Star Fox 64 is a rail shooter developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 in 1997. Players pilot an Arwing fighter as Fox McCloud, leading the Star Fox mercenary squadron through the branching worlds of the Lylat System on a mission to defeat the mad scientist Andross. One of the most acclaimed titles on the platform, it was the first N64 game to include the Rumble Pak accessory and features fully voice-acted wingmates who call for help mid-mission.
How to play
Most stages are on-rails: your Arwing advances automatically while you steer, aim, and shoot down waves of enemies. Boss encounters switch to All-Range Mode, giving you full 360° flight. After each level a branching map lets you choose your next destination â upper routes are harder and lead to different planets and a more complete story, while lower routes offer a shorter path. Hitting the enemy kill quota on a stage earns a medal; earning medals across the board unlocks Expert difficulty.
Use the arrow keys to steer and aim, Z to fire your lasers, X to drop a smart bomb, and Enter to pause. A gamepad gives significantly more precise control and is recommended for longer sessions.
Tips
- Barrel roll to deflect lasers. Double-tapping the Z or R shoulder button makes Fox barrel roll in that direction, physically deflecting most enemy beam fire. This is the single most important defensive technique in the game â use it any time fire is incoming.
- Protect your wingmates. When Falco, Peppy, or Slippy call for help, they have an enemy on their tail. Shoot the pursuer quickly or they will go down, weakening your squad for the rest of the run.
- Attack bosses right after they fire. In All-Range Mode, most bosses pause briefly following an attack. That window is when you close in and land several uncontested hits before they begin moving again.
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