About

<h2>Overview</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9560/254934-f_zero_snes_screenshot1.gif" data-ref-id="1300-254934" data-ratio="0.875" data-width="256" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 256px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:87.5%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9560/254934-f_zero_snes_screenshot1.gif" data-ref-id="1300-254934"><img alt="The Title Screen" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/9560/254934-f_zero_snes_screenshot1.gif" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/9560/254934-f_zero_snes_screenshot1.gif 256w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256"></a><figcaption>The Title Screen</figcaption></figure><p>F-Zero is a futuristic <a href="/over-the-shoulder/3015-2621/" data-ref-id="3015-2621">behind-the-back</a> sci-fi racing game developed by <a href="/nintendo-ead/3010-463/" data-ref-id="3010-463">Nintendo EAD</a> and published by <a href="/nintendo/3010-90/" data-ref-id="3010-90">Nintendo</a> for the <a href="/snes/3045-9/" data-ref-id="3045-9">Super Nintendo Entertainment System</a> in Japan on November 21, 1990, in North America on August 23, 1991, and in Europe on June 4, 1992.</p><p>One of the <a href="/launch-titles/3015-238/" data-ref-id="3015-238">launch titles</a> for the SNES, F-Zero is the first game to utilize of the platform's psuedo-3D technology (known as <a href="/mode-7/3015-184/" data-ref-id="3015-184">Mode 7</a>), which uses rotation, scaling, and perspective effects to give players the illusion that they are racing in a real-time 3D racetrack.</p><p>The game takes place in the year 2560, where wealthy, intergalactic billionaires create a new brutal form of entertainment based on old <a href="/formula-1/3025-805/" data-ref-id="3025-805">Formula One</a> races. These races, named "F-Zero", uses futuristic technology that allows machines to hover above large floating tracks and propel at incredible speeds. Players pick one of four machines (<a href="/blue-falcon/3055-338/" data-ref-id="3055-338">Blue Falcon</a>, <a href="/golden-fox/3055-969/" data-ref-id="3055-969">Golden Fox</a>, <a href="/wild-goose/3055-983/" data-ref-id="3055-983">Wild Goose</a>, and <a href="/fire-stingray/3055-341/" data-ref-id="3055-341">Fire Stingray</a>) and attempt to qualify in each of the fifteen circuits (split into three leagues: Knight, Queen, and King).</p><p>F-Zero received <a href="/f-zero/3025-180/" data-ref-id="3025-180">a multitude of sequels</a> for subsequent Nintendo platforms (including <a href="/f-zero-x/3030-18808/" data-ref-id="3030-18808">F-Zero X</a> for the <a href="/nintendo-64/3045-43/" data-ref-id="3045-43">Nintendo 64</a>, <a href="/f-zero-maximum-velocity/3030-46/" data-ref-id="3030-46">F-Zero: Maximum Velocity</a> for the <a href="/game-boy-advance/3045-4/" data-ref-id="3045-4">Game Boy Advance</a>, and <a href="/f-zero-gx/3030-20448/" data-ref-id="3030-20448">F-Zero GX</a> for the <a href="/gamecube/3045-23/" data-ref-id="3045-23">GameCube</a>) and obscure console expansions (including the <a href="/bs-f-zero-2-grand-prix/3030-21450/" data-ref-id="3030-21450">BS F-Zero Grand Prix</a> series for the <a href="/satellaview/3045-98/" data-ref-id="3045-98">Satellaview</a> and <a href="/f-zero-x-expansion-kit/3030-23156/" data-ref-id="3030-23156">F-Zero X Expansion Kit</a> for the <a href="/nintendo-64dd/3045-101/" data-ref-id="3045-101">Nintendo 64DD</a>). Each game in the series further expands the game's lore and roster while adding a variety of crazy tracks (including those in full 3D).</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>In F-Zero, players must maneuver their incredibly-fast F-Zero machine around five laps of each circuit, avoiding various hazards (such as rough roads, slip zones, <a href="/anti-personnel-mine/3055-1412/" data-ref-id="3055-1412">land mines</a>, <a href="/magnet/3055-984/" data-ref-id="3055-984">magnets</a>, and the track's <a href="/barrier/3015-1522/" data-ref-id="3015-1522">barriers</a>) and other F-Zero machines (including critically damaged racers, which explode upon impact) while attempting to overtake and maintain a winning ranking among their computer-controlled rivals.</p><h3>Basic Controls and Handling</h3><p>Players use the B button to accelerate, the X or Y buttons to brake, the left and right parts of the D-Pad to steer left and right, and the L and R buttons to shift the machine's weight to the left or right (letting players slide around tight corners with ease).</p><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/4231/254044-fzero.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-254044" data-ratio="0.87462686567164" data-width="335" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 335px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:87.5%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/4231/254044-fzero.