F-Zero

[XoPachi]

This forum disgusts me.
YOU PEOPLE have a gross lack of boost power around here. So I've decided to take the responsibility.

Now, let's talk about F-Zero. \:3/

Who plays?
(Better be everyone)

[replayme]

The one game series that needs to be resurrected. Along with Metroid.

F-zero was always a better game in comparison to Wipeout. The N64 version remains my personal favourite in the franchise.

[KAI]

http://www.rolling-start.com/forum

I wish I could Emulate GX properly

[Krooze L-Roy]

I enjoyed the sequels a lot too, but the original is one of my favorite games of all time. Every couple years I'll pop it in for a quick nostalgia fix, and end up getting hooked on it all over again. It holds up really, really well.

Related, anybody remember these things?:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUKIgT3jRjU

Cushion of air, baby!

[Obiwanshinobi]

Who plays?

Hardly anybody plays the Story Mode of GX and this forum is not an exception.
I find Maximum Velocity to be a very sound GBA game (shame about the music, but the graphics arguably make up for it).

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Cushion of air, baby!

Why was David Hasselhoff doing F-Zero advertising?o_o

[Ruldra]

http://www.rolling-start.com/forum/view ... ?f=24&t=12

Someone beat my times already. I want some competition.

[null1024]

Ah, I effing love F-Zero. I am eternally disappointed in the lack of a fourth, even though GX is mindblowing.

although, I've honestly spent more time with X than any other, even though as a kid I pretended to be Captain Falcon in my bed and I'd read the comic that came with the SNES game regularly

[Krooze L-Roy]

Why was David Hasselhoff doing F-Zero advertising?o_o

When you're trying to sell a concept like Hot Wheels cars without wheels, you have to pull out the big guns.

[hecheff]

So the franchise hasn't been getting much popularity because F-Zero Climax (GBA) didn't sell well or something?
Also Mario Kart cribbing on floating cars now, but really...

[Neathyr]

Apparently, CGN's performance at AGDQ2014 caused quite a bit of an impact amongst the gaming community.

Anyway, GX is easily the best racing game ever created. Amusement Vision set the bar so ridiculously high it became impossible for me to enjoy other titles in the genre (including the original). That said, it's the only thing I've been playing for the past couple months, aside from the occasional RE4 goodness between sections so I don't feel burned out or something.

Seriously considering getting into the competition scene (mastering VH Story Mode and some crazy Master GP runs are the main focus, don't really care about Time Attacks that much. Staff Ghosts, however...).
I was surprised to see that I managed to beat chapter 7 on Very Hard for a few times during this time period. I hear some people have been practicing for a really long time and can't beat it on Hard...
Some of the advanced techniques are not difficult at all to pull off on a consistent basis. Some of them, like Momentum Throttling (/Turbo), becomes second nature the more you play. They are all too fun to mess around with.

Now... in all honesty, I don't mind if F-Zero's future is indeed uncertain. GX simply cannot be improved: it's essentially perfect as it is. Of course, a Wii U re-release with a track editor, online multiplayer, a proper offline multiplayer (mainly Grand Prix up to 4 players) and updated graphics would be a godsend, but I don't trust modern Nintendo simply because they suck ass.
I'm sure with their current "everyone has the same chance of winning" police, they would tone down the difficulty of the game, include an unskippable tutorial made for people with ADD, put it on eShop (with that terrible system with no account) and call it a day.

I wish I could Emulate GX properly

Get a GameCube and GX. It's one of the best purchases you'll ever make.

Who plays?

Hardly anybody plays the Story Mode of GX and this forum is not an exception.

It's a shame. Story Mode shows what the game truly is about. Each and every chapter is like an invisible tutorial.
Chapter 1 relies heavily on track memorization (albeit to a lesser extent), Chapter 2 is a playground for you to practice shift boots (along with a rare occasion of some rubberbandy by Goroh), Chapter 3 teaches you how to use the Jump Plates, Chapter 4 shows the combat mechanics of the game, Chapter 5 requires you to perform MT optimally and get the hang of Blue Falcon's grip, and so forth.

[Ed Oscuro]

I have tried to get into the N64 and GC versions, but I'm not seeing the appeal yet. F-Zero X seems to have insanely stripped-down visuals and the hordes of racers and weird handling doesn't appeal to me more than realistic tracks and handling styles that I can relate to better. I haven't played much of the GC title yet. The huge reliance on positioning yourself for boost pads seems a pretty poor substitute for setting up corner approaches correctly in a game like the Gran Turismo series (which wasn't really a thing at the time of the original game, but years later we have that now so it's a bit hard to get back to).

