System: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Title: F-Zero
Publisher: Nintendo
Circa: 1991
Overall Rating:





Intro
Racing games are something I don’t play very much. Sometimes it’s just a lack of interest and others it’s simply because it doesn’t really offer me anything good. This was one of the earlier racing games that I started playing and getting interested in (not to mention it made me want a SNES). Later I picked it up again and tried to play it. I found the time just slip by and everything just coming back as to how to play and do a few tricks. With a simple control scheme and a rocking soundtrack I couldn’t put the game down very easily and intend to resume my playing of it soon. Some research into the matter showed this to be a very pivotal game for its genre, influencing all racing games that would follow in its wake. It was also the first title in what became a very popular and long lasting series that has followed Nintendo through their various consoles and games. While not a forefront title like Mario or Zelda, still, this is a series that Nintendo can boast is theirs.

Story
It’s the year 2560. Humanity has reached the stars and met more than empty rocks out there. With the introduction of alien species, culture and technology, humanity flourished. While all prospered, those who grew rich sought something more in life. Based on the Formula 1 racing of olden earth a new form of racing began to emerge using hovercraft capable of speeds over 500k/ph. Some story.

Gameplay
If nothing else, this game was fast for its time. It worked to redefine the way that racing games worked, pressing for speed and creating a solid and flexible environment for you to drive through. The game itself still is incredibly easy to just pick-up and start playing. It only takes one set through on beginner to get hooked on the game and understand a lot of how to race in the futuristic world of F-zero. The game offered new technology graphically and delivered a game that was worthy of it in just a single go. Even after a several year hiatus from the game, I was able to pick it up again and after a few tracks in beginner to refresh my memory, I was back in my old groove and tearing through much more advanced tracks. Only a few deaths was a good mark for returning to a game after such a long break.
The game only offered a few cars for you to play race in. Each though offered something different in terms of acceleration and maximum speed. Usually, the faster the acceleration means a lower top speed in this game just as a slower start allows for a higher maximum speed. Using this bit of knowledge can be very helpful once you’re familiar with the various courses and are seriously trying to get through the game’s various cups at multiple difficulty levels.




Multiplayer
None.

Controls
D-pad: Navigating Menus. Left and Right are used to steer your vehicle while racing
Y: Air brake
B: Gas
A: Tubro
L & R: Drift (lean the car) in the corresponding direction

While the control scheme layout allows one to quickly pick up the game and start racing, there’s enough depth to the system and the game itself that reflex and coordination add something else to the game’s depth. It’s very easy to control, even with the high speeds that you travel at.

Graphics
This was one of the early games pressing into a pseudo 3d environment. Even to me now this game is still visually impressive amid the 16-bit era it was born in. The track moves dynamically with the camera, allowing you to easily make out your line.

Sound Effects & Music
This is another area the game honestly shines in. It offers very vibrant music that’s infectious and addictive. While only featuring eleven total tracks, the use of each of those tracks in maximized and nothing is wasted. Everything considers very well for what race tracks to use what background tracks. This is also something that remained fairly constant throughout the entire F-Zero series: the music. Many of the race tracks were revamped and reused in later F-Zero games and their music was brought up to date as well such as Mute City. Even with all the modern styles of video game music, this game’s music trumps a lot of what others have simply because of the quality.
The sound effects themselves were awesome as well. The timing and use of many of the quicker sounds was perfect and well done. The explosion and fire of crashing was very appropriate and something that seems realistic … for that time.

Obscurity
With multiple releases and a recent re-release through the Wii Shop channel this game is somewhat more known again, but not incredibly.

Summary/Author’s Take
This wonderful game was benchmark in the annals of gaming history. Still very playable today, it is important to play to understand the evolution of racing games throughout the generations. While not just any racer, this game set something new for everything else to follow. It’s a game that anyone with an interest in the evolution of video games should look into and play for a while (an hour or three). With a simple control scheme it’s an ideal game to introduce people to the genre of racing. The SNES offers up this piece of history to everyone who is willing to try it.

Story		It seems an afterthought.
Gameplay		Smooth and quick.
Multiplayer	N/A	N/A
Controls		A defining beginner racer game, excellent for introductions.
Graphics		The fledging 3d.
SFX and Music		Masterful.
Obscurity		SNES gen or needing to be curious of older games.
Overall		Drivers, start your engines!