Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

F-Zero X retains the lightning-fast, adrenaline-pumping racing mechanics that made its Super NES predecessor a genre classic, but takes full advantage of the Nintendo 64’s 64-bit horsepower. Players race in a futuristic tournament high above enormous cityscapes, navigating anti-gravity tracks that defy logic with gravity-defying loops, twists, and corkscrews. The core feeling of raw speed remains intact, but the added depth of vehicle customization and course variety ensures that each race feels fresh and challenging.

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At launch, you have access to six pilot vehicles and three tournaments of six tracks apiece. However, Nintendo’s signature progression system means that as you place well in each cup, you’ll unlock additional ships and circuits, bringing your total roster to 30 unique craft. Each vehicle offers distinct trade-offs in top speed, acceleration, handling, and body strength, and you can fine-tune performance ratios to match specific tracks or personal driving style. This layer of strategic vehicle selection and customization lends serious replay value, encouraging you to master every course with different setups.

Beyond the standard Grand Prix cups, F-Zero X introduces a time trial mode where you can race against your own “ghost” car, a feature reminiscent of Mario Kart 64. Competing against a transparent recording of your best lap sharpens your lines and cutdowns on lap times. Of particular note is the “X” tournament: a bold innovation that generates entirely random courses on the fly, ensuring no two races ever feel identical and pushing your reflexes to the limit.

Multiplayer support for up to four players is another cornerstone of F-Zero X’s gameplay package. Splitscreen combat adds an extra layer of chaos, as well-timed spin attacks and energy-draining shoulder tackles can turn a tight race on its head. Playing against human opponents highlights the brutal edge of close-quarters racing, and sudden lead changes are commonplace. The game succeeds at both solo thrill-seeking and heart-pounding couch competition, making it a must-have for any Nintendo 64 owner.

Graphics

F-Zero X was one of the earliest Nintendo 64 titles to showcase the system’s true graphical potential. Tracks are rendered entirely in 3D, with no flat sprite textures to hold them back. The result is a visual feast of twisting metal girders, neon-lit barriers, and detailed backgrounds that convey the vertigo-inducing heights of the racing circuits. At full speed, racers blur past complex track geometry, giving a visceral sense of velocity rarely matched by contemporaries.

Despite the breakneck pace, F-Zero X maintains a surprisingly stable framerate. While some slowdown can occur in four-player splitscreen mode or on particularly elaborate tracks, the core single-player experience is silky smooth. The game’s distinctive color palette—bold neons contrasted against dark industrial backdrops—ensures that every vehicle and obstacle stands out, making split-second judgments possible even at 300 km/h.

Special effects such as exhaust flames, boost trails, and occasional particle explosions add flourish without overwhelming the hardware. Reflections on metallic surfaces and subtle shading on the vehicles give a polished sheen to each craft. While primitive by modern standards, F-Zero X’s visuals were groundbreaking in 1998 and still carry nostalgic charm today.

Track design also shines in the graphical department. Dynamic elements like spinning platforms, lightning-fast rotating turns, and hazards that suddenly emerge from the track demonstrate clever use of the N64 chipset. Each circuit feels distinct not only in layout but also in visual theme—whether you’re racing through a sky-high canyon or a neon-lit city sprawl, the scenery reinforces the futuristic world of F-Zero X.

Story

True to the series’ arcade roots, F-Zero X places minimal emphasis on narrative, focusing instead on pure racing action. You assume the role of a futuristic pilot entering the notorious Big Blue Grand Prix. Each competitor has a brief backstory—racing out of necessity, glory, or sheer thrill-seeking—but the game never lingers long on plot. Instead, your motivation is progression: winning cups to unlock new machinery, tracks, and the ultimate challenge of the randomly generated X Course.

That said, the colorful roster of pilots—ranging from Captain Falcon’s celebrated return to lesser-known icons like P. Ross and Black Shadow—injects personality into the races. Each competitor has unique biographical blurbs that unlock as you advance, adding a collectible aspect for completionists. The lack of an overarching cinematic story may disappoint those seeking deep lore, but it’s a deliberate design choice that keeps the focus squarely on racing.

The tournament atmosphere is driven home through terse, high-energy announcements and stylized opening sequences for each cup. Little audio cues—track-specific countdowns, danger warnings, and victory fanfares—convey the high stakes of the Grand Prix. While you won’t find branching storylines or narrative twists, the competitive tension built into each race serves as its own form of drama.

In many ways, F-Zero X’s bare-bones story is a strength. By not bogging players down with cutscenes or dialogue, it maintains momentum and ensures that every moment is devoted to the core racing experience. The minimal narrative framework feels appropriate for a game defined by speed and reflex-based competition.

Overall Experience

F-Zero X stands as one of the most exhilarating racing experiences on the Nintendo 64. Its seamless blend of blistering speeds, complex track designs, and deep vehicle customization positions it unique among late-’90s racers. Whether you’re chasing personal bests against your ghost car, grinding through tournament cups, or battling friends in frantic four-player mayhem, the game consistently delivers high-octane thrills.

Longevity is a major selling point. The progressive unlock system encourages mastery of each cup, while the randomized X Tournament offers virtually limitless replayability. Time trial aficionados will find themselves returning lap after lap to shave milliseconds off their best times. Multiplayer sessions remain as vibrant today as they did at release, in part because the core gameplay rewards both raw speed and clever combat maneuvers.

Though lacking an elaborate storyline, the game’s stark focus on racing purity ensures that each session remains razor-sharp and uncluttered. The futuristic aesthetic, upbeat soundtrack, and crisp sound effects reinforce the sensation of competing at breakneck velocities. Even more than two decades after release, F-Zero X retains a distinct identity and still feels daring compared to many modern racers.

For fans of arcade-style, high-speed racing and Nintendo history alike, F-Zero X is an essential addition to any collection. Its combination of technical achievements, deep gameplay systems, and pure, unfiltered racing excitement make it a standout title on the Nintendo 64 and a game that rewards both casual pick-up-and-play and long-term mastery.

Retro Replay Score

8.1/10