F-Zero (universe): Difference between revisions

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''F-Zero'' (universe)}}

{{ArticleIcons|ssb=y|ssbm=y|ssbb=y|ssb4=y|ssbu=y}}

|developer        = [[Nintendo]]<br>Amusement Vision/[[Sega]]<br>Nd Cube<br>Suzak

|latestinstallment = ''{{s|fzerowiki|F-Zero Climax}}'' (2004) {{Flag|Japan}}

As of the Japan-only release of ''F-Zero Climax'' in 2004, the series has been on hiatus and has now been largely dormant for almost 15 years, only receiving  

primary representation in the ''Smash Bros.'' series, two courses and a kart in DLC ''{{s|mariowiki|Mario Kart 8}}'' (which

were included at launch in ''{{s|mariowiki|Mario Kart 8 Deluxe}}'') and a minigame in ''Nintendo Land'' since ''Climax'''s release outside of amiibo functionality.

The original ''F-Zero'' had a very privileged position in [[Nintendo]]'s release timeline; it shared the spotlight with ''[[Mario (universe)|Super Mario World]]'' as the "other" primary launch title for the Super Famicom and one of several launch titles for the Western equivalent, the Super Nintendo, and was the technical showpiece for the console's innovative "Mode 7" graphics-rendering technique. This form of texture mapping available on the SNES allowed a raster graphical plane to be rotated and scaled freely, and its usage in ''F-Zero'' to partially simulate three-dimensional environments without processing polygons was lauded for providing ''F-Zero'' the most convincing racetracks that had yet been seen on a home console. ''F-Zero'' was widely praised and financially successful both for its technical achievements and for delivering responsive gameplay supplemented by a wide track variety and a steady increase in challenge, and is credited both for reinvigorating the racing genre and for establishing a sub-genre of racing games that featured a futuristic aesthetic.

Considering the success of the first game, Nintendo notably did not jump into developing a sequel for several years, and what was technically the second installment of the franchise, ''BS F-Zero Grand Prix'', was released in two separate incarnations as downloadable titles for the Satellaview, a Japan-exclusive attachment for the Super Famicom, in the mid-1990s. But the next installment to receive widespread public attention was ''F-Zero X'' for the Nintendo 64, which made the transition into polygonal graphics and was released in mid-to-late 1998. The game was received positively for its hard rock soundtrack and its focus on refined gameplay and an abundance of tracks (including randomly generated tracks), all while keeping the graphics running at an unbroken 60 frames per second (it was purportedly the first racing game to do so), though not every review outlet felt that the lack of detail in the graphics and texturing was made up for by the smooth framerate. A subsequent Japanese-only release for the short-lived Nintendo 64DD add-on, the ''F-Zero X Expansion Kit'', was the first 64DD disk exclusively designed as an add-on to work in conjunction with a Nintendo 64 cartridge inserted into the base console; it primarily added both a vehicle-creation feature and a track-creation tool that was virtually the same tool used during the development of the game itself.  

The series mirrored its roots as a technical showcase for a newly launched Nintendo system with the Game Boy Advance launch title ''F-Zero: Maximum Velocity'', which transplanted the Mode 7 presentation style of the original into a handheld game. Then, the series made its most technically advanced appearance yet in ''F-Zero GX'' for the GameCube in mid-2003 (the first-ever collaboration between Nintendo and [[Sega]]), where it was lauded for being the best racing game for the GameCube; critically acclaimed elements include its visuals, high sense of speed and intensity, track design, challenge, and fleshed-out single-player modes, with some criticism leveled against a very sharp difficulty slant. An arcade counterpart to this title named ''F-Zero AX'' was published by Sega for the Triforce arcade system board (a system that was conceived from a business alliance between Sega, Nintendo, and [[Namco]]), and it featured special connectivity with the GameCube title in which a player that inserted a Nintendo GameCube memory card into the ''F-Zero AX'' system could instantly unlock content in ''F-Zero GX'' that would normally require successful playthroughs on high difficulties to access.

Following this, Nintendo attempted an alternate-universe take on the franchise with a 51-episode anime series, ''F-Zero: GP Legend'', which began airing in October 2003, and two companion games for the Game Boy Advance, the first a game of the same name and the second titled ''F-Zero Climax'', were released in Japan near the end of 2003 and 2004, respectively. However, a 4Kids Entertainment localization of the anime was only partially aired before being cancelled, and ''F-Zero Climax'' was never released outside Japan. Despite ''F-Zero'' having been consistently featured as one of the contending Nintendo franchises in every installment of the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series since that series' inception, the ''F-Zero'' franchise  

itself has remained dormant ever since the release of ''F-Zero Climax'', and only some series elements have made intermittent and minor appearances outside of ''Smash Bros.'' since then.

