VC Forums Monthly Gaming Club: February 2010

[hansolo350]

This month's game: Pilotwings
Console: SNES
Wii Points: 800
Supported Controllers: Classic and GameCube

My reasoning:
- I have always liked the game
- few people on here have downloaded the game
- I didn't want to anger certain people by picking a Genesis game

Even though I downloaded Pilotwings when it came out, I haven't gotten around to playing it so I hope it is as good as I remember it being. It has been about five years now since I played it back on the SNES.

[Betagam7]

Interesting choice. I actually own the game for SNES but have yet to even begin playing it other than testing the cart to see if it works so I'll be able to play along on the original format (boosted by a 60hz switch of course) and save myself the download cost and get myself another beat on backloggery. Win/Win

Incidently I wouldn't be especially angered by a Genesis game as I own the SMD collection for 360 and so already own much of the VC line-up in 60hz. I'll download anything I don't already have that anyone picks though as that's the name of the game.

I also think its interesting that someone has finally picked one of the 'big name' games for VC but you've managed to pick one that many people, myself included, havn't already spent alot of time with in the way they might have done with a Mario or Sonic.

It should be a good month for comparing scores and reviving the highscore thread.

p.s, you might want to expand your post to include the points required and format just for those who don't already know where to find the game.

[Ausden]

Interesting choice there Han. I have the N64 version which I enjoyed very much. I was questioning getting this one due to some of the screen shots I saw...it looked like the game just didn't age well.

This should prove fun though!

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by Ausden

Interesting choice there Han. I have the N64 version which I enjoyed very much. I was questioning getting this one due to some of the screen shots I saw...it looked like the game just didn't age well.

This should prove fun though!

I'm eager for Nintendo to bring the N64 version to VC but please god let them do something about those PAL borders; easily the worst of any game ever released!

[Trapster]

If only it was Pilotwings 64. Borrowed that game from an old friend back in the day and loved the game.

But I guess there's a bigger chance I'll play this than Last Ninja 2 last month.

[enigmaopoeia]

Oh, Pilotwings, that's interesting! I never played this game, but I remember reading about it a lot in Nintendo Power back in the days.

I'm currently short on Wii Points, but I'll try to see if I can get this game sometime next week.

[Yossarian]

Interesting and a nice change of gameplay style for the club. I look forward to trying this one out.

[Betagam7]

Dug out the cart and after spending the usual five minutes blowing on it trying to get it to work I was able to engage in an hours session.

The game is pretty tough, even from the outset. Even the simple things like skydiving and steering the plane can be problematic for a beginner as the game seems more geared towards simulation than its N64 counterpart which was (at least initially) more about zooming about over lovely looking landscapes (ala Wii Sports Resorts plane game).

I managed to beat the first mission with an A and unlocked the Jetpac which was immediately more fun than the previous 2 missions (as well as much easier).

Got a B on the second set of missions after some teeth gnashing with plane and parachute games again (2 points of qualifying so many times!) and have now made it to Lesson 3 where I get to go handgliding.

The game is glitching a bit in the Skydiving when I force 60hz so I'll probably just bite the bullet and play in 50hz squashovision for the rest of the month which is something PAL VC'ers should at least be spared if Nintendo keeps up with its usual SNES screen stretching.

The game is also making me want to play Wii Sports Resort some more so I might be able to get 2 beats for the price of one!

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

As much as I want to play Pilotwings, I'm probably going to have to pass this month. The wife is off work recovering from surgery at home for 4-6 weeks. She goes back in March, and that's also when my daytime gaming will be able to make a comeback.

[Refa]

I'll try and download the game this week. I never really thought of Pilotwings as a big name title though (seems sorta under the radar).

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by Refa

I'll try and download the game this week. I never really thought of Pilotwings as a big name title though (seems sorta under the radar).

Perhaps not in the sense of a Mario or Sonic but it's a first party Nintendo franchise that has headlined two of its consoles. Compared to the relatively obscure picks we've had so far this is big league stuff.

[wii-c-kid]

Even though I've not been around for a while I'm going to have to decline on this one. I recently downloaded the game as a ROM (I know) and played it under emulation (Homebrew) and to be honest, I struggled to enjoy it half as much as I remember and simply don't think it's worth the asking price (although I agree it is in the higher rankings as a release)

Sadly I didn't enjoy Pilotwings 64 that much either and considering I hate the island fly-around mode in Wii Sports Resort I doubt I'd get that game either.

