Star Fox 64is one of Nintendo’s best classic games. it created a high for theStar Foxfranchise that none of the following titles have been able to live up to. But despite its classic status, it’s also a game that few have played to 100% completion, despite its short runtime.
Unlike most linear shmups,Star Fox 64has a route system. By performing certain actions at specific points in a level, the player can change their route, and head to different planets on their campaign against Andross.
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These actions tend to be hidden, and most players will miss them on their first go around. Now thatStar Fox 64is playable again on Switch, it’s the perfect time to brush up on how to access the alternate routes.
Corneria to Sector Y
The player always starts each run on Corneria, and there are two routes. The standard route ends with the player fighting Granga and heading to Meteo.
Corneria’s alternate route leads to Sector Y. There are two conditions they need to meet. First, theymust save Falco when he has three enemies on his tail. Second, theyhave to fly under the seven natural stone arches during the following ocean section. This will lead to an alternate boss, the attack carrier.
Meteo to Katina
The asteroid belt Meteo usually leads to Fortuna, but if the playersaves Slippy from three pursuers, thenseven warp gateswill appear. If they can go through all seven, they can skip the boss and head to Katina instead.
Sector Y to Aquas
Sector Y’s alternate route isn’t a secret objective, but a skill check. The player needs toearn 100 or more hit points killing enemies, or else their route will downgrade to the medium Katina.
Fortuna to Solar
Fortuna features an all-rangebattle with Star Wolf. If the player candefeat every member of Star Wolf before the time bomb timer goes off, they head to Solar instead of Sector X
Katina to Solar
Katina is an all-range battle beneath the shadow of an enemy flying saucer. Once it appears, the player has a limited time toshoot down its four hatches before its laser fires. If they’re successful, they can choose between the standard Sector X or Solar.
Aqua to Zoness
Aqua has only one route. The player just needs to survive.
Sector X to Macbeth
Sector X has two different alternate paths. The one to the medium difficulty route, Macbeth, just requires that the playerhave all three of their teammates aliveat the end of the level.
Sector X to Sector Z
Shortly after the checkpoint, the player will find a split in the route. If they want to reach the hard route, they need tohead left, then shoot open and fly through four square warp gates.
Like Aqua, Solar has only one route.
Zoness to Sector Z
Zoness has players flying over a toxic ocean, occasionally dotted with radar buoys. If theydestroy all buoys, then they pass to Sector Z undetected.
Titania has no alternate route.
Macbeth to Area 6
Macbeth is aLandmaster tankmission that sees the player fighting a train. Beside the track areeight switches, and shooting all of them derails the train, allowing players access to Area 6.
Onward to Venom
From here, the game is entirely linear. If the player heads to Bolse, they’re locked into the easier version of the final level, Venom. If they approach from Area 6, they fight the true version, withStar Fox 64’s harder final boss.
