Star Fox 64 Review

I can't wait to get my hands on this one! I love the SNES version and I love the N64 version even more. Gaming perfection!

N64 was defintally the best version of this game, SNES was good as well, but this one really did it perfect. cant wait for this sucker!

too bad nintendo is too lazy to enable rumble for VC games... i am indeed a sad panda.

DO A BARREL ROLL!! can't wait for this one

Slippy was such a pain in the ass

When this comes out for the VC, it will definitely be the first (and maybe even the only) N64 that I'll get for te VC. An absolute classic, since I can actually brag about getting every single medal, both for the normal and hard difficulties. Don't let me down, Nintendo...

Just get Ocarina of Time. As soon as you play that, you will forget all about A Link to the Past and the NES version for a few months. Its well worth it. The Wii Zelda is better than any of them though.

Yes pleeeeeeease. I love Starfox 64, and I so hope they'll make a good follow up for the Wii. None of the sequels have been able to top 64 for me yet.

How can this game not have rumble I mean it came with the rumble pack.

The pinnacle of the Star Fox series, this is a must buy. The game pushed the N64 to it's limits with superb special effects and explosions, and full well-acted voice work combined with visceral booming sound. The branching storyline means that, although a single playthrough may take only about forty-five minutes, you'll keep going back to try different paths, discover new levels, and earn the medals. Then of course, when you medal every mission, you get Expert Mode! In addition to all this, it was the first N64 game to have BORDERS REDUCED for the PAL release, even though the gameplay remained slightly slower this was a major step and every subsequent first-party game reduced the borders Can you tell I love this game?! Please let it be on the VC list tomorrow!!!

This game was awesome, the first N64 game I played. I am in the UK so it was called Lylat Wars here. I can also say I completed every single aspect of the game, every single level, every route to the end, it was amazing. I remember if you get to the end using the hard route then you get to fly out through the tunnels when they are exploding, on the easier routes it is a cut scene!

This was my favorite N64 game excluding Ocarina. I can't wait to download this bad boy!

Neither Mario Kart or Super Mario 64 had the Wii Suspension points, is that the case with this too? As strange as it sounds, it may be what makes or brakes my purchase of this; I have to find an excuse to buy the same game again

Very excited about Starfox 64. I haven't played this game in a VERY long time. I used to have a lot of fun playing this game. I also never unlocked all of the levels. Can't wait to get it soon...

Something I really want to ask to anyone who has played this: Does it actually have the rumble removed, or are we lucky enough to have the wii-mote rumble?

It does not have the suspension feature; I don't think it's possible to do that with the N64 emulation setup as it is. I wish it did, because the original game gave no way to save mid-campaign, the save capabilities were limited to saving high scores and the like. I don't care, though, this game is one of my all time favorites and I was extremely happy to see it as one of today's releases. The N64 may not have a lot of games on the VC, but I can't complain too much, as the 4 games up on the service right now are the 4 that I'd pick if I were in charge of selecting the games.

J.P. , cant you just click the 'home' button???

I had hoped Starfox (the original or the N64 version) would have been implemented with new Wii-mote controls, just like the one in Warioware: Smooth Moves. Now that's would have been really cool!
Oh well, retro it is, I guest!

YES! NOW COME TO EUROPE THIS FRIDAY THIS! I want it!

Btw, anyone knows the controls for the classic controler?

And to people who played this, whats better? the GC controler or the Classic one?

I quite enjoy playing this with the classic controller myself. The left analog stick does the controlling of the arwing. Right analogue stick does your brakes, boost, cockpit view, the 4 face buttons do the usual shooting, bombs, etc. L&R shoulder buttons do the tilting and barrel rolling.

cool thanks, so whats the Y and X button for? and whats the Arrow pad for? is it the C stick for turning around and stuff?

I just downloaded and played this game but I don't know why... Maybe Im doin something wrong I don't know... If I hold the 'A' button to lock enemies, it locks only ONE enemy. Im not able to lock more than 1 target. I tried with the classic controle AND the gamecube controller but it do the same thing. Do you have this problem guys?

You can't hit the HOME button. Like all 64 releases the wiimote has no control once the emulator starts running. You can't even power down your system with the remote. Its sorta annoying and I wish they would start updating aspects of the VC especially the lack of features that transfer over on 64 games like rumble.

@Will:
lol. if the wii mote would shut down you couldnt use the classic controller for these games -.-. you can hit the home button an turn the console off.
noob

To Tremer, that is meant to happen. To get more points lock on to an enemy in a group and destroy them all with the radius of that single charged blast.

