F-Zero (series)

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The F-Zero (エフゼロ, Efu Zero^?) games is a series of futuristic racing video games created by Nintendo EAD with Shigeru Miyamoto serving mainly as producer. The games are primarily set on a futuristic Earth in the 26th century, although some games take place much earlier and some circuits have been set on different planets. The series has been known for its high-speed racing, unique characters and settings, difficult gameplay, stirring original music and pushing the limits of its technology to be one of the fastest racing games ever. The F-Zero games were the first of their kind in regard to its scenario and style of gameplay. It is widely considered one of the most influential video game franchises created in its genre inspiring the creation of titles such as Daytona USA^[1] and the Wipeout series.^[2][3]

Contents 1 Overview 1.1 Characters 1.2 F-Zero machines 1.3 F-Zero circuits 2 History 3 Fictional universe 3.1 History 4 Games 5 Critical reception 6 Other incarnations 6.1 Anime 6.2 F-Zero - The Story of Captain Falcon comic 6.3 F-Zero in other video games 7 Notes 8 External links

[edit] Overview

Each of the games in F-Zero series requires the player to beat opponents to the finish line while avoiding obstacles such as land mines and slip zones. The games usually require a mixture of memorization of the tracks and quick reflexes for its fast-paced racing gameplay. With F-Zero and Maximum Velocity an approximate four second speed boost is given to the player to use whenever for each lap completed. Starting with F-Zero X, throughout the duration of the race players may execute speed boosts, but now in exchange for losing energy. It is therefore necessary to use recharge strips around the course to replenish this energy, or risk exploding when it drops to zero. Strategically situated dash plates allow boosts without energy loss. In combination with course obstacles, drivers are allowed to attack each other with their vehicle bodies.

The games' fantasy worlds includes different climates and terrains, and are home to many different races and tribes of aliens. There are geographical differences from game to game, but distinctive locations recur, such as Big Blue, Mute City, and Port Town.

[edit] Characters

Main article: List of characters in the F-Zero series

While there were originally four F-Zero pilots in the first game, this has grown with each title to over forty characters in the later games of the series. Each character has their own unique vehicle, story and reason for entering the F-Zero Grand Prix. The winner of the Grand Prix receives a huge sum of prize money, but many pilots have been lost pursuing it.^[4] Some of the characters are superheroes, supervillains, cyborgs, mutants, and the like, which makes the series akin to something out of an American comic book.

[edit] F-Zero machines

The vehicles used to race in these video games are called "F-Zero machines", which are designed to hover, rather than travel on wheels. An anti-gravity unit, known as the "G-Diffuser System", allows them to drive at high speeds, while retaining a hold of the magnetic track, located from a few inches to a foot below it.^[3] However, the slip zones, also referred to as the "magnetic field block coat" in the first F-Zero game, blocks the vehicle from retaining a hold on the track. The racing machines developed for these tracks used the latest in this magnetic technology, and are able to perform tune-ups.^[5][3] Out of the over forty-four known machines, only about five do not weigh over a ton.^[6] F-Zero machines have a maximum speed exceeding that of sound. This is possible due to the ultra-compact micro-plasma engines used by the machines.^[7]

Each machine has four basic performance attributes: body, boost, grip and weight. Body, boost, and grip are rated on a scale from A to E (A being the best, E, the worst).^[8] The higher a machine's Body rating, the more durable it is and the less damage it will sustain in a collision. Machines with a good Body rating are, therefore, able to withstand more attacks before exploding.^[6] The Boost rating takes into account the duration of a vehicle's boost, and how great a speed increase it provides. A machine with a high rating can travel at higher than normal speeds for a longer period of time.^[6] Grip determines how well a machine negotiates turns. A higher Grip rating means that the player's vehicle will execute steadier turns, while a low one will cause the vehicle to drift more, especially when turning tightly.^[6] Weight is usually displayed in kilograms and affects a vehicle's acceleration, grip, cornering ability, maximum speed, and the amount of damage it sustains in a collision. A lighter vehicle is superior in the first three categories, while a heavier vehicle has the advantage in the latter two.^[6][8]

[edit] F-Zero circuits

Circuits are usually set on the outskirts of cities or above them situated high in planet atmospheres at an elevation as much as 300 feet above ground. They contain anti-gravitational guide beams on both sides of the course that keep them in place.^[5] Rich merchants from cities in the clouds or asteroids with almost uninhabitable environments invested their wealth in the construction of racing circuits.^[5] Some cities have multiple circuits--circuits not used for the Grand Prix are open to pilots for practice. The dynamic structure of the courses are colossal in scale, as most circuits feature a single lap that spans over six miles.^[4]

