Table of Contents 64q43
The games of F-Zero series stand out for the quality and the feeling of speed they achieved in every video game that had a game released. Full of curiosities, motivations and influences, the history of f-zero there's a lot to be revealed. Follow with us the legacy of this successful franchise of Nintendo. 5p5s73
First futuristic racing game 6t4s6y
Made by Shigeru Miyamoto and whose character design was carried out by Takaya Imamura — the same as would work in Star Fox - F-Zero was a game released for the Super Famicom which inaugurated the genre of futuristic racing game🇧🇷 He used the concept of ships flying close to the ground, with the use of super magnetic technology, abandoning the widely used idea of traditional races for good.
The game's name parody (a futuristic play on the current F1) was well accepted by the public, who had the game available for purchase just in time for the Christmas 1990. As a curiosity, the main character of the franchise, Douglas Jay Falcon, Captain falcon, was designed to be the mascot of the Super Famicom, such was Nintendo's bet on its new title that was released with its new video game console.
Responsible for a series of innovations, the game F-Zero brought vehicles with varying attributes that made the difference in gameplay. Furthermore, he established collision and energy bar mechanics, the end of which implied the defeat of the pilot. Another novelty was the race with only one driver, which would popularize the now famous Time Trials🇧🇷 The innovative soundtrack was signed by the duo Naoto Ishida e Yumiko Kanki.
Mode 7 6l4dy
One of the main reasons for creating F-Zero was to show the public the real capacity and potential of the new video game from Nintendo. O Super Nintendo would bring a new graphical mode to your system, the Mode 7 — able to simulate 3D effects on screen — and F-Zero would be the “cover boy” of this novelty; initially conceived as a demo.
The technique of Mode 7 matrix operations — eighth mode on the SNES, which featured modes 0 through 7 — allowed for a level of depth unheard of in video games. Through the possibility of rotating and scaling the background, and changing the position of the scales, the Mode 7 it created a radical effect that gave the impression that what was seen on the screen were graphics running in 3D. A knockout for the season!
continuations and partnerships 176m2d
Influences and uncertainties 6d331r
The direct continuation of F-Zero foresaw a multiplayer mode, but due to hardware problems and technical limitations, what ended up appearing was the beginning of another successful saga: the series Mario Kart.
A title for Virtual Boy it was planned but to no avail due to poor console sales. “Zero Racers” ou “G-Zero” would be one of the possible names for the new game, which would present a pseudo 3D environment, as announced in the E3 1996.
Running on polygonal screens 445a6g
Eight years later, a new rival (Sony) and a new era in futuristic racing games marked Sony's games. F-Zero franchise🇧🇷 Thus was born f zero x, released in July 1998 for the Nintendo 64 with 3D polygon graphics, wide scenarios, a greater sense of speed at constant 60 FPS, multiplayer mode for up to four players and the inauguration of a combat system in the races, increasing the fierce disputes for the first place.
Later, in 2001, with the portable generation that advanced with the Game Boy Advanced and your 32 bits of power, the Nintendo revived the franchise with a new version of the game, based on the classic Super Famicom/Super Nintendo game. In F-Zero: Maximum Velocity, gamers who were fans of the franchise were able to relive the golden age of '90s racing with the innovation and portability now possible.
The last great title 2w344p
A partnership with Amusement Vision assured the GameCube one of the most iconic games in the franchise: F Zero GX🇧🇷 In this new game, speed has become even the greatest potential of the brand, evidenced on each platform on which it was launched, in addition to including new features and giving an even more beautiful look to the Nintendo's futuristic racing series.
F Zero GX implemented the famous and innovative Story Mode, telling stories of overcoming and motivation of Captain falcon in beautiful, curious and very well reproduced CGs. The title was also known for being one of the hardest games of his generation, at the same time that he consecrated himself one of the best racing games of its time, being nominated in several awards for best racing games of the year.
Last moments of the successful trajectory 3p721d
The last two games of the franchise F-Zero came with portable releases. F-Zero GP Legend and F-Zero Climax were games released for the Game Boy Advanced, which returned the graphical style of Maximum Velocity — the platform's first game released in 2001 — but now based on the brand's anime, which featured a new story and centered the adventure on the character Rick Wheeler.