I also have a new copy of Wipeout XL to try out sometime - hoping for good things.

At the other end of the spectrum, Mario Kart DD seems set up to let sleepwalkers win at least a few races by accident.

I always enjoyed the original Xtreme-G games because they also gave you something else to do.

[Neathyr]

I have tried to get into the N64 and GC versions, but I'm not seeing the appeal yet. F-Zero X seems to have insanely stripped-down visuals and the hordes of racers and weird handling doesn't appeal to me more than realistic tracks and handling styles that I can relate to better.

The series offers an unparalleled sense of speed*, plus it's crazy to see a racing game with that amount of techniques to perform during a race. GX has a huge amount of content inside that tiny disc as well (41 racers, 26 tracks and the ability to create your own machine, out of 15000 combinations!). There are things people are still discovering even 10 years after its release, and I didn't mention how varied is the level design of the tracks (pipes, halfpipes, loops, tubes...). The framerate almost never drops with that much stuff going on, and never had there been a non-shmup game to give me this sense of rush. So... yeah.

As for X, Nintendo EAD had to sacrifice a lot of stuff for it to run at a smooth 60 fps on the N64 with 30 cars on screen, hence why it has some basic textures and whatnot. Which is quite impressive, specially when most of the console's standouts run at 20~25 fps.

*I recently discovered this game called Ballistics, and some people claim it to be faster than GX. Hope to try it out soon.

The huge reliance on positioning yourself for boost pads seems a pretty poor substitute for setting up corner approaches correctly in a game like the Gran Turismo series (which wasn't really a thing at the time of the original game, but years later we have that now so it's a bit hard to get back to).

...What? You can approach most corners by using your built-in boost power if you're trying to set up some crazy tricks in order to maintain speed and/or go faster. It's true that there's a hidden trick with the dash plates (basically, if you hit them on the very edge you get ~10% more boost), but it's not really necessary, unless you're going for Time Attacks.
Plus, on boost laps, you can even skip some dash plates if you feel like it (depending on how the track is designed). In some cases, you actually have to approach corners by using Quick Turns, which do not involve boosts at all.

In fact, if a corner is long/wide enough, it's advisable to do a technique called "MTS" (Momentum Turbo Slide), which is basically a super drift. Really useful to get more speed out of your vehicle when you're above your MT point. To me, it is by far the most fun technique to master: Black Bull can reach 1900 km/h BELOW his MT point with this tech alone.

Both F-Zero games previously mentioned are completely skill-based and Gran Turismo is way too fucking slow, so I don't understand the comparison...

I always enjoyed the original Xtreme-G games because they also gave you something else to do.

Which is something that GX does in spades...
The gameplay is so diverse and intense that you can play it in 3 different ways: Space Flying (exactly what it says on the tin), Snaking (allows you to hit 2000 km/h consistently, but it can fuck up your hands) and Max Speed.
And of course, some machines are different enough to warrant multiple playthroughs and force you to develop new strategies.

[jasoncslaughter]

I almost bought a sealed copy of the SNES F-Zero the other day at a local game store (that I would have opened, of course). I might have to go back and pick it up.

[Ed Oscuro]

Neathyr, I don't say that Gran Turismo (or, for that matter, a technical rally racing game) and Extreme G are the same kind of game. XG does things that appeal to me; so does the GT series. These are different things. With F-Zero I haven't seen those things yet.

I find it hard to care about the super abstract courses in the FZ games I've played so far. Maybe it is just as technical as anything that the GT series does, but it doesn't grab me. Three variations on the same theme don't grab me either. But it's early days still and my opinion may yet change - sometimes it does!

[Neathyr]

Neathyr, I don't say that Gran Turismo (or, for that matter, a technical rally racing game) and Extreme G are the same kind of game. XG does things that appeal to me; so does the GT series. These are different things. With F-Zero I haven't seen those things yet.

Ah, fair enough, I guess... Though I'm bit curious to ask what those things could be.

I find it hard to care about the super abstract courses in the FZ games I've played so far. Maybe it is just as technical as anything that the GT series does, but it doesn't grab me. Three variations on the same theme don't grab me either. But it's early days still and my opinion may yet change - sometimes it does!

Give it another chance! If you are a racing game enthusiast, I'm fairly sure you won't regret.
I'd suggest you to play the SNES and N64 installments first and the GBA titles second to see if there's something of your liking. GX would be my last suggestion, because after that, it's hard to look back.