Why did I have to spend my last stars on Super Mario World...

ahhhhhh... sweet sweet memories. Might download this one. I remember sitting behind the tv for 5 houres trying to accomplish all missions

@Cipher:
Because SMW is one of the best SNES Games ever.
:>

i never played starfox 64/lylatwars and i hope it will come out in europe in the next weeks.

This game was pretty cool, but it didnt really do it for me, i compleated it pretty quick and i always got really frustrated that the other characters flew along side you but never did anything usufull, infact, they always seemed to get attacked and you would have to save them.

however, i did love all the secret routes, like having to go under all the arches of shoot certain asteroids to open new levels.

i seem to remember there being two endings depending on if you took the route to the real or fake boss.

i think ill put this in my maybe pile.

F:S

Oh hells yea, another one of my top faves-I loved SF64 back in the day(I remember how big that box was too, coming with the rumble pack.) Though as much as a nostalgic dream as Zelda-definitely worth a buy.

A great game but the multiplayer sucked.

gotta love this game! The classic controller takes some getting used to though. I have to admit. I try to speed up and I end up going into first person veiw! Then Falco tells me he has to back off and I can't get to sector Y.

Japan got Star Fox today, lets hope Europe gets thier Lylat Wars too! I can't wait to play it again!

If this doesn't come out in the EU this Friday I'm going to very very, VERY annoyed. This was pretty much my all-time favourite game on the N64.

Can't wait for this one to arrive - I particularly enjoyed the tank levels. However, I also remember being particularly bad at it...

I just bought this one on VC since it was just released in Europe, and it runs silky smooth with no letterboxes. Just thought y'all would like to know.

Playing it with the Classic Controller takes a bit of getting used to. The y button is boost, x is brakes, b shoots a Nova bomb and a is used to shoot. I would've preferred they switched x and y, and a and b, that would be a bit easier to play with.

Hello. Everyone that has bought the PAL version, do this game send out the video-signal in 576p? (progressive) for you LCDS through component?

I saw somee quoute on some forum that it did output 576p (the first PAL n64 game to do so.)

I still prefer the SNES Starwing/Starfox but I think that's just the fond memories of playing that when I was younger. Lylatwars/Starfox 64 is awesome though and £7 is a good reasonable price in my honest opinion.

Also despite the gripes I'd heard about the control scheme with the classic controller I'm quite happy with how they've been translated and thankfully the boost and brake work with the X and Y button.

Hahaha I am so happy! Got really excited last week when I saw Starfox had been released.. only to discover it wasnt in the UK! But alas, here it is and boy am I grateful! What a fantastic game. Only problem is the VC will soon bankrupt me!

Now all we need is StarWing for the SNES, as great as Lylat Wars is, the series has never matched the SNES original.
I wonder what N64 game's next for the VC?
My money's on DK64 or F-Zero X

@Coral: Dito!
I really love this game, I could not stop playing it after my download.
I is worth every of the 1000 points, really!
DL it now !

This is much better than command

Oh dear, this is quite possibly the best non mario release so far, I love this game, deft worth every point!

hmmm, I got this 2day...

But Im getting annoyed using GameCube controller, the shoulder buttons are a bit funny... did something recommend the classic controller?

Also been messing about on Fortuna, but I got a problem... I dont wanna kill star wolf and his team, so I get the full rematch at Bolse, but I dont want them to kill my team. But im too good and I kill Star Wolfs team while defending mine... poo!

Starwing for SNES anyone?

This was a fantastic game first time around so i'm pleased to say it has lost none of its shine. One of the best VC releases so far.

I downloaded it yesterday and I really needed to play just after dpwnloading and I haven't played any other game since yesterday, I really loved this game when I had my N64, but I'm using a GameCube pad and one of two, I suck, or I can't get used to the controls with the GameCube pad, I remember having all medals in both normal and expert modes and everything unlocked. I've gotten a lot of medals by now in this VC version, but still I can't get used to it with this pad

Anyone noticed how Aquas is seriously screwed up? You can't shoot properly and the torpedo cursor disappears when it's locked on to an enemy instead of turning red.

Hi all. To reply to Micael, for me, the video output (PAL version -I'm located in Belgium-) through the component cable is 576i, like for MarioKart64. No picture quality problem anyway.