The games in this portable final saga were not so famous here, as they were based on an anime that was not popular in Brazil. Another fact that disturbed was the non-existence of an American release of F-Zero Climax, which made many fans completely unaware of this part of the franchise's history. The fact is that both titles were good additions to the franchise, making it one of the best gba games, and which deserve the attention of fans.
F-Zero franchise games x6l3g
The franchise F-Zero, although it doesn't look like it today, he has a good baggage and some years well lived. in total, 10 titles, including expansions and sequels, are part of the electronic game collection of the saga F-Zero already released. Check out each one of them!
F-Zero 1y2v1v
Set in the year 2560, in F-Zero, the 30 best pilots in the universe — between humans and aliens — are gathered to compete in a tournament worth a great reward. The distraction of multibillionaires was inspired by the old races of F1 of the past, now with machines that fly over the ground and are able to reach more than 500 km/h.
The game brought the modes Grand Prix e Practice, with four controllable pilots and their respective machines, namely Captain falcon (Blue Falcon), The False Samurai (Fire Stingray) doctor Stewart (Golden Fox) and Pico (Wild Goose). Set in a totally futuristic environment, the title had 15 tracks, including Big Blue, Death Wind, Fire Field, Mute City, Port Town, Red Canyon, Sand Ocean, Silence and White Land.
Initial release: 21/11/1990
Developer / Producer Witcher: nintendo / nintendo
Available in: SNES, Famicom (remake via Satellaview), Wii (Virtual Console), Wii U (Virtual Console), Nintendo Switch (Nintendo Switch Online)
BS F-Zero Grand Prix 1266
BS F-Zero Grand Prix it was a remixed version of the original F-Zero that was released for the satellaview — accessory connected to Famicom which made it possible, through a modem, to access content via satellite provided by the company St. GIGA🇧🇷 In this version, a fourth cup, Ace League, and, in addition, the game had a announcer who made comments during the races, being, therefore, a title Soundlink — whose transmissions were carried out via streaming by satellite radio.
initial release: Between late 1996 and early 1997
Developer / Producer: nintendo
Available in: Famicom (Satellaview)
BS F-Zero Grand Prix 2 43543v
After the release of the first remixed game for the satellaview, Nintendo brought its direct continuation, titled BS F-Zero Grand Prix 2🇧🇷 The four courses of the previous title for Satellaview were used, with some rearrangements and substitutions — and with the additional Mute City IV🇧🇷 Two versions were released, one including audio by streaming via SoundLink — available in two parts — and the other without this feature, titled BSF-Zero 2 Practice.
initial release: 01/06/1997 (without SoundLink) and August 1997 (with SoundLink)
Developer / Producer: nintendo
Available in: Famicom (Satellaview)
f zero x 2l971
In a revolutionary way and with a fully 3D environment, f zero x brought to the franchise several elements that would define it for the next generation of consoles. Now with 30 pilots controllable and five game modes, the player could become aware of an even wider universe than the saga, with each character available containing their own nuances, stories and motivations.
A soundtrack and feeling of speed em f zero x are a separate show. They, associated with the new 3D world, brought a new phase to the franchise and allowed a new generation of fans to be created, in addition to implementing many features that were followed in future titles in the saga.
initial release: 14 / 07 / 1998
Developer / Producer: Nintendo EAD / Nintendo
Available in: Nintendo 64, iQue Player, Wii (VC), Wii U (VC), Nintendo Switch (NSO)
F-Zero X Expansion Kit h3i4r
Exclusive to the Japanese market, the accessory Nintendo 64DD inaugurated its release of additional content in games with the title f zero x. Through F-Zero Expansion Kit — which was attached to the Nintendo 64 along with the original game — the player had access to 12 brand new tracks, new soundtracks, an apartment by the bay, for its easy access, free parking, and larger space for our group of XNUMX people. The house was great for a large group like ours, the host was very attentive, and the location was excellent; it was quiet and quick to walk to the old town. track creator professional and a ship editor.
initial release: 21 / 04 / 2000
Developer / Producer: Nintendo EAD / Nintendo
Available in: Nintendo 64 (Nintendo 64DD)
F-Zero: Maximum Velocity 333qu
With a new generation of riders and an eternal quest for fame and victory, F-Zero: Maximum Velocity entered its history in the hall of F-Zero titles. The game brings back the classic look of the 16-bit era and brings many improvements, such as improved control, new game modes and ship models, instrumental themes enriched technically and melodically, among others.
