By Zack Gill
Arts Editor
The release of “Star Fox 64: 3D” ends the nearly four-month drought of quality games for the 3DS, and that is not saying much; a remake of the decade-old “Star Fox 64” for the Nintendo 64, “Star Fox 64:3D” is a carbon copy of an ancient video game.
While the game shows its age a bit more than the recent “Ocarina of Time” remake, “Star Fox 64: 3D” can safely be added to the incredibly short list of essential 3DS titles. With some of the best visuals achieved on the 3DS and loads of replayability, “Star Fox 64: 3D” packs in as much enjoyable content as its title packs in numbers.
Based on the 1997 Nintendo 64 title of nearly the same name, “Star Fox 64: 3D” tells the story of Fox McCloud, an anthropomorphic fox/fighter pilot. Along with his team of even more anthropomorphic animals, including the famously insufferable Slippy Toad (who sounds more like a tween girl than a toad), Fox sets out to defeat a giant, genetically altered monkey, Andross, who killed his father.
So it’s not Shakespeare, but “Star Fox 64” was one of the earliest console titles to include full voice acting. A little credit must be given where it is due. The story is basically an excuse to allow Fox and company to fly their high-tech spaceships through various exotic planets and wreak aerial havoc along the way to Andross’ ominous planet, Venom.
The game utilizes a branching level system. If the gamer fulfills specific goals on any given level, the player will typically move on to a harder planet than if they simply complete the level. While there are almost 20 planets to wreak havoc upon, the player completes the game in only eight. This system allows players of all skill levels to enjoy “Star Fox”and provides incredible amounts of replayability, with a vast variety of possible level combinations for any given playthrough.
The three dimensional capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS add graphical sheen to the game. Depth in visuals greatly aids playability. The ability to see how far enemy ships are in three dimensions elevates the exhilaration of space combat. The game is filled with great-looking particle and water effects, as well. In fact, “Star Fox 64: 3D” probably cranks up the best graphics of any 3DS game released so far
Some new features fall completely flat. The optional gyroscopic motion controls are completely abysmal. The player has the option of tilting the 3DS to control Fox’s ship. Make sure to turn this feature off immediately – it’s nearly impossible to get the game’s 3D effect while tilting the system around. Further still, motion controls rarely even work and do not pull off the precise movements required by the game. Whatever designer designed this asinine
feature should anticipate his or her inevitable dismissal.
The biggest problem Nintendo fans will find in “Star Fox 64: 3D” is in its price tag. Prospective buyers are paying $40 for a game that’s been available on the Wii for years, and for only $10 — 75% cheaper than the 3DS version.
The amount of quality games for the fledgling Nintendo 3DS can be counted with fingers on one hand. Nintendo fans have been craving anything better than the countless amount of cooking and horse-grooming simulators available on the 3DS in vast quantity. “Star Fox 64: 3D” is a must-buy for owners of the Nintendo 3DS. “Star Fox 64: 3D” is rated E10 and is available now for the Nintendo 3DS.
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