My Played Video Games Review: F-Zero for the Super Nintendo

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F-Zero is a futuristic racing video game developed and published by Nintendo of Japan for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)/Super Famicom. The game was released in Japan first in 1990. The USA got it in 1991 and Europe in 1992.

This was the first "fastest racing game" I have ever played during my entire gaming life. The Mode 7 graphics used in it were really something during those early 1990s days.

Super Famicom box cover art for Japan. (Image source)

The Story

F-ZERO, a futuristic intergalactic Grand Prix, uses machines that weigh heavily, dash at subsonic speeds, and hover just 12 inches off the ground! Choose from cool Captain Falcon or smart Dr. Stuart. Need more choices? Then try the weird alien, Pico, or the crafty Samurai Goroh, and race for fame and fortune in the F-ZERO Grand Prix.

Box, cartridge and manual of the game. (Image source)

The Graphics and Sound

For an early 1990s game, it looks quite good. This was one of the first games to implement the SNES' much boasted about Mode-7 graphics. It is basically a kind of false 3D graphics. The 2D sprites and the background are colorful and detailed. The only drawback is that some of the background stages are merely a color swap of the other stages. It is really not a big deal since the game came out during the 16-bit era. Even today, the graphics are very eye-catching for a first-generation SNES game.

The music is well incorporated into the atmosphere of the stages. There are even some stages that set the tone for an adrenaline rush. This is also the first game to set a foundation for memorable music for the rest of the F-Zero games. The sound effects, on the other hand, are poor. For example, when you come in contact with an explosive car, it makes a muffled explosive sound. In contrast, when you actually go off-course, it makes a weird sound. I find the sound effects are very inconsistent at times. Other than that the sounds of the game are very solid for its time.

Gameplay video sample of F-Zero on the Super Nintendo. Watch in 360p for near TV resolution of that time.

The Gameplay

The racing will twist and turn along the increasingly curvy tracks, sometimes needing to avoid obstacles and trying to stay on track. Going off track or running into something will "decrease" your shield, and once your shield is gone you will explode! Thankfully, there is a "pit stop" section that you can drive through to recharge it which you will most certainly need if your shield is low. Each race has 5 laps around the track and you have to continually place within a certain position to stay in the race. There are also special speed boosts once you finish your first lap. Other than working on taking the turns, the best way possible is by using the shoulder buttons to "lean" into the turns. And avoiding track obstacles on the harder levels.

Once you master the tracks, all you really have left is to increase the difficulty of the game.

The replay value is good. The lack of multi-player is bad for the game. You can try out the different cars as well as try out different difficulties.

My Verdict

A good, classic game, but certainly not as good as the other racing games that came out later. It is fun to play for a while, but the lack of options really hurts F-Zero. It certainly is a must-have for vintage gamers and racing game fans.

Play it on the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on any preferred emulator.

Let's keep on gaming in the free world!