Analysis: Stunt Flyer for Nintendo Switch

In February 2025, a little game called Stunt Flyer made its quiet debut on the Nintendo Switch. It’s easy to understand why it didn’t make a big splash—it’s essentially a budget-friendly take on Pilotwings with a kid-friendly twist. And I have to say, that description isn’t too far off. Despite that, it actually offers a pretty chill experience, especially when you team up with a friend in the engaging two-player co-op mode.

In this game, you and a buddy assume the roles of Jimmy and Sophie (along with a few other selectable pilots), flying around a world that feels like it’s trying really hard to channel Wuhu Island vibes without actually being called that. Unfortunately, the lack of fresh ideas means it invites comparisons to other games it just can’t quite match, even with the addition of unlockable islands. Once I came to terms with its unoriginality and its less-than-polished nature compared to its inspirations, I did find it entertaining for a short while.

However, the game does suffer from a sense of directionlessness. While exploring is enjoyable to a point, I found myself wishing for a bit more structure. Stunt Flyer tosses in some familiar missions like shooting challenges, photo-taking, and racing, but their entertainment value fluctuates widely and they feel somewhat randomly placed. The experience of collecting scattered rings started off fun, but after hitting 100, it mostly felt like mindless busywork. The game struggles to find a balance between providing missions and offering the freedom to do your own thing.

Aesthetically speaking, the game doesn’t provide much long-lasting appeal either. There’s one main music track, and though it’s pleasant enough, it can become repetitive quickly as you hunt for more activities. Visually, it resembles an upscaled Wii title. This makes sense, considering it was initially released on the Wii with a longer name and a physical accessory. Thirteen years later, it’s showing its age.

I can’t overstate how much more enjoyable Stunt Flyer becomes when playing with a friend. The split-screen mode allows both players the freedom to either cooperate on missions or go their own way. But let’s be honest about its longevity. My wife and I were ready to move on after less than an hour, and I had to push through on my own to complete this review.

Solo play feels lackluster, though the co-op feature does rejuvenate the experience somewhat. The staying power of the game really depends on how much you’re into chasing achievements, improving your mission scores, or just chilling out. Even priced as a budget game, I’d suggest waiting for a sale. Or, perhaps you might want to fire up Pilotwings 64 on Switch Online instead.