67/100
Players17 ratings: 72/100
Critics5 reviews

Where to get it

Nintendo eShop

2011 · Monster Games · Flight simulation · Simulation

Pilotwings Resort

Nintendo exclusive

Pilotwings Resort, an aerial adventure featuring airplanes, hang gliders and rocket belts. Players soar above tropical Wuhu Island in 3D as they complete missions or snap pictures.

Released: 25 March 2011
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
Genres: Flight simulation Simulation
Developers: Monster Games
Publishers: Nintendo
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Third person
Themes: Action
Country: United States
Age ratings: CLASS_IND L PEGI 3 ESRB E CERO A
Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish (Spain)

About

Pilotwings Resort is an arcade flight game for the Nintendo 3DS handheld game console, developed by Monster Games and published by Nintendo. It is a sequel to the 1990 SNES video game Pilotwings and the 1996 Nintendo 64 game Pilotwings 64. Similarly to its predecessors, it was confirmed as a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS in North America and Europe. It was released in Japan, Australia and New Zealand on April 14, 2011.

Nintendo later re-released the game, along with some of their earlier, published games for the Nintendo 3DS, as a downloadable title via Nintendo eShop. The downloadable version became available on November 1, 2012 in Japan, November 22, 2012 in the PAL region and December 20, 2012 in North America.

Keywords

flight simulator
stereoscopic 3d

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Pilotwings Resort contains two modes of play. The first mode, "Free Flight Mode", allows the player to freely explore Wuhu Island using any type of aircraft they have unlocked. Various collectibles such as balloons and stunt rings can be picked up to unlock certain features in the game, like diorama statues and the player's very own castle on the archipelago's private island. In this mode, there is a time limit which is extended for the next playthrough when the player has collected a set number of balloons.

The second mode, "Mission Mode", requires the player to complete a series of objectives within certain parameters. The player is graded between one and three stars on their performance in each mission. These increasingly difficult missions span Training, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond classes (the latter only being unlocked after achieving a three star rank on every mission). When players achieve higher star rankings, they grow closer to unlocking several in-game bonuses, including a "Meca Hawk" robot from Pilotwings 64 that walks around Wedge Island and alternate credits.

Development

Pilotwings Resort was announced by Nintendo at the E3 2010, where a playable demo was featured that revealed the return of plane and rocket belt missions. Later media unveiled the return of the hang gliding missions as well. Pilotwings Resort is the first Nintendo 3DS game to feature Mii characters, and is set on the fictional Wuhu Island, which was originally featured in the Wii Fit series and Wii Sports Resort. The latter had featured its own flight sporting event, which was adapted for this game.

Reception

The game's first review, from Eurogamer, was generally positive. Pilotwings ultimately hits an enjoyable sweet spot. It's intricate enough to encourage mastery, and roomy enough to tempt you back after the main event, while the skilfully simple presentation makes it perfect for demonstrating your latest gadget's 3D capabilities." Official Nintendo Magazine's review was also relatively positive.

They gave it 81%, saying "Pilotwings Resort is a lovely game, with its beautiful 3D vistas and responsive, satisfying controls. We only wish there was more of it." Their verdict was, "While this looks and feels amazing, there just isn't quite enough." 5/10.