Star Fox 64 3D is a game that's been sitting in my library collecting dust for more than a decade now. As a kid I would play it, mess around with the 3D feature of the 3DS, then put the game down because flying an Arwing as a ten-year old can get difficult. Now, I've returned to the game as a 23-year old with a New Nintendo 2DS, and a desire to play shorter games (having a 9-5 job makes it hard to keep up with every new hit open-world RPG). So, after spending a couple of days flying through the main story, I can confidently say that Star Fox 64 3D is a fun enough game. The quick nature of the missions make for a fun experience to devote short chunks of time on, the way handheld games are made to be played. The dialogue is true to the original, being short and odd in its random delivery, but the small bits of characterization we get from the cast and their dynamics with Fox add to the overall profile of Team Star Fox. Falco has an attitude towards Fox, but respects him. Peppy serves the mentor role, and Slippi is a decent pilot, but an (allegedly) even better engineer. Visually, I stand by the fact that the 3DS still holds up graphically, the issue is when games look like 3DS games but on modern hardware. Presentation is important! There's hardly any story to report back on, which is to be expected. Sgt. Pepper hires the team to defeat Andross and his army, we say ok, and we're off to save the Lylat system (and avenge Fox's father who disappeared all those years ago). The 3DS's gyro controls are a bit jarring at first, but didn't take long to get a hang of after utilizing the circle pad more. My least favorite part of this game has to be using the Land master. It's clunky and aiming isn't comfortable. I was so happy when the next mission through Area 6 let me zip around again. Overall, Star Fox 64 3D was a fun revisit to finally finish up a game that I'd left to rest years ago. I'm going to spend another day or two on it to try and collect more medals and alternate paths before shelving the game for another long while.

One of the most visually beautiful games I've ever played. From start to finish it carries itself with an artistic, symbolic message that takes time to be observed and appreciated because of how fun the combat is. My only complaints are that the final boss lacks the same fun factor that the other bosses have (I understand it thematically and appreciate it! It just wasn't as much fun for me). Coupled with that, this game is focused heavily on bosses, and I wish that I could challenge them again much faster through the shortcuts rather than the loading time + small enemy groups you have to fight to get to everyone.