User Rating: 8.3 | F-Zero GX GC
When the first original F-Zero was released back on the SNES around a decade ago, it blew us all away with some of the freshest gameplay known to man. The quick speed, control responsiveness, and skills were needed to actually win a race against computer-controlled racing opponents. At first it seemed hard, but once you got the hang of it, it turned out to be very fun. As of right now, there hasn't really been a good F-Zero game. F-Zero X was a major disappointment for some, and F-Zero: Maximum Velocity didn't really cut the cake, although it was decent enough to be recommended. Now with the release of F-Zero GX, Nintendo decided to add a few things to help F-Zero succeed with some of it's competitors. The first new thing you'll notice about F-Zero GX is that it has a story mode. A new addition to the series, the story mode follows Captain Falcon through various chapters, eventually unraveling his deep history and character. It might be worth a look for fans of Captain Falcon, but it will definitely become a chore to beat the story mode. If you can't settle for a story mode challenge, you can start with the most familiar mode in the F-Zero series, the Grand Prix Mode. Here, you'll race in different tracks, all sorted into cups. During the gameplay between cups, you'll unlock different difficulties and extras. If you're dying for extras in the game, this mode will have you doing many things. In order to unlock all of the extras in the game, you're going to have to work for it. The game has different difficulties, and it effects the way how you're opponent racers drive and react. If you set it on the highest difficulty (thus being Master) you will need to have learned all the F-Zero tricks and skills to win. With that said, F-Zero is extremely challenging, and you'll spend lots of your time trying to complete a certain task. The game's sense of speed really shows off F-Zero's colors, but anyone with a queasy stomach shouldn't try the game. It offers futuristic fun, but that doesn't mean it can be enjoyable all the way through. In some points in the game, it'll get rather tedious to beat one part, especially in story mode. If you can handle patience, then you might get lucky and pass the game. Some other new modes and ideas in the game is a shop mode, where all the money you earned during your races can be spent. Here, you can spend your money on parts to upgrade your vehicle, as well as get some new gear. Some rare extras can also be bought here, but you're going to have to play the game to your fullest and spend extra amounts of time earning money to even consider about buying any of the extras that are on sale. Another new extra in the game is the ability to transfer data over to an F-Zero arcade machine entitled "F-Zero AX." F-Zero AX is an arcade counter-part of F-Zero GX, only that it contains hidden drivers and extras not found in the Gamecube version. Though, if you have a memory card with a save file of F-Zero GX on it, you can get the extras from the arcade version and port it over to your version. It definitely increases your chances of spending time with the game more often. The cars are well-detailed in comparison, and not only that, but the sound succeeds as well. The sound might be a little "skippy" at first, but it isn't a major problem. The game offers crisp techno music, something that most people don't get into, but playing the game could possibly do otherwise. In conclusion, F-Zero GX definitely does offer some new things to the series. With the addition of the story mode, and the F-Zero AX arcade machine, it seems to offer alot of action. The story mode does have it's flaws that could be improved, and the new additions aren't really earth-shattering, but the game can still be enjoyed. If you're looking for an above-average racer that delivers some fresh new additions, then F-Zero GX should be your first main choice.