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-254044"><img alt="One of the game's riskier shortcuts, a giant bounce pad shaped like an arrow. " src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/0/4231/254044-fzero.jpg" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/4231/254044-fzero.jpg 335w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/0/4231/254044-fzero.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></a><figcaption>One of the game's riskier shortcuts, a giant bounce pad shaped like an arrow. </figcaption></figure><p>When the machine is in the air (due to hitting a jump plate), players can use the left and right parts of the D-Pad to steer the machine and the top and bottom parts of the D-Pad to adjust the machine's tilt, shortening or lengthening the jumping distance. Holding down on the D-Pad while landing a jump (in which the machine's rear is below its front) prevents an "impact shock" of landing incorrectly (which would cause the machine to decelerate).</p><p>After each lap is completed, the player is awarded with a manual four-second turbo boost (called the "Super Jet", shown as the S symbol in the bottom-right of the screen), which can be triggered by pressing the A button. Players can only stock three Super Jets at one time.</p><p>Several tracks also include helpful characteristics such as <a href="/ramp/3055-1106/" data-ref-id="3055-1106">Ramps</a>, <a href="/shortcut/3015-3171/" data-ref-id="3015-3171">Shortcuts</a> and <a href="/speed-boost-arrows/3055-1789/" data-ref-id="3055-1789">Speed Boost Arrows</a> to help the drivers improve their time.</p><h3>Vitality</h3><p>Each F-Zero machine has a <a href="/health/3015-130/" data-ref-id="3015-130">vitality</a> gauge, called "Power", which is drained each time the player's machine hits various obstacles, such as the track's barrier and opponent machines. As the gauge depletes, the machine begins to visually malfunction, both the machine and the gauge flashing and twitching. If the gauge is fully depleted or the player falls off the track, the machine crashes in a loud, fiery explosion and the player is immediately disqualified from the race.</p><p>Scattered throughout each circuit is a special "pit stop" strip. Players who drive over it slowly replenish the machine's vitality (due to a large floating machine that "heals" it).</p><h3>Disqualification</h3><p>When a player joins a league, they are given two "spare machines", which serve as the game's <a href="/lives/3015-323/" data-ref-id="3015-323">"lives"</a>. Players who are disqualified from a race must use up another machine in order to retry the race. If the player has no more machines, then the player ends the league with a <a href="/game-over/3015-372/" data-ref-id="3015-372">Game Over</a>.</p><p>Players can gain an extra spare machine for each 10,000 points accumulated. Players gain points by completing laps and races, with better placement gaining more points:</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Placement</th><th scope="col">Score Per Lap</th><th scope="col">Score Per Circuit</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1st</td><td>900 pts.</td><td>2,500 pts.</td></tr><tr><td>2nd</td><td>600 pts.</td><td>1,500 pts.</td></tr><tr><td>3rd</td><td>400 pts.</td><td>1,000 pts.</td></tr><tr><td>4th or Below</td><td>200 pts.</td><td>Disqualification, see below.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Players can get disqualified from a circuit in one of two ways: destruction of the machine and elimination due to a poor position in the rankings. Each race is an "elimination race" for the player machine only, in which the player (starting somewhere in the top four) must finish each lap above a certain threshold (15th for the first lap, 10th for the second lap, 7th for the third lap, 5th for the fourth lap, and 3rd for the last lap).</p><p>The game includes four difficulty settings: Beginner, Standard, Expert, and Master. Each setting increases the speed and aggressiveness of the opponent machines. Master difficulty is only unlocked after completing a league on the Expert difficulty.</p><h2>Playable Machines</h2><p>The game allows players to pick from one of four powerful F-Zero machines, each with their own strengths and weaknesses (in terms of the maximum speed possible with the craft, the quickness of the craft's acceleration, and the craft's strength against other machines and obstacles):</p><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9560/254928-fzero_snes_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-254928" data-ratio="0.73333333333333" data-width="300" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 300px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:73.3%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9560/254928-fzero_snes_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-254928"><img alt=" Fire Stingray, Blue Falcon, and Wild Goose" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-width="300" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/9560/254928-fzero_snes_1.jpg" data-srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/9560/254928-fzero_snes_1.jpg 300w"><noscript><img alt=" Fire Stingray, Blue Falcon, and Wild Goose" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/9560/254928-fzero_snes_1.jpg" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/9560/254928-fzero_snes_1.