Star Fox 64

If I had to complain about anything, it might be the drawn-out intermissions that I couldn't skip. It's interesting to note that this game was initially packaged with a "rumble pack", which was a pretty novel concept for its time. The effect is barely even noticeable now, although the throttle still feels pretty good. The Star Fox series really came into its own with this well-executed sequel. And when it comes to pure fun, few N64 games can match Star Fox 64.

Furious flying, controller-melting action, gorgeous graphics, and weird adversaries launch StarFox 64 into the stratosphere. This game kick asteroids!

But to say that Star Fox 64 is simply an update to the SNES version (like Mario Kart 64) is not right either: It's true to the original, and I'd probably be disappointed if it wasn't. The game takes the best elements of Star Fox (SNES) and adds full-3D levels, more objective-based missions (protect, rescue as well as destroy), loops and turns, lock-on lasers, the ability to deflect lasers, land-missions in a tank (excellent fun), a submarine level, fantastic graphics, a full voice track, a changing story-line, a multi-player battle-mode and even force feedback. As far as gameplay goes, this is as good as on-rails shooting gets. Even if you're not a friend of shooters, at least rent this game -- everyone else: Don't even think twice about it. Preorder and blast away! This game easily beats the original to form one of the best shooting games of recent times.

Star Fox 64 is, quite simply, an excellent game, and one you should definitely own. Buy it, play it, love it.

Not only are Star Fox 64's cut scenes impressively rendered, but the game is alive with constant voice support from teammates, which helps accentuate the action and develops character relationships - especially between Fox and Falco. Even the enemies have voices and, on more than one occasion, the Star Fox and Star Wolf teams square off verbally as they battle for control of Lylat. The frenetic action and adjustable gameplay course of Star Fox 64 will keep you coming back for more. A foxy, star studded, 64-carat class act.

Only one grumble; after a typically hair-tearing delay, Nintendo released this in Europe under the name of "Lylat Wars". Just because they hate us. But oh well, even with a dodgy-sounding new name, it's still a smashing adrenaline-blast of a game.

Starfox 64, while being a solid title, has one major flaw, length. Although there are separate paths, the game still isn't long enough. Within an hour of booting it, I finished the game, within the next half hour, I completed one of the alternate paths, etc. Either way, I suggest renting before you buy.

Ultimately, Star Fox 64 is pure harmony. Its minor flaws are more than proportionally corrected by its many great features and almost all of the elements (story, graphics, gameplay) come together to form one of the most artistically cohesive video games in recent times.

Everything just seems to work in this game, and fantastically at that! Starfox64 is just one of those games you have to enjoy. If you know a Playstation fanatic who despises Nintendo, sit him down, pop him a Rumble Pak, and let him see what a true video game is.

When it appeared back in 1993, Star Fox revolutionised the console world - until then, polygon shoot 'em ups had only been associated with PCs. Given that Nintendo could not hope to cause the same impact with its successor - 3D games now being de rigueur across all platforms - it was faced with the task of producing a game that would not have the luxury of technological originality to fall back on. In the face of this, Nintendo has triumphed - Star Fox 64 is magnificent.

The branching system, loads of secret paths, intelligently designed levels, originally designed bosses, and multiplayer gaming all add up to overcome the game's minor weaknesses. If anything can be said, StarFox demonstrates that shooters are more alive now than ever.

Grâce à ses nouveaux environnements en full 3D, à ses compositions musicales réussies, à ses nouveaux challenges, boss et ennemis, Lylat Wars n'est pas qu'un simple remake de Starfox. Sa durée de vie faiblarde n'entache en rien les qualités d'un jeu que l'on a grand plaisir à parcourir et qui fait partie des meilleurs épisodes de la série. Un des grands hits de la Nintendo 64, à n’en pas douter.

Grâce à ses nouveaux environnements en full 3D, à ses compositions musicales réussies, à ses nouveaux challenges, boss et ennemis, Lylat Wars n'est pas qu'un simple remake de Starfox. Sa durée de vie faiblarde n'entache en rien les qualités d'un jeu que l'on a grand plaisir à parcourir et qui fait partie des meilleurs épisodes de la série. Un des grands hits de la Nintendo 64, à n’en pas douter.

I could go on talking about Star Fox 64 for days. The simple verdict, though, is that it's a great game. It remains a great game even after 10 years, and even with the removal of rumble support. Force feedback wasn't the title's only innovation. History has made this title more important for other reasons – like its notable inclusion of voice acting – and its fun factor is still in Nintendo's top tier. Investing 1000 Wii Points here would be a wise and highly recommended course of action. (You know you want to do a barrel roll.)

You've just got to try the Rumble Pak. Think of it as more icing on an already delicious cake. It's great, and a great value too (free with this game!), but too bad it doesn't work with any other game -- yet. (Look for lots of new games plus the re-releases of Mario and WaveRace to have "RumbleAbility.") If you like space ships, flight simulators, and fast-paced shootouts, StarFox 64 is your bread and butter. Unless you're afraid of flying, hate cartoons, or don't like anything that might be (gasp!) FUN, you should find lots of entertaining hours playing this game that's destined for classic status. Once you complete the main game (1-player) and earn big medals, be ready for lots of cool surprises, especially in the multi-player mode.

Overall, I have to say that I'm impressed with Star Fox 64. It looks great and plays well, more than I can say for many N64 titles thus far. Though the cost of these games is still just too high for the average gamer, this is a title that is worth the price of admission.

Star Fox 64 is the kind of game you will spend many sleepless nights with - even after you finish. The replay value will bring you back again and again. N64 owners who have been waiting to embark on their next great gaming adventure should run out immediately and buy Star Fox 64 - the graphics, sound, and gameplay all combine to create an instant N64 classic.

If you're too young to have properly experienced the SNES or N64 eras, you might wonder why anyone would have any sort of fond memories of the Star Fox series. And that's understandable. If all anyone had to go on was Star Fox Adventures and Star Fox: Assault, it'd be pretty easy to dismiss this franchise altogether. However, now that Star Fox 64 is available for download on the Wii Virtual Console, you can now discover precisely why this series imbues people with such loving nostalgia. As tends to be the case with Virtual Console games, Star Fox 64 can't avoid feeling archaic, but as old as it is, it still provides a surprisingly good, albeit simplistic, aerial shoot-'em-up experience.

Star Fox 64 is an all around good game. Easy to learn, master, and complete, and it's enough fun that you'll want to do so. The title also sports a spiffy multiplayer mode, in which you can either compete with a friend to see who can kill the most NPC's, or just shoot the hell outta each other. The game's only downfall is that it's just too easy, and doesn't have much in the way of varied gameplay. And what it does have in the way of varied gameplay (sub, tank) is pretty crappy. But Star Fox 64 is a fun game, no question -- just don't get too excited about it.