A scintillating successor to a Super Nintendo classic, F-Zero X is one of the fastest racers you'll ever clap eyes on. If you were one of the people who got queasy from playing the original F-Zero, wait until you play F-Zero X! Part of the reason F-Zero X plays so well is the game's consistently fast frame rate. Even with 30 hover cars jostling for the pole on-screen, there's never a hint of slow-down. Four-player split screen is perhaps the most addictive multiplayer race ever, again with no sign of syrupy frame rates.

Suspended high above an abstract representation of a planet's surface, the tracks twist, turn and roll into infinity. Like in the original F-Zero, the edges of the tracks are rigged to damage your vehicle if you run into them, encouraging you to run as clean a race as possible. Speed boosts are situated at strategic locations around the track, but you're also able to turbo by pressing the B Button once you've completed a lap - at the cost of some of your shield energy. The R and Z Buttons help to corner your car more sharply, allowing you to drift through turns. This play control feels natural and gives you very precise control over your car, which is essential when one wrong move could send you careering off the edge of the track into oblivion.

Players can choose from 30 different hovercar racers, including updated representations of Captain Falcon's Blue Falcon and other vehicles from the original F-Zero. Each car features significantly different handling characteristics – some feel lightweight and agile, others are heavy and ponderous – but it's possible to win with any of them. Don't make the mistake of thinking that a faster car is always best – the heavier cars are armoured and better able to withstand the damage-inducing side rails of the courses. On some of the more treacherous and twisting courses, it's possible to win simply by being the last hover car floating!

F-Zero X allows you to adjust the camera view during the race, allowing you to swivel the camera around to see behind your car or raise it up for an aerial view of the race. It's also possible to zoom in on your steed, where you'll notice that it's composed of simple and starkly beautiful flat-shaded shapes. The backgrounds are similarly free of needless detail – not that you'll even notice the scenery when it's flying by at 1,000 MPH. Besides the new vehicles, tracks and characters, F-Zero X also provides a strong incentive to replay the game. To earn the right to drive all 30 vehicles and visit all of the tracks, you need to prove yourself by performing well in each of the various circuit modes. Who needs weapons or bizarre power-ups? What you have here is simply one of the fastest racing games ever.

Original N64europe Review

I have been playing F-Zero X since the day it came out, and seeing the limited amount of reviews of the game I decided to give this a shot. Having played for such a long time I am so bold to say that it is better than the original. Though there are still many areas that need of improvement but most are merely cosmetic. Let me just get a few things out of the way, there are 30 cars and 30 tracks, and yes as you have all heard it runs as promised by Nintendo a constant 60-fps.

Graphics: Many gamers have been turned off by the lack of detail in the tracks and background. True that there is not much graphical flare, but what is there is done well. The tracks are basic, with little roadside appeal, but when there buildings it greatly adds to the feel as you drive past it (or around it, or down it) giving it a great sense of movement and speed. The speed is remarkable, but more so the smoothness, right from the start when the camera zooms in on your machine, you will be amazed at the fluidity at which the game moves at. But the sense of speed does have it's downfall, since it constantly travels at that rate it is very diffcult feel the difference between 700kmph and 900kmph. It only becomes apparent when you consecutivly hit the boosts and zoom by 10 or so other cars (which is a good feeling). In the horizon there are sometime buildings etc. and it's pretty cool when it zooms and out as your speed changes. The reflective surface of the cars are done well, reflecting the colors and lights of the jets and the inside of the tunnels. The other effects like the jets and the collision sparks are good.

Controls: I'm going to keep this part short because there isn't much to say about it. The analog works brilliantly as when there is a crowded track it is great and easy to swerve though loads of cars yet still give a challenge. When turning the controls (I should say car) is very sensitive (a good thing) as the speed is obviously a factor and if you hit anything you are effectivly penalized. There is much to master as the difficultly can get extremely challanging (I have yet to finish the expert mode for any of the cups) requiring much precision.

Sound: Music is good, and can really get your adrenaline going. Many remixs of the originals really bring back memories, good stuff! It doesn't get repeatative or annoying and there are enough different ones to hum, as you can get them stuck in your head (just like the original) There aren't many notable FXs but they are decent.

Others: Tracks are beatifully designed with variety of obsticales. The obvious loops, corkscrews, and pipes greatly determine the way of handling (unlike Extreme G, where if you drive on a loop or a corkscrew it's pretty much the same as driving on flat roads). The tracks that were in the original are cool, since it's not only the name but the style. For example, in Mute City there are ramps and parts that get noticably narrow, Big Blue with the ice, and Sand Ocean with it's deadly hairpin turns. It's hard to describe but you'll get the idea when you play. Extremely high replay value with multiplayer and varying difficulties, huge number of cars and tracks, all done well enough to validate replaying, and the random track generator should be awesome. However, aside from the time attack and pratice (modes that every racer should have) there is a death race, which I was deeply dissappointed with. I was looking forward to racing friends to the death trying to kill each other or kill more computers. But what I got was one track (one small endless loop) and only one player. Hope there are more secrets in the death race. It also lacked the much wanted 2 player GP which is totally unforgivable, since it could easily be done with out much sacrifice (oh no, the game is running at 50fps instead of 60, what a lose... *sarcasism*).

Overall: One of the best sequels I have seen in a long time. It is everything a sequel should be expected of. Stayings true to the original while introducing many new and different features making it a huge leap from the predesessor. It has the sense of speed, same style, same feel, same controls, but improves on it, much faster, new 3D tracks, racing numerous cars instead of dummy cars, the analog, and multiplayer, are a great and welcomed addition to the series. A really good pick up and play game, easy and fast navigating menus. I can't wait for the track editor to come, I already have many ideas for my own tracks.

Control: 94% -Simply Great!

Graphics: 85% -Though lacks overall detail, it has a great sense of speed, style. Few cool effects here and there

Sound: 78% -Good rememerable music, though lack notable sound FXs

Replay: 100% -Good number of tracks and random generator, multiplayer, numerous cars, easy and fast menus, great pick up and play game

Extra -Shows excellent priority in what makes a truly great game. Extremely FUN!!! and challenging. If you like original you'll like this.

- by Eric Yuen