Besides the Aqua mess that SuperCoolAl mentioned there's a little problem too, on Venom 1, once you're fighting the boss of that temple, once youy destroy all the rock that covers him, his head turns red, but then it turns back nand it's so hard to see it.

Althought the biggest problem seems to be Aquas, it's kind of unplayable, I just played it today

I really loved Lylat wars back in the day so the problems with Aquas really put me off playin' the game. Hopefully Nintendo will make an update available soon. Also... Isn't the crosshair a bit too sensitive when maneuvering the tank at Macbeth?

Gah anyone know how to get to sector Z from Zoness? it takes me straight to Macbeth...

This was the first game I got when I originally bought my N64, and oh what memories it brings back. I never did get the medal on Area 6 (300 enemies killed?!), now's my chance to give that a try again.

Alberto- This game does seem to have a problem with things turning black instead of red for some reason!

INpixl- Tank crosshair is identical to the original version, the difference is in the analogue stick.

Hazdaman92- Destroy all the searchlights before they spot you. Fox will tell you if you've been spotted and the searchlights will turn orange (or they should... don't know in this version cos I havent failed on the glitched Wii version yet!)

Matthew- I can get about 450 kills on Area 6 if I really go for it. Love that level. Some tips- Launch a couple of smart bombs in the minefield at the start for mega-kills. Get those charge up shots on enemy groups. And at the end when you are facing the larger battleships do charge up shots on their gun turret clusters, and you'll get yet more hit bonuses. And remember to save your wingmates for that medal! Good luck with getting all those medals, then you can have a crack at expert mode

Just checked Wii Shop Starfox 64 had an update, wonder what it was..

Anyone notice that you can download an update for starfox? i noticed this last night, went through the download and ended up with an error. I guess I'll try again but i was curious if anyone knew what this update was all about and if they altered the game in anyway to fit the tv better or something.

hm i didnt noticed any updates for lylat wars. ther isnt any update button at all...

The update is only available for the US at the moment. I still have no idea what it does!!

Word/rumor has it the update had something to do with classic controller modifications, they made it less sensitive or something, coz people had complaind it was to sensitive...

Only Nintendo knows for sure though...

The update makes the left stick on the classic controller less sensitive and fixes the bug in Aquas.

Hi my name is DK and I'm addicted to the virtual console.

I swear, Nintendo's going to need a 5-step program to help people like me who become addicted to their VC!

Star Fox 64 is my favorite game released on the virtual console so far. I've played it through countless times trying to beat my old scores.

is it me or is this faster than the pal original? i'd swear my n64 version's slower,not that i'm complaining.anyway,cool addition-most welcome etc...now is there any chance of,as well as the snes original,starfox/wing 2? i'd love to see what it was like.

I was first introduced to star fox on The Gc with assault, A bad note I guess .I also picked up command which I still paly today. I really like star fox 64 but I don't have enough time to beat the game in one sitting. It seems too long and I hate that once you lose all your lives you have to start over again. Its not so much playing through the same levels that annoy me but the fact that I have to hear that voice acting again and again. Still, its a great game but its not for gamers who have too short of an attention span. The only other VC game I have is Mario kart and I got 1000 wii points left. Gonna wait to see, I bet there's gonna be tons this summer because of the usual game droughts

This starfox is thankfully much better than assault on the GC! A in-game gamesave would have made this perfect. These days it is a bit too much for me to play all the way through in one sitting as well. Shame!

this game has the best replay value ever. yeah its a short and easy game, but i could beat it twice a day using different paths and it'll never get old

nintendo were really at there best in this era,all the n64 games on the VC are the best ever,and to think that there 200 points off mega drive and snes games make them seem like a complete bargain.the problem is that these games are too great,so i have played them all already.cant wait for f-zero x though.hurrah for VC

Too bad that there is no rumble support, the original brought a rumble pak with it for the N64 Controller, it was one of the first N64 games that made use of it and it was amazing. The game is only have as good without it.

Can you play multiplayer with a classic controller and a gamecube controller at the same time?? I can't get it to work... Both controllers controls player 1 simultaneously

@SEL:
you have to put the gamecube controller into the 2nd port.

This game now has a second update in North America... Anyone know what it does? Once again...

It'd be nice if Nintendo would've added something more to the game, like a save feature or something. I'm still not past the fourth level! (Yes, I suck that bad)

Very fun game, it is everything the SNES one was but 10x better... But your co-pilot buddies are still just their to get in your way and ask you for help... I am so used to the N64 controller(yeah still burned in my brain)... So I am constantly screwing up but still a great game.

if that one had rumble on wii, it would get a full rating.
remember this game INTRODUCED the rumble feature, this game was THE FIRST GAME with rumble. It made us FEEL the game in 1997! but the wii version scrapped it.. aww.
giving it only 4 stars, that's my way of boycotting such a great game.
everyone who can live without rumble support give it a chance.

