Pilotwings Resort

{{Infobox video game

| image = Pilotwings Resort NA cover.png

| caption = Packaging artwork released for all territories

| developer = Monster Games
Nintendo SPD

| publisher = Nintendo

| director = Richard Garcia

| producer = Shinya Takahashi
Kensuke Tanabe
Keisuke Terasaki

| designer = John Schneider

| composer = Asuka Ito

| series = Pilotwings

| platforms = Nintendo 3DS

| released = {{Video game release|EU|March 25, 2011|NA|March 27, 2011|JP|April 14, 2011}}

| genre = Flight simulation

| modes = Single-player

}}

{{nihongo foot|Pilotwings Resort|パイロットウイングスリゾート|Pairottouingusu Rizōto|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a flight simulation video game for the Nintendo 3DS handheld game console, developed by Monster Games and published by Nintendo. It is a sequel to the 1990 Super NES video game Pilotwings and the 1996 Nintendo 64 game Pilotwings 64 as well as a spinoff of the 2009 Wii game Wii Sports Resort. Similarly to its predecessors, it was confirmed as a launch title in North America and Europe for the 3DS.{{cite web|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/115/1151257p1.html|title=Nintendo 3DS Launch Day Titles Announced|publisher=IGN|date=February 22, 2011|last=George|first=Richard|access-date=February 23, 2011|archive-date=July 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713005359/http://ds.ign.com/articles/115/1151257p1.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2011/take_a_look_at_the_new_pilotwings_resort_teaser_site_31828.html|title=Nintendo 3DS News|date=February 22, 2011|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|access-date=July 24, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817144901/https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/News/2011/Take-a-look-at-the-new-Pilotwings-Resort-teaser-site--253583.html?red_source=www.nintendo.co.uk%2FNOE%2Fen_GB%2Fnews%2F2011%2Ftake_a_look_at_the_new_pilotwings_resort_teaser_site_31828.html&redirect=true|url-status=live}} In Japan, Australia and New Zealand, it was released on April 14, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/software/spring2011.html|title=Nintendo 3DS Software Lineup|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd.|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111040612/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/software/spring2011.html|archivedate=January 11, 2011}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=news&nid=694&pageID=6|title=TAKE TO THE SKIES WITH A FRESH PERSPECTIVE|publisher=Nintendo Australia|access-date=July 24, 2016|archive-date=February 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220003009/https://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=news&nid=694&pageID=6|url-status=dead}}

Nintendo later re-released the game, along with some of their earlier, published games for the Nintendo 3DS, as a downloadable title via Nintendo eShop. The downloadable version became available on November 1, 2012 in Japan,{{cite web |last=McFerran |first=Damien |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/10/more_3ds_download_titles_coming_to_japans_eshop |title=More 3DS Download Titles Coming To Japan's eShop |publisher=Nintendo Life |date=October 3, 2012 |accessdate=October 4, 2012 |archive-date=October 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005191430/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/10/more_3ds_download_titles_coming_to_japans_eshop |url-status=live }} November 22, 2012 in the PAL region{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Whitehead |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/11/nintendo_download_22nd_november_2012_europe |title=Nintendo Download: 22nd November 2012 (Europe) |publisher=Nintendo Life |date=November 20, 2012 |accessdate=November 20, 2012 |archive-date=November 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127225335/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/11/nintendo_download_22nd_november_2012_europe |url-status=live }} and December 20, 2012 in North America.

Gameplay

Pilotwings Resort contains two modes of play. The first, "Free Flight Mode", allows the player to freely explore Wuhu Island using any type of aircraft they have unlocked. Various collectibles such as balloons and stunt rings can be picked up to unlock certain features in the game, like diorama statues and the player's very own castle on the archipelago's private island. In this mode, there is a time limit which is extended for the next playthrough when the player has collected a set number of balloons.{{cite web |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/115/1156877p1.html |title=Pilotwings Resort Review |last=George |first=Richard |date=21 March 2011 |publisher=IGN |accessdate=21 March 2011 |archive-date=30 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230155421/http://ds.ign.com/articles/115/1156877p1.html |url-status=live }} The second, "Mission Mode", requires the player to complete a series of objectives within certain parameters. The player is graded between one and three stars on their performance in each mission. These increasingly difficult missions span Training, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond classes (the latter only being unlocked after achieving a three star rank on every mission). When players achieve higher star rankings, they grow closer to unlocking several in-game bonuses, including a "Meca Hawk" robot from Pilotwings 64 that walks around Wedge Island and alternate credits.

The basic aircraft are a plane, a rocket belt, and a hang glider. As players progress through Mission Mode, they unlock the "Super Vehicles," consisting of the turbo jet, the super rocket belt, and the pedal glider. Each holds its advantages, like the turbo jet being able to fly at high speeds, but each is more difficult to control. The Super Vehicles are all featured in their own finales in the Diamond Class missions. A flying squirrel suit is also available in the game, but it is not an unlockable vehicle and only appears in one mission.

