F-Zero
A fast and futuristic franchise of arcade racing games that is known for pushing consoles to their limits.
What the hell happened to F-Zero?
Why hasn't there been an F-Zero game on a current Nintendo platform? The last console F-Zero game was released in America on August 25, 2003, and the last handheld F-Zero to come out in America was released on September 20, 2004. F-Zero Climax, the last F-Zero game ever released, was released exclusively in Japan on October 21, 2004. This means there hasn't been a handheld F-Zero game in seven years, and there hasn't been a main F-Zero game in eight.
Why was there never an F-Zero on the Wii or DS? Both systems were the first Nintendo systems to offer online, (not counting the GameCube which supported a whopping four games, only three of which were released in America) which would be a great addition to F-Zero! Imagine 30 players all competing in the same race, knocking each-other off the course as they all race for the finish! Imagine creating your own tracks and being able to share them and race on them with friends! I remember Miyamoto giving F-Zero as an example of a game that would utilize the Wii's Classic Controller, and I find it ridiculous that their one example of a game that would work better with the Classic Controller never happened.
With the 3DS out and the Wii U on the horizon, I'm worried that Nintendo is going to continue ignoring their fantastic racing series. Nintendo and their games have continually referenced the franchise during this generation, and I really hope Nintendo will one day remember F-Zero and release a new game that kicks as much ass as GX did. Nintendo could follow the trend of remaking N64 games by remaking F-Zero X for the 3DS and including the Expansion Kit content that was previously only released in Japan, (which let players create their own tracks and added two new cups) as well as adding online and track sharing capabilities, and an HD F-Zero with online for the Wii U would honestly get me to buy the console on day one. Come on Nintendo, don't let me down.
Why hasn't there been an F-Zero game on a current Nintendo platform? The last console F-Zero game was released in America on August 25, 2003, and the last handheld F-Zero to come out in America was released on September 20, 2004. F-Zero Climax, the last F-Zero game ever released, was released exclusively in Japan on October 21, 2004. This means there hasn't been a handheld F-Zero game in seven years, and there hasn't been a main F-Zero game in eight.
Why was there never an F-Zero on the Wii or DS? Both systems were the first Nintendo systems to offer online, (not counting the GameCube which supported a whopping four games, only three of which were released in America) which would be a great addition to F-Zero! Imagine 30 players all competing in the same race, knocking each-other off the course as they all race for the finish! Imagine creating your own tracks and being able to share them and race on them with friends! I remember Miyamoto giving F-Zero as an example of a game that would utilize the Wii's Classic Controller, and I find it ridiculous that their one example of a game that would work better with the Classic Controller never happened.
With the 3DS out and the Wii U on the horizon, I'm worried that Nintendo is going to continue ignoring their fantastic racing series. Nintendo and their games have continually referenced the franchise during this generation, and I really hope Nintendo will one day remember F-Zero and release a new game that kicks as much ass as GX did. Nintendo could follow the trend of remaking N64 games by remaking F-Zero X for the 3DS and including the Expansion Kit content that was previously only released in Japan, (which let players create their own tracks and added two new cups) as well as adding online and track sharing capabilities, and an HD F-Zero with online for the Wii U would honestly get me to buy the console on day one. Come on Nintendo, don't let me down.
I've been wondering the exact same thing lately. We haven't even heard mention of the series. I'm not a big fan of the genre, but I loved GX, and have anticipated another entry in the series for some time. My memory is fuzzy, but wasn't GX a bit of a failure? I don't remember it selling well. If that's the case, perhaps that is an explanation.
Dude, F-Zero GX was so good. Really, it's one of the best racing games I've ever played. I loved it. I just wish the arcade version F-Zero AX was easier to find. I totally wanted to do capitalize on it's connectivity with the GC version.
Wipeout >F-ZeroBooooo. I actually really expected to like Wipeout because I love F-Zero, but I couldn't t into it (HD on PS3). The controls just feel really heavy and slow and the sense of speed doesn't feel like that of F-Zero. I guess I like how F-Zero is more twitchy and light, or something. I still would really like to enjoy Wipeout, but something isn't connecting for me.
