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Preview  F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
- By Travis Coats
E3 2001 Impressions
From the moment this game was announced I have wanted to get my hands on it. Speculating about a game, or hearing others thoughts on it aren’t the same as actually getting to experience it for your self. Thanks to the wonder that is E3, I have long last had the pleasure to sit down with F-Zero: Maximum Velocity. During my short time with the game, I can honestly say that all my expectations for it were fulfilled. If ever there was any worry that this new F-Zero could recapture that classic SNES F-Zero feel, the first lap around the track erased all doubt. Even though the screen is smaller and the tracks are different, Maximum Velocity is every bit as enjoyable as the original, if not more so.
The particular build I played had a limited selection of racers and vehicles, but the final tally for the game will include twelve hovercrafts, and over twenty tracks. The standard Pawn, Knight, Jack, Queen, and King difficulty levels are included on top of a Championship mode, which should prove far more difficult than the others. Speaking of difficulty, F-Zero is HARD. Perhaps I am just rusty since (sadly) I don’t own a copy of the SNES F-Zero, but regardless, keeping a first place lead in this game is extremely difficult, even in the pawn series. However, a game isn’t enjoyable unless it has a challenge, and in that area Maximum Velocity certainly doesn’t disappoint.
The overall time I spent with the game was far shorter than I would have liked, but the Game Boy Advance is merely weeks away. With F-Zero as one of it’s main launch titles, it seems I won’t have to wait much longer to fully explore and enjoy this wonderful game… and neither will you.
Travis -05.31.2001
The year 1991 saw the release of F-Zero for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The 16-bit racer was groundbreaking for its time and to this day remains one of the best games for the classic console. The story was simple yet effective. In the future hover car racing had become the sport of choice as racers competed in a brutal contest for the F-Zero cup. Using the Mode-7 capabilities of the Super NES the game featured a pseudo 3D racetrack and a sense of speed that was simply unrivaled. Excellent sound, an above average challenge factor, and a well-defined control scheme rounded out this racing masterpiece. In addition, F-Zero also introduced one of Nintendo's franchise characters, Captain Falcon. While not as popular as Nintendo icons such as Mario and Link he still remains a fan favorite and has since appeared in F-Zero X and Super Smash Brothers for the Nintendo 64.
Ten years later enter the Game Boy Advance. Among it's various launch titles will be an update to this excellent franchise in the form of F-Zero: Maximum Velocity. At first glance it appears to be a port of the original, but closer inspection reveals the truth. Nintendo could have very well taken the old game, slapped a new name on it and sent it out the door. That however isn’t what they did, instead choosing to take the best aspects of the Super NES classic and integrate them with the new features of the Game Boy Advance. The end result looks to be nothing short of astounding. Everything appears to be updated and improved upon from the original. Players can initially choose from four new racers and their vehicles, with the option to unlock even more. In addition there are new tracks to race on, and even sharper Mode-7 graphics thanks to the 32-bit processor of the new handheld. A 4-player mode is also being implemented as the GBA has the ability to link up to three others.
With these features and the legacy of the F-Zero name Nintendo has another potential hit on it’s hands, and with this game in their Game Boy Advance, racing fans will have one in theirs.
-04.18.2001
- 5.31.2001 |
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Title Screen
The race begins.
Flying high.
Multiple opponents.
Oops...
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INFO |
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Number of Players: 1-4
Rumble Pak: No
Expansion Pak: No
Memory Pak: No
Transfer Pak: No
Release Date:
06.11.2001
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