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Pilotwings 64 (パイロットウイングス64) is a video game for the Nintendo 64 (N64), released in 1996 along with the debut of the console. The game was co-developed by Nintendo and the visual simulation group Paradigm Entertainment. It was one of three launch titles for the N64 in Japan and one of only two launch titles for the system in North America. It is a sequel to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System game Pilotwings, which was also a launch title for its respective game system. Pilotwings 64 is a flight simulator that puts the player in the role of one of six pilots as they try to earn pilot licenses through various forms of aviation including flying a gyrocopter, using a rocket belt, and hang gliding, as well as bonus tasks such as skydiving and shooting the player character out a cannon. Pilotwings 64 received positive review scores from critics and went on to sell over one million copies worldwide.
[edit] Gameplay Pilotwings 64 is a 3D flight simulator. As with its predecessor, the player must complete a variety of missions using different airborne vehicles. Before each mission, the player must choose one of six character pilots based on gender and weight. The tests presented to the player require him or her to complete an objective in order to earn a license for the given event within a difficulty class. For each mission, points are awarded or deducted based on time, damage, fuel usage, accuracy, softness of landing, and similar criteria. The player is awarded a license (bronze, silver, or gold) based on the number of points attained.[3] There are three main events in Pilotwings 64. The first, hang gliding, usually requires the player to fly through a series of floating marker rings or snap a photograph of a particular piece of scenery before landing in a target area. While hang gliding, altitude can be increased by flying through thermal columns.[4] The second event, the rocket belt, lets the player gain height through the belt's equipped thrusters and allows for rotation. Goals include flying through rings or popping large balloons before landing.[4] The third event, the gyrocopter, challenges the player to take off and land on a runway after completing objectives such as navigating a path of rings or destroying targets with missiles.[5] Pilotwings 64 also features a several bonus events. Skydiving begins at very high altitudes, requiring the player to complete a series of formations with teammates, freefall, and finally open a parachute and land on a goal area. The cannonball event has the player character fired out a large cannon toward a distant bulleye several hundreds of meter away. The "Jumble Hopper" missions grant the player special spring-loaded boots to be used in bouncing across the landscape to an end space.[6]  Pilotwings 64 puts some emphasis on exploring the game's detailed, object-dense environments. The game even features the "Birdman" mode, a set of bonus missions that puts the character in a bird suit and gives players the opportunity to freely explore.[7] All the missions in Pilotwings 64 are set among four distinct islands, one of which is based on the United States with replications of famous landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, the St. Louis Gateway Arch, and the Seattle Space Needle. Many other interesting quirks can be found in the landscapes of the game, such as a creature based on the Loch Ness Monster, representations of other Nintendo characters, and other such things. [edit] DevelopmentPilotwings 64 was one of thirteen games shown at Nintendo Space World in November of 1995 when the Nintendo first unveiled the N64 to the public.[8] Pilotwings 64 was co-developed by Paradigm Entertainment (then known as Paradigm Simulation) and Nintendo EAD (design, music) / Nintendo IRD (technical support). Nintendo contacted Paradigm in 1994 concerning the latter becoming one of the N64's first developers.[1] Paradigm worked directly with a team at Silicon Graphics and spent nine months developing a technology base for Pilotwings 64 and its other N64 releases. Development on Pilotwings 64 itself began in June 1995, with Nintendo working on the game design and Paradigm working on the technical production. Makoto Wada (EAD), the game's director, acted as the design contact for Paradigm.[1] Shigeru Miyamoto, the producer of the original Pilotwings, reprised his role for Pilotwings 64, albeit more removed due to his concurrent work on Super Mario 64.[8] Pilotwings 64 contains six playable pilots, all of which are named after various birds. The character designs were sent from Nintendo to Paradigm to be implemented into the game.[9] Lark, the first playable character, is the former mascot and comic strip star of Nintendo Power magazine, Nester.[10][11] The game's soundtrack was co-composed by Dan Hess and Akito Nakatsuka. [edit] Reception
Pilotwings 64 was well-received by most critics. The game currently holds aggregate ratings of 80 out of 100 on Metacritic and 87% on GameRankings.[13][12] Its use of 3D graphics, realistic backgrounds, and flight simulation gameplay were applauded by many reviewers. GameSpot summarized, "The graphics, sound, control, and all around excitement add up to make Pilotwings 64 one hell of a great ride."[17] IGN, despite discounting its music, expressed positive comments on the game's polygon rendering and framerates, as well as its sense of control and flying.[18] Computer and Video Games enjoyed the game's large environments, exclaiming, "You'll not believe just how huge the islands really are and, because certain elements are hidden at first, it'll take you months to see everything."[14] Game Revolution, however, issued Pilotwings 64 a much more harsh review score, declaring the game to be nothing more than a graphical showcase for those with nothing better to do.[16] In February 2006, Pilotwings 64 was rated the 117th best game made on a Nintendo system in Nintendo Power's "Top 200 Games" list.[19] In February 2009, Official Nintendo Magazine listed it at number 40 on its "100 Best Nintendo Games".[20] Pilotwings 64 was released in Japan on June 23, 1996 as one of three N64 launch titles, the other two being Super Mario 64 and Saikyō Habu Shōgi.[21] In North America, Pilotwings 64 was one of only two initial releases for the system during its September debut in North America. While Super Mario 64 was selling at a one-to-one ratio with each console, Pilotwings 64 shipped less copies to stores such as Electronics Boutique. The game was selling about one copy with every fifth console.[22] Paradigm reported in February 1998 that Pilotwings 64 had sold over one million units worldwide.[23] At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in 1997, Paradigm announced an N64 sequel to Pilotwings 64.[24] However, despite Nintendo's interest in Paradigm's initial presentations, the game was cancelled because Nintendo did not have the resources to aid in its development at that time.[23] [edit] Notes
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