Review Mazinkaiser 2/5 · Sep 24, 2021
Pilotwings: Plenty of Turbulence
Pilotwings is a flight simulator attempting to show fun and exciting stages of various flight mechanics and dazzle with the Super Nintendo's 3D effects. While the visuals do indeed dazzle, the mechanics are much too frustrating to enjoy.
The player is an amateur pilot looking to gain a license in various modes: light plane flight, skydiving, rocket belt (jetpack), hang …
Pilotwings is a flight simulator attempting to show fun and exciting stages of various flight mechanics and dazzle with the Super Nintendo's 3D effects. While the visuals do indeed dazzle, the mechanics are much too frustrating to enjoy.
The player is an amateur pilot looking to gain a license in various modes: light plane flight, skydiving, rocket belt (jetpack), hang gliding, and an emergency helicopter stage. Stages usually consist of flying through orbs, rings, arches, reaching a certain altitude, etc - and then landing. The controls are fairly simple, with the D-pad, the ability to lean forward/hang back, and either slowing, speeding, or various types of speed.
Given the simplicity of the controls though, it's insanely difficult to manage the movement just right. Veering off course is very easy to do, the player will crash many many MANY times before getting it right, and controlling momentum at times (see: the rocket belt) will have the player wildly swaying off course. It is possible to win this game, but it's very frustrating to mess up a course and have to restart an entire lesson.
The graphics are this game's strongest suit. Featuring a wide 3D world (for the SNES!) of water, a dazzling sky (some stages have gorgeous sunsets), and great scaling graphics, this is a game that's way more fun to look at than it is to play. The UI is colorful but somewhat realistic, with radar, altitude gauges, speed, etc. The music is carefree and fun most of the time, with a bit of a serious turn near the end.
Pilotwings is short but could be much sweeter. The game's flight systems are often a hassle to handle and only plenty of repetition and the most precise mastery over its movement systems will ensure anything close to fun.
