[RETRO GAMING] Do You Remember the Nintendo 64 Game Star Fox 64?

Nintendo really hit the proverbial nail when it came to the Nintendo 64 when it was released in the US on March 1, 1997.

Nintendo's first 3D gaming console became a classic hit thanks to its use of 3D graphics, much like the PlayStation 1, which was released on Sept. 9, 1995.

With the introduction of the Nintendo 64, gamers the world over were able to play and experience numerous instant-hit games, such as Super Mario 64, GoldenEye 007, and Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire.

However, there is one other game that became a hit not just because it was a 3D game but also because it was an improvement of a much-beloved game released in 1993.

Here is the story of Star Fox 64:

Star Fox 64 - History, Gameplay, and Reception

Star Fox 64 is a 3D on-rails shooter developed and published by Nintendo in 1997 for the Nintendo 64, per the Star Fox Fandom. Interestingly, the game is also known as "Lylat Wars" due to copyright reasons and is the only game in the Star Fox series to be released on the Nintendo 64.

The game is also a remake of the original Star Fox game released by Nintendo in 1993. According to Shigeru Miyamoto, who was the General Manager of Nintendo at the time, Nintendo leadership wanted to produce an interesting game design rather than a new story, per his interview with Nintendo Power.

The game's plot is similar to the original 1993 game. It follows the exploits of Fox McCloud and his team of ace pilots while under contract with the defense force of the planet of Corneria, which is at war with those living on the planet Venom.

Just like in the original game, Fox is piloting the Arwing, a prototype high-performance fighter aircraft that requires a trained pilot to properly utilize its many capabilities.

Since the game is an on-rails shooter, players are unable to influence where Fox is flying, though they can control where Fox can be on the screen. However, the game has levels wherein it lets the player roam around the map by themselves, though they could never go far away from where the action is, per IGN.

Players are tasked to defeat enemies or shoot specific things to progress through the game. However, these enemies can shoot back, requiring dodges or barrel rolls to avoid them.

The game's barrel roll mechanic soon became a meme with how frequently it reminds us to do so through Fox's fellow team member, Peppy Hare.

The game also features 3D graphics that treated players to 3D movies that progress the story or create environments that also has a full cinematic experience.

Star Fox 64 was well received by fans and critics alike, with it gaining a Metacritic score of 88 and a user score of 8.8. IGN gave the game an 8.5 due to its fun factor and level variety.

Gamespot gave Star Fox 64 a score of 8.3 thanks to the game's replayability, graphics, sound, and gameplay.

Star Fox 64 In Modern Times

Thanks to the game's success, Nintendo was able to continue the Star Fox series with sequels to Star Fox 64. In 2002, 2005, and 2006, the company released Star FOX Adventures, Star Fox, Assault, and Star Fox Command, respectively.

However, Star Fox 64 was still a hit among Nintendo fans - a sentiment which Nintendo capitalized on with the release of the game for the Nintendo Switch on October 25, 2021.