25 Days of Christmas - #24: Star Fox 64

Peppy Hare’s simple instructions of “Do a barrel roll!” were never meant to offer anything more than the occasional helpful hint to Fox McCloud. Yet somehow this single phrase has endured through the years as something of gaming legend. As goofy as the one-liners may have been, Star Fox 64 still stands strong as one of the most popular N64 titles ever to grace the system.

Star Fox 64 put players in an arcade-style setup, firing from their Arwing starfighter in a third-person perspective. They were granted laser power-ups and greater shielding from small items scattered around each level (sometimes granted from destroying a set number of enemies). Most enemies would count for a single point each when shot down, though boss fights would grant higher numbers depending on the time it took to defeat them and the damage you as a player sustained during said fight.

The map of the Lylat system gave players the opportunity to forge their own path to Venom. Some areas, such as Aquas, required a set number of points to reach. Others, such as Area 6, required the player to complete objectives like protecting the Great Fox from missiles in Sector X or shooting all the train track switches on Macbeth. This coupled with the fact that some levels were meant to be significantly more challenging than others allowed players to make each play through different.



Though the cast was rather small, the characters are distinct and memorable. Fox, being the most level-headed, tries to keep his team unified. Falco, though he often has a smarmy remark, is an ace pilot and can usually take care of himself. Slippy, despite being possibly the worst pilot ever, is always optimistic and looks up to the rest of team Star Fox. And Peppy, the eldest and most experienced member, acts as a guide now and then, offering short statements like: “Try hovering!” “Follow your father’s example Fox!” and “Use bombs wisely!” Even the rival team of Star Wolf and minor characters like Bill and Katt have such strong personalities that become ingrained in the player’s mind.

While the bulk of the game takes place from the cockpit of an Arwing starfighter, players are granted use of the Landmaster tank and the Blue Marine submarine on multiple occasions. Although the multiplayer felt tacked on at the last minute, it still flowed smoothly and offered four player fights in both the Arwing and the Landmaster. The inclusion of the then-new rumble pack let players feel vibrations from the controller when hit with laser fire, making the overall experience more engaging. Star Fox 64 offered some of the most addictive arcade-style gaming in years, and the replay value shines through greatly because of it.