F-Zero 99 is an online F-Zero racing game based on the SNES original released in 1990. It's currently available through a Nintendo Switch Online Membership. The game was announced during a Nintendo Direct on September 14th, 2023.[1]
Gameplay[]
Gameplay generally remains the same as its SNES counterpart, but with added and slightly altered features. The game will feature up to 99 players at once, the greatest number of active players at one time out of any F-Zero game to date. This game comes with a customization option that allows a player's machine to be customized, such as altering its color before a race. Accomplishing certain tasks, achievements, or goals will unlock further vehicle colors to use. In-game, the HUD has been significantly updated. During a race, collecting Super Sparks will allow a player to open up a shortcut area of a track known as the Skyway by Super Boosting. The Skyway can be used to maneuver through a racetrack, over and through the chaos of the other racers below it. The higher your position is in the race, the shorter the distance you will travel on the Skyway. You cannot boost normally if you have a Super Boost ready to go. Boosting is also now linked to your energy meter, so don't boost too much!
Racers[]
- Blue Falcon
- Golden Fox
- Wild Goose
- Fire Stingray
- Blue Thunder (Decal only)
- Luna Bomber (Decal only)
- Fire Scorpion (Decal only)
- Green Amazone (Decal only)
Circuits[]
Available at launch
- Mute City I
- Big Blue
- Sand Ocean
- Death Wind I
- Silence (Unlockable by Knight League Grand Prix Only)
- White Land I
- Port Town II
Released on September 29, 2023
- Mute City II
- Port Town I
- Red Canyon I
- White Land II (Unlockable by Queen League Grand Prix Only)
- Death Wind II
Released on October 18, 2023
- Mute City III
- Red Canyon II
- Fire Field (Unlockable by King League Grand Prix Only)
Released on October 1, 2024
- Mute City IV
- Sand Storm I
- Big Blue II
- Sand Storm II
- Silence II (Unlockable by Ace League Grand Prix Only)
Currently there are 3 main league modes in the game:
F-Zero 99 leagues[]
- F-Zero 99 (4 complete leagues) 20 tracks,
Classic leagues[]
- Classic (3 complete leagues) 15 tracks,
Mirror leagues[]
- Mirror (3 complete leagues) 15 tracks,
Extra Modes[]
Classic mode[]
In Classic mode players play the same 15 tracks of F-Zero 99 but following the original SNES ruleset, with the original camera angle. In this mode, there are only 20 pilots per race. The energy bar only provides life. The boost is stored in a separated icon with only one boost being granted at the end of each lap, they stack to a maximum of 3. There is no skyway or sparks. There are no gray bumpers, they were replaced by orange bumpers that don't die on hit. Hitting then instead leaves the vehicle in a staggered state and pushes them father than normal. The acceleration is reduced and the time to reach top speed takes much longer. This mode is makes errors more punishing and comebacks are very hard to come by.
Team Battle[]
In Team Battle a lobby of 50 players is split into 5 teams of 10, with players scoring points for placement at the start of each lap as well as for damage and KOs against enemy team players. At the end of the race, the total points for each team is tallied and the team with the highest total points are winners.
Mirror tracks[]
Mirror versions of each standard F-Zero 99 track are available which flip the track horizontally and often add new gameplay elements or obstacles. Full leagues of these tracks are now mixed into to the regular Grand Prix event rotation.
Mystery tracks[]
Mystery tracks are remixed circuits that experiment on modifying existing tracks while still leaving them recognizable. They are named "???" in game menus and are not accessible by the players normally, they appear as selectable option on "F-Zero 99 race" and as a special event Mini-Prix with 3 "???" tracks. These are only available at specific hours of the day following a hidden schedule not shown in game.
Some of the Mystery tracks were mirrored versions of existing tracks and some were a fusion of 2 different circuits with sections of both being intertwined in interesting ways. The music of these tracks was also remixed with both playing at the same time in a glitched way.
Update History[]
Version 1.1[]
In Version 1.1, there was the introduction of Classic mode, as well as the Lucky Ranks system and and updates to profile customization.
Version 1.2[]
In Version 1.2, there was the introduction of Mystery tracks, as well as private lobbies.
Version 1.3[]
In Version 1.3 some Mystery tracks were promoted to Mirror tracks and Mirror Leagues were introduced. Additionally, the Classic Mini-Prix special event was added as well as further machine and profile customization options.
Version 1.4[]
In Version 1.4 the rules for Team Battles were overhauled, as well as the introduction of Weekend Events (Lucky Weekend, Machine-Shuffle Mini-Prix Weekend, and Team Battle Weekend). Additionally, an emote system was added as well as further machine and profile customization options.
Videos[]
The Making of F-Zero - The story of the classic F-Zero
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- F-Zero 99 is the first F-Zero game to be made in nearly 2 decades since the last game made.
- Coincidentally in the Metroid universe (also owned by Nintendo), a similar situation occurred with a certain game (only counting mainline 2D games), which took close to 2 decades to develop and release. Both games' time margin also involves a GBA title.
- The game runs in fully-rendered 3D with the original Mode 7 style.
- Though the game's menus reuse artwork from the SNES F-Zero manual, there is a new Mr. Zero sprite featured on the tips screens.
- The Japanese startup screen features the game's title in small print underneath the bottom-right corner of the main game's logo. The English startup screen removes this small text.
References[]
F-Zero | ||
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Video Games: | F-Zero • BS F-Zero • F-Zero X (Expansion Kit) • Maximum Velocity • GX / AX • GP Legend • Climax • 99 |