''F-Zero'' is one of the "bonus franchises" in the original ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', for it contributes one unlockable character, one victory theme, and absolutely nothing else - no stages and no items based on ''F-Zero'' repose in the game. Before being unlocked, Captain Falcon makes his appearance in [[Planet Zebes|Samus' stage]] (both Samus and Captain Falcon are known to be bounty hunters, in addition to both having originated from science fiction franchises). ''Super Smash Bros.'' also marked the only time to introduce an ''F-Zero'' newcomer.

*[[File:CaptainFalconIcon(SSB).png|50px|right]]'''{{SSB|Captain Falcon}}''' ([[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]): Captain Falcon appears as an unlockable character in the original ''Super Smash Bros.''. His design is based off his appearance from ''F-Zero X''. His [[neutral special]] is the famous [[Falcon Punch]], which has a considerable amount of startup lag, with extremely high [[knockback]] and damage output to compensate. His attacks are very fast, and overall can [[combo]] into each other well. Captain Falcon currently lies in the A tier of the current ''SSB'' [[tier list]], in 3rd place.

*[[File:CaptainFalconIcon(SSBM).png|50px|right]]'''{{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}''' ([[Starter character|Starter]]): Captain Falcon is still the only playable ''F-Zero'' character in the game, but with a new Raptor Boost dash-uppercut attack as his new side special move. His appearance is still based off ''F-Zero X''. He remains a high-tier character for his fighting specifications. Falcon's evil DNA clone rival in the games, [[Blood Falcon]], is playable as an alternative costume in the game.{{clear}}

*[[File:CaptainFalconIcon(SSBB).png|50px|right]]'''{{SSBB|Captain Falcon}}''' ([[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]): Like ''Melee'', Captain Falcon is still the only playable ''F-Zero'' character in the game. He resembles his ''Melee'' design, but now has the scarf from his ''GX'' appearance. He has the same moves as in ''[[Melee]]'', along with his final smash, [[Blue Falcon]]. When he uses this, he and the opponent(s) he is facing are taken onto an unknown race track where the [[Blue Falcon]] comes, Captain Falcon hops in it, and he drives it straight into his opponent. The opponent is then sent flying. When he uses [[Falcon Punch]], the player can tilt the control stick the opposite direction he is facing, and he will suddenly turn around, and hit the opponent that was behind him. However, his tier position has went from 8th (high tier) to 34th (fifth to last) due to a nerf in speed and power.

On the final character select screen (after all characters are unlocked), Captain Falcon joins the ''{{uv|Star Fox}}'' characters in the sixth column. All these characters fly spaceships (hence having a choice of fighting only up to two of these in {{SSBB|Classic Mode}}).

*[[File:Icon-porttownaerodive.gif|right]]'''[[Port Town Aero Dive]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): A stage based on the race course of the same name from [[F-Zero GX]].  Similar to the Mute City stage from ''Melee'', this battlefield takes place atop a moving platform that stops off at different points of the racetrack and players must dodge the F-Zero machines that make their way across the track.  These machines are both significantly more powerful and far bigger than they were in Mute City, and are often more difficult to see coming.{{clr}}

*[[File:bigbluemelee.png|right]]'''[[Past Stages and Melee Stages|Melee Stages]]: [[Big Blue]]''' ([[Unlockable stage|Unlockable]]): A returning stage from ''Melee''.  A significant change is that floating items like Pokémon don't disappear instantly.  However, [[bumper]]s can't be placed in midair. The [[Falcon Flyer]] has also been scaled down.{{clr}}

There has been little to no ''F-Zero'' releases since ''Brawl'' barring cameos in ''Mario Kart 8'' and ''Nintendo Land''. Nevertheless, the series continues to be represented, arguably more closely linked to ''Smash Bros.'' than its own releases in the minds of those who know little to nothing about ''F-Zero''.