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-width="300"></noscript></a><figcaption> Fire Stingray, Blue Falcon, and Wild Goose</figcaption></figure><ul><li><a href="/blue-falcon/3055-338/" data-ref-id="3055-338"><b>Blue Falcon</b></a> - Piloted by famous bounty hunter <a href="/captain-falcon/3005-1215/" data-ref-id="3005-1215">Captain Falcon</a>, the Blue Falcon is a well-balanced machine.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="/golden-fox/3055-969/" data-ref-id="3055-969"><b>Golden Fox</b></a> - Piloted by the former medical doctor <a href="/dr-stewart/3005-1216/" data-ref-id="3005-1216">Dr. Stewart</a> (known in the instruction manual as Dr. Stuart), the Golden Fox sacrifices both top speed and strength for the quickest acceleration.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="/wild-goose/3055-983/" data-ref-id="3055-983"><b>Wild Goose</b></a> - Piloted by <a href="/pico/3005-1217/" data-ref-id="3005-1217">Pico</a>, a cold-hearted alien ex-soldier, the Wild Goose is stronger and faster than the Blue Falcon but has weaker acceleration.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="/fire-stingray/3055-341/" data-ref-id="3055-341"><b>Fire Stingray</b></a> - Piloted by renegade bounty hunter <a href="/samurai-goroh/3005-1219/" data-ref-id="3005-1219">Samurai Goroh</a>, the Fire Stingray has the fastest top speed and strength, but has very slow acceleration.</li></ul><p>Once a player enters a league with a specific machine, they cannot change the machine at any time during the league.</p><h2>Circuits</h2><p>The game is split into fifteen circuits, which are split into three separate leagues (Knight for novice racers, Queen for intermediate racers, and King for expert racers). Certain circuits are extensions or slight modifications of a previous circuit (e.g. there are three versions of the track at Mute City)</p><p>Players can play seven of the fifteen tracks at any time in Practice Mode, which eliminates disqualification and other F-Zero machines (giving a pure <a href="/time-trials/3015-1361/" data-ref-id="3015-1361">time trial </a>experience).</p><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9560/254922-fzero_snes_04.png" data-ref-id="1300-254922" data-ratio="0.875" data-width="256" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 256px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:87.5%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9560/254922-fzero_snes_04.png" data-ref-id="1300-254922"><img alt="Mute City II's main mechanic is this fork in the road. Watch out for other machines! " src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/9560/254922-fzero_snes_04.png" data-srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/9560/254922-fzero_snes_04.png 256w"><noscript><img alt="Mute City II's main mechanic is this fork in the road. Watch out for other machines! " src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/9560/254922-fzero_snes_04.png" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/9560/254922-fzero_snes_04.png 256w" sizes="(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px" data-width="256"></noscript></a><figcaption>Mute City II's main mechanic is this fork in the road. Watch out for other machines! </figcaption></figure><ul><li><a href="/mute-city/3035-147/" data-ref-id="3035-147"><strong>Mute City</strong></a> - A vast glimmering metropolis (and the center of the universe in terms of economic, political, and cultural activity), Mute City hosts the starting circuit in all three leagues (all minor variants of the same simplistic circuit).</li></ul><ul><li><a href="/big-blue/3035-148/" data-ref-id="3035-148"><strong>Big Blue</strong></a> - Built on a tropical planet that is 99% covered with water, Big Blue is the second circuit in the Knight league. A large portion of the track is covered in slippery water.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="/sand-ocean/3035-149/" data-ref-id="3035-149"><strong>Sand Ocean</strong></a> - Built on a planet whose entire surface is covered in sand dunes, Sand Ocean is the third circuit in the Knight league. The track itself contains a lot of narrow hairpin turns which require careful navigation.