One of the few major N64 games that most people don't already have. At 1000 points, it's a steal.
"Use a boost to get through!"
I just wish they would hurry up and release more 64 games!!!!

I thankgod for those ads they ran for this game and the rumble pack with the dude flying along feelign the rumble then going through the bottom the cockpit like he jackhammered through. If it wasn't for these ads i would never have wanted this game, having never played or heard of starfox prior to 'lylat wars'. This was my all time favourite 64 game and i urge u to buy it now especially if you've never experienced it before

What do the updates fix? Anyone know?

This game is good, HOWEVER.... Is there a way to change the controls as I don't like the inverted flight control. If I push up and want to go up etc..

merc2k i don't think there is. Well I like inverted control just fine, and I'm sure most people do so tough luck mate.

I love this game! But I keep forgetting how to somersault!
I wish you can change your character in Multiplayer.
I'm lucky that I have this on my N64 so I don't have to experience the bug in Aquas on the VC version!

I always beat the game on the Hard Venom (after seeing the Easy ending), but I never had the chance to collect all of the medals. I'm so lucky to have owned the N64 version. The showcase game to use the Rumble Pak; force-feedback matters when you boost, crash, or watching all bosses explode. Unfortunately, Nintendo should have taken advantage by allowing the GC controller to rumble. If you compare the VC emulation to the original, you'll notice that the enemy hit detection emitted black flickering instead of red flashes (the latter effect present in the N64 version). Regardless, it's a must play along with Sin and Punishment...

Wow. Whoever recorded that gameplay footage sucks hard at the game. When Rob sends a message, answer it. When an ally is being attacked, save them. When enemies shoot at you, barrel roll to deflect the shots. The player needs to learn how to play the game.

I'm not too good at this game. I finally made it to Venom today and Andross but when I made it, I had zero lives left after going through that stupid obstacle course thing. I died right at Andross after destroying one of his hands. Hard, but fun game.

One of the best games for the N64. The first with rumble too. It's too bad that they took this out but great game none-the-less. With many different paths to choose from and an alternate ending, this game will have you playing for hours -- or even longer! In fact, i'm going to play this right now!

Haha I finally managed to get all the medals on the normal and expert modes! It took a while but now i get to do the secret 'run around on foot' mode in multiplayer. Its one of the stupidest unlockables ever because the control for on foot is awful but I just love to laugh at it.

Classic arcade shooter that never seems to get old!

I think I'll download this in the next day or so....

After playing Sin and Punishment, it's difficult to go back to Star Fox 64.

This game still stands to this day as my all-time favorite. Why can't Nintendo just replicate this game in the sense of making a sequel that is 90% shooter? It's Star Fox, you are supposed to be in the ship! Awesome game, download it if you don't have it. Do it now!

This game is fun to play from time to time, aleo fun trying to beat your score and unlock new planets. I also think multiplayer is a blast. There's so many secrets in this game I don't think I'll ever beat it 100% **/***

One of the best N64 games.

Great game. I surprisingly did not have this for the N64, but I guess, to put it in perspective, I also didn't have Ocarina, anyway, I have no regrets on buying this one! Great game with arcade style action that keeps me coming back, on occasion that is. Because of its short play time, I simply can't play it more than once in succession, but going back for secrets, scores, just for fun, or whatever makes this well worth 5 stars and 1000 Wii Points.

Back in '97, I wasn't all that sure I was going to like Lylat Wars at all because I wasn't all that taken with the SNES original. I wasn't disappointed with my £60 investment however as the game proved to be pure class from start to finish, It's a well executed, thoroughly enjoyable shoot'em-up with great charaterisation and an engrossing storyline.

The game could have done with a level select upon completion first time round, but for 1,000 Wii Points, this is a must.

Well said.

good not great... 4/5 bad multiplay

I throughly enjoy it's multiplayer, no clue what you are talking about Plan B. The Single Player is very challenging for new players to the game, but not too challenging to be impossible to beat. The more advanced players can search for more, while the newer ones can play it for fun.

But no suspending play saddened me, but if that's the only thing to gripe out, it's great.

One of the most polished games on the N64, Get it now!!!