*[[File:CaptainFalconIcon(SSB4-U).png|50px|right]] '''[[Captain Falcon (SSB4)|Captain Falcon]]''' ([[Starter character|Starter]]): Captain Falcon returns as a starter character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. Captain Falcon has been significantly buffed from Brawl, in which he was a low-tier character despite his speed and power. Several of his moves have been given more reach and knockback, and some of his situational moves, such as his up tilt, have been greatly improved. Falcon's grab game has also been buffed, as his throws have less ending lag, allowing him to string together combos more reliably, much as he could before Brawl. Complementing this is his newly buffed dash grab, which comes out very quickly and covers a lot of distance. Falcon also significantly benefits from the changes to two of Brawl's mechanics - hitstun canceling, which is now only possible at higher percents and restored his comboing ability for lower percents, and chain grabbing, which is now impossible and was one of his biggest weaknesses in Brawl. As he is a heavyweight character, Falcon also benefits from the rage mechanic, without his combos being affected. As in SSB and Melee, Falcon is mainly a heavily offensive rushdown character who relies on overwhelming his opponents with rapid combos and powerful finishers.

 

The F-Zero universe returns in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.

*11. [[File:CaptainFalconIcon(SSBU).png|50px|right]]'''{{SSBU|Captain Falcon}}''' ([[Unlockable character|Unlockable]]): Captain Falcon has received a mix of buffs and nerfs in the transition to Ultimate. Many aspects of his playstyle have been adjusted through the transition, which has resulted in notable changes to the way he operates and an increase in his learning curve.

All ''F-Zero'' stages from past games aside from {{GameIcon|ssbm}}{{SSBM|Mute City}} have returned.

*{{GameIcon|ssbm}}[[File:BigBlueIconSSBU.png|75px|right|link=Big Blue]]'''[[Big Blue]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): the infamous circuit from ''Melee'' returns after being absent in ''Smash 4'' as a retro stage.{{clr}}

*{{GameIcon|ssbb}}[[File:PortTownAeroDiveIconSSBU.png|75px|right|link=Port Town Aero Dive]]'''[[Port Town Aero Dive]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): The track will return as a retro stage.{{clr}}

*{{GameIcon|ssb4-3ds}}[[File:MuteCitySNESIconSSBU.png|75px|right|link=Mute City SNES]]'''[[Mute City SNES]]''' ([[Starter stage|Starter]]): The original SNES version of this iconic track returns as a retro stage.{{clr}}

==Games with elements from or in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series==

===''F-Zero''===

*Playable Character

*Stage

**{{GameIcon|SSBM}}{{GameIcon|SSB4-3DS}} [[Mute City]] debuts as a track in this game

*Stage Elements

*Assist Trophy

*Trophies

**{{GameIcon|SSBM}}{{GameIcon|SSBB}}{{GameIcon|SSB4}} Captain Falcon, Blue Falcon, Falcon Flyer, Samurai Goroh, [[Dr. Stewart]], [[Pico]], Golden Fox, Wild Goose, Fire Stingray and Mute City appear as trophies

*Stickers

*Spirits

*Music

**{{GameIcon|SSBM}} '''Mute City''': A remix of the rock music heard on the first track in F-Zero X. Later Renamed to “Mute City (Melee).”

**{{GameIcon|SSBM}} '''Big Blue''': A similar remix of the rock music heard on tracks in F-Zero X that take place on the planet Big Blue. Later renamed to “Big Blue (Melee).”

**{{GameIcon|SSBB}} '''Mute City''' - A slightly more subdued remix of the series standby track theme that calls parallels to its remix in F-Zero GX. Later renamed to “Mute City Ver. 2” and again renamed to “Mute City (Brawl).”

**{{GameIcon|SSBB}} '''Fire Field''' - The music that plays on the Fire Field track in the original F-Zero. This track is also played during Captain Falcon's Classic Mode credits.

**{{GameIcon|SSBB}} '''White Land''' - This was the track that played on all of the White Land tracks.

**{{GameIcon|SSB4}} '''Mute City Ver. 3''': This track is a remastered version of the original ''SNES'' Mute City music. It is used on the new Mute City stage in the 3DS version and on Port Town Aero Dive in the Wii U version. Later renamed to “Mute City (for 3DS / Wii U).”

**{{GameIcon|SSB4}} '''Mute City (original)''': This track uses the original ''SNES'' Mute City music from ''F-Zero''. It is used on the same stage of the same name in the 3DS version and on Port Town Aero Dive in the Wii U version.

**{{GameIcon|SSBU}} '''Big Blue''': A new, trance-inspired remix of the [[Big Blue]] theme from ''{{iw|fzerowiki|F-Zero|game}}''.

