GENRE
	Racing
	DEVELOPER
	EAD
	PUBLISHER
	Nintendo
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1-4
	CONTROLLER PAK
	no
	RUMBLE PAK
	yes
	RAM PAK
	no
	BUY NOW AT

I never played the original to this game so I'm coming in without the sequel hype. Hey, all the better Dojo Disciples as this raises my objectivity to the point of Vulcan proportions.

F-Zero X is a bloody fast game. Now when I say fast, I mean incredibly damn fast. However, there are some serious concerns that I have with the title that I think are real issues. Please read on.

visuals

Imagine driving at 600mph in a blank white void. You would feel the prescence of speed but without the visual cues would you BELIEVE the speed? My question to you is; What's the point of having the fastest graphics on the 64 with no visual cues to identify the speed by?

Take Ridge Racer 64 for example. That is a VERY fast title. It may not have the blistering framerate that F-Zero X has but it does have a rich ambience and environment that allows you to PERCEIVE speed. See, I'm taking issue with this particular part of the game because F-Zero X seems to have been marketed solely on speed. I acknowledge that there is speed there but without the proper graphics you just can't fully delve into the speed of the game.

Having said that I find the graphics of F-Zero X's gameplay exciting and boring at the same time. Exciting in that the game feels fast but boring in that after you reach the fifth track you've pretty much seen all the graphical cues that are in the game. This bland repition hurts the game's "wow" power and really looses it's ability to keep me enthralled.

In keeping with speed you'll find that everything in the game was sacrificed in the name of making a faster engine. The polygons in the ships are next to nothing especially when there are several on screen. However, I must admit that at that speed you are seeing about thirty vehicles on screen. That's impressive.

You'll find the menu screens to take cues from comic book drawings. From the character select to the different backgrounds, it looks very....Marvel.

audio

Midi noise with some incredibly cheesey guitar riffs. Neil Voss would have fattened this game up with some seriously pumping techno and at the speed this game travels it needs a music that can keep up. Neil Voss (of Tetrisphere) has that ability. The music in this game doesn't.

gameplay

You'll love the speed of the play whether it's four player or single. Also there's plenty of options including an elimination death match, time trial etc. I like the fact that you hvae to unlock the game. It kind of keeps you interested that way.

There's a neat little take out move that kind of sort of accomodates the games' lack of weapons. If you tap the R Shoulder button you can spin and take out an opponent. Master it and win!

The random track generator is what Left Field used for the Excitebike Dessert course. The unpredictability adds a tonne of fun and is a good handicap for vets. Too bad a lot of the randomn courses are pretty lame.

The crux of the gameplay is the Grand Prix season. It is here where you win the cups that will eventually unlock a nude picture of Miyamoto as the games' title screen. Keep playing, it's there, trust me.

multiplayer

Fast and furious. The issue that I mentioned earlier about the graphics does play a role here as well. Still, should have some fun with a few friends with this one.

overall

Pick this game up if you are a diehard race fan. If not, rent it. After all, it is a first party game and you know only first party games are worth playing. Or at least, that's what Nintendo wants you to think.

8.5/10