It's been nearly 20 years since the last F-Zero game, so the surprise launch of F-Zero 99 — a free release for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers — was a very welcome one indeed.
Yes, it's not quite the 'proper' sequel that fans have spent years calling for. But the battle royale-esque take, in which you're pitted against 98 other players online, manages to replicate the high-speed tension the series is known for while having an unexpected amount of staying power.
F-Zero 99 is based on the SNES classic from the early '90s, borrowing the vehicles and tracks from that game, but also implements some more modern ideas that add strategy to races.
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Races are chaotic in a thrilling and unique way — seeing a crowd of 99 racers desperately trying to jostle for position at the start is a sight you don't see often — and having a bit of luck no doubt helps. But this side is complemented with layers to the racing that combine to reward bravery and skill.
The speed boost system is an obvious example. First seen in the series in F-Zero X, your power meter serves as both your speed boost and health bar. Boosts are key in trying to get an advantage over your rivals or hitting top speed again after an ugly corner (such is the high-speed nature of the game that slamming into a barrier can cost you a dozen positions in just a few seconds), but you sacrifice health every time.
And if your power meter is low, the risk of taking a few hits and crashing out of the race becomes considerable.
Meanwhile, leading the race presents a track that's clear of your rivals, but bumper cars spawn ahead, and one mistake in trying to navigate the traffic can allow people behind you to catch up.
Players can also fill up a separate Super Boost meter by collecting yellow sparks on the track that drop when two vehicles collide. This obviously helps those that are behind in the race, but the timing on when to pull the trigger on a full bar can have a significant effect on the race.
The Super Boost, for a limited time, takes you to a separate track in the sky, and can be used to gain a burst of speed over your opponents, skip difficult corners, or preserve your power meter.
Then there are spin attacks, which can be used offensively or defensively. Being aggressive and KO-ing another player rewards you with an extended power meter, while defensive spins can prevent you from being knocked around.
The four types of vehicles add further nuance to these mechanics and actually have a greater effect on gameplay compared to in the SNES original, offering different playstyles.
The Fire Stingray has the slowest acceleration, meaning you're prone to slow starts. But providing you can maintain your excellent top speed, you can strategically hold on to your Super Boost for longer. On the other hand, the Golden Fox has the lowest top speed. This is compensated with being able to do more boosts, but having a full Super Boost bar prevents doing any regular speed boosts, meaning it's detrimental to keep hold of it.
So there's a lot more to the game than it may first appear, and while it is very easy to embrace and enjoy the chaos, there are plenty of things to consider if you want to gain an edge and go for the win — which, of course, isn't easy when you have to beat 98 other players.
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The battle royale side is actually a little more understated than the likes of Tetris 99 or Pac-Man 99, but for the better. Here, it's not really a last-person-standing scenario in the same way, as only the bottom five players from each lap are eliminated.
In a one-off race, this means being top 80 is enough to make it to the end of a race, with more of an emphasis on your final position after crossing the finish line rather than how long you last. It's more generous in that regard, particularly in the first couple of hours when you're learning how the game works, but there are also rewards tied to your performance with decent customisation options for your vehicle.
The five-race Grand Prix is the most challenging yet rewarding mode. It's not just about qualifying for the next race but also where you rank, as the player with the most points by the end takes gold.
There are seven tracks that are in rotation right now, and while they're different enough to test your racing ability and tactics, Nintendo is expected to add the remaining eight from the SNES original, which will hopefully bring some extra variety (right now, the two most-common tracks are Mute City I and Big Blue — and they can get old after a while).
F-Zero 99 is delightful and the most successful take on the '99' formula, which is no mean feat.
Maybe it's helped by the fact that you're interacting with everyone in a more tangible way, competing on the same race track, but coming out on top and winning a race is a much greater thrill than a victory in any of the other '99' releases.
A satisfying blend of high-speed action, chaos, and strategy makes this glorious revival of the F-Zero franchise stand out. Let's hope it won't be another 19 years before we get another game in the series.
F-Zero 99 is out now on Nintendo Switch.