One of my favorite N64 games. Download it now!!!

I've first started playing the game when it came out after my dad bought it and i've still been playing it today, i just keep on coming back for more. This is definetly the best 3D futuristic shooter ever made. Don't hesitate, buy it the next time you get the chance

Star Fox 64 is a great game! 5 stars! Download it now! Peppy and Slippy can be very annoying sometimes in the game...lol.

It's the best classic shooter you could play in your entire life...

Is the suspension point are not working only for this game or those it goes for all N64 games on wii ps: i agree with you Duff_Man its the best shooter game ever done!

@Rockman - None of the N64 games on the VC support suspension points to let you turn off the Wii and resume from the same place at a later date

loved this game but adventures for the GC beats this

Best of the series!! Cleared it 27 times

Good game to play through once in a while. I wish it had a save feature though, so you don't always have to beat it under one sitting.

@Lando.... you really didnt just say that did you? Adventures is so bad,on top of that...its not star fox at all.

also to those who complain about the voice acting in this game, this was actually pretty good quality for back in the day, you must be not old enough to appreciate how deliciously quotable this game is.

it would be five stars if it had a save feature.

It looks a little rough around the edges nowadays but it's still the first game of that particular console generation I ever owned and is amazingly enjoyable. The dogfight levels in particular are great.

Such a great pick up and play game. I find it hard these days to sit and play through the game in one sitting so a save feature would have been a nice addition but it's still a 5 star game!

Is it true that this game doesn't save because my friend said it doesnt? That's the only thing keeping me from buying this game.

Yes you cant save the game, but it doesn't really matter seeing as you can complete it within an hour or less

If i were to get a game over would i have to start all levels over again?... even though it wont happen lol... but seriously!!

Who in the N64 heyday HASN'T played this!? And if anyone really hasn't, they must play it to see it's awesomeness in all it's glory. It was a MUST for me to download. 4 stars for the awesomeness of it, and 1 star for the nostalgia.

Recently, though, I've played through every possible route, collected all medals, and redid it again in Expert Mode. T T Now, I am saddened for the game is beat in its entirety... * sigh *

Star fox 64 is a good game. More suited for the classic controller, though. Makes the controls easier. 4, maybe 5 stars because the 1 player gameplay is kind of limited.

theres something missing... and not just rumble or saving... still good just not my type

If you like the series drop the 30 or so dollrs for assualt

It is much crisper and the multiplayer mode can be fun with just 2 people rather than needing 4 like this

also you can save on assualt

I'm getting this tonight. It's my Dad's birthday, and he loved the game.

Nintendo should release the original starfox 2 that was made for the SNES, but never released.

Besides Star Fox 64 being a wonderful game, I did not enjoy multi-player mode. If two people are playing, it should only have two screens. Also it's hard to find your the other player. Other than that, anybody who's Trigger happy, or liked Sin & Punishment will love this game.

Meh, I wasn't too happy with this game. Ok, the action, that's already there, is all great fun. I made it to the second last mission, the array thingy. The fact that you can't save (even though it is a short game and can be beat really quickly) is a bit disappointing. Targeting is also way too sensitive and you'll just end up waving the cursor around at the vicinity of the enemies, hoping you'll get a weapons lock. Aside from Slippy analysing shields and others helping shoot some other ships, it seems like the other pilots are constantly helpless and can't shake one ship off their tail.

All in all, a good short game but could've done much better, even though this is the first time I've played it. More action, longer campaign and an ability to actually save your game is what it should've been about.

i like very much the speech in this game.

I got this game recently and I'm fairly disappointed I finished it so quickly. Oh well. It's still a good game though and it has some awesome quotes.
"Falco: Hey Einstein I'm on your side!"

Awesome. Best shmup ever. Terrific music for the era.

Brilliant game and the best Starfox game ever made. I wish there would be a similar game to date. Pros are definetly the music, the sound effects and the voiceover. The gameplay is really good and multiple ways to the end of the game makes it worth playing over and over again.
"Can't let you do that, Star Fox."... everyone who played it loves quoting it

I was on the fence for this game, I had never played a plane-shooter before but my classmate convinced me to buy it, saying that it was his favorite N64 game, so I decided that I would give it a go.

The game almost feels like it was made by RARE, and I love some of the quotes, and to me, it is also a good challenge (I was amazed by how many times I got pwned by StarWolf the first time I battled him)

Anyway, there are heaps of cool things about this game, but I can't be stuffed listing them so never mind