[edit] History

See also: List of F-Zero titles

The premiere game in the series and a launch title for the SNES, F-Zero was also the first Super Nintendo title to use a technique that Nintendo called "Mode 7 Scrolling". When Mode 7 was combined with scaling and positioning of the layer on a scanline-by-scanline basis it could simulate 3D environments. Such techniques in games were considered to be revolutionary in a time when most console games were restricted to static/flat backgrounds and 2 dimensional (2D) objects. The result was developer Nintendo EAD creating the fastest and smoothest pseudo-3D racer ever on a console at that time.^[9]

A sequel of the first F-Zero game was canceled due to the impending release of the Nintendo 64. Under the names of BS F-Zero Grand Prix and a year later by BS F-Zero 2 Grand Prix,^[10] this unfinished sequel was instead released for the Super Famicom's satellite-based expansion, Satellaview, during the mid-1990s in Japan.^[11][2]

Zero Racers ("G-Zero"), was a canceled game for the Virtual Boy. It was in development alongside F-Zero X. The game was previewed by Nintendo Power and was close to completion.^[11] Gameplay differs in one important point from its predecessor and all F-Zero games released afterwards. In Zero Racers, the hovercrafts speed through the three physical dimensions of space in the turning tunnels.

After a roughly seven-year hiatus outside Japan, the series made the transition to 3D with the third installment, F-Zero X on the Nintendo 64. The game introduces 26 new vehicles, and brings back the four from the original F-Zero game. In addition to a Grand Prix mode, 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.^[12] Despite the hardware limitations of the gaming console, F-Zero X used the N64's power to its full extent. This resulted in the game running at 60 frames per second with thirty machines on screen at the same time, however this left little processor power for graphical detail and music.^[13]

A Nintendo 64DD expansion known as F-Zero X Expansion Kit was released only in Japan as the last add-on disk for the system. The Expansion Kit added a course editor, a vehicle editor, two new cups for advanced players, three new machines, and some new background tracks. The course editor was the main attraction of this expansion, and was praised for its amazing amount of depth, as it was virtually the same program the game's designers used to make the courses.^[15]

F-Zero: Maximum Velocity was the series fourth released installment, but the first incarnation of the franchise for Nintendo's Game Boy handheld. It was the first title developed by first party subsidiary NDCUBE.^[16] This GBA launch title returned to the SNES F-Zero's gameplay with a Mode 7-styled game engine.^[9]

The next F-Zero title, F-Zero GX was the first game in the series to appear on the Nintendo GameCube. It surprised many fans when it was announced that the new game would be developed by Sega's Amusement Vision team (known for the Super Monkey Ball games) and would feature a story mode for the first time ever. This game, initially known as "F-Zero GC", retained the core gameplay of the previous games, with a huge focus being on the game's single player mode this time around. The arcade counterpart of GX was called F-Zero AX, which was released alongside of its Nintendo GameCube counterpart in mid-2003. The game had three types of arcade cabinets; standard, the "Monster Ride" and the deluxe which resembled an F-Zero vehicle. F-Zero AX had six original courses and ten original characters. However, by certain difficult means, the six courses and ten characters could be unlocked in F-Zero GX.^[17][18]

F-Zero: GP Legend is the second game featuring a story mode, however this one is based on the anime series of the same name. This results in Captain Falcon sharing the spotlight with a new character named Rick Wheeler.^[19] Unlike the rest of the titles before it, GP Legend takes place in a different period of time happening in the twenty-second century rather than the twenty-sixth.^[20]

The third GBA incarnation was released only in Japan. F-Zero Climax was the first title in the series to feature a built-in track editor without the need for an expansion or add-on. Custom tracks can be saved to the cartridge for future use and they can be exchanged with other players via link cable. If memory becomes full or link cable connection cannot be done, the game can generate a password for the track; when it is inputted on any F-Zero Climax cartridge, the password will generate the track instantly.^[21]

