With marquee franchises starting from grand adventures like The Legend of Zelda to area of interest collection like Metroid, few online game publishers have a secure of properties as in depth and diversified as Nintendo. However although many of those franchises are often supported with new installments, many extra have been left languishing in dormancy–and amongst them, few are as ceaselessly clamored for as F-Zero. Regardless of the continued anticipate a brand new title, nevertheless, the futuristic racing collection has truly been experiencing one thing of a quiet resurgence over the previous few years.
This revival started in earnest in 2023 with the shock launch of F-Zero 99, a battle royale-style twist on the unique F-Zero provided as a part of the Nintendo Swap On-line service. Like Tetris 99 (and the short-lived Pac-Man 99) earlier than it, F-Zero 99 invigorates the collection’ basic formulation by exploding the participant rely, with 99 rivals all vying for first place. However whereas Tetris 99 is a battle of attrition, a grueling contest to whittle down and outlast the competitors, F-Zero 99 remains to be very a lot a racing sport at coronary heart; not like different battle royale-type video games, your goal is to not eradicate different gamers (though it’s enormously inspired, as doing so replenishes your well being meter), however to outmaneuver them over the course of 4 laps. The elevated participant rely makes these high-speed contests much more nerve-wracking, and the distinction between success and failure is commonly measured in milliseconds.
The result’s exhilarating. Although it might not be a wholly new entry, F-Zero 99 is a refreshing spin on the collection, one that gives a tantalizing glimpse at a possible path ahead for future installments. The expanded participant rely amplifies the high-stakes thrills of F-Zero’s greatest moments–of negotiating winding, hazard-laden tracks and hairpin turns at lightning pace as different automobiles ricochet and explode throughout you. Extra importantly, the sport stands as proof that, opposite to what disgruntled followers might declare, Nintendo has neither forgotten about nor deserted F-Zero.
Since 99’s launch, Nintendo has put out a gentle cadence of F-Zero content material on the Swap, conserving the franchise persistently within the public eye. 99 itself continues to carry common in-game occasions and obtain periodic updates, together with one which just lately added programs and different content material from the long-lost BS F-Zero game for Tremendous Famicom’s Satellaview attachment. The corporate additionally dug three basic F-Zero titles out from its vaults and introduced them to Swap On-line’s Recreation Boy Advance library over the course of 2024. GBA launch title Most Velocity hit the service in March, whereas anime tie-in GP Legend and its sequel, F-Zero Climax, each adopted in October.
The final title particularly is among the most noteworthy additions to the service. Not solely was Climax the ultimate F-Zero sport launched for Recreation Boy Advance, arriving close to the tip of the hand-held’s life in 2004, it successfully marked the tip of the collection. Launched in fast succession after GP Legend (which itself launched just a few months after F-Zero GX on GameCube), Climax was the third F-Zero sport within the span of two years, which considerably diminished its affect. This was borne out within the poor reception it obtained, reportedly promoting a scant 5,000 copies in its first three days. Consequently, it will be the final brand-new F-Zero sport that Nintendo launched earlier than placing the collection into hibernation–and would stay as such for practically 20 years, till the aforementioned F-Zero 99 arrived.
Extra notably, Climax was initially by no means launched outdoors of Japan. Confronted with the collection’ dwindling gross sales, Nintendo elected to not convey the sport to different markets, making its arrival on the Swap On-line service the primary official likelihood many F-Zero followers world wide have needed to expertise this misplaced entry. However although it could not have garnered a lot consideration on its unique launch, F-Zero Climax arguably stands as the head of the collection’ 2D design, with refined racing mechanics, spectacular visuals, and even a course customization device (which is much more gratifying to tinker with now, because of the benefit with which customized tracks will be shared on-line). In a means, this long-overdue launch ended up working to the sport’s profit, as Climax arrives at a time when gamers are far more receptive to–and keen for–F-Zero content material.
It is tempting to suppose these re-releases merely served as a straightforward means for Nintendo to buoy the unique Swap because it has shifted its assets and a spotlight to the upcoming Swap 2, however the F-Zero collection will even play a pivotal function within the new console’s launch. From the second the system hits the market, Swap On-line + Growth Pack subscribers can have entry to a library of basic GameCube video games on it–and tellingly, one of many first three titles playable on the service proper on the outset will probably be F-Zero GX.
That is notable for quite a few causes, not least as a result of it should mark the primary time the sport will probably be formally accessible in additional than 20 years. F-Zero GX is extensively considered the collection’ best installment, and it makes a compelling showpiece for Nintendo’s new system. Because of the elevated decision Swap 2 gives, the sport’s neon-tinged visuals stay sharp and vibrant even 20 years on, and the addition of on-line play enormously enriches its enchantment. Furthermore, GX’s arrival means your entire F-Zero franchise (except for obscurities just like the F-Zero X Growth Package) will probably be playable on Swap 2 proper from day one, giving longtime followers and newcomers entry to the entire collection on a single platform.
Apparently, that is not the solely means F-Zero helps usher the brand new platform to market. F-Zero 99 additionally makes an look within the Swap 2 business starring Paul Rudd. Though the advert primarily showcases Mario Kart World and Swap 2’s GameChat function, F-Zero 99 is prominently seen on the system’s dwelling menu close to the start of the spot, which is probably going probably the most mainstream publicity the sport has ever obtained. In fact, it is simple to deduce why 99 was included. The brand new advert intentionally harkens again to the 1991 SNES commercial Rudd appeared in, which spotlighted the unique F-Zero amongst a number of different SNES titles. 99’s look brings the commercials full circle, but it surely’s nonetheless a great signal to see it promoted (nevertheless briefly) as a part of such a pivotal advertising and marketing marketing campaign.
Between these re-releases and updates, F-Zero is in a extra distinguished place than it has been in a few years, which bodes effectively for the collection’ future. Nintendo has been steadily laying the groundwork for a possible revival, utilizing the free F-Zero 99 and an everyday drip of legacy titles to gauge fan curiosity and introduce the franchise to a brand new era of gamers. For all of the criticism the corporate deserves over its conservative tendencies, Nintendo is commonly prepared to offer a few of its lesser-known properties one other likelihood, as evidenced by the current revival of Famicom Detective Membership. If a collection that obscure can obtain a brand new entry, there’s hope but for a brand new F-Zero.