- Pilotwings 64
Infobox VG| title = Pilotwings 64
developer =Paradigm Entertainment
publisher =Nintendo
designer =Shigeru Miyamoto ,Genyo Takeda
engine =
released = vgrelease|JP=June 23 1996 |NA=September 29 1996 |EU=March 1 1997
genre =Flight simulator
modes =Single-player
ratings = vgrelease|ESRB=K-A
platforms =Nintendo 64
media = 64Mb (8MB) Nintendo 64 cartridge
requirements =
input =Nintendo 64 controller nihongo|"Pilotwings 64"|パイロットウイングス64|Pairottouingusu Rokujūyon is a
video game for theNintendo 64 , released in 1996, along with the launch of the console. It was one of two launch titles for the Nintendo 64, the other being "Super Mario 64 ". It is a sequel to theSuper Nintendo Entertainment System game "Pilotwings ", which was also a launch title for its respective game system.Gameplay
In "Pilotwings 64", as with its predecessor, the player must complete a variety of missions using different airborne vehicles. Examples include destroying various ground targets within a limited time using a missile-equipped
gyrocopter , navigating through large floating rings placed throughout a city using arocket belt , taking a picture of a smokestack while riding ahang glider , and firing a chosen character out of a large cannon towards a target several hundred yards away. For each mission, points are awarded based on time, damage, fuel usage, accuracy, softness of landing, and similar criteria.The game also places a large emphasis on exploration, with detailed, object-dense environments and a special mode whose only purpose is exploration, the Birdman mode. Many interesting quirks can be found in the landscapes of the game, including a creature based on the
Loch Ness Monster , representations of other Nintendo characters, and other such things. Its soundtrack was also praised, particularly the jazz piece played during night missions, or during flight as the "Birdman."Development
The first pilot of the six, Lark, was thought by many game players to have a striking resemblance to the former mascot and comic strip star of
Nintendo Power magazine,Nester . Some say this cameo appearance was the work of Paradigm Simulations, but as mentioned in the above point of trivia, the characters were actually designed by Nintendo itself. The September 1996 issue of Nintendo Power magazine covered PW64, and on the page describing characters, the short intro for Lark actually states that there's no mistaking it's Nester himself.Nintendo Power: "His handle is Lark, but everyone in class knows this guy is Nester." "Nintendo Power". Nintendo of America. September 1996, page 25.] A year later after the game's release, in September 1997, the landmark 100th issue of Nintendo Power would again state that the two characters were in fact one and the same.Nintendo Power: "NP's very own comic strip character, Nester, entertained readers since our very first issue. After December 1993, he went AWOL (however, he's been spotted masquerading as "Lark" in PilotWings 64) (...) " "Nintendo Power". Nintendo of America. September 1997, page 10.]Reception
"Pilotwings 64" was rated the 117th best game made on a Nintendo System in
Nintendo Power 's Top 200 Games list in February 2006.Citation|year=February 2006| title=NP Top 200|periodical=Nintendo Power|volume=200|pages=58-66.]References
External links
* [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/n64/data/198292.html "Pilotwings 64"] at GameFAQs
* [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/198292.asp GameRankings reviews]
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