F-Zero is a futuristic racing video game franchise originally created by Nintendo EAD and has been continually published by Nintendo, although the company has let outside development houses work on some installments. The series premiered in Japan on November 21, 1990, with which later was released in the North American in August 1991 and in the PAL Region in 1992. An original installment appeared on every succeeding Nintendo video game console with the exception of the Game Boy Color from its debut until 2004. GP Legend marked the first time the franchise hit a gaming system twice in its lifetime in the United States. The 2004 release of Climax was the last video game in the franchise before its hiatus. Since then, multiple video games were re-released through Nintendo's digital distribution channels. The series currently includes eight released video games, a television series, and video game soundtracks released on audio CDs.
Gameplay consists of racing in futuristic hovercraft and using their speed-boosting abilities to navigate through the courses as quickly as possible in settings like the recurring Mute City, Big Blue and Port Town. The first game was labeled by critics as an influential video game that created the futuristic racing subgenre as well as inspired the creation of numerous racing games such as Daytona USA and the Wipeout series. The series casually centers around the F-Zero racer Captain Falcon and his talented racing and bounty hunting abilities as well as his encounters with the other F-Zero characters.
Video games
Other media Title Release date Media type F-Zero: ...そしてスピードの神へ February 1992 Fantasy novel Notes: 244-paged fantasy novel authored by Ozaki Yoshiyuki and published by Futabasha. F-Zero: GP Legend October 7, 2003 Anime television series Notes: 51 animated episode series created by Ashi Productions based on the F-Zero franchise.
A video game under the same title was released based on the show featuring the same characters and art style.
Soundtracks Title Release date Length Label F-Zero March 25, 1992 51:46 Tokuma Japan Communications Notes: Jazz-arranged musical tracks to the game featuring the Yellowjackets' Marc Russo on saxophones and Robben Ford on electric guitar. F-Zero X Original Soundtrack September 18, 1998 52:46 Pony Canyon F-Zero X Guitar Arrange Edition January 27, 1999 36:43 Player's Planet and Media Factory F-Zero Blue Falcon Ending Theme – Resolution December 3, 2003 18:52 NEC Interchannel Notes: Features the ending theme of TV Tokyo's F-Zero anime. F-Zero Legend of Falcon Opening Theme: The Meaning of Truth December 3, 2003 17:39 NEC Interchannel Notes: Features the introductory theme of TV Tokyo's F-Zero anime. F-Zero GX/AX Original Soundtrack July 22, 2004 2:25:15 Scitron Digital Content Notes: Two CD set composed of BGM soundtracks to the video games F-Zero GX and F-Zero AX.
References Notes
Citations Kent (2001), p. 434. Kent states September 1 was planned but later rescheduled to September 9.
Based on the publication date, the "Friday" mentioned would be August 23, 1991.
Based on the publication date, the "Friday" mentioned would be August 23, 1991.
Bibliography Summary History of F-Zero at IGN. Last accessed on February 17, 2007.