Launch all ships, and be ready for the trip of your life in Star Fox Assault!!
Star Fox Assault's main difference is the ground combat. Most of the game's missions will take fox to the ground and contrary to what Alex made me believe, these where actually very enjoyable missions, providing you'll get past the learning curve. It takes a little time getting used to, but that's not a problem at all. Most of these ground missions include optional vehicles. You'll probably use the landmaster a lot, since it's very powerfull, except when you go indoors, ofcourse. The Arwing's main purpose is to protect your team mates when they're chased by enemies, using it to fight the ground enemies isn't very convinient. The air combat is just the same as any other Star Fox game, it's on rail, and very fun missions (though you'd wish there were more then 3).
The graphics of Star Fox Assault are pretty good, the cutscenes look beatifull, the arwing battles look awesome, pretty explosions and special effects. The framerate is most of the 30 FPS, exept the arwing on rail levels whisch are a smooth 60 FPS. The main problem with the graphics is that the textures (particulary on foot) are repetitive, and look kinda pixelated.
The sound in Assault is mostly beatifull remixed versions of classic Star Fox 64 tracks. These sound very well, and most Star Fox fans will defenitly be overwhelmed with Nostalgia at times. Even some of the sound effects (laser pick-up) where used again, though the sound effects could have been much better at some times. The voice acting in Assault is kinda good, though it'll sound pretty "fake" at times. But overall, the games' sound will probably sound very good.
Star Fox Assault has the classic Star fox 64 feeling, the urge to play levels over and over again, and they almost never seem to bore you. Because of this, Assault has a very good lasting value. The multiplayer battles can be very addicitive too, they're fun and very suspencefull, you'll probably unlock every multiplayer unlockables there are (as long as you have a mate to play with, preferably 2 or 3).
Overall, Star Fox Assault is a must-have for Star Fox fans, it's fun, it's addicitive, it's cool, it's everything you want from it. There are little rough edges (though be warned they are there at times). Some people might not like the ground combat, but will easily get over it. Star Fox Assault just grows on you, and it's likely to stay in your gamecube for quite a while.