F-Zero 99 might not be the game you wanted - but it sure is a lot of fun
F-Zero adopts a battle royale format for surprising results
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F-Zero 99was one of many surprise announcements at the September 14 Nintendo Direct, but its reveal looks to have left many fans let down. Especially those waiting for a brand new title in the racing series that hasn’t had a new entry in close to two decades.
That’s becauseF-Zero 99is a strange beast. Utilizing the Mode-7, pseudo-3D aesthetics of the SNES original and opting for a battle royale format similar to otherNintendo Switch Onlineexclusives likeTetris 99andPac-Man 99,it’s a far cry from the Gamecube’s blisteringF-Zero GX,which many consider to be one of thebest racing gamesof all time.
However, I wouldn’t be so quick to write offF-Zero 99.On its own merits, it’s an exhilarating online multiplayer experience that still delivers those high-octane thrills and challenging circuit layouts the franchise is known for. Perhaps more so than ever, considering you’ll be sharing the track with 98 other real players. Is it theF-Zero GXfollow-upwe wanted? No, but I think it’s the next best thing, especially when it doesn’t cost you a penny more than your subscription fee.
Show ya moves
On its surface,F-Zero 99is that original SNES release, featuring all of its track layouts and the four different vehicles the franchise debuted with. Its remarkable speed and pin-sharp handling model remain intact, as well as various stage hazards like land mines, magnetic fields, and blustery winds that push your vehicle off-kilter as if you were playing a futuristic version ofDesert Bus.
There have been some modernizations, though, andF-Zero 99borrows some updated mechanics from the series’N64andGamecubeentries. Boosting is now tied to your vehicle’s health bar, instead of giving you a set amount of charges per race. The game also adds the spin attack which can be used to damage opponents and shield yourself from their attacks.
F-Zero 99’smost unique addition, though, is the Skyway. By picking up Super Spark pellets that litter the track after opponents receive damage, you’re able to charge a secondary bar that, when filled, will let you jump up to a higher elevation known as the Skyway. Up here, you’ll rocket ahead at lightning speeds and avoid track hazards and tricky turns below. Think of it likeMarioKart 8 Deluxe’sBullet Bill power-up; useful for shooting your way up the pack in a risk-free manner.
…the fact that it only takes one botched turn to see you tumbling back or crashing out entirely made me feel on-edge the whole time.
And after spending a good chunk of time now playingF-Zero 99,there’s no way I can go back to that 1990 original. Racing against 98 real players is immensely exciting and stress-inducing in all the right ways. Blasting ahead of the pack is exhilarating, but the fact that it only takes one botched turn to see you tumbling back or crashing out entirely made me feel on edge the whole time. Thankfully, races typically last between two to three minutes. So if things don’t go your way, you’re mere seconds away from queuing into your next attempt.
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But just likeTetris 99before it, taking home a win inF-Zero 99is far easier said than done. With 99 speedy, highly aggressive players on the board, it’s remarkably easy to lose your boost and health. Run out, and your vehicle will be destroyed and you’ll receive far less in terms of experience and rewards.
F-Zero 99really heightens the series’ unique feeling of risk-versus-reward, then. For every track, you’ll need to learn when the best time is to activate boost, and when to hold off to conserve health. The Skyway isn’t necessarily a get-out-of-jail-free card, either, as you’ll get more out of it if activated during particularly precarious parts of a circuit.
Throw in the fact that you’ll need to know when’s best to go on the offensive with your spin attack (which is set to recharge on a short cooldown) and you’ve got a level of depth here that hasn’t really been seen in the series up to this point.
Going the distance
As it’s only just launched, it’s hard to get a feel of the longevityF-Zero 99will enjoy. And I do have some very valid concerns here. WhileTetris 99still enjoys a high level of popularity, the less successfulPac-Man 99is due to shut down for good in October 2023.
I’m personally hoping thatF-Zero 99stays on the Nintendo Switch Online service for good, and not just because I’m enjoying it. As it’s the first official game the series has had in close to 20 years (the last being the Japan-exclusiveF-Zero Climaxin 2004), I’m keen to see it take up more permanent residence in theNintendo Switch’s online repertoire.
There’s every chance that Nintendo will be keeping a close eye onF-Zero 99’sperformance. If it’s able to maintain a healthy player base going forward, it could tell Nintendo that there’s genuine interest from fans to see the series return with an all-original entry. If not for the Switch, then perhaps theNintendo Switch 2, which is rumored tolaunch in late 2024.
In the meantime, if you have reservations aboutF-Zero 99,I’d highly recommend you at least give it a try. It’s not the franchise return you might have wanted to see, but it has plenty of fun ideas all its own that absolutely make it worth a download.
For more Nintendo Switch highlights, consider browsing our guide to thebest Nintendo Switch games. And if it’s your go-to console, ourbest Nintendo Switch accessoriesguide recommends top peripherals to enhance your experience even further.
Rhys is TRG’s Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.
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