PixlBit

Given the classic status of Star Fox 64, we only felt it was fitting to create a unique review for the updated revision of the game, Star Fox 64 3D. To get started, first click through and listen to our audio review/discussion on the game between Nick and Jason R. This is followed by a written opinion by Matt McLennan, rounding out a full body of opinions.

Click play to listen to the audio review/discussion or feel free to download the file and listen on your own device. Don't forget to keep reading for Matt's take on the game.

Since Nick and Jason have already covered the basic review for Star Fox 64 3D, I'm just going to focus on the aspects of the gameplay and the modes available to you, the 3DS owner.

Star Fox 64 is a fourteen year old game, however it has aged wonderfully. The on-rails gameplay will be familiar to those who have played the original SNES Star Fox (which I highly recommend getting whenever Nintendo decides to release it on Virtual Console, if ever). The game does come with some improvements, though they are few and far between. Most importantly, the 3DS version includes the ability to auto-save progress between levels, something that was tragically missed in the original game. Because Star Fox 64’s levels are longer than those in its SNES predecessor and the game is now in portable form, the feature was absolutely necessary.

The game also provides an alternate approach to the original three branching paths. Now, players can take any route they please to Venom, assuming they complete the necessary tasks of some levels. The final notable inclusion are the 3DS controls, which work like a dream. While I mostly prefer using the classic controls, the much hyped gyro-controls are quite well done. If it's medals you're aiming for, the classic controls are preferable, but for a fun romp through the game, they work just fine.

The most controversial part of this 3DS rendition has to be the multiplayer mode. While it’s a bit disheartening that Star Fox 64 3D doesn’t have online multiplayer, I personally don’t mind it. In all honesty, Star Fox 64’s multiplayer gets very tiresome and boring after a while, and nothing is different on the 3DS. The all-range mode is used for multiplayer matches, and while the arenas are huge and Nintendo saw fit to add different items to the mode, it still suffers the same problems the original’s multiplayer suffered; it's just not appealing.

The one thing that does irk me about the game's lack of online modes, is the omission of leaderboards. Star Fox 64 3D has a really great Score Attack mode where you can go back to completed planets and aim for a high score - this would've been an ideal candidate to incorporate online leaderboards like the ones found in Mario Kart Wii (minus the cheaters).

All in all, Star Fox 64 3D is a great game that's unquestionably addicting. While the multiplayer isn’t hot, you'll always come back for more of the single player experience. Looking past its flaws, Star Fox 64 3D is the definitive version of the Nintendo 64 classic.