[Ed Oscuro]

It's always difficult to ask, and I realize that by mentioning it I open myself to questioning. Unfortunately, it's hard to know exactly what to say. Clearly if I felt the game was right for me, I wouldn't say anything, so there has to be something. Yeah, I haven't sworn off the games entirely, but I have a lot of other things to look at as well.

[XoPachi]

My runs need some SERIOUS cleaning up, but I'm not bad at GX.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeYTgh9tKWM

It's my favorite Gamcube/racing game ever and I'm pissed that Miyamoto has said he isn't making another.

And I agree with Nea. Nintendo sucks today. Mario games are stale, half their big IP's are dead, Skyward Sword was atrocious, and everything is easier than breathing.
If F-Zero returns, I want Sega (again) or someone else just as competent to make it. NOT them.
I want F-Zero to maintain the Dark Souls level difficulty and for the content to burst at its seams like GX. If I've learned anything from modern Nintendo, it's that they now take great pleasure (console wise) in stripping their games to the bare minimum, in content, challenge, and substance. They can fuck riiiiight off and hand F-Zero to a more suitable developer.

I do disagree however that GX is flawless. It's still the best racer I've ever played, but the tracks weren't as varied and dynamic as X. Too many ring and cylinder levels. Not to mention a problem X had that carried over to GX. The tracks had no signatures. Sure Serial Gaps had frequent jumps and Ordeal was flat out brilliant, but you could take those tracks and put them in Fire Field or Phantom Road and it would be the exact same thing. It's literally the ONLY thing trash like Mario Kart has over F-Zero. The tracks in that game fit the scenery. The closest F-Zero ever had was Death Wind, though that could easily be annoying for the same reason people got annoyed with Hydorah's inertia, but you get the idea.
Mute City LOOKS like a city, but I don't feel like I'm racing in one. Just above one. What gets me is the aforementioned chapter 7 (most of the story missions actually) HAS the dynamic with fire on the track. Why was that not in Fire Field as an exclusive hazard? That would be enough for that place! It was in none of the grand prix tracks.

Still a fantastic game showing Sega can do no wrong with arcade games, but that one thing was always lacking for me. I would like to see that done without becoming a certain shitty milked kart racer.

[replayme]

I remember buying F Zero GX (GC) pretty much around the time of its release. I expected great things from it, given that F Zero X (N64) is one of my favourite N64 games of all time. I'm sorry, but I found the game to be too ridiculously hard - in so far as the high difficulty sucked all the fun out of the game.

I bought it again at a local Cash Converters about a year ago - just the disk mind, as it was £1 - but I still need to muster up the enthusiasm to play it.

The game was certainly a looker though. Definitely one of the more visually impressive racing games in recent memory (not least because of its futuristic art direction).

[XoPachi]

...
You're on a shooter forum and F-Zero was too hard for you? o-O
That's just strange. lol

[replayme]

...
You're on a shooter forum and F-Zero was too hard for you? o-O
That's just strange. lol

Ah, but the N64 version was hard too, yet it eased you in. Whereas with the GC version it was certainly a case of sink or swim time.

I definitely did feel as if I had been thrown to the wolves with the GC release.

[XoPachi]

...
You're on a shooter forum and F-Zero was too hard for you? o-O
That's just strange. lol

Ah, but the N64 version was hard too, yet it eased you in. Whereas with the GC version it was certainly a case of sink or swim time.

I definitely did feel as if I had been thrown to the wolves with the GC release.

Let me pardon myself, I'm not calling you a hypocrite or trying to invalidate your opinion. It's just the irony of anyone on a site dedicated to titles like DoDonPachi and Mars Matrix would find any game too difficult. xD

But I think that's a good thing to have a game unrelentingly hard, but have a natural difficulty. I don't want anything less.

[replayme]

...
You're on a shooter forum and F-Zero was too hard for you? o-O
That's just strange. lol

Ah, but the N64 version was hard too, yet it eased you in. Whereas with the GC version it was certainly a case of sink or swim time.

I definitely did feel as if I had been thrown to the wolves with the GC release.

Let me pardon myself, I'm not calling you a hypocrite or trying to invalidate your opinion. It's just the irony of anyone on a site dedicated to titles like DoDonPachi and Mars Matrix would find any game too difficult. xD

But I think that's a good thing to have a game unrelentingly hard, but have a natural difficulty. I don't want anything less.

Yeah... F Zero GX was definitely a harsh mistress.

