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F-Zero X(JP) is a racing video game for the Nintendo 64, and a sequel to the SNES classic video game F-Zero. It was first released on July 14, 1998 in Japan.
Gameplay[]
As with the original, the game takes place at a futuristic setting where players race in various courses at high-speed gameplay. Gaining manual boost would be enabled upon completing the second lap, where the "Power" meter would turn green. But using the boost would decrease power, essentially costing health. Contact with other racers and hitting walls would cause damage.
A number of gameplay changes have occurred in the transition from F-Zero to F-Zero X:
- Races now go on for three laps instead of five.
- The cars reach substantially faster speeds than the 400-450 kilometer per hour average from F-Zero; in X, speeds above 1,000 kph are not uncommon.
- The possibilities of the 3D engine allowed for tracks to take on less predictable forms than the Mode 7-generated flat surfaces, with some parts of the roads not containing any side protection, meaning any mistakes could be potentially deadly.
- Unlike in F-ZERO where there were four racers present along with several CPU drones, there are now 30 individualized racers at once.
- After selecting a racer, there is now an option to adjust the car's parameters to prioritize acceleration or top speed.
- The main single player mode is a championship mode with a scoring system, and there is no rank limit to finish races.
- The scoring system works as such: the winning racer scores 100 points, with the second place scoring 7 points less (93), then the next two over scoring six less than each pilot ahead of them, the next three scoring five less, the next four scoring four less, and so on, until the last nine pilots which are given one less point than each pilot ahead of them. Retiring drivers score zero points.
- Boosts are not given out each lap; instead, as soon as the first lap is completed, each car gains the ability to perform boosts at any moment by pressing the B button. Boosts last for as long as the player keeps the B button pressed, but using them depletes the energy gauge.
- The L and R buttons can be used for more aggressive gameplay: pressing either of them twice causes the player's car to juke to the left or right in order to ram into other racers; pressing both alternately performs a spin attack, which can be used to take out other drivers.
Modes[]
There are many different modes in F-Zero X. There is GP race, where you compete in tournaments; Practice, where you race around a course with other racers; Time Trial: where you have to beat times in three laps; Deathmatch, where you have to bring your opponents health down to 0 by ramming them and VS, a multiplayer mode.
Circuts[]
| # | Jack Cup | Queen Cup | King Cup | Joker Cup | *DD-1 Cup | *DD-2 Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mute City 1 | Sector α | Fire Field | Rainbow Road | Silence 3 | Mute City 4 |
| 2 | Silence | Red Canyon | Silence 2 | Devil's Forest 3 | Sand Ocean 3 | Space Plant 2 |
| 3 | Sand Ocean | Devil's Forest 2 | Sector β | Space Plant | Devil's Forest 4 | Port Town 4 |
| 4 | Devil's Forest | Mute City 2 | Red Canyon 2 | Sand Ocean 2 | Port Town 3 | Fire Field 2 |
| 5 | Big Blue | Big Blue 2 | White Land 2 | Port Town 2 | Devil's Forest 5 | White Land 3 |
| 6 | Port Town | White Land | Mute City 3 | Big Hand | Big Blue 3 | Big Foot |
Characters[]
Releases[]
The game was first released in Japan on July 14, 1998, then on September 30, 1998 in North America, and Europe on November 6, 1998.
In 2007, the game was re-released on the Wii Virtual Console service. It later re-released on the Wii U's Virtual Console service from November 2016.
It was included as part of the Nintendo 64 library of games via Nintendo Switch Online's Expansion Pack service from March 11, 2022.
Reception[]
Critics generally praised F-Zero X for its fast gameplay, abundance of courses and vehicles, track design, and maintaining a high framerate. However, the game has been widely criticized for its lack of graphical detail. In 2010, the game was included as one of the titles in the book 1001 Games You Must Play Before You Die. Its predecessor is F-Zero for the SNES and it's successor is F-Zero GX for the GameCube.
Overall, critical reception of F-Zero X was positive; the game has an aggregate average of 86.93% based on 15 reviews at Game Rankings, and a metascore of 85 at Metacritic. Critics generally praised F-Zero X for its fast gameplay, abundance of courses and vehicles, keeping a high framerate with up to thirty racers on screen at the same time, and track design.
| Reception | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 86.93% |
| Metacritic | 85 |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| Edge | 8 of 10 |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 9, 9, 9, 9 of 10 |
| GamePro | 4.5 of 5 |
| GameSpot | 7.5 of 10 |
| IGN | 9.1 of 10 |
Trivia[]
- In the Virtual Console release, the weight and speed of the vehicles are in metric (kilograms and kilometers, respectively). There is no way to change to imperial.
- This game was the 100th Virtual Console game in North America.
- The original name for F-Zero X was going to be F-Zero 64.
- Rainbow Road in the Joker Cup is the same one from Mario Kart 64.
- Racer James McCloud is in reference to a character in Nintendo's Star Fox series.
- GameSpot has said that F-Zero X is the first game to run at 60 fps.
F-Zero X Rainbow Road Circuit.
- Press "L" and "R" on the character setting screen will allow you to adjust the main color of your vehicle.
- Pressing any of the "C" buttons on the character setting screen will rotate the vehicle in different directions.
External links[]
- F-Zero X at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- F-Zero X at GameFAQs
- F-Zero X at Nintendo.com
- F-Zero X at Virtual Console Reviews
| F-Zero series | |
|---|---|
| Main series | F-ZERO (BS Grand Prix/BS Grand Prix 2) • F-Zero X (Expansion Kit) • Maximum Velocity F-Zero GX (F-Zero AX) • F-Zero: GP Legend • F-Zero Climax • F-ZERO 99 |
| Related | Nintendo • NDcube • Amusement Vision • Suzak • Captain Falcon Famicom Grand Prix • Famicom Grand Prix II • Super Smash Bros. • Nintendo Land • Mario Kart |