Review: F-Zero X (Virtual console) (Wii)

Before Wipeout was released with its dance music and crazy neon lights, the world of futuristic racers belonged solely to F-Zero. The original game for the SNES (also available on the VC) was great for its time, but that was just the beginning. The N64 sequel F-Zero X superseded that in every way possible. This is some pure, adrenaline-fuelled, racing action.

What surprised many, even during its initial launch, was that F-Zero X didn't have the best-looking graphics on the system. Constructed of very basic shapes and backdrops, and distinctly lacking in textures, this sacrifice was necessary to obtain such a high level of speed. After all, fact fans, F-Zero X was amongst the first home console racing games to render at 60 frames per second. Navigating the tracks is treacherous as you hurtle at incredible speeds, with the track often full of hazards. The track design is really what makes F-Zero X stand out. Half pipes, broken walls, mines on the track and many moments where you could literally fling your craft off the track and into the abyss are commonplace. It makes each race an enjoyable ride to the finish line, particularly when you have a staggering 29 opponents to compete against. What makes each race even more difficult is your energy bar which will deplete every time you crash into the side or an opponent. Also, once completing the first lap your boost will become activated. While this does send you around the track at super speeds, it drains your craft's energy, so it needs to be used sparingly. The only way to replenish your energy is to drive over pink strips of light that are placed on the track.

In the main Grand Prix mode, you have five cups in total. At the start, only the Jack, Queen and King cups are available to choose from. Beating each cup on standard difficulty will unlock the Joker cup and doing the same on Expert will unlock the X Cup. There's plenty to do and it's awfully challenging on higher difficulties when the computer AI can seemingly come out of nowhere to beat you. In a lesser game, we could call this cheating, but seeing as we have so much fun racing around the tracks, we can just about manage to overlook this. Other than the Grand Prix, there are also the Vs modes and the Death Race, where you have to destroy all your opponents.

The music has always been a major part of the F-Zero games, and in F-Zero X it gives you some fantastic guitar rock songs, the classic guitar riff during the opening N64 logo standing out in our mind. It also brings with it the only problem with this virtual console download; it is a minor quibble, but during the selection screens, the sound will sometimes cut out for half a second. It's not major, and it certainly doesn't detract from the fun, but it does mean that this download isn't quite perfect. Luckily it doesn't happen during the races, which would have us screaming the house down.

The handling model used is incredibly effective for navigating sharp chicanes at top speed. The vehicles handle very loosely, which is more apparent with the analogue stick on the Wii's classic controller, and it makes the cornering easier than it would've done if they handled like bricks. Each vehicle/character that you can choose from also has a few ratings on how well it handles and you do actually feel the difference.

F-Zero X to us is the pinnacle in futuristic racing (sorry, Wipeout fans). Superb handling, excellent music and intense races make this one of the best purchases you can make on the virtual console and well worth the 1000 points asking price. Now let's continue to pray that Nintendo are busy working on a new F-Zero for Wii.

Rating: 9 / 10

Words by Adam Gulliver