"Pilotwings 64" was well received by most reviewers. The game's combination of 3D graphics, realistic settings, and flight simulation were applauded by many news sources and major gaming publications. In his release review of the Nintendo 64, "The Seattle Times" contributor Steven L. Kent found that the flight mechanics and vast areas featured in "Pilotwings 64" make it one of the most impressive games ever made. Glenn Rubenstein of the website GameSpot summarized, "The graphics, sound, control, and all around excitement add up to make "Pilotwings 64" one hell of a great ride." Staff reviewers of "Electronic Gaming Monthly", "GamePro", and IGN all voiced positive comments on the game's polygon rendering and frame rates, as well as its sense of control and flying. Alex Constantides of "Computer and Video Games" enjoyed the game's large environments, exclaiming, "You'll not believe just how huge the islands really are and, because certain elements are hidden at first, it'll take you months to see everything." IGN's Levi Buchanan described this low-pressure, "challenge without competition" aspect of the game as a design philosophy adopted by later Nintendo titles such as "Nintendogs". Rich Leadbetter of "Maximum" said that "The sedate nature of the gameplay might not appeal to everyone, but the bottom line is that "PilotWings 64" is an unparalleled test of skill, dexterity and control. It is a game that you must own and whilst not quite in the same league of 'must-have'itude as "Super Mario 64", it remains an astounding achievement and another triumph for Nintendo." A "Next Generation" critic remarked that once beyond the introductory missions the game becomes satisfyingly challenging, and succeeds as both a flight simulation and an example of Nintendo's surrealistic gameplay: "It's a weird mix of total realism and self-conscious videogame elements, and the two don't grate."