Prior to developing Pilotwings 64, Paradigm had not worked on any video games but specialized in vehicle and flight simulators for the military.

Like its predecessor on the SNES, Pilotwings 64 was a launch title for the Nintendo 64. The pattern continued with the release of Pilotwings Resort as a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS.

Pilotwings 64 performed fairly well in sales, partly because it was one of the few launch titles for the console. It was one of three launch games in Japan and one of only two in America, alongside Super Mario 64. The game eventually sold one million copies.

The game features a red-haired pilot named Lark, who bears a striking resemblance to Nestor, the mascot of Nintendo Power. The magazine later confirmed that Lark and Nestor are one and the same.

In Pilotwings 64, if you find Mount Rushmore, you’ll see Mario’s face replacing George Washington’s. However, if you destroy Mario’s face, Wario’s will appear underneath.