Pilotwings (universe): Difference between revisions

Pilotwings (universe)
	;
Developer(s)	Nintendo; Paradigm Simulation; Monster Games
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Designer(s)	Shigeru Miyamoto
Genre(s)	Flight Simulation
Console/platform of origin	Super Nintendo Entertainment System
First installment	Pilotwings (1990)
Latest installment	Pilotwings Resort (2011)
Article on Wikipedia	Pilotwings (universe)

Revision as of 13:29, May 20, 2024

The Pilotwings universe (パイロットウイングス, Pilotwings) refers to the Super Smash Bros. universe's collection of characters, stages, or other properties that hail from the Pilotwings series of amateur flight simulation games.

Franchise Description

Pilotwings was developed by Nintendo EAD alongside Super Mario World and F-Zero. A similar tech demo titled Dragonfly was shown off to the press at trade shows in 1988. The idea of the game was to show how the Mode 7 graphics system can simulate 3D imagery by manipulating flat images to create a field of depth. The game was released in Japan on December 21, 1990 and was a launch title for the SNES in other territories throughout 1991.

A sequel, titled Pilotwings 64 was released for the Nintendo 64 as one of its three launch titles. Continuing the legacy of its predecessor, this game was made to show the console's ability to display large, high resolution landscapes with minimal load times and pop-in. The game also utilizes the analog stick to simulate the controls of real flight craft with realistic rise and descent physics.

After going dormant for fifteen years, Pilotwings returned with Pilotwings Resort. Released in 2011 as a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS. Alongside the portable nature of the game, Pilotwings Resort stands out among the series for using the 3D effect to further immerse the player in the game as well as applying the built-in gyroscope as a more intuitive control scheme. The game takes place entirely on Wuhu Island, as it was released at a time when Nintendo wanted to make the island a character in and of itself.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Pilotwings receives very minimal representation in Brawl, being limited to a single sticker.

Sticker

Name	Game	Effect	Characters
Instructor	Pilotwings	AttackArm+010 Attack +10	All characters

Instructor
(Pilotwings)

In Super Smash Bros. 4

Pilotwings receives a much larger representation in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS, with a stage, soundtracks and trophies in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, in addition to an item in both versions.

Stage (for Wii U only)

Pilotwings (Starter): A stage based on Pilotwings for the SNES and Pilotwings Resort for Nintendo 3DS appears in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Players will fight atop planes from both games. The red bi-plane from Pilotwings will take off from a 2-D island from the SNES game. From there, after about a minute has passed, it is shown that the red bi-plane will meet up with a yellow plane, modeled after the planes of Pilotwings Resort, and will fly the combatants straight to Wuhu Island. After a minute has passed once again, the cycle will repeat, with the yellow plane bringing the combatants from Wuhu Island to the runway from the original Pilotwings for SNES, and so on.

Island from the SNES original
The biplane taking off.
The planes cross.
Wuhu Island.

Item

Rocket Belt: The Rocket Belt is an equippable item, which gives characters the ability to fly freely when the jump button is held.

Music

Main article: List of SSB4 Music (Nintendo series)

Original Tracks

Light Plane (Remix): A remix of a tune from the SNES game, Pilotwings, which played during missions that required the Light Plane. It is used as a track in the Wii U stage Pilotwings.
Light Plane (Vocal Mix): Same as Light Plane (above), but has vocals added to it.
Turbo Jet: A remix of a song from the 3DS game, Pilotwings Resort, which played while using the Turbo Jet.
Pedal Glider: A remix of a song from the 3DS game, Pilotwings Resort, which played while using the Pedal Glider.

Source Track

Light Plane (Original): The original tune from the SNES game, Pilotwings, which played during missions that required the Light Plane.

Trophies

Light Plane

Back in the day when planes had fairly weak engines, two pairs of wings were used to increase the plane's lift. These planes weren't meant for crazy acrobatic tricks, though—they were best suited for learning the basics of flying. Ride these, and leave the complicated stuff for another day!

Back when aircraft engines were relatively weak, planes were often built with wings at the top and bottom for extra lift. That's what this is: a biplane. Leave all the crazy stunts to other planes - this one's for learning the basics. In fact, forget all that complicated stuff about "extra lift" and whatnot, and just enjoy soaring through the air!

: Pilotwings (08/1991)

Hang Glider

In the mood to feel less like a pilot and more like a bird? Then forget planes—try hang gliding! Like a bird, you won't have any propellers or engines, so just ride the breeze and take photos from high in the sky. The wind might throw you around a bit, but if you stay calm, you can become one with the wind current.

In the mood to feel less like a pilot and more like a...bird? Then forget planes - try a hang-glider! Like a bird, you won't have any propellers or engines, so just ride the breeze and take photos from a bird's-eye view. The wind might throw you around a bit, but stay calm and try to become one with the current.

: Pilotwings (08/1991)

: Pilotwings Resort (03/2011)

Plane

To get to fly a plane around a tropical resort, normally you'd need to study really hard, take a flying test, fail the test, retake the test, get your license, save up for ages, and then go to a tropical island. In Pilotwings Resort, you get to skip those boring parts and experience speeding, turning, and rolling high in the air right away! Woo!

: Pilotwings Resort (03/2011)

The Light Plane trophy.
The Hang Glider trophy.
The Plane trophy.

Masterpiece

Main article: Masterpieces

Pilotwings

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The Pilotwings series returned in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with a new music arrangement and a spirit related to the series.

Stage

Pilotwings (Starter): The stage from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U returns as a retro stage.