[XoPachi]

I didn't have many issues with it to be honest. Only took me a few tries to VH the story mode. Though the only one worth it is mission 4 so you can get God tier Fat Shark.

[replayme]

I didn't have many issues with it to be honest. Only took me a few tries to VH the story mode. Though the only one worth it is mission 4 so you can get God tier Fat Shark.

I think it might just be that I was older at the time - and no longer possessed ninja cat like reflexes.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Refreshing to read something substantial in defense of GX (usually the more people praise it, the less they've played the thing). Even though I would disagree nothing else felt as fast before (Burnout 2) or since (Jak X), GX is all around more demanding than both.

Those who haven't got manual need to take the following into consideration:

.

Everybody needs to play Story. If you can't be bothered, don't expect to learn more any other way.

I made most progress using the default buttons layout, but lately have been experimenting with:

.

Way to minimise the usage of 'Cube controller's triggers, but I can't say I perform any better (yet).

[Neathyr]

Max Acceleration settings are pretty useless unless you plan on snaking or space flying. There really is no reason not to play with Max Speed, else you will be going at a lower speed in the long run if you do choose the former.
That said, the manual doesn't teach you how to do the aforementioned Quick Turn (involves pressing a bunch of shoulder buttons: press L and release it right before pressing -> + R if you turn right; do the opposite if you turn left), which is far more useful than the ones listed on the manual, since you lose less speed and it makes you turn faster as a result.
That's also the best way to survive through those tricky corners on Chapter 6 (probably the 2nd easiest chapter in Story).

My runs need some SERIOUS cleaning up, but I'm not bad at GX.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeYTgh9tKWM

Ok, so... a few things to consider:

- You're not MTing when you dive down. As soon as your car does that, press forward on the left analog + the accelaration button to gain more speed, then as you're about to touch the ground, release both buttons and press back on the left analog to fall flat and maintain more speed. Press A again when you reach your MT point (< 1200~1250 km/h) to effectively Momentum Throttle;
- Don't make turns on a straight road. It lowers your speed every time you touch the trigger buttons. On boost laps, MT-boost whenever possible;
- Plan your boosts accordingly. You could have used a couple more boosts before reaching the 1st health pad on lap 2, for example;
- You forgot to use the shortcut at the beginning on boost laps;
- Don't ever hit the guardrails if you're doing Time Attacks;

I'd suggest you to watch this video to learn a few tricks so you can improve your strats.
And finally, the signature thing is a non-issue to me, though I agree with the pure pipe tracks (which is why I dislike PTLP). Pipe segments is alright, but when they make an entire level with this feature in mind, it can be a little boring...

[Ghegs]

I've had F-Zero GX for quite a while, but haven't really sunk time into it. There's so many different techniques and different things that it's almost overwhelming. I do know that I don't want to have anything to do with Snaking, though.

Would love to get into the game, though. Maybe we can get some time attack going in R-S?

[XoPachi]

F-Zero GX is the most technical racer I've ever played. It's like Melee level technical just about.

[replayme]

And I agree with Nea. Nintendo sucks today. Mario games are stale, half their big IP's are dead, Skyward Sword was atrocious, and everything is easier than breathing.
If F-Zero returns, I want Sega (again) or someone else just as competent to make it. NOT them.
I want F-Zero to maintain the Dark Souls level difficulty and for the content to burst at its seams like GX. If I've learned anything from modern Nintendo, it's that they now take great pleasure (console wise) in stripping their games to the bare minimum, in content, challenge, and substance. They can fuck riiiiight off and hand F-Zero to a more suitable developer.

...

Still a fantastic game showing Sega can do no wrong with arcade games, but that one thing was always lacking for me. I would like to see that done without becoming a certain shitty milked kart racer.

With all due respect, and with absolutely zero offence intended: are you mad? That's fighting talk.

I have to live with my fair share of detractors who have the knives out for me, and even I've never been as forthright or as direct as you (although I've come close).

Some people don't like it when you insult Nintendo. Or Mario for that matter.

Regarding F Zero... I always viewed the Snes version as a glorified tech demo. X was when Nintendo really nailed it. But GX was too hard much too soon for me. And this is coming from someone who completed (and aced) ALL of X - including that last "road".

Regarding your opinion on the forthcoming Mario Kart for Wii U - it could be the best of both worlds. I never liked the N64 or GC versions of MK, but the Wii version was a return to form. And the 3DS version is pretty good too (although the driving mechanics are certainly more "player friendly" and forgivable).