Star Fox 64 3D

UPC: 045496741624

Platform: Nintendo 3DS

Publisher: Nintendo of America, Inc.

Developer: Nintendo EAD

Category: Simulation

Style(s): Space Combat Sim

Synopsis: In the role of a fighter-pilot fox named Buck McCloud, players find space-faring adventure throughout a fantastical galaxy populated by anthropomorphic animals. Star Fox 64 3D is a portable remake of the Nintendo 64 classic that uses the 3DS' stereoscopic display and unique hardware interfaces. The game follows the plot and play style of the 1997 original, although in "3DS Mode," players can steer by tilting and turning the 3DS in the direction they want to fly. A "64 Mode" is available as well, with controls more similar to those of the console version. The flight sim action includes dog-fighting and obstacle-course challenges. From one cliff-hanger mission to the next, McCloud and his squad-mates follow a branching path across the galaxy, facing high-speed 3D flight challenges on planet surfaces and in deep space. "Download Play" local multiplayer options allow up to four 3DS gamers to fly together on a single copy of Star Fox 64 3D. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Package Contents: 20-page Instruction Manual

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

Star Fox 64 3D marks the second Nintendo 64 cartridge to receive the enhanced 3D treatment after 1998's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It is at once an immediately obvious choice (what better way to show off the 3D capabilities of the platform than with a flight game?) and a curious one (as it was a rather short-lived experience with limited replay value). For its 3DS debut, Star Fox 64's visuals have been significantly upgraded and are crisp, colorful, and inviting. The 3D effect is impressive as well, which bodes well for future games as the developers grow more comfortable with the format. Yet other than the control scheme, which gives you the option to steer by moving the gyroscope-powered handheld left, right, up and down, there's not a lot of new content here to justify the rather steep asking price of what is essentially a 14-year-old game. Ocarina of Time gets a pass on this criticism since it's, well, a bona fide classic and a lengthy adventure with more complicated visuals and features. Star Fox 64, on the other hand, isn't nearly as epic in scope. You have a single-player campaign that involves progressing through seven stages out of a pool of 15. Most players will be able to complete a run-through in a few hours, with the idea that they'll want to revisit the game to see which stages they might have missed the first time. Yet these extra stages can only be accessed by fulfilling certain conditions on the previous level, such as failing to rescue a teammate, which may be counter-intuitive to the way some players want to progress. So the replay value isn't as strong as it could be, which is perhaps why the developers decided to add an exclusive score-attack mode that has you trying to rack up as many points as you can before completing the stage. This is a welcome addition for such an arcade-style blast-a-thon, but sadly there's no online leaderboards to compare your results with others. Multiplayer support is similarly hampered by the limitation of local wireless connections only. The battle mode is similar to the one found in the Nintendo 64 cartridge, with players able to engage in dogfights within arena-like environments, but with the hilarious addition of being able to view the faces of your opponents thanks the system's built-in camera. Online support would have really helped add some longevity to the title, but at least you can play the battle mode against the computer if friends aren't nearby. Star Fox 64 3D is one of the better looking games on the system, and there is a nice amount of variety in the stages you'll blast through due to the different vessels you'll control. It's also a great game to play on the go, when you need some quick thrills or an arcade-style game where you can work on improving your high scores. Yet the lack of new content and the relatively short overall length means you should consider renting this game before purchasing it, unless you can find it on sale. Nintendo has some work to do to prove to 3DS owners that the higher price point of the system's software is worth it. Star Fox 64 3D, sadly, is not as compelling an argument as the publisher would have liked. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.