Pilotwings: Soaring Back to the SNES Skies

Step back in time, not just to the early 90s, but to a place where flight simulation met arcade challenge on a 16-bit console. Nintendo's Pilotwings, a launch title for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), wasn't like the platformers or RPGs we typically associate with the era. Instead, it offered a serene, sometimes frustrating, but utterly unique experience of taking to the digital skies.

For many of us who got an SNES back in the day, Pilotwings was one of those games that came bundled or was picked up early on. It showcased the console's capabilities, particularly the then-revolutionary Mode 7 graphics, and provided a different kind of challenge – one based on precision, control, and a touch of zen.

The Magic of Mode 7: How Pilotwings Looked So Good

One of the standout features of the original Pilotwings on the SNES was its visual presentation. This wasn't achieved with fancy 3D chips, but with the console's built-in Mode 7 capability.

• What is Mode 7? It's a background layer effect that allows scaling, rotation, and perspective changes on a 2D plane.
• Pilotwings' Use: The game cleverly used Mode 7 to simulate a 3D environment. The ground was a flat, textured plane that rotated and scaled around your vehicle, creating the illusion of movement over a landscape.
• The Impact: While simple by today's standards, this effect was groundbreaking in 1990. It gave Pilotwings a sense of depth and scale that was truly impressive for its time, making the world feel vast and open as you flew above it.

It was a technical showcase that immediately set the SNES apart from its competitors and gave Pilotwings its distinctive look and feel.

Soaring Through the Skies: The Gameplay Loop

Pilotwings isn't about shooting things down or collecting coins (mostly). It's about mastering different aerial vehicles and earning pilot licenses by completing specific tasks. Think of it as flight school, but way more fun.

The core gameplay revolves around a series of lessons for different disciplines:

• Biplane: Navigate through rings or gates and perform a perfect landing on the runway. Precision is key here, especially lining up your approach.
• Hang Glider: Catch thermal updrafts to gain altitude and glide your way to a target landing zone. This one requires patience and understanding of wind currents.
• Skydiver: Leap from a helicopter, fall through rings, and deploy your parachute to land accurately on a bullseye target. Timing and trajectory are crucial.
• Rocket Belt: Strap on a jetpack and fly through a series of obstacles or rings, often requiring tricky maneuvers before landing gently. This one often felt the most futuristic and challenging.

Each lesson had specific criteria for passing, usually involving hitting markers, maintaining altitude, and landing accuracy. Points were awarded based on performance, and you needed a minimum score to pass and move on. The loop of practice, attempt, fail, and try again was incredibly addictive.

Beyond the Training: Bonus Stages and the Final Mission

While the license tests were the main course, Pilotwings offered a few extra treats:

• Bonus Stages: Achieving perfect scores or specific actions in some lessons could unlock fun bonus stages. These often involved unique vehicles or challenges, like guiding a penguin or controlling a winged man!
• The Helicopter Mission: After earning all your licenses, the game culminates in a dramatic final mission where you pilot an attack helicopter to rescue kidnapped instructors. This added a surprising narrative twist and a completely different type of gameplay involving navigation and avoiding anti-aircraft fire.

These extra elements added replayability and a sense of accomplishment beyond just getting your licenses.

A Legacy That Took Flight

Pilotwings was well-received upon release, praised for its innovative graphics and unique gameplay. It wasn't a massive system seller like Super Mario World, but it carved out its own niche and demonstrated the SNES's versatility.

Its legacy continued with sequels:

• Pilotwings 64: A launch title for the Nintendo 64, expanding the concept into true 3D environments and adding new vehicles like the autogyro.
• Pilotwings Resort: Released on the Nintendo 3DS, set on the familiar Wuhu Island from Wii Sports Resort, utilizing the 3DS's stereoscopic 3D.

While the series hasn't been as prolific as others, the original Pilotwings remains a beloved classic for those who remember its quiet innovation and satisfying challenge. It even has representation in the Super Smash Bros. series with a themed stage!

Playing Pilotwings Today

Feeling nostalgic? Want to experience this unique SNES gem for the first time? You're in luck!

While finding an original SNES cartridge is always an option for purists, Nintendo has made Pilotwings accessible on modern platforms:

• Nintendo Switch Online: The SNES version is available as part of the subscription service's retro gaming classic games library.
• Virtual Console: It was previously available on Virtual Console services for Wii, Wii U, and 3DS.

So, whether you want to relive the memories or discover a piece of SNES history, the skies of Pilotwings are still open for business.

FAQ

Q: What kind of game is Pilotwings? A: Pilotwings is a flight simulation game with arcade elements where players must complete aerial challenges using different vehicles to earn pilot licenses.

Q: Which vehicles can you fly in the original SNES Pilotwings? A: The main vehicles are the biplane, hang glider, skydiver (with parachute), and rocket belt. There are also bonus stages and a final helicopter mission.

Q: What is Mode 7 and why was it important for Pilotwings? A: Mode 7 is an SNES graphics mode that allows a background layer to be scaled and rotated, creating the illusion of 3D movement and perspective from 2D graphics. It was crucial for Pilotwings' visual style and simulating flight over a landscape.

Q: Can I play the original Pilotwings on Nintendo Switch? A: Yes, the original SNES Pilotwings is available to play through the Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online app, included with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.