Development

Pilotwings Resort was announced by Nintendo at the E3 2010,{{cite web|first=Lucas M.|last=Thomas|date=2010-06-15|title=E3 2010: Pilotwings Resort Announced|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/109/1097953p1.html|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2010-06-16|archive-date=2010-07-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722005744/http://ds.ign.com/articles/109/1097953p1.html|url-status=live}} where a playable demo was featured that revealed the return of plane and rocket belt missions.{{cite web|date=2010-06-16|title=E3 2010: PilotWings Resort Set to Soar on 3DS|url=http://3ds.nintendolife.com/news/2010/06/e3_2010_pilotwings_resort_set_to_soar_on_3ds|publisher=Nintendo Life|accessdate=2011-01-03|archive-date=2011-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303112028/http://3ds.nintendolife.com/news/2010/06/e3_2010_pilotwings_resort_set_to_soar_on_3ds|url-status=live}} Later media unveiled the return of the hang gliding missions as well. Pilotwings Resort is the first Nintendo 3DS game to feature Mii characters,{{cite web|first=Craig|last=Harris|date=2010-06-15|title=E3 2010: Pilotwings Returns!|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/109/1098723p1.html|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2010-06-16|archive-date=2011-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713005322/http://ds.ign.com/articles/109/1098723p1.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=2010-09-29|title=Nintendo Conference 2010|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/conference2010/presentation/textE/05.html|accessdate=2011-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002103834/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/conference2010/presentation/textE/05.html|archive-date=2010-10-02|url-status=dead}} and is set on the fictional Wuhu Island, which was originally featured in the Wii Fit series and Wii Sports Resort. The latter had featured its own flight sporting event, which was adapted for this game.

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| 1UP = B{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/pilotwings-resort-review |title=Pilotwings Resort 3DS Review |last=Parish |first=Jeremy |publisher=1UP.com |date=18 March 2011 |accessdate=21 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625103212/http://www.1up.com/reviews/pilotwings-resort-review |archivedate=25 June 2012 }}

| Edge = 6{{cite web |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/pilotwings-resort-review |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115045345/http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/pilotwings-resort-review |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 January 2013 |title=Pilotwings Resort Review |publisher=Edge Magazine |date=24 March 2011 |accessdate=5 April 2011 }}

| EuroG = 8/10{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-02-pilotwings-resort-review?page=2|title=Pilotwings Resort Review|last=Donlan|first=Christian|publisher=Eurogamer|date=2 March 2011|accessdate=3 March 2011|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415224840/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-02-pilotwings-resort-review?page=2|url-status=live}}

| Fam = 31/40{{cite web | author=Gifford, Kevin | date=April 13, 2011 | title=Japan Review Check: Persona 2, Pilotwings | url=http://www.1up.com/news/japan-review-check-persona-2 | publisher=1UP.com | accessdate=2011-04-14 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305022225/http://www.1up.com/news/japan-review-check-persona-2 | archivedate=March 5, 2016 }}

| IGN = 7/10

| NWR = 8/10{{cite web |title=Pilotwings Resort Review |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/25758 |last=Ronaghan |first=Neal |publisher=Nintendo World Report |date=20 March 2011 |accessdate=21 March 2011 |archive-date=28 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928221859/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/25758 |url-status=live }}

| ONM = 81%

| MC = 71/100 (64 reviews) {{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pilotwings-resort/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds|title=Pilotwings Resort Metacritic Review Score|website=Metacritic|access-date=2021-04-25|archive-date=2021-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526071415/https://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/pilotwings-resort|url-status=live}}

}}

The game's first review, from Eurogamer, was generally positive. It received an 8/10, stating "...Pilotwings ultimately hits an enjoyable sweet spot. It's intricate enough to encourage mastery, and roomy enough to tempt you back after the main event, while the skilfully simple presentation makes it perfect for demonstrating your latest gadget's 3D capabilities." Official Nintendo Magazine's review was also relatively positive. They gave it 81%, saying "Pilotwings Resort is a lovely game, with its beautiful 3D vistas and responsive, satisfying controls. We only wish there was more of it." Their verdict was, "While this looks and feels amazing, there just isn't quite enough."{{Cite web|last=Owens|first=Craig|date=March 24, 2011|title=Pilotwings Resort Review|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/24853/pilotwings-resort-review-3ds/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024030114/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/24853/pilotwings-resort-review-3ds/|archive-date=October 24, 2014|access-date=April 24, 2021|website=Official Nintendo Magazine}} IGN gave the game a 7/10, criticizing the lack of multiplayer, but also noting that "there is a definitely benefit in using 3D." [sic] {{Cite web|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/115/1156877p1.html|title=PilotWings Resort Review|date=22 March 2011|access-date=22 March 2011|archive-date=30 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230155421/http://ds.ign.com/articles/115/1156877p1.html|url-status=live}} GameSpot scored it a 6.5/10. They praised the game for intuitive controls, enjoyable missions, and pleasing visuals, but the game was too short, did not have enough content, and no high score sharing.{{Cite web|last=Calvert|first=Justin|date=March 25, 2011|title=Pilotwings Resort Review|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pilotwings-resort-review/1900-6305291/|access-date=2021-04-25|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-04-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425033602/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pilotwings-resort-review/1900-6305291/|url-status=live}}

Pilotwings Resort sold an initial 26,554 units in Japan during its debut week, making it the best-selling 3DS game and the sixth-best selling game overall for that week.{{cite web | author=Ishaan | date=April 20, 2011 | title=This Week In Sales: Atlus Commit An Innocent Sin, Namco Go Super Again | url=http://www.siliconera.com/2011/04/20/this-week-in-sales-atlus-commit-an-innocent-sin-namco-go-super-again/ | publisher=Siliconera | accessdate=2011-08-31 | archive-date=2011-08-31 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831020429/http://www.siliconera.com/2011/04/20/this-week-in-sales-atlus-commit-an-innocent-sin-namco-go-super-again/ | url-status=live }} However, sales quickly tapered off, with the game having sold just 57,846 copies in the region by its fifth week.{{cite web | author=Ishaan | date=May 18, 2011 | title=This Week In Sales: Sales Dive Along With Steel Diver | url=http://www.siliconera.com/2011/05/18/this-week-in-sales-sales-dive-along-with-steel-diver/ | publisher=Siliconera | accessdate=2011-10-15 | archive-date=2011-08-14 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814195231/http://www.siliconera.com/2011/05/18/this-week-in-sales-sales-dive-along-with-steel-diver/ | url-status=live }}