Star Fox 64 Review

Virtual Console: Star Fox 64!

Star Fox 64

The release of Star Fox for the Nintendo 64 started its craze in 1997. From April 27th to October 20th, 1997, the game was released Japan, North America, Europe and Australia. It was then made able to be downloaded on the Nintendo Wii’s Virtual Console On April 2nd (North America), April 17th (Japan), and April 20th (Australia and Europe).
This game was originally going to be called Star Fox 2 for the SNES, but was canceled when the N64 was being released. Nintendo decided to use some features from the canceled game in the game Star Fox 64 such as the All Range feature. This was also the first game to have the Rumble Pack (shown on the picture above). This game had positive ratings for when it came out because of its detailed visuals, easy-on-the-eye animation, multiple gaming paths and many more. Some called this game the best game ever to hit the Nintendo 64 (next to Mario Kart 64).

Storyline
Prologue
The story for Star Fox 64 is not a sequel to the original Star Fox but is generally the same plot but with more detail. We start off hearing about strange things happening on planet Venom, part of the Lylat System (Which was going to be the original name of the game in Europe) where an evil scientist Andross has just been exiled. The Star Fox team is sent to investigate. Currently, Team Star Fox consists of James McCloud, Peppy Hare and Pigma Dengar. After going to Venom, Pigma goes against the team and abandoned them. This causes Peppy and James to get caught by Andross. Lucky for Peppy, he is able to escape, but barely while James couldn’t escape. Peppy goes back to Corneria and tell James’s son, Fox, about his father.
This part is a very informative part in the game. Pay attention to everything that is happening in this. Pigma will return in the future (of the game), so pay attention to his actions and what role he is playing. Get ready to say goodbye to James, because you won’t see him again until the end of the game. Also, just enjoy this part, it’s pretty cool.

The Adventure
Sometime later (nobody knows when O_O) Andross sends an attack to all of the Lylat System, and the new Team Star Fox is sent to see what this is all about.

Andross

The Team: Falco Lombardi, Fox McCloud, Peppy Hare and Slippy Toad

The next part of the game is reaching Venom. Team Star Fox has to fight their way through many different stages. One encounter that you will have to face and beat is Team Star Wolf (Wolf O’Donnell, Leon Powalski, Pigma Dengar (part of the old Team Star Fox) and Andrew Oikonny). (Take time with beating Wolf’s team. They are tricky, and it is more difficult than you might think.)
After a long and hard journey, Team Star Fox reaches Venom to defeat Andross. Here is what you need to know about him:

There is More?!?!?!?!?! (Beating Andross.)

Indeed there is. There are two options to getting to Planet Venom.
NOTE: There will be different outcomes by deciding which path you would take to Venom
Coming from Bolse
If you come from Planet Bolse to get to Andross, you will have to defeat Robot Andross, and you will have to beat him instead of regular Andross. Commander Peppers asks Team Fox if they want to join the official army, but they say no. Also, at the end of the game, end of the credits, you will hear Andross laugh, showing that he never died.
Now I played this game a while ago, and I didn’t choose this path (I randomly picked Area 6). I suspect that Robot Andross is going to be a bit harder than regular, but I wouldn’t know. Just remember that this is the last part of the game, and with all games the last part is the hardest. Good luck.
Coming from Area 6
If you come from Area 6, you will have to play regular Andross. After defeating him, you get to see what he really is: a brain with two eyes. After that, James McCloud (Fox’s father), appears to show Fox the way out. When they get out, Commander Peppers asks Fox if he wants to join the Corneria Army, Fox and his team declines the offer because they want to “go their own way” (this happens either way, Area 6 or Bolse). As they are leaving, an image appears of Team Fox flying away with their Airwings, as the credits begin.

After the credits (coming from either Area 6 or Bolse), Commander Pepper will show you your stats for the game, and bringing you back to the main menu, ending the game.

Using the plane (Airwing)
The Airwing is the main rocket-plane that Fox uses in the game. The Airwing (or mostly any other space-moving vehicle) pretty much move in one direction. Because of the old technology, they all are very fixed on the places that they move.
NOTE: This rule takes place in every level or boss, except one O_O. For one boss, you are able to move in all directions (but in a squared space). You are also able to do a BARREL ROLL! (This phrase originated from this game. It is now used as many members’ catch phrases Barrel Roll’s help you dodge lasers while doing a barrel roll.
Blue Marine
The Blue Marine is the second vehicle used in this game. The Airwing (used for flying) is accompanied by the Land Master (which will be talked about momentarily) and the Blue Marine (Water). The Blue Marine will be used very frequently. The Blue Marine has two different ways of shooting enemies. It first has lasers (pretty simple), that are just easy to shoot and easy to fire. After that, you have the torpedoes. Torpedoes are very strong and very useful. They have an unlimited amount (just like the lasers) and help you see when it gets dark underwater. Also, like with the LandMaster, the Blue Marine’s torpedoes could lock on to your enemy.

Land Master
In the multiplayer feature, you are able to play as the Landmaster. Now, you may be confused and have no clue what the Landmaster is. Well, for everyone with SSBB, Fox’s (and Wolf’s) smash move is bringing the Landmaster out of the sky. The Landmaster is used as an “Airwing on foot” and is very powerful in this feature.

Conclusion
Before I finish this up, I want to show you this example from the gameplay in the groundbreaking game:

As you could see, this is a great game. Game Reviews once called this one of the greatest ever to be made from the Nintendo World. As for some of the Nintendo lovers out there, I still say it is true. This game is available on the Wii now, perfect for all of those who never played this and feel interested to do so now or for the Fox lover’s who want to play this again, but on their favorite console.
I hope you enjoyed this review, everyone. And always remember, do a barrel roll.