BS F-Zero Grand Prix

Overview

BS F-Zero Grand Prix was a futuristic behind-the-back sci-fi racing game developed and released digitally by Nintendo for the Super Famicom via Satellaview exclusively in Japan from December 29, 1996 to January 24, 1997.

A spin-off of the 1990 game F-Zero, BS F-Zero Grand Prix featured limited hour-long live broadcasts of an updated playable version of the original game, with a new assortment of machines and an updated assortment of tracks (four of which are new additions). Each radio broadcast, aired simultaneously with the gameplay, featured a high-quality arranged soundtrack and live commentary.

The game later received a second series of broadcasts on August 1997, known as BS F-Zero Grand Prix 2, that featured two additional Leagues (with six new tracks). Unlike the original broadcasts, the radio show was less structured and used real licensed music (such as Van Halen). Prior to these broadcasts, the game received a special downloadable release (sometimes known as BS F-ZERO 2 Practice) on June 1, 1997 that allowed players to play a traditional version of the game (with one League, consisting of four tracks added in the original broadcasts plus a new Mute City track).

As with most Satellaview games, official records on the game are scarce, with most information being found as recorded footage. The gameplay portion of some broadcasts, as well as the BS F-ZERO 2 Practice downloaded release, were dumped and preserved.

Gameplay

The standard broadcast version of the game is unique in that the entire game is played in one hour, coinciding with the radio broadcast. The structure for the four original Leagues are as follows:

• Introduction: A one minute sequence introducing the commentators, as well as including details on one of the four playable machines (Blue Thunder in the Knight League broadcast, Luna Bomber in the Queen League broadcast, Green Amazone in the King League broadcast, and Fire Scorpion for the Ace League broadcast).

• Demonstration and Free Practice: For the first four tracks in the League, the game includes a one-minute non-playable demonstration showcasing a single lap (which is paused at certain points for commentary), followed by a three-minute playable practice mode session on that course. The game used two ghost machines: one from the demonstration and one for the player's best lap during the session. Players can change their machine before and during each session.

• Grand Prix: Players choose their final machine and participate in six-minute races throughout all five tracks in the League. Players race to achieve their fastest lap time with no lap limit, and both Rank Outs and Crash Outs cause the game to restart the race (with the timer still counting down). The fifth and final track includes a quick demonstration before the race.

• Finale: A roughly two-minute sequence that first showcases the player's fastest five lap times for each track, then a combination lap time as the player's final score, with each commentator signing off. The game then runs through credits.

As the game runs on a live timer, crashing out or ranking out causes the game to restart the race with the timer intact.

In the game's later Grand Prix 2 broadcasts, the structure is changed so that players go through each of the five tracks sequentially (with a one-minute Demonstration, a 2 minute, 30 second Free Practice, and a 5 minute Grand Prix race).

The downloadable "Practice" version plays more like the traditional F-Zero, with Grand Prix and Practice modes utilizing one five-track League (all of which are tracks not available in the original F-Zero).

Machines

The four playable machines from the original F-Zero have been replaced with new ones, despite each slot sharing the same machine color (blue, yellow, green, and pink).

• Blue Thunder - Well-balanced, with good top-speed and handling and somewhat poor acceleration.

• Luna Bomber - Has the highest top-speed of the four and somewhat fast acceleration, despite its very tight handling.

• Green Amazone - Has excellent acceleration, despite its very low top-speed and very loose handling.

• Fire Scorpion - Has excellent handling, despite its very slow acceleration and somewhat low top-speed.

Circuits

All 15 circuits from the original F-Zero are included, this time split into four Leagues (with a new Ace League). New additions include:

• Sand Storm (I & II) - Based on Sand Ocean, Sand Storm includes a series of tricky multi-curves and a unique obstacle section: the first one combining barriers with mines and the second one combining magnets with rough patches. The second track includes the wind effect from Death Wind.

• Silence (II) - This iteration builds on the original with more curves, mandatory mine areas, and a unique section where all of the barriers are jump pads.

• Big Blue (II) - Along with more curves and slippery areas, this iteration features a special "leap of faith" shortcut jump.

• Mute City (IV) - Building on the traditional track layout, this dawn iteration features long series of full-track speed boosts, along with a daring shortcut jump.

• Forest (I, II, & III) - Set over a lush forest, Forest features wide tracks with long strings of curves (with the second and third tracks complicating it with slick zones) and a unique "barrier block" at the end for risky shortcuts. The first two tracks have no Power recovery at all, while the third track includes long straightaways and a dangerous section combining of slick zones and mines.

• Metal Fort (I & II) - Set in a desolate gray landscape (resembling a war zone), Metal Fort features dangerous sections of thin track, usually as part of a jump. The first track includes thinner Power recovery strips, while the second track features a barrage of jumps and boosts.

Grand Prix (Broadcast)

Knight League

Broadcasted from December 29, 1996 to January 3, 1997.

• Mute City I (from the original's Knight League)
• Big Blue (from the original's Knight League)
• Death Wind I (from the original's Knight League)
• Silence (from the original's Knight League)
• Sand Storm (new addition)

Queen League

Broadcasted from January 5, 1997 to January 10, 1997.

• Mute City II (from the original's Queen League)
• Port Town I (from the original's Queen League)
• Sand Ocean (from the original's Knight League)
• White Land I (from the original's Queen League)
• Sand Storm II (new addition)

King League

Broadcasted from January 12, 1997 to January 17, 1997.

• Mute City III (from the original's King League)
• Death Wind II (from the original's King League)
• Red Canyon I (from the original's Queen League)
• Port Town II (from the original's King League)
• Silence II (new addition)

Ace League

Broadcasted from January 19, 1997 to January 24, 1997.

• Mute City I
• White Land II (from the original's Queen League)
• Red Canyon II (from the original's King League)
• Fire Field (from the original's King League)
• Big Blue II (new addition)

Grand Prix 2 (Practice)

First released on June 1, 1997, this is a special release that does not utilize the radio broadcast. It functions similar to the original F-Zero, only with one League (also known as Ace League).

• Mute City IV (new addition)
• Big Blue II
• Sand Storm I
• Silence II
• Sand Storm II

Grand Prix 2 (Broadcast)

Week 1

Broadcasted from August 10, 1997 to August 16, 1997.

• Forest I (new addition)
• Big Blue II
• Sand Storm I
• Forest II (new addition)
• Silence II

Week 2

Broadcasted on August 17, 1997 to August 23, 1997.

• Mute City IV
• Forest III (new addition)
• Sand Storm II
• Metal Fort I (new addition)
• Metal Fort II (new addition)