StarFox 64

Archived Months

Release Date: June 30, 1997
Platforms: Nintendo 64
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Rail Shooter
How long to beat: Main 2 Hours - Main+Side 4 hours.
Prep: None - Able to be played on 64, emulation, NSO.

A new Remake releases June 25th of this year.

Pre-Game: By Filbert

StarFox 64 is one of the classic Nintendo 64 games which defined the system. It was the second officially released StarFox game and was essentially a remake of the game released on Super Nintendo. It is a rail shooter, but in a style which you control a cursor on screen along with a vehicle. This requires you not only aim but guide your vehicle to dodge incoming shots or collect items and health.

Due to the success and impact of 64 it turned what might have otherwise been a one off game into one of Nintendo’s flagship IPs. Though unfortunately for many StarFox fans it has always been one of there B tier IPs. Which don’t get a new game released every console. And when a new game is released they are not always given quite the same budget and quality you expect in a Mario, Zelda, or Metroid. F-Zero fans cry in a corner still holding there F-Zero GX.

I have always had a special place for StarFox 64. I would have played this when I must of been 8. I had beaten games by the time I got to Starfox 64, but I still recall the night at my friends house when I finally reached the credits of this game. Before StarFox any game I had beaten I should have an asterisk nest to. A game like Super Mario Bros 3 wasn’t the hardest though for a kid the last world was a challenge. Regardless, I had watched my brothers play and beat it. By the time I had beaten it I knew how to get the flutes to skip worlds. I knew a few tricks on how to stock up on special items. Also well as other games I relied on easy modes or cheats such in Contra with extra lives.

StarFox 64 though was a game I had went into with out knowing any secrets. I hadn’t watched anyone play and beat it. I wasn’t aware of any cheats. And though I wouldn’t say StarFox 64 is a hard game. It certainly is a challenge for a child and a few of those last missions and bosses can be quite tough. Even more so when you are not aware of their patterns or what to expect.

Which made it leave an impact when I finally beat the game. I did it on my own and I didn’t need to use any crutches.

When I reflect on my history with games. StarFox 64 might just be the first game “I” beat. I completed the game on its terms. No easy mode, no cheats, no guides, no knowledge from watching my brothers play it.

I still revisit StarFox 64 once ever few years. It is a short game and with it being on NSO it is even easier to boot and a complete a run on. Heck I just beat it a couple months ago after watching the Mario Galaxy Movie. I’m excited to play it again though. It is a fantastic game and I think there is a lot to talk about. It led me to select this as Junes game during the period, then funnily enough shortly after the new Remake of StarFox 64 was announced and is coming in June.

Which I plan to play the new StarFox game on Switch 2 prior to the podcast. With it not only being a StarFox game but a remake of StarFox 64 it only makes sense to play it and discuss it. Which brings up to a new inclusion I’ll be adding to pre-games moving forward “Things to Consider”. A few things to have in the back of you mind as you play the months game as well as topic segments for the Podcast.

Things to consider

-StarFox 64 and StarFox (2026) comparisons
-How the first StarFox game on SNES has basically be remade over and over. StarFox 64, Starfox on the DS, StarFox Zero, and now StarFox 2026.
-What Nintendo IPs do you consider their A line up compared to B line up. As well as what Nintendo IPs feel abandoned?
-What is the first game you recall beating?

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Finally a little inside baseball when it comes to EXP Monthly.

I chose games for June’s EXP Monthly for a variety of reasons. When I select an EXP Monthly game there tend to be primary 3 factors I consider.

  1. The Prestige of the game: Is it a classic or going to be a game many people hold in high regard? If a game has a lot of prestige that often means many people will have played it and have opinions or memories to talk about. Often if people haven’t played it, the game is on their backlog so EXPM is a good reason for them to finally check it off.

  2. Accessibility of playing the game: The best case is the game is still purchasable and affordable. What good is having a video game club if most people can’t play the game. When a game isn’t purchasable how easy is to emulate it?

  3. Impact to the industry: Games that have an impact to the industry or simply do something unique are always going to make for great topics. The conversation can expand beyond the game itself.

Though this month the primary reason why I chose StarFox wasn’t due to my normal reasons. After June is complete we will have done EXP Monthly for an entire year! EXP Monthly has been a great experience for me so far. I’ve made it a point myself to play each game every month. Also huge shout out to Blue as well for doing the same! I generally try to select games that can only be beaten in 20 hours or less.

I wish I could say I have completed every game for EXPM. Unfortunately February which was KotoR I never did complete. I did play a significant amount of the game. Yet, do to me not completing it (Though Blue did!) and what seemed to be general disinterest that has been the only month with out a Podcast. I plan to re-visit KotoR at some point.

Anyways this is to say I have recognized the importance of having the occasional month of a short and small game. Since StarFox 64 is a game that can be beaten in 1-2 hours even on your first play though. I want to make sure I stagger games like this into the schedule. We are just finished Fallout 1 which isn’t a terribly long game but still 15-20 hours on a first run. Next Month is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 which is a longer game being 30-40 hours.

It made only sense to me to fit in a nice short game between those. Along with meeting the factors I look for when selecting a EXPM game.

Links and Tools

StarFox 64 is only officially available on NSO.