Star Fox 64 is one of Nintendo's best classic games. it created a high for the Star Fox franchise 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 64 has 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.
These actions tend to be hidden, and most players will miss them on their first go around. Now that Star Fox 64 is 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, they must save Falco when he has three enemies on his tail. Second, they have 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 player saves Slippy from three pursuers, then seven warp gates will 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 to earn 100 or more hit points killing enemies, or else their route will downgrade to the medium Katina.
Fortuna to Solar
Fortuna features an all-range battle with Star Wolf. If the player can defeat 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 to shoot 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 player have all three of their teammates alive at 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 to head left, then shoot open and fly through four square warp gates.
Solar to Macbeth
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 they destroy all buoys, then they pass to Sector Z undetected.
Titania to Bolse
Titania has no alternate route.
Macbeth to Area 6
Macbeth is a Landmaster tank mission that sees the player fighting a train. Beside the track are eight 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, with Star Fox 64's harder final boss.
Star Fox 64 is available now for Nintendo Switch Online.