**{{GameIcon|SSBU}} '''Sand Ocean''': A remix of the Sand Ocean theme from ''F-Zero''.

**{{GameIcon|SSBU}} '''F-ZERO Medley''': A medley of various themes from ''F-Zero'' featuring vocal backing; it consists of the "Life Lost" jingle, "{{iw|fzerowiki|Death Wind}}", "{{iw|fzerowiki|White Land}}", "{{iw|fzerowiki|Fire Field}}", "[[Mute City]]", "{{iw|fzerowiki|Red Canyon}}", and "{{iw|fzerowiki|Port Town}}".

**{{GameIcon|SSBU}} '''White Land''': The White Land I theme, sourced from ''F-Zero''.

**{{GameIcon|SSBU}} '''White Land II''': The White Land theme, sourced from ''F-Zero''.

===''F-Zero X''===

*Playable Character

**{{GameIcon|SSB}}{{GameIcon|SSBM}} Captain Falcon’s design is largely inspired by this game.

*Stages

*Stage Elements

*Trophies

**{{GameIcon|SSBM}}{{GameIcon|SSBB}}{{GameIcon|SSB4}} F-Zero racers, Jody Summer, Mr. EAD, The Skull, Blood Falcon, Black Shadow, Zoda and James McCloud appear as trophies.

*Stickers

*Spirits

*Music

**{{GameIcon|SSB}} '''23''': The victory fanfare of [[Captain Falcon]] is a techno rock remix of the end-of-race track heard in ''F-Zero X''.

**{{GameIcon|SSBM}} '''46: Capt. Falcon's Victory''': The victory fanfare of [[Captain Falcon]] is a rock remix of the end-of-race track heard in ''F-Zero X''.

**{{GameIcon|SSBM}} '''17: Mute City''': A remix of the rock music heard on the first track in F-Zero X for N64, Mute City. It is heard in {{SSBM|Mute City}}.

**{{GameIcon|SSBM}} '''18: Big Blue''': A similar remix of the rock music heard on tracks in F-Zero X that take place on the planet Big Blue. It is heard in [[Big Blue]] as the primary track.

**{{GameIcon|SSBB}} '''Car Select''' – Taken directly from the menu track from F-Zero X. 

**{{GameIcon|SSBB}} '''Dream Chaser''' - The track that played on all of the Silence tracks in F-Zero X.  

**{{GameIcon|SSBB}} '''Devil's Call in Your Heart''' - The music track that played on all of the Devil's Forest racetracks, it is taken directly from F-Zero X.

**{{GameIcon|SSBB}} '''Climb Up! And Get the Last Chance!''' - Taken directly from F-Zero X, this one played on the game's White Land races.  

**{{GameIcon|SSB4}} '''Red Canyon''': This track uses the original ''SNES'' Red Canyon music from ''F-Zero''.

===''F-Zero GX''===

*Playable Character

**{{GameIcon|SSBB}} [[Port Town Aero Drive]] debuts as a track in this game.

**{{GameIcon|SSBB}} Samurai Goroh uses his design from this game.

*Trophies

*Stickers

*Spirits

*Music

**{{GameIcon|SSBB}} '''Captain Falcon's victory theme''' - The theme played whenever the player successfully completed a race in F-Zero GX.

**{{GameIcon|SSBB}} '''Brain Cleaner''' - The track that played in F-Zero GX while viewing race replays, it is taken directly from said game.

**{{GameIcon|SSBB}} '''Shotgun Kiss''' - This track played on all of the Casino Palace tracks in F-Zero GX and happens to be taken directly from it.

**{{GameIcon|SSBB}} '''Planet Colors''' - This was the track that played in F-Zero GX on all of the Green Plant racetracks.

*''F-Zero'' is one of four series not to have a home stage for a fighter in the installment they were first included in, the other three being ''EarthBound'', {{uv|Fire Emblem}}, and {{uv|R.O.B.}}.

**This was technically the case for {{uv|Wii Fit}} and {{uv|Duck Hunt}} as well, as neither series received a stage in ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'', though the {{b|Duck Hunt|stage}} stage would later be added as free DLC to the 3DS version of ''Smash 4''.

*''F-Zero'' has the highest amount of stages out of all franchises that contain a single fighter, with four.  

*''F-Zero'' and {{uv|Banjo-Kazooie}} are the only franchises in the ''Smash Bros.'' series to feature a playable character that originated from a racing games.