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Star Fox 64 Hard Route
Unlike the medium route, there is a a hard route path you can take from beginning to end. From Corneria, use the alternate exit (down the Attack Carrier) to get to Sector Y, then Aquas, Zoness, Sector Z, Area 6, and finally, an alternate battle on Venom (listed in this guide as Venom II).
To avoid Sector Z, you can also take the easy exit from Zoness (by failing the searchlight challenge), then course correct and head to Area 6 from Macbeth. You can follow the mini-walkthrough below, or click through for detailed walkthrough sections for every stage.
Looking for Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2?
This guide is designed for the original Nintendo 64 game. While most of the strategies are the same, we created an updated guide for the new 2026 Star Fox. See: Star Fox (2026) Walkthrough
The new guide also includes information on All Alternate Routes, an updated Medal Tracker, Challenge Mode trackers, and info on getting the True Ending.
Corneria
Medal: 150 points
The first level of any Star Fox 64 playthrough begins with Corneria under attack. The game wastes no time testing players who want to go the hard route -- this is where you'll find your first challenge. After the checkpoint, what you need to do is boost forward to catch up with and destroy the three enemy aircrafts tailing Falco.
A short ways later, you'll come across some water with a series of stone arches. Fly under all seven of them. Halfway through, Falco will compliment you on your flying, and after successfully flying through the final one he'll lead you on the secret route through the waterfall and to an alternate boss fight.
Shoot the weak spots on the carrier's side attachments to make them explode and fall off, then shoot at the remaining ship.
Full Walkthrough: Corneria
Sector Y
Medal: 150 points
To continue on the hard path, Aquas will be your next goal. All you need to do to earn this path is get 100 or more kills in Sector Y.
Take on a team of Shogun warriors, who jet about in free-range mode and take potshots at you. Use your radar to spot them and boost way, then turn/loop around and fire away with lock-on and regular laser shots. Avoid their ramming attempts and repeat your attack runs.
Full Walkthrough: Sector Y
Aquas
Medal: 150 points
Once you've arrived on Aquas, you'll get your first chance to pilot Slippy's new invention, the Blue-Marine.
This submarine differs from the Arwing in that you can't charge your laser, but you do have unlimited torpedoes at your disposal. Use them, and use them often. Collect power-ups by shooting clam shells and take apart the giant clam boss, Bacoon, by shooting at the muscles and its eye. There is no other objective: to get to your next stop, Zoness, just make it through Aquas and defeat the boss.
Full Walkthrough: Aquas
Zoness
Medal: 250 points
Destroying all the radar buoys is the name of the game in Zoness, and that's exactly what you'll need to do to progress to Sector Z. To do so you've got to be quick and look for the spotlights ahead of you. Miss a single one and you'll be detected and forced to either give up the hard route or restart the level.
Zoness is also where you run into Katt, a flirtatious kitty with eyes for Falco. Keep her alive and she'll help you take out the lights.
Full Walkthrough: Zoness
Sector Z
Medal: 100 points
In Sector Z, the Great Fox is under attack. Oh no! This aircraft serves as the home base for Fox and crew, and it's up to you to keep it free from damage if you want to make it to Venom. To do so, stop the series of missiles that will be lobbed at it throughout the level.
At first there will only be one missile to take out, followed by two, then finally three. Since you came from Zoness, Katt will be around to help you fight the good fight. If your beat the level without letting a single one get through, then it's off to the hard version of Venom with you.
Full Walkthrough: Sector Z
Area 6
Medal: 300 points
The element of surprise is not on Team Fox's side as they head into Area 6. This sector is home to tough Umbra Class Stations, Frigates, Cruisers, and more. Watch your shields as you thread the needle on this tough approach. You'll face saucer-shaped Umbra Class Stations that may seem impervious to fire, but can actually be destroyed. Rapid-fire at them until you see the +3 hit bonus pop up, which tells you they're done for.
There's only one exit and one path -- but you have to destroy the stage's cloaking boss, Gorgon, by shooting its robotic arms and energy orbs until it becomes vulnerable.
Full Walkthrough: Area 6
Venom II
Medal: 200 points
If you went the hard route, you'll face off against team Star Wolf here on Venom. These guys are far more advanced than the other enemies you've faced up until now, so be on your guard. Use u-turns and somersaults to throw them off your tail when they're following you, and keep an eye on the other members of your team, otherwise they're goners.
To beat these guys, you'll have to master the loop maneuver first and foremost; the U-Turn also comes in handy. Hopefully, you've saved a bomb for this level. The only time it comes in handy is when the Star Wolf team first appears over the center structure. Shoot it immediately and watch as the baddies lose as much as a third of their health. Then you'll have to start in on them. Let a baddie trail you and get close, as soon as he starts shooting, barrel roll and then loop over and behind them. You'll get a few shoots in each time.
Also look for comrades who are being trailed and get good hits in here. Practice makes perfect here, and once you start dusting guys, you'll see how it actually all comes together. Remember this: If someone is trailing you, loop quickly or you will lose a lot of health fast.
The initial Andross boss battle is the same as with the easy route. Shoot his eyes, then aim your guns at his hands and try to eliminate these as fast as possible. One hand will swing twice, the other will swing once, he'll clap his hands, and then he'll start his vacuum breath. Hopefully you've saved some bombs. Fire one bomb into his mouth, and then pull back and blast his hands while he munches on this bad nut. He'll turn red and smoke will steam from his ears and this is when you'll want to shoot him again. Stay to the upper right or left of the screen after this because he'll attempt to suck you into his mouth again. Your brake meter (in the right upperhand part of your screen) will show you how much power you have and will power up a second time slowly after it runs out. After about three bombs into his mouth and a lot of shooting, he'll be history.
You must destroy the floating eyes first before getting the brain. They will chase you and are decent at following you with a medium amount of stealth. Let these weird, blood-shot eyes follow you and just when they start shooting, loop around behind them and blast them. Killing them off brings you five-plus hit points each.
Now you face the brain. Be very careful and stay as far away from it as possible or it will steal more than one-third of your shield each time it sucks you into its spaghetti-like ganglia. The medulla oblongata -- the green back area -- is what you need to aim at. But here's the catch, this brain will protect this area by disappearing and laying little mines whenever you miss a shot and hit the main brain. These mines aren't the biggest worry though, the biggest worry is trying to get around to its back side to shoot the green area.
Let the brain follow you and then perform a U-Turn over it. Now watch your map and see which way the brain turns. More than 70% of the time it'll simply turn around and be right back on your tail again. But the other 30% it'll make a slightly wider turn, and this is when you must seize your opportunity. Whichever way it turns, go the opposite way, i.e. if it turns left, since your facing the opposite way, turn left. Likewise to the right. Perform this maneuver two to three times and you're on your way to finishing the game. We found simple laser shots were best here, but bombs should also work if aimed perfectly.
In the the final section, a familiar looking fox with glasses appears and tells you to follow him. Stay close by using your acceleration as he leads you through the corridors out of the enemy hub. One wrong turn and you must start over. When you finally reach the opening, you've beaten the game!
Full Walkthrough: Venom II