F-Zero (SNES)

F-Zero is one of those Nintendo franchises that never got the attention it deserved.  Sure, there were games on Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Gamecube, and Gameboy Advance, but it never got as big as Zelda, Metroid, or even Kirby.  From Super Smash Bros, everyone knows who Captain Falcon is, but for a major Nintendo franchise character, his games are relatively obscure.

I had heard of F-Zero, but I had never played it until I picked up the original at a flea market.  I had never even heard of F-Zero X, and I had only seen F-Zero GX in stores a couple times.  Maybe I was just looking in all the wrong places at all the wrong times, but F-Zero doesn't get a lot of hype or attention, it seems.  Considering what an outstanding game F-Zero is, I don't understand why.

F-Zero for Super Nintendo is an outstanding little racing game and very well developed given that it was a launch title.  Granted, there are still a few things that I would have fixed, but it's a good game.  The gameplay isn't deep, and there's no real story you have to learn before it makes sense; there are 4 racers with different stats and three different "leagues" from which to choose.  Pick a car, pick a league, and win races.  The gameplay is simple, straightforward, and most of all, fun.

I do have a few complaints, though.  First, I think Nintendo probably could have fit a couple more cars on the cartridge.  4 seems a bit...limited.  Also, it would be nice to have a "random race" type of feature to race one race on a track of your choosing instead of a circuit on pre-determined tracks.  My biggest complaint, though, is no multi-player.  I don't even care about having other computer in there; I would have LOVED it if F-Zero had an option to let me race one of my friends, though I can understand how that might have been asking a bit much of a launch title for the 16-bit Super Nintendo.

Presentation: 4 - Yeah, F-Zero falls really short here.  There's no start up sequence; it just goes straight to the title screen where my options are "Grand Prix," "Practice," and "Records."  The game's great, but it builds no suspense.

Graphics: 8.5 - For a launch title on a 16-bit system, I'm actually pretty impressed with the graphics.  They're nice and crisp.  They're not as good as later Super Nintendo titles, but as I said; it was a launch title.  It gets my stamp of approval.

Sound: 7 - The title screen music is just awful.  It's so bland and unexciting.  However...the in-game music is rocking.  I mean, for a 1991 release, it's some hardcore stuff.  If there were ever music fitting of an extreme race at 300 MPH, it's on F-Zero.

Gameplay: 7 - There's no multiplayer; that's a major let down.  The single player is LOTS of fun, but it's limited; just 3 circuits.  This game is great, but it could have been so much better with gameplay a bit freer.

Lasting Appeal: 8 - There's a reason F-Zero's Captain Falcon is a Nintendo icon; his game is great despite not getting the attention it deserves.  I find myself plugging F-Zero in for just 10 minutes when I get bored and have the urge to race at speeds 2 or 3 times the capabilities of my car.  lmao

Overall Score - 7