Maybe next month. Good luck with it though guys (and gals)!

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by wii-c-kid

Sadly I didn't enjoy Pilotwings 64 that much either and considering I hate the island fly-around mode in Wii Sports Resort I doubt I'd get that game either.

That's by far my favourite part of WSR so far. Equally the freedom of the Birdman in Pilotwings 64 was the part I enjoyed most (aside from blasting the giant Iron Man with missiles)

I hope there is a birdman in this one, but I doubt there will be as its more of a sim.

Interesting point you make about your experience with the ROM but I've always found that actually owning games makes me appreciate them a hell of a lot more. I can never seem to give ROMs the time of day as there's no real incentive to commit to them.

Progress update:

I made it past the 3 introductory lessons earning a Silver license in the process. I'm not a fan of passwords in games that are 8 bit onwards and it's quite lame that Nintendo included one here but won't be a problem for you VC'ers with your fancy save states and stuff.

The first mission was quite boring but I'm starting to enjoy it more and more as newer missions and modes of flight become available. I wonder why Nintendo made such a boring (and difficult) start to the game when they could have opted to start with the much easier, much more fun Jetpack.

Didn't do so well on my first run on mission 4 but have now realised that pressing Start brings up a map which should make navigating my bearings alot easier from now on in.

Playing this is making me want to delve into some other SNES gems now. A little F-Zero I think, to round off the night

[wii-c-kid]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

That's by far my favourite part of WSR so far. Equally the freedom of the Birdman in Pilotwings 64 was the part I enjoyed most (aside from blasting the giant Iron Man with missiles)

I hope there is a birdman in this one, but I doubt there will be as its more of a sim.

Interesting point you make about your experience with the ROM but I've always found that actually owning games makes me appreciate them a hell of a lot more. I can never seem to give ROMs the time of day as there's no real incentive to commit to them.

Progress update:

I made it past the 3 introductory lessons earning a Silver license in the process. I'm not a fan of passwords in games that are 8 bit onwards and it's quite lame that Nintendo included one here but won't be a problem for you VC'ers with your fancy save states and stuff.

The first mission was quite boring but I'm starting to enjoy it more and more as newer missions and modes of flight become available. I wonder why Nintendo made such a boring (and difficult) start to the game when they could have opted to start with the much easier, much more fun Jetpack.

Didn't do so well on my first run on mission 4 but have now realised that pressing Start brings up a map which should make navigating my bearings alot easier from now on in.

Playing this is making me want to delve into some other SNES gems now. A little F-Zero I think, to round off the night

I think Nintendo pushed Pilotwings a lot more as a tech demo than the game it was. It was after all, a release title and showed off Mode 7 (probably) to an even greater degree than F-Zero.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by wii-c-kid

I think Nintendo pushed Pilotwings a lot more as a tech demo than the game it was. It was after all, a release title and showed off Mode 7 (probably) to an even greater degree than F-Zero.

The game was originally developed from a tech demo called Dragonfly that was used for that exact purpose before the SNES was commercially available.



It would have been nice if they could have included the dragonfly as a fun bonus mission.

[Yossarian]

This game has the weirdest title screen music I'd ever heard. It sounded broken and not in a good way.

The game itself was surprising and had a steep learning curve. The controls took some getting used to, it seems tapping rather than holding the buttons is the best approach.

The plane parts I can do(ish) but the sky diving parts still elude me. I can land but consistently miss the rings! It's a shame you can't retry the part of the challenge you failed without having to start from scratch but it's all good practice.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by Yossarian

This game has the weirdest title screen music I'd ever heard. It sounded broken and not in a good way.

The game itself was surprising and had a steep learning curve. The controls took some getting used to, it seems tapping rather than holding the buttons is the best approach.

The plane parts I can do(ish) but the sky diving parts still elude me. I can land but consistently miss the rings! It's a shame you can't retry the part of the challenge you failed without having to start from scratch but it's all good practice.

Hitting the rings is a matter of tilting your guy forwards or backwards and later turning him around 360 degrees. On the stage you are on though it could be that you are moving too much. I think you just have to tilt slightly forwards and backwards and you should fall through most rings automatically.

