Wii U's Star Fox Zero has invincible mode for novice players

Upcoming Wii U Star Fox game Star Fox Zero will include an invincible mode of sorts aimed at beginner players. Legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto shared the detail in an interview with Time recently. His comments came in response to a question about the suggestion that Nintendo games can sometimes feature too much hand-holding.

"I think that's a very good question," Miyamoto said. "One thing that I think is a misunderstanding, is that I'm not very supportive of simply making a game easy so that people who don't play games can play the game themselves. Obviously part of the fun of taking on a challenge is that the challenge has to be a hurdle that you overcome. Simply lowering the hurdle doesn't necessarily mean that the challenge will be fun. What's fun is you mastering the skill and having that sense of accomplishment -- of achieving something that's difficult."

Miyamoto went on to say that action games like Star Fox Zero must have a "certain level of difficulty" in order for players to feel a sense of satisfaction. This will be true for Star Fox Zero (there is even a ship that does more damage than normal for players looking for an extra challenge), but the game will also offer methods of play for newcomers who are not up to the challenge.

"Particularly with Star Fox Zero, if you try to complete this game, I think you're going to find it to be quite challenging," he explained. "But it's because of that, that we have things like Star Fox Guard and the cooperative mode in this game. What those do, is allow people who maybe can't deal with that level of challenge or difficulty to easily be a part of the gameplay and enjoy this universe."

He added: "And then beyond those modes, we have additional ones for people who like the game but find it too hard to get past certain levels. So for instance there'll be a way for them to get an invincible Arwing, so that they can fly through and see the levels. But at the same time, we're also preparing modes for Star Fox fans looking for an even harder challenge, such as a ship that does more damage, but which also takes more damage."

You can read the complete Timeinterview here.

Star Fox Zero launches on April 21 for Wii U, bundled with Star Fox Guard, a standalone game starring Slippy Toad's uncle, named Grippy.

For more on the game, check out GameSpot's new preview, "Have Star Fox Zero's controls improved?"