Is Star Fox 3DS Worth It? Yes, Especially for Long-Time Fans

For long-time Nintendo fans, the answer is a resounding yes – the 3DS remake of Star Fox 64 is absolutely worth picking up. This modern update brings the classic N64 rail shooter to handheld with excellent 3D visuals, smoother performance, and the same terrific gameplay. While the lack of new content is disappointing, the reasonable price, nostalgia factor, and pure fun make Star Fox 64 3D a must-have for 3DS owners.

As someone who grew up playing every Star Fox game, I‘m thrilled to have this favorite on a portable system. The fast-paced arcade gameplay holds up incredibly well, and the 3D effects add immersion without sacrificing performance. It‘s a blast revisiting beloved levels like Corneria and flying through branching paths trying to unlock secrets. While more new levels would have been great, the quality remake of an N64 classic is still highly worthwhile.

Below I‘ll dive deeper into why Star Fox 64 3D is worth it by exploring the improved graphics and frame rate, the excellent control and playability, and the enduring appeal of the gameplay and content. Let‘s boost into hyperspace and see why Fox McCloud on the 3DS absolutely deserves a spot in your game collection!

Visually Smooth and Stunning

Star Fox 64 3D is one of the most technically impressive titles on the Nintendo 3DS. It runs at a flawless 60 frames-per-second in 3D mode, rendering busy space battles with complete fluidity. The higher frame rate makes it much smoother and responsive than the original N64‘s 20-30 fps. Shooting down enemies and barrel rolling through space debris feels precise and satisfying.

The visual overhaul is stunning, putting many other 3DS games to shame. While keeping the familiar Star Fox design aesthetic, every texture and model has been redone in much higher resolution. Explosions and other effects have extra visual polish. Draw distances are farther to take advantage of the stronger 3D rendering capabilities.

For example, in the first Corneria stage, you can see all the way to the distant flying Arwing during the opening without pop-in or fog. The 3D slider can be cranked up to the max without any slowdown either. Every anxiously awaited remake should be so technically proficient.

According to aggregated review scores on Metacritic and GameRankings, Star Fox 64 3D earned an 82-85% average – making it one of the highest-rated games in the 3DS library.

Precise and Playable Control

Star Fox 64 controlled well on the N64, but the analog stick and button layout limited precision. Star Fox 64 3D on the 3DS solves these issues for a better, more responsive play experience.

The circle pad allows finer directional aiming control, especially combined with the built-in gyroscope sensors for slight adjustments by tilting. Between the pad and motion controls, lining up shots is smoother than ever before. The handheld‘s dual shoulder buttons also map boosting and braking more naturally than the N64 controller‘s single shoulder button.

These control enhancements really improve the playability compared to the original. Nintendo added an optional mode with adjusted difficulty to account for the better precision as well. Whether you‘re a series newcomer or veteran, pulling off barrel rolls, somersaults, and U-turns feels more intuitive than ever.

Replay Value and Rail Shooter Appeal

A single run through Star Fox 64 3D takes around 2 hours – fairly typical for a rail shooter. However, the branching paths, secret routes, and multiple endings add tons of replay value. Just like the N64 game, mastering the game to uncover every path easily doubles the playtime. Finding all secrets and achieving higher high scores incentivize replaying levels repeatedly.

Despite being an older genre today, the rail shooter design remains engaging. The set paths allow for greater visual polish, drama, and level diversity compared to free-roaming shooters. While considered "on rails", the player still has control over directional aiming, speed boosting, rolls, and ship transformations like the tank and submarine. Memorizing enemy patterns and optimal strategies also keeps the arcade-style action addictive.

Very few games today capture the intense space dogfighting feel of Star Fox 64. The expertly crafted levels, charming music, and appealing cartoon aesthetic make it endlessly replayable. Many fans rank it among the best games on the N64 – high praise the 3DS remake lives up to.

Worthwhile for N64 Nostalgia

Part of the appeal here is simply being able to play this beloved N64 title portably on the 3DS. Star Fox 64 is arguably the best game in the series, or at least the most iconic. I have fond memories of blasting through the campaign and competing for high scores with friends. Re-experiencing that exhilarating arcade gameplay untethered is awesome.

Of course, more brand-new content and levels would have been great too. But considering the quality of the remake and the reasonable $39.99 price, the nostalgia factor shouldn‘t be overlooked. This is a game many Nintendo fans have been eagerly waiting to play portably.

Plus, Star Fox 64 3D released in 2011 near the beginning of the 3DS lifecycle. We‘ve since gotten newer Star Fox content like Fox appearing in Starlink: Battle for Atlas on Switch. Fans wanting more Star Fox should check out those newer games, while 64 3D stands as an excellent remake of the classic N64 installment.

The Verdict: An Excellent Remake, Despite Some Missed Opportunities

I wish Nintendo had included an online multiplayer mode or added some brand-new missions unique to the 3DS. However, Star Fox 64 3D remains an excellent modernization of a true N64 classic and one of my favorite Nintendo games.

The buttery-smooth frame rate, high-resolution graphics, and stellar 3D effects make it one of the most technically impressive titles in the 3DS library. It really leverages the system‘s graphics capabilities in a way few others have.

Meanwhile, the tighter control from the circle pad improves the already fantastic arcade gameplay. With adjustable difficulty modes and the wealth of replay value, both series newcomers and seasoned pilots will love taking down Andross and discovering every secret path.

For long-time Nintendo and Star Fox fans, picking up Star Fox 64 3D on the 3DS is an absolute must. It retains the strong level design, music, controls and charm that made the N64 original so memorable. The 3D visuals and performance upgrades are just icing on the cake for this wonderfully faithful remake. Despite some missed potential, it proves well worth revisiting this rail shooter classic on the go.