With that said, I 100% agree. F-Zero GX is one of my favorite games of all time (even though I still can't beat a few story missions on very hard).
@HarlequinRiot said:
@Three0neFive said:Wipeout >F-ZeroBooooo. I actually really expected to like Wipeout because I love F-Zero, but I couldn't t into it (HD on PS3). The controls just feel really heavy and slow and the sense of speed doesn't feel like that of F-Zero. I guess I like how F-Zero is more twitchy and light, or something. I still would really like to enjoy Wipeout, but something isn't connecting for me. With that said, I 100% agree. F-Zero GX is one of my favorite games of all time (even though I still can't beat a few story missions on very hard).
Have you tried Zone mode on HD? I challenge you to get to Zone 80 and not want to inject that game into your veins.@Taku128 said:
@GS_Dan: Have you used a Classic Controller Pro before? It's basically a DualShock. They added DualShock style handles and changed the shoulder buttons to match the PS3 controller.
I haven't, no. But if I bought that there are literally no games I'd use it for over just using a GC controller. I also hate the fact you have to have the Wii Remote dangling from it :|
@Taku128 said:
@mwng: Miyamoto himself mentioned that before the Wii came out, and it was his primary example for why the Classic Controller exists. Even if Nintendo was worried some people would buy the game and not be able to play it because they didn't own a Classic Controller they could throw in a terrible motion control option to keep those people happy, or just let people steer with the nunchuck.
That makes a lot of sense, but it is possible to make a Wii game using the Wii Remote/Nunchuk and not have motion controls.
Anyway, I can fully expect F-Zero to make a comeback on the Wii U... or at least it should. F-Zero GX was such an amazing game.
Something is definitely wrong in the world of Nintendo. Look at what's going on: no F-Zero game in seven years, no original Star Fox game in five (the 3DS remake of the best Star Fox game ever is a step forward), Fire Emblem so trapped in Japan that a fan translation is in the works, and Nintendo of America selfishly hoarding Wii games when there's nothing going on for the system? What's going on?
Hell yeah F-Zero. GX was brutal though. It was frustrating enough that I always wanted to do better rather than break something. You could always count on it for great music and plenty of bizarre personality. It took a long time to get used to the SNES version and the GBA release wasn't that great.
@GS_Dan: As an avid fan of both Wipeout and F-Zero, I've got to agree with @HarlequinRiot: that F-Zero feels much more light, twitch, or arcadey. It's true that you can get to INSANE speeds in Wipeout but when it comes to taking stupidly sharp corners without ever letting up on the gas, F-Zero is where it's at.
I would be all over a new F-Zero game. F-Zero and Extreme-G (the first two anyway) were my futuristic, arcadey racers of choice. I tried to get into Wipeout, I really did, and it's not a bad series, but it just doesn't scratch the itch in the same way.
With Nintendo's promise to better support their hardcore gamer fans with the Wii U, maybe we'll finally see the return of F-Zero. Not that we haven't heard that promise before, but I'm feeling optimistic. Metroid skipped a generation when the N64 came out, and then we got the excellent Metroid Prime on the GCN, so there's a precedent for this sort of thing, at least.
@Dalai said:
@Taku128 said:
@mwng: Miyamoto himself mentioned that before the Wii came out, and it was his primary example for why the Classic Controller exists. Even if Nintendo was worried some people would buy the game and not be able to play it because they didn't own a Classic Controller they could throw in a terrible motion control option to keep those people happy, or just let people steer with the nunchuck.That makes a lot of sense, but it is possible to make a Wii game using the Wii Remote/Nunchuk and not have motion controls.
Anyway, I can fully expect F-Zero to make a comeback on the Wii U... or at least it should. F-Zero GX was such an amazing game.
F-Zero GX still looks amazing. My most hated memory of Nintendo in this generation is the lack of F-Zero and Mario Golf. How dare they deny me of my joy. But I'll buy, just buy, baby.