[edit] Fictional universe

The F-Zero games derives from the 20th and 21st century Formula One races^[5][2] and the fictitious F-Max Grand Prix races from the 24th century.^[7] In the future, the game portrays races as having come under the influence of wealthy ex-space merchants. They thought that a fast and violent race would be an effective way to get people to gamble, so the ex-merchants established the F-Zero Execution Project.^[7] The F-Zero Grand Prix dates to the 26th century, and is still sponsored by the wealthy elite who originally organized the Execution Project for those events. These races feature the most technologically advanced racing machines, competing in numerous circuits of fast-paced action. It is known for its wild fans, and usually eccentric competitors. Winners of the Grand Prix receive large sums of money, as well as a great deal of prestige throughout the universe.^[4]

[edit] History

F-Zero X defined the F-Max Grand Prix as the precursor to the F-Zero races by some 200 years taking place in the 24th century. Not much is known about the F-Max Grand Prix, other than it takes place in between the F-1 and F-Zero Grand Prix. Nobody is entirely sure if the machines raced in the F-Max Grand Prix were hovering with the G-diffuser system's or still on wheels by that point.^[7] According to F-Zero GX, the greatest driver in the F-Max Grand Prix was Sterling LaVaughn;^[4] a statement that would lead to further inconsistencies in the sequence of events in the F-Zero franchise.

In the first F-Zero game, it is the year 2560, and due to the human race's countless encounters with alien life forms throughout the universe, Earth's social framework has expanded to cosmic proportions. Now, trade, technology transfer, and cultural interchange are carried out on an interplanetary basis. An association of wealthy space merchants created the F-Zero Grand Prix, in an attempt to add some excitement to their opulent lifestyles. When the first race was held, people were angered at the brutality of the competition, due to the various obstacles and traps along the raceway. As time passed, however, they became used to these dangers, and even began to demand more excitement and danger in the races. Winning the F-Zero championship soon became the highest claim to fame in the universe.^[5]

The "Horrific Grand Finale" never took place in an F-Zero game, however F-Zero X explains that the violent, fiery accident burnt fourteen drivers to death, including Sterling LaVaughn.^[22] On that day, Super Arrow escaped unscathed, driving to a bittersweet victory as the only survivor. No racing was allowed by the Federation after the crash; despite the F-Zero racing prohibition, the sport went underground where many racers went to hone their skills in secret.^[23] The crash ushered in the establishment of the F-Zero Racing Academy, after a speech, by Super Arrow to the Federation Congress, which helped to lift the ban.^[24]

The original F-Zero Grand Prix ended, due to the extreme danger of the sport. In another event, called the "Huge Accident", many pilots were injured, but miraculously, none were killed, thanks in part to Dr. Robert Stewart. After the Grand Prix was discontinued for several years, the fictional competition was brought back,—though with revised rules and regulations—in a Nintendo 64 game, titled "F-Zero X".^[7]

[edit] Games

The following is a list of the Nintendo-published games in order of their first release, with their release years (in parentheses), along with any additional information about their placement in the timelines.

• F-Zero (SNES) (1990)

The first released game in the franchise takes place in the year 2560^[5] and would be known in F-Zero X as the game during the "old-school" F-Zero days where the rules seemed non-existent.

• F-Zero X (N64) (1998)

This game takes place after the Horrific Grand Finale and seven years after the huge accident. The Grand Finale was an event supposedly taken place sometime before the establishment of the F-Zero Racing Academy and the Huge Accident during the "old-school" F-Zero days. This event killed over a dozen pilots, including Sterling LaVaughn.^[22] However, in F-Zero GX, the Grand Finale event wasn't even mentioned at all. Instead the game states Sterling LaVaughn was racing during the F-Max days.^[4]

• F-Zero: Maximum Velocity (GBA) (2001)

In this installment, the game takes place twenty-five years after the SNES title in the year 2585. Players race against the descendants of the original F-Zero racers.^[25] Maximum Velocity is considered a reboot continuity to the rest of the home console titles since the game has made no indication of the safety revisions carried forth after the huge accident, in fact it states just like the original F-Zero game, the extreme danger involved when participating in those races. Due to the aforementioned, this leads to a conflict in years, so this title also separates itself from the GP Legend and Climax games, which are together in their own timeline.

• F-Zero GX (GCN), and F-Zero AX (Arcade) (2003)

According to its instruction manual, the character Mighty Gazelle was injured in the huge accident four years ago. However, the Nintendo 64 game was inferring that Mighty Gazelle's accident and the accident that suspended the Grand Prix were two separate events.^[4]

• F-Zero: GP Legend (GBA) (2003)

GP Legend is considered a reboot continuity of the series. This game and the anime F-Zero GP Legend separate themselves from Maximum Velocity and the other home console games since both takes place in the year 2201.^[20] Also, they feature some different incarnations of Captain Falcon, Zoda, and other characters.

