Pilotwings Resort (Nintendo 3DS) Quick Review
Wuhu Island makes it's blessed return in the newest installment of the Pilotwings games, Pilotwings Resort. This series that puts you in the seat of a new pilot, got its start on the SNES, and later moved to the N64 (which I covered in my Nintendo 64 Chronicles series on YouTube). Released 6 years ago (and 15 years after the N64 installment) can this series stand the test of time?
Pilotwings Resort offers you two modes of play : Free Flight mode where you can take any of the vehicles you desire and just whip around the island, or Challenge mode where each vehicle gets a number of different challenges which you need to complete and are graded on afterwards, in difficulties ranging from Training up to Diamond. In Challenge mode, you'll need to complete each tier of challenges to earn that level of license and progress on to the next one, and each challenge will grade you on how much time you take, how well and how accurately you land, and any other objectives you are required to complete for that specific task.
What's Good?
- Improved Graphics and Controls.The only thing to note about this version of the game is how much better it looks and how much smoother the controls feel. The biggest issue with the N64 version was when you needed to make minute adjustments to your flight/glide pattern. Now, with how fine the 3DS's joystick can be moved, making these small adjustments is a breeze. As for the graphics, Wuhu Island looks beautiful in much finer detail, and with the 3D effect it just gets prettier.
What's Bad?
- Mii-Invasion! As per Nintendo's usual habits...your entire character base is the Mii's. For those of you that haven't used a Nintendo console in the last decade, Mii's are personalized characters you create of yourself, so you can play the games as you. They started being required right off the bat for Wii Sports, and all these years later are still being integrated into games such as Super Smash Bros. It's cool, but having only the Mii's to choose from is a bit annoying in this gamer's opinion, and in this game with no other option, it's too much.
- Same Vehicles / Challenges. Now, I've never gotten to play the original SNES version of Pilotwings, so I don't know if it's the same three vehicles from the get-go. But, in the N64 version, you can use the plane, a jetpack, or a hang glider, and those are the same three options you are allowed to use in this version as well. With how much more advanced technology has become, it would have been nice to see something else included in this game. Either a whole new vehicle to use or even just a faster version of the plane. But instead, you only get the same choices.
Is it Worth it?
One thing you might notice in this review is I keep referring to it as "this version" of the game. And that's because that's all it feels like, just an updated version of the same game. I can say for sure that in the near future the original Pilotwings will be making an appearance on this blog, because now I am curious if the two later versions are just recycled and "enhanced" versions of the original. However, despite it not feeling any different Pilotwings Resort is still pretty fun to play. You can swipe this one loose from GameStop for just $3 in box, so you'll defiintely get your money's worth. The flight challenges will keep you entertained, and the free flight mode gives you plenty of collectibles to discover around Wuhu (and c'mon with a corny name like that how could you not love it).
I haven't completed all the challenges, but mostly because of my OCD. The final tier, Diamond, only unlocks for you if you've collected 3-stars on every previous level in the game, so I'm trying to not move forward until I achieve those 3-stars. There's not a whole lot of depth to this game, but it still manages to be fun although I can see the novelty wearing off after you complete all the challenges unless you have other people to play with who you can try and beat each other's scores.
Pilotwings Resort offers you two modes of play : Free Flight mode where you can take any of the vehicles you desire and just whip around the island, or Challenge mode where each vehicle gets a number of different challenges which you need to complete and are graded on afterwards, in difficulties ranging from Training up to Diamond. In Challenge mode, you'll need to complete each tier of challenges to earn that level of license and progress on to the next one, and each challenge will grade you on how much time you take, how well and how accurately you land, and any other objectives you are required to complete for that specific task.
What's Good?
- Improved Graphics and Controls.The only thing to note about this version of the game is how much better it looks and how much smoother the controls feel. The biggest issue with the N64 version was when you needed to make minute adjustments to your flight/glide pattern. Now, with how fine the 3DS's joystick can be moved, making these small adjustments is a breeze. As for the graphics, Wuhu Island looks beautiful in much finer detail, and with the 3D effect it just gets prettier.
What's Bad?
- Mii-Invasion! As per Nintendo's usual habits...your entire character base is the Mii's. For those of you that haven't used a Nintendo console in the last decade, Mii's are personalized characters you create of yourself, so you can play the games as you. They started being required right off the bat for Wii Sports, and all these years later are still being integrated into games such as Super Smash Bros. It's cool, but having only the Mii's to choose from is a bit annoying in this gamer's opinion, and in this game with no other option, it's too much.
- Same Vehicles / Challenges. Now, I've never gotten to play the original SNES version of Pilotwings, so I don't know if it's the same three vehicles from the get-go. But, in the N64 version, you can use the plane, a jetpack, or a hang glider, and those are the same three options you are allowed to use in this version as well. With how much more advanced technology has become, it would have been nice to see something else included in this game. Either a whole new vehicle to use or even just a faster version of the plane. But instead, you only get the same choices.
Is it Worth it?
One thing you might notice in this review is I keep referring to it as "this version" of the game. And that's because that's all it feels like, just an updated version of the same game. I can say for sure that in the near future the original Pilotwings will be making an appearance on this blog, because now I am curious if the two later versions are just recycled and "enhanced" versions of the original. However, despite it not feeling any different Pilotwings Resort is still pretty fun to play. You can swipe this one loose from GameStop for just $3 in box, so you'll defiintely get your money's worth. The flight challenges will keep you entertained, and the free flight mode gives you plenty of collectibles to discover around Wuhu (and c'mon with a corny name like that how could you not love it).
I haven't completed all the challenges, but mostly because of my OCD. The final tier, Diamond, only unlocks for you if you've collected 3-stars on every previous level in the game, so I'm trying to not move forward until I achieve those 3-stars. There's not a whole lot of depth to this game, but it still manages to be fun although I can see the novelty wearing off after you complete all the challenges unless you have other people to play with who you can try and beat each other's scores.