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="/death-wind/3035-150/" data-ref-id="3035-150"><strong>Death Wind</strong></a> - Built on a dangerous mutated planet haunted by vicious wild storms, Death Wind is the fourth circuit in the Knight league and the second circuit in the King league. The first version consists of a simple, narrow loop (where speed is key). The second version builds upon it with dangerous corners. Both versions include a dangerous wind (pushing the machine in one particular direction) and "dash zones", which sends the machine forward at incredibly-fast speeds.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="/silence/3035-151/" data-ref-id="3035-151"><strong>Silence</strong></a> - Built on a purple desolate planet where not a single noise could be heard, Silence is the final circuit in the Knight league. The track itself is notable for having a counter-clockwise loop, contains a fair amount of square corners, and is one of the few circuits to include <a href="/anti-personnel-mine/3055-1412/" data-ref-id="3055-1412">landmines</a>.</li></ul><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9560/254957-snes_1705461.jpeg" data-ref-id="1300-254957" data-ratio="0.87145969498911" data-width="459" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 459px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:87.1%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/9560/254957-snes_1705461.jpeg" data-ref-id="1300-254957"><img alt="Port Town" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320" class="js-lazy-load-image" data-src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/0/9560/254957-snes_1705461.jpeg" data-srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/9560/254957-snes_1705461.jpeg 459w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/0/9560/254957-snes_1705461.jpeg 320w"><noscript><img alt="Port Town" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/0/9560/254957-snes_1705461.jpeg" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/9560/254957-snes_1705461.jpeg 459w, https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/scale_small/0/9560/254957-snes_1705461.jpeg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" data-width="320"></noscript></a><figcaption>Port Town</figcaption></figure><ul><li><a href="/port-town/3035-152/" data-ref-id="3035-152"><strong>Port Town</strong></a> - A famous intergalactic trade center and space harbor, Port Town hosts the second circuit in the Queen league and the third circuit in the King league. It is the first circuit to include gaps that completely separate the track and dangerous <a href="/magnet/3055-984/" data-ref-id="3055-984">magnets</a> placed on the side of the track. The second version extends the first with a narrow series of turns.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="/red-canyon/3035-153/" data-ref-id="3035-153"><strong>Red Canyon</strong></a> - A rocky canyon favored by bandits, Red Canyon is the third circuit in the Queen league and the fourth circuit in the King league. Red Canyon includes dangerous zig-zag areas, landmines, and "down-pull magnets", which pull airborne machines to the ground. The second version builds upon the first by including a dangerous set of turns and a deadly "leap of faith" shortcut.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="/white-land/3035-155/" data-ref-id="3035-155"><strong>White Land</strong></a> - Built on a popular snow-covered tourist spot, White Land is the fourth and final circuits of the Queen league. Unlike other multi-circuit areas, both versions are completely different, although they are covered in rough snow and dangerous, slippery ice. The first track is one of the few counter-clockwise tracks and contains an area with a set of "down-pull magnets", while the second track contains a very wide gap that cannot be traversed with standard-velocity jumps.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="/fire-field/3035-157/" data-ref-id="3035-157"><strong>Fire Field</strong></a> - Set on top of a dangerous sea of magma, Fire Field is the final circuit in the King league. Consisting of dangerous turns, the track features an area where side-pull magnets are in the middle of the track. It also features a "pit stop" fork in the track, where taking the outer path leads to the power recovery strip (and a dash zone for catching up).</li></ul><h4>Knight League</h4><ul><li>Mute City I (available in Practice)</li><li>Big Blue (available in Practice)</li><li>Sand Ocean (available in Practice)</li><li>Death Wind I (available in Practice)</li><li>Silence (available in Practice)</li></ul><h4>Queen League</h4><ul><li>Mute City II</li><li>Port Town I</li><li>Red Canyon I</li><li>White Land I (available in Practice)</li><li>White Land II</li></ul><h4>King League</h4><ul><li>Mute City III</li><li>Death Wind II</li><li>Port Town II (available in Practice)</li><li>Red Canyon II</li><li>Fire Field</li></ul>