F-Zero X
| F-Zero X | |
|---|---|
| F-Zero X box cover | |
| Developer(s) | Nintendo EAD |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Designer(s) | Shigeru Miyamoto (producer)[1] Tadashi Sugiyama (director) [1] Keizo Ohta (chief programmer)[1] |
| Series | F-Zero series |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64, iQue, Virtual Console |
| Release | Nintendo 64
|
| Genre(s) | Futuristic racing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
F-Zero X (エフゼロ エックス, Efu Zero Ekkusu, F-ZERO X), is a futuristic racing video game for the Nintendo 64 console. Developed by Nintendo's EAD division, it was released in Japan, Europe and North America, in 1998.[2] The title can be used with a Rumble Pak, which allows for force feedback. F-Zero X has been re-released on the Wii's Japanese Virtual Console on 29th May 2007,[3] and on the European Virtual Console on 15th June 2007 as the 100th title.[4] The Expansion Kit for this game was exclusively released in Japan, in 2000. To leave the field open for future, Nintendo added 64DD features into F-Zero X that would allow for add-on disks such as track editors or course updates.[5]
F-Zero X is the third installment in the F-Zero series and the successor to BS F-Zero Grand Prix. Although it failed to match the sales success of its first predecessor, the Super Nintendo game F-Zero, F-Zero X is the first video game to feature 3D graphics in the series. The game has a steep learning curve and the gameplay experience is similar to the original F-Zero title.[5] However, the title does introduce a "death race" mode and a random track generator called the "X Cup". In the death race, the player's objective is to annihilate the 29 other racers as speedily as possible, while the X-Cup "creates" a different set of tracks each time played.[5]
Gameplay
F-Zero X offers the choice of either preserving the vehicles' energy meter, or using it to boost ahead of the competition. After selecting a character, players may choose the color of the vehicle and adjust their machine's performance between maximum acceleration and maximum top speed. Dash plates are located at various points around the track. When any vehicle goes over one of these plates, a speed boost is acquired that doesn't cost any energy. There are also special driving techniques such as the 'Railslide' that can break the game's normal physics.
F-Zero X includes five different modes.[5] In Grand Prix, race against twenty-nine other opponents through the tracks of a Grand Prix tour. The player needs to select a difficulty level: Novice, Standard, Expert or Master. The higher the difficulty level, the tougher the opponents and less spare machines. A "spare machine" is similar to an extra life. In this game's case if the player starts over or changes settings after the game is paused, or if the machine loses all its energy, or falls off the track, that costs one spare machine each. When there are no spare machines left, the selection to start the track over or change settings while the game is paused is disabled. After the final course is completed, the Final Results in Grand Prix screen will appear. If ranked first, an "X" mark is rewarded. If ranked 2nd or 3rd, the player will have to try again. If ranked 4th or lower, there will be a daytime scene with the player's vehicle racing around a track.
VS Battle is a Multiplayer mode where two to four players can play simultaneously. Four machines will race in all the multi-player modes, out of the four, those not used by players will be operated by the computer. If a player ends up retiring before the other players, that person will enter VS Slot. A slot machine will appear. If three pictures are matched, its then possible make another player's machine lose all or half of its energy (depending on which pictures matched). If three "X" marks appear, the leading machine will lose all its energy. If three skulls appear all machines will lose their energy. In VS Handicap its possible to adjust the handicap option to "+1" or "+2", boost power will not consume as much energy or boost power will consume even less energy respectively that will give the slower machine an advantage.
Time Attack lets the player choose a track and complete it in the shortest time possible. Times that are low enough will unlock the hidden recorded races by the Staff Ghosts. The Staff Ghosts, have very fast times set by the game's development team, for the player to an extra challenge. There are no rewards for beating them, but a red 'X' appears next to the track on the course selection screen to show the ghost has been defeated. Practice mode allows the player to practice any track with 29 opponents.
In Death Race the player objective is to annihilate the 29 other racers as speedily as possible, as may be inferred by the name. There is only one course, which is on a perpetual straightaway and has no difficulty level. There is no limit to the number of laps, boost can be used right away, and best times will be saved to memory. A star is earned for each rival machine that's actually destroyed. Stars give you a bit of energy. The player won't get a star if a rival machine crashes into another. When the number of remaining rival machines is zero, the game is over. If the player's Energy Meter reaches 0, or if he or she fall off the track, the player will need to start the whole race all over.
Story
Due to the extreme danger of the sport, the original F-Zero Grand Prix ended. Many pilots were injured, including Captain Falcon, in a catastrophic event called "the huge accident". But miraculously none were killed, thanks in part to the efforts of Dr. Robert Stewart. After the Grand Prix was discontinued for several years, the competition was brought back under the name "F-Zero X". This game takes place after the suspension of the original F-Zero Grand Prix, but the rules and regulations were revised.[6]
Cups and vehicles
The game introduces 26 vehicles, and brings back the four from the original F-Zero game. There are five Cups in total, with four of them containing six courses each and names based on face cards. Initially, the Jack, Queen, and King Cups are available to choose from and each vary in difficulty from beginner, intermediate, expert respectively.[5] The Joker Cup becomes available once the player beats the aforementioned cups on standard difficulty. The X Cup becomes available once the player has beaten all the other cups in expert mode.
