User Rating: 9.4 | F-Zero GX GC
Casuality count: One pair of headphones. One "L" button on Wavebird controller. Scuffed window. Yes, this is the damage I've already done because of this game. Oddly enough, I must say it was all worth it. This game is so fast, it makes previous incarnations of the series seem like they should have been named "F-Zero: Amish Buggy Racing". The blazing speed at which you race is certainly what sets this above any recent racer, and possibly above any racer this generation. The speed does come with a drawback though, diffifculty. I am generally a docile guy, but this game got me worked up. The thing is, it seems like an easy game at first, which after reading the media's take on this game, is pretty hard to believe. Though after the first couple of races, you can see that they really weren't kidding. The gameplay here is all about speed. There is no slow, medium or fast setting on this game. You get "Super-Fast" or "That-Red-Guy-From-Justice-League Fast" Oddly enough, I think most of these crafts could beat that guy. The difficulty is extreme though, and will be too much for most gamers (probably even including me) to handle. While this may not sound like fun, there is something about the game that makes you want to go back to it. Theres something about just needing to go through that Port Town race one more time. Perhaps speed is addictive even in video games. The graphics for this game are simply astounding, giant fish leap over you from the sand dunes below, fully 3-D ships are docked in the background as you fly by. The cars and tracks are works of art. The tracks themselves blow away anything in any other racing game available today, and probably into the future. Amazing particle effects come into play as you use boosts and crash into the 29 other races, who are all as vicious as yourself. The sound fits the speed perfectly, making the game seem faster and getting you into the speed of the game. It rounds off what is an amazing experience already, putting the player right into the game. The value might not be as much for most people because of the difficulty, but any gamer who wants a fast racing game, or a challenge above 95% of video games today needs to pick this one up. And anyone else needs to atleast give this game a rent, and attempt to play until the later levels, as they are of a much better quality than the earlier ones. So while not for everyone, anyone who fits these categories will find that F-Zero is the ultimate racing experience.