F-Zero X

Overall: B+
Violence: B
Sexual Content: A
Language: A
Drugs/Alcohol: A

Platform reviewed: Nintendo 64
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB rating: E

Responding to criticism surrounding a poor braking system, Italian car manufacturer Ettore Bugatti reportedly said "I build my cars to go, not stop." William Grover Williams gave some credence to this motto by setting a one lap record of 84.8 km/h (53 mph) in his Bugatti 35B, en route to winning the first Monaco Grand Prix in 1929. Considered breakneck speed at the time, his record pales when compared to current Formula-1 thresholds. In spite of this speed difference, one thing remains constant. The first driver to cross the finish line, takes home the hardware.

Assisted by Nintendo's F-Zero X, we follow the evolutionary path of racing to the 26th century. Here we find that fossil fuel has gone the way of the dinosaur - again. Formula-1 racing cars have been replaced by gravity-opposing vehicles, capable of reaching 1300 km/h (812 mph). Racetracks are now suspended high above the earth, giving parachute-less drivers a whole new reason to stay on course. And brakes... well, brakes are for wimps.

Racing immortality can be achieved in a number of ways: Practicing on any track will help you get rid of those pre-race jitters. Then, moving on to Time Battle you compete against a "ghost" machine, vying for the best time record on a specific track. Your bumper-car expertise is put to the test in Death Race, where the competition isn't over until a lone contestant - hopefully you - remains. But these are all mere distractions when compared to Grand Prix mode... here your "motor skills" are truly tested as you contend with the computer on six circuits, in each of three different cups (series of races). Successful drivers can then move on to new challenges by "unlocking" up to 24 alternate machines and two new cups. The game can also be played with up to four humans racing against each other in VS Battle mode.

Every racing machine has different characteristics, and since there's still no such thing as the perfect car (even in the 26th century), you should choose one which is best suited to the task at hand. While a durable body is required to send your opponents back to earth without an elevator, a higher grip rating will ensure better control through curved sections. A lighter unit may accelerate quickly, but the maximum velocity of a heavier one is hard to match. Once you get the "feel" of your favorite sky-sled, you may want to tinker with its power-plant to see what, if any, improvements can be made.

I found this game to have a wide audience appeal, having tested it on a variety of aspiring racers - male and female, seven-year-olds to grandparents. Though it may be short on graphics detail, one certainly gets a feel for speed while negotiating the tracks (there's no time for sightseeing anyhow). And, if perspiration count is any indication, the controller was always wet no matter who handled it. I think your biggest challenge after a few hours with F-Zero X will be to separate virtual racing tactics from actual driving habits, especially on the freeway or during rush hour. Otherwise, the only speed record bearing your name may be in the hands of a police officer.

Jim Fleming

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