Every time a Cup is won, an "X" mark will appear on the Course Select screen. Cups won with each machine in each difficulty setting are stored on the game cartridge, as well as the full records of Time Attack and Death Race times. There are three classes with three Cups. When three "X" marks are obtained, the second row of machines will become available for play. The third row of machines will become available once six "X" marks are received and the fourth row when nine are received. That means a total of nine "X" marks are obtainable. But that only lets the player select from 24 machines. Once all of the cups are completed on each and every difficulty level, the game's end credits will be shown. After resetting the N64, the title screen and intro music will change and the final row of six machines will be selectable.
- X Cup
The "X Cup" is a collection of random tracks. However, there is a misconception that these tracks are randomly generated, for similar tracks can be played on separate (or sometimes even on the same) occasion. While this added much replay value to the game, much of the tracks were either simplistic (involving a simple oval shaped track/pipe) or were difficult to race without being retired.
Releases and history
Development
Initially titled F-Zero 64, Famitsu magazine revealed the project in mid-1997.[7] Several key Wave Race 64 programmers including the lead programmer made up the in-house F-Zero X development team.[5] The game made its debut at the Nintendo Space World event in late November 1997 where the public was able to play it for the first time.[8][9] The North American release of F-Zero X suffered from a three month delay due to Nintendo of America's then release policy of spacing the release of first-party games out evenly.[10][5]
F-Zero X was one of the first home console racing games to run at 60 frames per second with up to 30 vehicles on screen at the same time.[11] In order to keep the frame rate, polygon counts on the vehicles, textures and track detail are sacrificed.[11]
Audio
Two soundtracks were released featuring music from this game. F-Zero X Original Soundtrack was released on September 18, 1998. A "Guitar Arrange Edition" was released on January 27, 1999 called F-Zero X Guitar Arrange Edition. It features live electric guitar arrangements of ten of the game's music tracks. Both the game soundtrack and the "Guitar Arrange Edition" are composed and performed by Taro Bando & Hajime Wakai.
Critical reception
| Publication | Score | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Reviews have generally been favorable, although opinions are mixed regarding whether the game is as good as its first predecessor.
GameSpot thought the game was "practically flawless from a technical standpoint", but also mentioned it lacks a soul.[11]
The game sold 56,457 copies during its first week of sale in Japan.[10]
Disk drive release
The F-Zero X Expansion Kit was released in Japan on April 21, 2000 for the Nintendo 64DD. It was 64DD's very first add-on disk[12] that plugged into the bottom of the N64. This disk included all of F-Zero X's regular features plus twelve new tracks, a car editor and a track editor.[13] In addition to the two new cups, it is also possible to to create custom cups. The disk can save up to a hundred tracks and up to three ghost racers on each course.[12]
The Car Editor lets the player create a vehicle using a set of pre-existing parts that then combine to assemble the machine. The player can first select a body style, pick a spoiler and a cockpit shape for the vehicle. Next the player determine its color scheme, choose pre-existing decals, balance and determine the car's settings and performance abilities before the vehicle is finished and named.[12]
The Track Editor is a detailed track creator that allows the player design their own racing circuits. Using a cursor, the player first create a basic circuit, then add points to it to create curves and hills and determine the basic track layout. Next, is the assignment of numerous different properties to the track elements, such as basic road, road with walls, half pipe, cylinder, loop and tunnel as well as road surfaces ranging from slip zones to the recharge stripes that replenish the vehicle's energy. The player can test their creation at any time and run practice laps.[12]
References
- ^ a b c "F-Zero X - Credits". N-Sider.com. Retrieved 2007-05-21.
- ^ "F-Zero X dates". GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
- ^ "Virtual Console" (in Japanese). Nintendo Company, Limited. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
- ^ Boyes, Emma (2007-06-15). "F-Zero X races onto Euro VC". Gamespot. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i Schneider, Peer (1998-10-27). "F-Zero X". IGN. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "F-Zero X manual". World of Video Games. Retrieved 2006-10-02.
- ^ IGN Staff (1997-06-16). "First look at F-Zero 64". IGN. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ IGN Staff (1997-11-21). "F-Zero X Marks the Spot". IGN. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ IGN Staff (1998-07-14). "F-Zero X". IGN. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b "F-Zero X - Development". N-Sider. Retrieved 2006-06-13.
- ^ a b c d Mielke, James (1998-08-13). "F-Zero X review". Gamespot. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c d Schneider, Peer (2000-07-18). "F-Zero X Expansion Kit (Import)". IGN.com. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "F-Zero X Expansion Kit". IGN.com. Retrieved 2007-06-15.
