A solid, no-frills update of the Nintendo 64 classic that's just as fun and engaging as it was fourteen years ago.
The player assumes control of Fox McCloud, leader of the mercenary group known as Starfox. Along with a ragtag army of loyal wingmen that includes Slippy Frog, Peppy Hare and Falco Lombardi, Fox is called upon to save the Lylat star system from the evil Andross---a former scientist of Corneria who developed a lust for power and was banished to Venom before amassing an army of loyalists to take over the galaxy. This is the premise of the game's Story Mode, and there are two modes of play to select from when you first hit the cockpit. The Nintendo 3DS mode makes necessary tweaks to the original gameplay to accommodate both the gyroscoping of the 3DS and the circle pad while also lowering the difficulty for newcomers. The Nintendo 64 mode is exactly as most people remember it, and is best reserved for experienced purists who've already mastered the original game. No matter which style of play you choose, all the cutthroat action of the N64 classic has been replicated to the fullest effect and made even better with updated graphics and character models. As hinted earlier, the gyroscoping method for game control has been included, prompting the player to tilt or swivel the unit to maneuver their Arwing much like how you would navigate the telescope in another 3DS game---Steel Diver. But these particular controls can become problematic as the gyroscope tends to behave erratically during intense situations where you need to aim at targets or avoid obstacles, and it also disrupts the effect of the game's 3D for folks who want to experience the game in that fashion. Fortunately, you can opt instead to use the circle pad, and it is the preferred scheme that works generally as well as you'd expect it to.
And, as such, controlling the Arwing is a breeze, though it may take some getting used to when you're starting out. But you'll get the hang of it through repeated play sessions. Just like the N64 game, your fighter can perform barrel rolls, somersaults and U turns in the heat of combat. In addition to your standard laser, you can also deploy bombs for area-of-effect attacks and a charge laser for damaging bosses and obliterating enemies in scattered positions. Another thing I especially liked about Starfox 64 3D is the fact that unlike the Super NES game, not all of it is an on-rails shooter---the player will get to fly the Arwing like a flight simulator in an enclosed area during particular missions where you have to destroy a specific set of targets or shoot down rival enemies within a time limit. Furthermore, the inclusion of the land-based Taskmaster keeps Fox McCloud and his buddies from getting too comfortable in their Arwings, adding some much needed variety and depth to the game. It might have been better if there were more of these erstwhile opportunities because as awesome as it is flying the Arwing in the thick of interstellar combat, it can get a little repetitive.
Once you've cleared levels, you're given the opportunity to replay them as many times as you'd like---the purpose of which is to earn medals that are awarded depending on how many targets you shoot down. Challenging as it is to accomplish the rankings that you desire, the game gives you a legitimate reason to try and earn the gold in every level you've cleared----you will unlock a higher difficulty level upon your success, which in turn tasks you with even more medals to get. Some may balk at the idea, while most others will welcome it gladly as an excellent extension to the replay value. But, apart from all that, Starfox 64 3D doesn't add any new levels, bosses, or story branches. Reiterating that this is a no-frills, faithful port of the Nintendo 64 release, the 3DS remake is essentially the very same experience. This will disappoint folks who played the N64 game and were expecting a little more than what is offered in hindsight. And the asking price of $40 won't help matters either considering that the original N64 game can be downloaded from the Virtual Console for roughly a fraction of that rate--- $10. To its credit, the idea of playing Starfox 64 on the go with your Nintendo 3DS (especially in glorious 3D, which is pretty much one of the key ideas behind the port) might be an influence towards a justifiable purchase, and may be a reasonable point of consideration for folks who don't have a Wii or a N64 lying around. Regardless, whether or not $40 is a fair price to pay is entirely up to you.
And after you've had your fill of the Story Mode, you can take your piloting skills to the competitive arena against either computer-controlled opponents or local-area buddies. Starfox 64 3D's multiplayer mode has made the transition to the 3DS fully intact and removes the cumbersome split-screen of the original release. It also removes the need of forcing your friends to buy their own copies of the game as Starfox 64 3D fully supports download play, meaning all the ego-driven, four-player, friendship-threatening fun can be enjoyed using only one game card. Even more intriguing, you can use the 3DS' camera to snap a picture of your ugly mug to show off to your friends during multiplayer combat or when you score a victory. It's a pretty fun feature, but almost pointless because it seems designed for online play which, unfortunately, Starfox 64 3D doesn't have. A shame really, since its inclusion might have added a lot more appeal to the $40 package.
As mentioned earlier, the graphics of Starfox 64 3D have been updated from the N64 source material, and they look better than they've ever been. There are greater definitions in the textures and some realistic light-sourcing that truly bring a 14-year old game to life as never before, and if you play the game using the 3D, the added depth is all the more fascinating. The voice-overs from the N64 game have been re-recorded with new talent, which is about as pleasant as listening to a cat scratch a chalk board over and over again until your ears bleed. Fortunately, the music from the N64 game remains relatively untouched, sounding as great as it did in the past with memorable tunes.
When you compare it to the original source material that it draws from, the 3DS port doesn't significantly extend on the experience all that much with the notable exception of local multiplayer without the split-screen, new control schemes and beautifully updated graphics. Plus, the absence of online play may be a deterrent as well. Veterans of the N64 game will have to determine for themselves whether or not they want to invest in a remake of a 14-year game and relive their glory days all over again amongst the confines of a stuffy bus or waiting for the root canal at the local dentist. (Just try not to scream "Do a Barrel Roll!" in public---people will think you're crazy.) But there's really no denying the charm of the Starfox franchise and, even on that fact alone, Starfox 64 3D delivers. Anyone looking for a fun, intergalactic space-shooter experience on the go, or who have yet to play a Starfox game, this high-flying, intergalactic shooting adventure is sure to delight.