A timeless classic and easily the best shooting game for the N64
For a action flying shooter set in space the plot is minimal yet still epic, dogfights in space and flying through armada's have never been so comfortable, but where the game really excels in its control. With such a fluent and easy motion to guiding your ship and a basic lock on for targeting enemies anyone can pick it up and play, but the real issue is how skilled you are, players will need to master barrel rolls and somersaults to avoid deadly attacks, and especially when facing the end of level boss. Each level is set along a row planets that make up a difficulty and depending on what you do on those levels determines the next level. While the game takes about 6 levels to complete there's plenty more to play through, including gaining medals on each level, which is a task in itself. Some of these levels are quite original including an underwater stage in where you replace Arwing for a submarine and desert levels while you command the landmaster.
The characters in the game pop up and give you bits of information from time to time, and occasionally you'll need to help them lose heat of an enemy. Some levels are simply shoot your way to the end, others are played on an arena in where you'll need to destroy a target in a time limit or sometimes even engage in dangerous dogfights with rival Star Wolf.
The games that followed Lylat Wars never really managed to surpass it, attempting to change the genre and add new action adventure elements. If its not broken don't fix it, perhaps Nintendo will go back to its old roots for a possible Wii version of Star Fox. Needless to say, those who have that StarFox itch can easily scratch it by downloading this cheap classic