Mario Golf on the Wii
Altered for my viewing pleasure :P.My most hated memory of Nintendo in this generation is the lack of Fire Emblem late in the DS's life. How dare they deny me of my joy. But I'll buy, just buy, baby.
Fire Emblem on the DS...again
@Video_Game_King said:
@Claude said:Altered for my viewing pleasure :P.My most hated memory of Nintendo in this generation is the lack of Fire Emblem late in the DS's life. How dare they deny me of my joy. But I'll buy, just buy, baby.
Fire Emblem on the DS...again
Sweet, I even enjoyed that.
Oh man, GX was my favorite gamecube game and X is my favorite racing game ever. I've actually played X in 3d using some crazy drivers for my comp and it was kind of awesome. An F-Zero game on 3DS seems like a no-brainer.
And yeah, Wipeout is great, but it doesn't scratch the F-Zero itch. They're just different games. I could REALLY go for a new F-Zero right about now.
Oddly I was thinking about F-Zero GX very recently. Wow, has it really been since 2003 since it's Gamecube incarnation.
Now keep in mind I have no links to back up what I'm about to type, but I think Miyamoto himself might be a driving factor keeping F-Zero gone. I recall listening to the old IGN Nintendo podcast (the one hosted by Matt Casamassina and Mark Bozon). Casamassina would mention from time to time that Miyamoto hated F-Zero GX (Miyamoto thought the game played too fast and hard according to Casamassina). I thought GX was awesome, and think it was the best F-Zero ever created, but it was developed by Sega and published Nintendo. I don't know. Maybe Nintendo just doesn't want to devote it's own resources to anything other than Mario titles.
Dude, F-Zero GX was so good. Really, it's one of the best racing games I've ever played. I loved it. I just wish the arcade version F-Zero AX was easier to find. I totally wanted to do capitalize on it's connectivity with the GC version.Seconded. It's also one of the only reasons I ever whip out my Gamecube.
Well, that and Metroid Prime.
Meeeetroiiiid Priiiiime
*drools*
Good point. I agree and miss F-Zero too. I have actually been playing the SNES game and F-Zero X on the N64 lately.
All there is to it, crazy ass japs.Wow. Hi there, casual racism!
Anyway, don't worry about it dude. The exact same thing happened to Metroid during the N64 era, and it ended up coming back better than ever. I'm sure Nintendo will do something with F-Zero sooner or later and when they do it'll be much, much better than if they'd been cranking them out for the last eight years..
@TheGreatGuero said:The Gamecube really doesn't get enough credit, if you ask me. Sure, it had a lot of slow periods and a major lack of third party support, but man, it had some really GREAT games. Metroid Prime may be the best game of last gen. Any way you slice it, it's gotta be at least in the top 3.Dude, F-Zero GX was so good. Really, it's one of the best racing games I've ever played. I loved it. I just wish the arcade version F-Zero AX was easier to find. I totally wanted to do capitalize on it's connectivity with the GC version.Seconded. It's also one of the only reasons I ever whip out my Gamecube. Well, that and Metroid Prime. Meeeetroiiiid Priiiiime *drools*
I don't trust anyone who doesn't explicitly adore Mario Sunshine.
@Video_Game_King said:
Starfox Adventures is on the 3DS?Something is definitely wrong in the world of Nintendo. Look at what's going on: no F-Zero game in seven years, no original Star Fox game in five (the 3DS remake of the best Star Fox game ever is a step forward), Fire Emblem so trapped in Japan that a fan translation is in the works, and Nintendo of America selfishly hoarding Wii games when there's nothing going on for the system? What's going on?
I didn't realize that there were people who didn't know that Star Fox 64 trumps all other Star Fox games.
@GetEveryone: I didn't realize that there were people who didn't know that Star Fox 64 trumps all other Star Fox games.I jest, I jest... (appropriate in discourse with a king, no)
Gotta agree, though: I can only ever put it down to nostalgia when people claim Starfox is better than Lylat Wars (as a Brit, I refuse to call it Starfox 64). Such fond memories of shooting Andross in his furry mitts.
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