StarFox 64: All alternate routes to access all stages

StarFox 64 is one of the greatest on-rails shooters of all time, and there are more ways to play than ever.

Whether you’re jumping into the game using the Nintendo Switch Online service or another version of the classic game, you’ll need this breakdown. StarFox 64 – also known as Lylat Wars – is a game with a lot of replayability thanks to a total of 25 possible routes through its 15 stages and their variants.

In this guide, we’re breaking down every stage in StarFox 64 and how you can unlock a route to all of them.

List of all stages in StarFox 64

StarFox 64 famously has multiple routes you can take through the world, split across six main stages and a final encounter. There are alternate routes possible in all levels past the opening of Corneria, offering loads of replay value across 25 total possible routes.

Level 1:

• Corneria

Level 2:

• Meteo
• Sector Y

Level 3:

• Fichina
• Katina
• Aquas

Level 4:

• Sector X
• Solar
• Zoness

Level 5:

• Titania
• Macbeth
• Sector Z

Level 6:

• Bolse
• Area 6

Final level:

• Venom
• Venom II

All alternate routes explained in StarFox 64

There are Easy, Normal, and Hard routes through some stages. The Easy routes can always be achieved simply by finishing the stage, while Normal and Hard routes can only be achieved by completing select goals. If you achieve a Normal or Hard route in a stage, you will sometimes be able to select an easier path once the stage concludes, if you wish.

How to access Corneria

Corneria is always the first mission; you just need to start the game.

How to access Meteo

Meteo can be accessed simply by playing Corneria and following the default route through the stage.

How to access Sector Y

To access Sector Y, you must save Falco during the Corneria stage and then fly under all seven stone arches when you pass over the water. This will prompt Falco to lead you through the waterfall and to an alternate boss encounter, ending with the path to Sector Y.

How to access Fichina

Fichina can be accessed simply by completing the Meteo stage.

How to access Katina

Make sure to save Slippy when he needs help during the Meteo stage, and then fly through seven blue pointy rings as they appear about halfway through the stage. Each ring will cause the Arwing to spin, and you’ll be warped to a secret area if you get all of them. Completing the secret area will unlock Katina.

Alternatively, hit as few enemies as possible during the Sector Y stage to unlock a route to Katina.

How to access Aquas

You can reach Aquas via the Sector Y stage. You simply need to achieve more than 100 hits for the stage by wiping out as many enemies as possible, and you’ll reach the Aquas stage.

How to access Sector X

You can reach Sector X after achieving the “bad end” at Finchina and allowing Star Wolf’s unit to detonate the bomb.

How to access Solar

From Fichina, defeat Star Wolf and prevent the bomb detonation to access Solar.

From Katina, you must successfully destroy the core of the boss to move on to Solar.

How to access Zoness

There’s only one path to Zoness, and that’s from Aquas. There’s only one route through Aquas, too, so there are no special conditions to complete for this stage.

How to access Titania

During the boss fight in Sector X, Slippy can get knocked out of position and crash-land on Titania, forcing the Star Fox crew to go on a rescue mission. If you want to see this level, simply let the boss knock Slippy down to the planet before defeating it.

How to access Macbeth

Again, during the Sector X boss fight, you can prevent Slippy from getting knocked down to Titania, which allows the crew to move directly on to Macbeth instead.

From Zoness, getting caught by the searchlights will force your team to move onto Macbeth.

How to access Sector Z

From Sector X, stick to the left during the forked path decision, and then blast open four different warp gates you come across. These are rectangular gates with arrows on either side that you can shoot off. You might need upgraded lasers and bombs ready to open and fly through all four of them, which will warp the crew to a secret area, at the end of which you’ll find Sector Z.

From Zoness, destroy all searchlights you come across to ensure you don’t get caught during the stage, and you’ll find the path to Sector Z.

How to access Bolse

From Macbeth, simply fail to hit all eight train switches, and you’ll get the route to Bolse.

From Sector Z, let one of the missiles hit the Great Fox, and Bolse will be the next destination.

How to access Area 6

From Macbeth, successfully flip the eight train switches, the final switch, and derail the train to unlock the route to Area 6.

From Sector Z, destroy all hostile missiles and ensure the Great Fox is undamaged to access Area 6.

How to access Venom

Venom is the final stage, and by default, is your final destination after clearing Bolse.

How to access Venom II

For an extra battle with team Star Wolf and the true final boss fight with Andross in Venom II – or Venom’s “Hard Route” – make sure you access the stage from Area 6.