initial release: 21 / 03 / 2001
Developer / Producer: NDCube/Nintendo
Available in: GBA, Nintendo 3DS (Ambassadors reward), Wii U (VC)
F Zero GX 4x5z3u
The last great game in the series was released in the distant year of 2003, for the Nintendo GameCube, and is considered one of the Nintendo's best 128-bit home console games. F Zero GX brought a high graphic revolution, sound and speed compared to the previous title. He was the first to open a Story Mode in the franchise, with challenges that became well known for their extreme difficulty.
wide and beautiful scenery, stunning graphics and realistic, dizzying speed, tech songs and a greater immersion within the universe of F-Zero — with the GCs implemented in the Story Mode and in the answers answered in the Quiz moments at the end of the Grand Prix — became GX one of the most beloved games by fans of the franchise, who can't wait for a new release to appear once again.
initial release: 25 / 07 / 2003
Developer / Producer: Amusement Vision / Nintendo
Available in: GameCube
F-Zero AX 5l6s2z
Along with the GameCube version — subtitled GX —, F-Zero AX was launched by Sega for your Arcade system Triforce, a t effort carried out between the companies Nintendo, Namco and Sega🇧🇷 The game is similar to the version for Nintendo's desktop console, but it contains new tracks, vehicles and ship parts, in addition to having sensors and a whole cockpit for the to feel inside the game.
It was launched in three cabin versions, among which Standard, Deluxe and Monster Ride🇧🇷 The game enabled connectivity between both games via Memory Card (compatible with the same Arcade region) and was present in some places around the world, including Brazil.
initial release: 2003
Developer / Producer: Amusement Vision / Sega
Available in: Triforce Arcade (Japan and North America)
F-Zero: GP Legend 1a1144
Bringing back the insane GBA racing, but implementing some new features, F-Zero: GP Legend took advantage of the hype created by the success of namesake anime to take to the laptop Nintendo a game full of references. More of 30 characters of animation were present, within a Story Mode which has missions for each selected pilot. In Japan, the accessory e-reader allowed, through cards, to add content to the game, such as new tracks and pilots.
initial release: 28 / 11 / 2003
Developer / Producer: Suzak Inc. / nintendo
Available in: GBA, Wii U (VC)
F-Zero Climax (GBA) 60382r
Exclusively released in Japan, F Zero Climax it was the last game of the F-Zero saga who saw the sunlight on our world. Continuing the saga of its predecessor, the game brought back the stories of anime characters and similar game modes. This title innovated the franchise by implementing a track editor within the game and by allowing players to share your creations via Game-Link cable.
initial release: 21 / 10 / 2004
Developer / Producer: Suzak Inc. / nintendo
Available in: GBA (Japan only), Wii U (Japanese VC)
Games inspired by F-Zero 505l2y
We found 10 games inspired by F-Zero🇧🇷 The success of the brand, and also the neglect by the Nintendo — which has not released a new game in the series for over 18 years — have given rise to different based games in the famous brand of futuristic race with ships. Some of them followed their successful journey, with sequels and remasters, while others, over time, fell into oblivion. Let's see the most outstanding ones.
Aero gauge c27i
This Nintendo 64 game brought flying ships in scenarios that brought the same style of futuristic racing games that were emerging at the time, to quote: wipeout 2097 e Extreme G.
initial release: 19 / 12 / 1997
Ranking on Metacritic: -
Antigravitor 624q6
With launches for PC, PS4 and Xbox One, Antigravitor is a futuristic racing game with an anti-gravity approach that provides players with fast racing. In addition, he inserts traps and boosts on the tracks to keep the player even more accelerated.
initial release: 06 / 06 / 2018
Ranking on Metacritic: 65% (PC), 70% (XboxOne)
Extreme G z5k18
Extreme-G is a futuristic racing game made with ultra-fast motorcycles that was very successful in the era Nintendo 64🇧🇷 The game had a sequel released the following year, Extreme G-2, in addition to others later, composed by XGIII: Extreme-G Racing e XGRA: Extreme G Racing.