[Betagam7]

Landing seems to be the problem for me now on stage 4's skydiving. I can hit all the rings but I can't quite get the hang on landing on that tiny target. I always end up in the water...speaking of which, I've heard there are secret stages for landing in certain patches of water.

Anyone found them?

[Betagam7]

Beat the game tonight (or presume I did) and unlocked Expert mode and the groovy sunset title screen . I wonder if this is the first Nintendo game to do Title screen switch which has since become something of a trademark.

The final stage was cool even if it didn't really fit in with the style of the previous game and nice to see a new vehicle show up.

Although the game was fairly short I guess replayability comes from beating expert mode and finding the secret stages as well as trying for a higher grade of license.

Anyone else got any thoughts, this seems to be a very lonely thread this month

[Ausden]

I haven' had time, I'm currently in my "continuing education" for my insurance licenses. Let's just say, 18 hours of my day are devoted right now to reading material, the rest to sleep.

Hope to get on this next week once all of this work is completed.

[enigmaopoeia]

I'm a little tight on funds, so I haven't got around to getting this game. I don't know if I have to drop out this month and might come back in March, so I'm in a limbo here.

I am curious about Pilotwings since I remember seeing Nester being a part of Pilotwings 64(?).

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by enigmaopoeia

I'm a little tight on funds, so I haven't got around to getting this game. I don't know if I have to drop out this month and might come back in March, so I'm in a limbo here.

I am curious about Pilotwings since I remember seeing Nester being a part of Pilotwings 64(?).

Playing this is really making me want to get Pilotwings 64 again, I just fear those huge PAL borders will return for any VC version. The game starts off pretty dull but the missions get more interesting and exciting as it goes on to the point where it gets quite addictive.

I gave "Expert" a try last night and was pleased to find its actually a continuation of the game rather than just the same levels with slightly more difficult conditions so I'm not sure whether or not I was right in saying I had beat the game, it may have just been the game's odd presentation.

I made it past Lesson 5 in a slightly weird manner. After crashing my plane twice I started again and gave parachuting a chance, however veering off course I ended up landing on one of the floating platforms instead of the Target and was transported to a bonus game where Warning: Spoiler Below.

I appeared to become one of the giant blue penquins from Super Mario 64 and had to dive from a platform into a pool!

Because of the huge bonus I got for completing that stage I didn't actualy need to pass the plane section and was sent straight to lesson 6!

It looks like these bonus stages might be the key to higher grades in other missions.

[Ausden]

Well my continuing education classes are over. I got around to playing this game tonight and here's what I think.

Made it to Lesson 3. Made "A" in lesson 1 and "B" in lesson 2. I'm finding it extremely hard to land when doing the parachute class, and the next class unlocked in lesson 3 is even harder.

Anyone else who has played notice a slight "jumpyness" to the gameplay? For instance, I'm flying the plane, and I'm constantly having to correct myself.

Overall, this game is becoming somewhat fun to play, makes me want to break out the N64 version and give that ago again. I miss shooting the Giant with my gyrocopter.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by Ausden

Well my continuing education classes are over. I got around to playing this game tonight and here's what I think.

Made it to Lesson 3. Made "A" in lesson 1 and "B" in lesson 2. I'm finding it extremely hard to land when doing the parachute class, and the next class unlocked in lesson 3 is even harder.

Anyone else who has played notice a slight "jumpyness" to the gameplay? For instance, I'm flying the plane, and I'm constantly having to correct myself.

Overall, this game is becoming somewhat fun to play, makes me want to break out the N64 version and give that ago again. I miss shooting the Giant with my gyrocopter.

Yeah I too am getting nostalgic for the 64 version and I also know what you mean about it "becoming fun". It starts off, frankly, dull as ditchwater. Fortunately as someone who's up to Stage 6 I can tell you that each succesive mission gets more and more fun with more things to do.

Regarding parachuting the best trick I've managed is to keep well away from the target and when you hit 200 feet, turn and start making your way towards it. Any earlier and you'll overshoot. Also try watching the demo which shows off how it can be done.

Having to correct yourself while flying is to do with the wind direction blowing you off course. I havn't noticed jumpiness but I have noticed the screen becoming grainy at times although that might just be my SNES leads going.

[enigmaopoeia]

Finally got this game and played it for about 10 minutes before I had to go to work. I died on Lesson 1 and gonna retry after work later tonight.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by enigmaopoeia

Finally got this game and played it for about 10 minutes before I had to go to work. I died on Lesson 1 and gonna retry after work later tonight.

