This week I’m reviewing Pilotwings Resort, one of the Nintendo 3DS’s launch titles. It was one of the very first games I picked up for the new handheld, so it’s only fitting that I’ve made it one of my first reviews. The question is, now more and more games are being released, does this game really deserve a place in your 3DS library?

The answer is “yes, probably”.

The game, which sees players piloting planes, gliders, and jet packs around the fictional Wuhu Island, is the best use of 3D I’ve seen on the Nintendo 3DS to date. The resort seems to stretch out for miles all around you, and exploring it is an absolute joy thanks to its crisp, clear models, bright colours, and detailed textures. The various vehicles look like real objects, little tiny models that you want to take out of the screen and hold in your hand. Even your Miis, which act as player characters in the game, are given a bit of extra detail.

The only problem is that the 3D is almost too good, and the third-person perspective means you can either focus on your vehicle or your surroundings. I couldn’t help feeling like a first-person mode would’ve made this game look even better.

The gameplay is strong, too, and there’s lots of variety. In missions mode, you have to guide your vehicles through short obstacle courses, all of which are situated on and around the island and have slightly different scoring criteria. The missions start off simply, with tasks such as flying through hoops, taking off and landing, and popping balloons. But they soon become more challenging with additions like target shooting. Each vehicle has its own unique challenges, like the jet pack’s tricky handling and the glider’s tendency to lose speed, so practice really does make perfect here.

The glider missions were my favourite, as many of them task you with taking photos of specific parts of the island. The 3D “photos” look great, and you can save them to your SD card for sharing online.

The game’s other mode, free flight mode, gives you a limited amount of time to explore the island. Visiting points of interest earns you points, which unlock other objectives and times of day. I loved exploring Wuhu Island, so I actually wish Nintendo would have done away with the time limit. The main problem with the game is that the missions don’t take too long to complete, and there’s little reason to replay levels unless you’re obsessed with getting a perfect score. The island isn’t huge, either, and visiting the same locations over and over can get boring. This is definitely a “pick up and play” game, not a long lasting challenge.

The Verdict

4 – Great

It may not have much lasting appeal, but Pilotwings Resort is a beautiful, entertaining game that really showcases what the Nintendo 3DS is capable of.

Take to the skies with your own copy of Pilotwings Resort! Order now from Amazon.co.uk.