Good old Star Fox is back. One of the all-time fan-favorite video game titles, Star Fox has finally made its much anticipated return to the spotlight on Nintendo’s Wii U with Star Fox Zero. Fox McCloud’s familiar gang is in tow to back him up again on this adventure, and the nostalgia factor on this one is turned all the way up to 11.

But is Star Fox Zero worth the wait? Luckily, Fox McCloud and his team deliver with this newest release, bringing back the fun and engaging playability of the franchise’s crown jewel, Star Fox 64. But this time around, Star Fox is even more exciting.

Star Fox Zero’s story is basically a rehash of all the previous ones, with the space team fighting off the evil Andross and his cronies. But the gameplay approach is designed to play specifically to Wii U’s best qualities. The Wii U gamepad controller gives the option of having a view from the cockpit, in addition to simultaneously offering the classic behind-the-ship view on your television, making for an experience that feels like you’re really in the action.

The downside of this, however, is the game’s insistence on using the motion-controlled targeting with the gamepad. So, you have to physically move the entire controller in the direction of where you want to shoot to lock onto your target. You’re essentially doing what your mom used to do when she’d play the original Star Fox with you back in the day. You also have the option to move your target lock around with the directional buttons, but it will cause you to have to readjust its accuracy, and with comrade Peppy Hare constantly yelling at you to use the motion control, you’ll likely just do it to shut him up.

Star Fox’s strength has always been its aerial fights that are reminiscent of the best Star Wars X-Wing battles. Star Fox Zero offers plenty of this, and the Star Fox patented Arwing has the ability to transform into Walker Mode. In Walker Mode, the Arwing becomes a sprinting land machine that infiltrates buildings and spaces normally too tight for the Arwing. It can be clumsy at times and a bit irritating (especially when surrounded by enemies), but it is a nice change of pace in the game. There’s no denying that the most fun is still to be had in the air, where you can do as many barrel rolls and somersaults as your heart desires.

Not often can a new release in a classic game franchise transport you back to when you first picked up the controller and gave it a go. With the passage of time and advances in technology, some things with Star Fox have indeed changed, and that’s not always a good thing with Star Fox Zero. But for the most part, those changes are trumped by the overall joy that this game brings. If you were once an ace pilot on Star Fox’s team, the time has come for you to take flight once again.

For more information, visit starfoxzero.nintendo.com.

By Jason Savio