Cool, the first lessons arn't so fun but it gets better as it goes on. It seemed very hard to me when I first played it but now those lessons arn't so tough anymore.

[hansolo350]

I'm now on Lesson 6 where the margin of error is very small.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by hansolo350

I'm now on Lesson 6 where the margin of error is very small.

Me too, I've had about a week off from it but I was skidding all over the place last time I played. I always find the jetpack quite easy for some reason though.

[hansolo350]

Yeah the rocket belt is the easiest. I find the handglider to be the most challenging.

[Betagam7]

I finally found a variant of the birdman today! I suspect succesful completion of his strange bouncing task will help me to complete level 6 as without it I'm only 50 points or so away from making it to stage 7.

[Betagam7]

Made it to Stage 7 (Expert) today. The damn parachuting was a royal pain in the **** for stage 6 so I'm glad to see that its not a part of Stage 7's missions.

I think the key to me qualifying with a B rank was finishing the bird-man stage which became much easier once I realised that L or R gives a top down view. It still only gave me a meagre extra 10 points but it was enough with decent scores from the other two stages to qualify.

Still enjoying this game and confident I will complete Expert mode by the end of the month. I do kind of wish I had the VC version though as having to play the game in border-vision isn't so fun and the graphics go kind of grainy with my old fashioned SNES scart lead.

[SKTTR]

I'm sorry to not have played this months pick and to speak the truth: I don't intend to.
At least not soon.

I still own the Pilotwings SNES catridge but I'm too lazy to search the basement for it and the console to hook it up.

Usually I download all my SNES carts on VC again for convenience of having them readily available to play them on the Wii and I will do the same with Pilotwings, just not now.
The thing is, I'm unsure to spend money on NES, SNES and N64 games since the ambassador program in EU started.
You know, "get 20 people connected and download all NES, SNES and N64 games for free".
I think it's logical and understandable that I hesitate downloading NES, SNES and N64 games now and go for different console games instead that I can't get for free.

So keep this thread open for later.


Here's what I have to say about the game: I have beaten it on Normal mode and got to the last stage on Expert mode.

I would download it only to have a push of motivation for beating the last stage on Expert as well as to finally see those 3 bonus levels I never triggered open.

So I'll definately get back to it.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by SKTTR

I'm sorry to not have played this months pick and to speak the truth: I don't intend to.
At least not soon.

I still own the Pilotwings SNES catridge but I'm too lazy to search the basement for it and the console to hook it up.

Usually I download all my SNES carts on VC again for convenience of having them readily available to play them on the Wii and I will do the same with Pilotwings, just not now.
The thing is, I'm unsure to spend money on NES, SNES and N64 games since the ambassador program in EU started.
You know, "get 20 people connected and download all NES, SNES and N64 games for free".
I think it's logical and understandable that I hesitate downloading NES, SNES and N64 games now and go for different console games instead that I can't get for free.

So keep this thread open for later.


Here's what I have to say about the game: I have beaten it on Normal mode and got to the last stage on Expert mode.

I would download it only to have a push of motivation for beating the last stage on Expert as well as to finally see those 3 bonus levels I never triggered open.

So I'll definately get back to it.

How are you getting on with the Ambassador programme? So far I only have one person. Do you actually see yourself completing it?

[SKTTR]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

How are you getting on with the Ambassador programme? So far I only have one person. Do you actually see yourself completing it?

I see myself at least getting 10 people together to get all NES games for free.
I have 6 people. 4 more to get the whole NES collection.

Everyone who gets me one person to do the ambassador with, gets 3 NES games from my collection gifted,
since as an ambassador I am allowed to make a one-time-gift of all the NES games I downloaded when I have 10 people.
And when I have 20 people I can gift all my SNES and N64 games once for free.
So up until 10, you can select 3 NES games from my collection.
And after that it'll be N64, SNES and NES.

I think I have 18 NES, 18 SNES and 2 N64 games I can gift away for helpers.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by SKTTR

I see myself at least getting 10 people together to get all NES games for free.
I have 6 people. 4 more to get the whole NES collection.

