F-Zero GX Review

Released on the Nintendo Gamecube in 2003, F-Zero GX boasts all the gameplay and adrenaline-fuelled races of its predecessors and gives it a huge reboot, with new modes, stunning FMV cut scenes, new characters and a huge increase in difficulty...

Story

Not one to step down after winning the previous F-Zero Grand Prix, the bounty hunter Captain Falcon is entering the race once again, as well as his arch nemesis Black Shadow, who aims to erase Falcon once and for all. Is Black Shadow the real menace? Or is there a much more powerful and evil force watching from the shadows?

Gameplay

Staying true to the previous F-Zero games, F-Zero GX (hereafter referred to as GX) sees you racing around futuristic environments at speeds that can break the sound barrier.  There are many ways that you can approach the game, courtesy of a variety of modes that outnumber even those presented in F-Zero X. Of course, you have the standard Grand Prix, in which you pick a cup, choose a machine and pilot, and take to the tracks. After 5 races, whoever has earned the most points (judged on individual placement) wins 1^st place. This mode is the standard for almost all racing games, simply because it works and GX is no exception. The Time Attack mode lets you pick a machine and race on a track of your choice, with the best times being saved. The Vs. Mode see’s you and up to three friends on any track without computer controlled opponents. Struggling on a certain course in the Grand Prix? Practice Mode has all you need and more to hone and fine-tune all your high speed racing skills. New to the series is the Customize option, which allows you to use tickets you’ve earned in the Grand Prix, to purchase new machines and pilots, as well as custom machine parts in the shop. Perhaps the most interesting new addition here is the Garage, in which you can use your custom parts to build your own machine from scratch, or you can customize a pre-built machine to your own liking.

One thing I should mention about this game is that while the Grand Prix is easy enough on the Novice difficulties, the Expert and Master modes are insane. The computer players will relentlessly attack you in groups and boost at all the right times to make sure you’re left in the dust. For some races in the Master mode, if you want to rank in the top 6 (out of a possible 30) then you have to be near perfect, and no I am not joking. This game can be so unforgiving at times it’s unreal. On the subject of difficulty, one final mode, Story, shows really brutal game design. The mode has you following the story of Captain Falcon, told through great looking FMV cut scenes that bring the F-Zero universe alive like never before. In between these, you take control of
Captain Falcon’s machine, the Blue Falcon and complete various missions, such as collecting items on a track, dodging obstacles and keeping your speed above a certain limit. There are only nine chapters making up this mode, but completing them all will take much longer than you might think as the missions are difficult, very difficult. With the exception of the first chapter on the normal difficulty, you will likely be trying these missions over and over again. There are three difficulty levels, Normal, Hard and Very Hard. After you’ve seen how challenging these missions are on the Normal difficulties, you may find it hard to believe that there are even more difficult levels. On the Very Hard setting, these missions borderline on near-impossible. I can honestly say that your worst nightmare in this game comes in the form of Chapter 7 on Very Hard. This mission is the hardest thing I have ever beaten on any game I have ever played. Even when I did beat it, it was partly down to luck (dumb CPUs driving off cliffs).

 So, overall GX’s gameplay offers many modes and customisation for your racing enjoyment and the controls are sublime, which is a necessity in a game this fast.

Audio

The music in GX is a joy to listen to and really helps pump adrenaline into the races. It ranges from guitar solos to trance metal and techno. Particularly worthy of mention is that each pilot has his or her own theme song, and all of them are unique (albeit cheesy) and help you to connect to your character. Big props to the composers on this game; they really went all out to provide a smashing soundtrack.

The voice acting during the cut scenes is hardly first rate, but it’s still funny enough to listen to. Captain Falcon does sound a little boring, but it’s great to hear a Nintendo protagonist talk at all.

Visuals

GX boasts perhaps the best graphics on the Gamecube. Each track is highly detailed, as are the pilots and their machines. The GameCube’s processing power really shines through here. 

The cut scenes during the Story Mode are really well animated and mirror the likes of animation from Pixar. It really does immerse you in the world of F-Zero.

History

GX was released alongside an arcade twin called F-Zero AX. You could take your memory card to one of these machines and unlock new characters and machines for your home console game. Unfortunately, only a few made it over seas, so tracking one down is very difficult. But never fear, you can still unlock these features in GX without the arcade machine. All you have to do is beat all the Story Mode chapters on the hardest difficulty...

Negative

The only real problem I think anyone would have with GX is its sheer difficulty. The Story Mode is so un- relentlessly brutal, that some just won’t want to dedicate hours upon end to beating it. Some players will be able to beat the challenges thrown at them, but some just won’t get it. The key is to approach with a positive attitude. It’s very, very difficult, but not impossible. I know this because I’ve beaten it (yes I know, I’m insane).

Overall

F-Zero GX is a fantastic racing game with great gameplay, intricate tracks, stellar music and lots of replay value. If you can overlook the difficulty then definitely give this game a purchase. It can found at most game shops or online for around £8.00; a complete steal for a game this good. 

It’s defiantly the best F-Zero game so far; too bad we never got one for the Wii...      9.7/10