initial release: 30 / 09 / 1997
Ranking on Metacritic: 82%
Fast Racing League x4y4j
Already foreshadowing a dearth in futuristic racing games, Fast Racing League was the first in the series Fast and debuted on Nintendo's online service, the WiiWare🇧🇷 The game had a phase change mechanic, in addition to a lot of speed, bringing the player futuristic ships for extreme races of speed and overcoming. The franchise continued with sequels. Fast Racing Neo (2015) and FastRMX (2017)
initial release: 27 / 05 / 2011
Ranking on Metacritic: 73%
Graze 4l2k4m
choose one of four speed classes, select any of the five ships available in conjunction with some weapons and speed up in one of the many game modes available. Graze uses and abuses the graphic power generated by Ray tracingHowever, like many of the games that are inspired by F-Zero, suffers a lot of criticism because of its gameplay.
initial release: 29 / 10 / 2020
Ranking on Metacritic: 70% (PC), 77% (PS4), 79% (XBO)
Redout 106a1e
As well described, Redout is a tribute to classic futuristic racing games that delivers a fast and thrilling experience. The game has beautiful graphics and has a continuation for several platforms.
initial release: 02 / 09 / 2016
Ranking on Metacritic: 81% (PC, PS4), 76% (XBO), 70% (Switch)
Star Wars Episode I: Racer 3w1t35
A classic revered by the generation of his time, Star Wars Episode I: Racer brings all the freshness of racing in Pods with the classic characters of the series Star Wars🇧🇷 Tear through the adrenaline-fueled tracks flying over beautiful scenery in fan-familiar regions such as Malastare, Tatooine and others. The game got a sequel titled Star Wars: Racer's Revenge.
initial release: 18 / 05 / 1999
Ranking on Metacritic: -
Super Pilot y70k
Available for PC through Steam, Super Pilot doesn't bother to flaunt in his description the inspiration in F-Zero🇧🇷 It is composed of a futuristic arcade racing game that allows the track creation to be shared among other players.
initial release: 17 / 09 / 2018
Ranking on Metacritic: -
tube slider 18716n
From the developers of F-Zero: Maximum Velocity, tube slider came up with the proposal to add futuristic spaceship races in transparent tubes. Exclusive to GameCube, the game brought 10 tracks, three game modes, many speed boosts, in addition to for up to four players.
initial release: 17 / 04 / 2003
Ranking on Metacritic: 62%
Wipeout 533j67
The first game in the series, Wipeout, launched by Psygnosis, brought antigravity ships to racing disputes on futuristic tracks in the year 2052. Weapons and power-ups can be acquired and used throughout the game, offering an extra taste when eliminating your rivals.
initial release: 29 / 09 / 1995
Ranking on Metacritic: -
out of games 5m4s4t
Among the audiovisual productions, we had the anime F-Zero: GP Legend (F-Zero Falcon Densetsu), released in 2003 by Ashi Productions and which contained 51 episodes. Many CDs with the soundtrack of the saga's games were also released, including F Zero (1992), F-Zero X Original Soundtrack (1998), F-Zero X Guitar Arrange Edition (1999), F-Zero Blue Falcon Ending Theme – Resolution (2003), F-Zero Legend of Falcon Opening Theme: The Meaning of Truth (2003) e F-Zero GX/AX Original Soundtrack (2004).
The future of the franchise 1f6x6e
With few novelties announced, and appearing only in new editions of Super Smash Bros. and most recently Mario Kart, the saga F-Zero has been waiting for a sequel for a while and what we see, meanwhile, is the re-release of versions of old games for new platforms in emulation / remastering systems.
Whenever the question of a new franchise game comes up F-Zero and it is put to the executives of Nintendo, there is a vague answer, with explanations that they are studying possibilities, that it did not match the idea of previous consoles, etc. We've been waiting anxiously for a long time for a new game in the franchise that, given the course of the company's history, it is possible not to have been forgotten, but just shelved or in a moment of internal and secret studies.
Be that as it may, the racing game series F-Zero has plenty of potential for a new release. Common differentiated universe, unique characters, high quality gameplay and a success story in career, we can hope (and hope) for good things in the future of this saga so beloved in video games.
Learn more
See also the history of mario kart, another successful game from Nintendo, and which is present with news until today.
Sources: Bit Memory, nintendo blast 1, 2, 3, Stamina., F-Zero Wiki (Fandom) 1, 2, 3, 4, WarpZone Bios #9: Luigi, Captain Falcon, Pit and Mike, The Enemy, Little Pixel, Steam