• F-Zero Climax (GBA) (2004)

A direct sequel to GP Legend means this is also considered a reboot continuity to Maximum Velocity and the home console games.

[edit] Critical reception

Matt Casamassina of IGN has said that the F-Zero franchise is one of the best video game series in the racing genre.^[26] It has generated many positive reviews within the gaming industry.

The editors of GameRankings.com have declared F-Zero GX, the latest Nintendo home console game in the series, the second highest-ranking futuristic racing game of all time by compiling every major numeric review given to the game upon its release.^[27] The highest-ranking futuristic game of all time as determined by GameRankings.com is Wipeout XL.^[28]

Their compilation of multiple reviews has F-Zero X as the next highest rated game in the series^[29] followed by F-Zero^[30] and F-Zero Maximum Velocity^[31] and lastly F-Zero GP Legend^[32].

Shigeru Miyamoto commented that past F-Zero and Star Fox collaborations with outside development houses turned out to be a disappointment for Nintendo. He stated "consumers got very excited about the idea of those games, but the games themselves did not deliver".^[33]

[edit] Other incarnations

There are a number of F-Zero video games and other media creations that have been officially licensed by Nintendo but the anime is not acknowledged by fans as part of the series canon.

[edit] Anime

Main article: F-Zero GP Legend

F-Zero: GP Legend originally aired all fifty-one episodes from 2003 - 2004 in Japan as a part of TV Tokyo’s lineup. Fifteen episodes were produced before the GP Legend's cancellation in America. Based on the video game F-Zero GP Legend, the anime have been officially licensed by Nintendo but not acknowledged by fans as part of the series canon. One of the numerous differences the show presented was that the F-Zero racers has a radical different appearance from the home console games. However, most of their persona is done the same way. While not exactly having Captain Falcon as the main star, it still has some familiar faces, including new ones as well.

[edit] F-Zero - The Story of Captain Falcon comic

An eight-paged comic was included in the manual of the 1990 SNES F-Zero game. It had the original character designs of Captain Falcon, the three other original pilots, unknown (or radically designed) F-Zero pilots and the F-Zero announcer - Mr. Zero. Unlike most of the video games, the comic carried the reader fully through one of Falcon's bounty missions for the first time. Also, the comic had the first and only full appearance in the F-Zero series of Captain Falcon using his sidearm and him using his Falcon Flyer cruiser.^[5] While largely forgotten and ignored, this is actually the source of some persistent fanon beliefs.

[edit] F-Zero in other video games

Characters from and references to the F-Zero series have appeared in a variety of other video games. Captain Falcon appears as a playable fighter in all three installments of the Super Smash Bros. series (the original for the Nintendo 64, Melee for the GameCube, and Brawl for the Wii).

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! and Mega Party Game$, features a simplified "microgame" based on F-Zero.^[34][35] The F-Zero vehicles named Blue Falcon, and Fire Stingray cameos in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. At the back of Hinopio's Inn, deep within Barrel Vocano, these vehicles, along with an Arwing, are displayed as models sitting on top of boxes.

F-Zero and the Star Fox series of video games share some similarities inside of their fictional worlds. The F-Zero character James McCloud, shares the same name as Fox McCloud's father. James also has a similar resemblance to Fox's father and his vehicle shares some the Arwing's attributes. His F-Zero machine and the Arwings, which are piloted by the Star Fox main characters, use G-Diffuser systems developed by Space Dynamics. This is the same system F-Zero machines use to travel at high speeds. In the game Star Fox: Command, one of the obtainable endings has Fox and Falco becoming racers in the "G-Zero Grand Prix" which is also a former name to the canceled F-Zero game, Zero Racers. The F-Zero character Octoman also appears as a character. In Mario Kart Wii Captain Falcons vehicle "The Blue Falcon" makes a cameo appearance as a selectable kart for light weights.

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• Nintendo's Eight Famous Franchises #5 - F-Zero
• The Legendary Race - The History of F-Zero
• History of F-Zero

v • d • e F-Zero series Games F-Zero · BS F-Zero · Zero Racers · F-Zero X (Expansion Kit) · Maximum Velocity · GX / AX · GP Legend · Climax Related Characters · Anime (Episodes)