank or On-Foot Segments in Multiplayer -- Star Fox 64 had a very popular multiplayer option that let players hunt each other down in ships, Landmaster tanks, or even on foot. Though Star Fox 64 3D's multiplayer mode is polished and enjoyable, you're segregated to ships only. No tanks, and no pedestrian mode.
No Online Multiplayer -- Star Fox 64 3D's multiplayer is exclusively local. Though up to four players can join in a multiplayer session on one game cartridge through DS Download Play, it would have been nice to be able to compete with friends via a Wi-Fi connection.
No Online Multiplayer -- Star Fox 64 3D's multiplayer is exclusively local. Though up to four players can join in a multiplayer session on one game cartridge through DS Download Play, it would have been nice to be able to compete with friends via a Wi-Fi connection.
CONCLUSION: Take Off
Star Fox 64 3D is one of the finest rail shooter games on the market, and it's definitely a great showcase for what the Nintendo 3DS is capable of doing. Regardless of whether you're an old Star Fox veteran or this is your first time behind the controls of an Arwing fighter, abandon terra firma and sign up with Fox's crew.
Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
