StarFox 64

This is the N64 sequel to the hit classic game on the SNES a couple of years back. You play the role of Fox McCloud, leader of the mercenary Star Fox squadron which gets hired to help destroy the attacking forces of Andross through a variety of levels culminating in the destruction of Andross himself. Levels take place in a variety of environments, ranging from the lush home-world of Corneria, to the many outer-space sectors, to the molten Solar, and even underwater at Aquas.

This game surpasses the 16 bit original in more ways than graphics. First off, you have three vehicles which you'll get to use at various times in the game: the Arwing, the Landmaster tank, and the Blue Marine sub (which you thankfully only have to use once). Level design is generally quite good, with a good variety of levels. I personally think the outer-space levels are the best, where your Arwings zip are dwarfed by huge battle ships in the midst of attacking each other, deploying wave after wave of ships and even flying mecha. Also new here is what's referred to "All Range Mode." While most of the game is played with your vehicle going straight-ahead continually regardless what you do, at certain points Fox commands "All Range Mode", the wings of your Arwing deploy, and you suddenly have the ability to move in all directions... sort of. In this mode you are contained within a sort of arena. If you cross the edge of this small arena, your ship immediately does an automatic U-turn sending you right back into the thick of it. You can turn left or right and can change altitude (to a very limited degree). This mode is only encountered in single player mode when fighting bosses, but doesn't work very well.

There are only two multi-player levels, which are good, but get tired after awhile. The game is played in the style of a dog-fight, with combat taking place in "All Range Mode." The only difference being here is that instead of doing a U-turn when you come to the edge of the level, you magically pop out on the other side. So, if you're tracking an enemy who's headed toward the right side of the level, when he crosses the edge he'll come out on the left side. This makes the area virtually much larger, as you can fly forward endlessly without having to turn.

Regardless of how many players are competing, the screen is always divided into four segments. So, if you and a buddy are playing, you each get one quarter of the total screen, while the other half is utilized to show some pretty pointless random camera angles. And finally, there's just not enough variety in the multi-player game. Regardless of which mode you pick, you're always just trying to shoot down the other guy. What little variety there is only becomes available after you beat the game on the hard path, shooting down enough enemies in each level along that path to achieve a gold medal (no small task, I assure you). If you can manage that, then you have the option to fight in the Land Master tank, or on foot using laser rifles. These options are fun and add more life to a quickly tiresome multi-player mode, but most people will have a real hard time managing the feat to enable them.

This is, overall, a strong game with a few flaws. This game seems to be a bit on the simplistic side, but for younger players this won't be a problem. Bosses are, on the whole, easily defeated once you learn their attack pattern. The endless radio chatter is annoying, as is your wingmen's constant reliance on you to save their hides when they never return the favor. But the graphics are spectacular, the rumble pack is added fun, there are a good number of levels, and it even has a decent amount of replay value.