Everyone who gets me one person to do the ambassador with, gets 3 NES games from my collection gifted,
since as an ambassador I am allowed to make a one-time-gift of all the NES games I downloaded when I have 10 people.
And when I have 20 people I can gift all my SNES and N64 games once for free.
So up until 10, you can select 3 NES games from my collection.
And after that it'll be N64, SNES and NES.

I think I have 18 NES, 18 SNES and 2 N64 games I can gift away for helpers.

Wow, you're doing really well. Where are you finding all the people with new Wii's? Help a brother out! A few forumers have tried to do it for me but usually they turn out to be American's or people who are too late to register.

[Trapster]

Originally Posted by SKTTR

I see myself at least getting 10 people together to get all NES games for free.
I have 6 people. 4 more to get the whole NES collection.

Everyone who gets me one person to do the ambassador with, gets 3 NES games from my collection gifted,
since as an ambassador I am allowed to make a one-time-gift of all the NES games I downloaded when I have 10 people.
And when I have 20 people I can gift all my SNES and N64 games once for free.
So up until 10, you can select 3 NES games from my collection.
And after that it'll be N64, SNES and NES.

I think I have 18 NES, 18 SNES and 2 N64 games I can gift away for helpers.

Hmm. You're european, correct? And is this limited to the same country you're in?

[SKTTR]

Originally Posted by Trapster

Hmm. You're european, correct? And is this limited to the same country you're in?

I think it would be better to talk about this somewhere else where it's not offtopic (pn?).

But I'll answer you that in short. Yes I'm from EU.
No, it's not limited to my country (Germany).
I believe you can do it with everyone from EU and maybe Australia/NZ too.

[Betagam7]

Just made it to Lesson 8 on Expert. Its a Warning: Spoiler Below.

Night mission

so double tough and the hated parachuting is back so I might struggle to beat it

I made an interesting observation. Playing the game in 50hz actually makes it much easier, particularly for the flying through rings plane sections and the precision landing of the jetpac.

Having said that compared to 60hz which unfortunately causes glitching in the graphics when forced on skydiving, I wouldn't want to have to play the game that way as it undoubtedly appears on VC.

Although I'm sure the game will be full screen, the rocketman seems to take an age in 50hz to fly across the map. I'm glad I have best of both worlds and can for once use 50hz to my advantage

And SKTTR and Trapster: No fair with your private love fest. I want some ambassador referrals too and will have plenty of leftovers to share from what I already own

[enigmaopoeia]

I still cannot pass Flight Area 1, the very first stage.

I can touch about three spheres before I end up crashing with the light plane.
And with skydiving, I can only touch one ring. Somehow I landed on the 100 points panel and the Bonus Stage was very cute, however it was "a waste of points" as Tony would say.

Tony, you're a d-bag, just let me finish this course already!!

EDIT:
I dunno how I did it, but damn, I actually made 152 points combined in Lesson 1! I guess I got pretty lucky with the light plane, I was able to get Accuracy 50/50, Time 10/20, Angle 20/20, and Beam 5/10. I done poorly on skydiving, but I done enough to pass it.

Now onto Lesson 2, seeya and good riddance, Tony!

EDIT 2:
Rocketbelt is really fun, I enjoy that one the most so far. However I still crash and burn everywhere else. orz

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by enigmaopoeia

I still cannot pass Flight Area 1, the very first stage.

I can touch about three spheres before I end up crashing with the light plane.
And with skydiving, I can only touch one ring. Somehow I landed on the 100 points panel and the Bonus Stage was very cute, however it was "a waste of points" as Tony would say.

Tony, you're a d-bag, just let me finish this course already!!

EDIT:
I dunno how I did it, but damn, I actually made 152 points combined in Lesson 1! I guess I got pretty lucky with the light plane, I was able to get Accuracy 50/50, Time 10/20, Angle 20/20, and Beam 5/10. I done poorly on skydiving, but I done enough to pass it.

Now onto Lesson 2, seeya and good riddance, Tony!

EDIT 2:
Rocketbelt is really fun, I enjoy that one the most so far. However I still crash and burn everywhere else. orz

Yeah, Rocketbelt is much more fun than the dull missions of the first game. The plane stages get much more interesting too. Best advice for landing is to slow to about 50mph when coming in, if you are going too fast you'll skid or crash the plane. Skydiving is the one I found most difficult on all the stages it was on, I could never judge the landing properly. The demo is interesting as the computer does it perfectly (and probably in a way that defies real physics!)