Collection essentials #548: F-Zero GX (GC)

The new console generation had a lot of potential for F-Zero. The previous console entry, F-Zero X, sacrificed nice graphics for a buttery-smooth framerate. A GameCube F-Zero game wouldn’t have to make such compromises. To help bring it to fruition, Nintendo teamed up with their former rival Sega who would serve as chief developer. The results were spectacular.

F-Zero GX feels in some ways like a reimaging of F-Zero X, with similar gameplay concepts and the same large cast of characters returning. As a sort of reimagining, the game’s controls and the ways the vehicles move have a different feel to them. Not every mode and element from X returns here, as the X Cup and Death Race are omitted for example. But there are new modes that take their place, such as a nine-chapter story mode and a sophisticated vehicle creator where users get to create a racing machine by putting different parts together.

GX takes full advantage of the GameCube’s power and delivers what were stunning graphics for the time, and they still look nice even today. The simplistic backgrounds of F-Zero X have been replaced by a detailed and interesting variety of locales depicting the game’s futuristic world. This and the high framerate really make you feel like an awesome high-speed racer in the future. The excellent soundtrack takes the experience a step further. And not only is there in-game music, but every pilot in the game has their own theme song on top of that.

A big aspect of F-Zero GX which can be viewed as either a strength or a weakness is its difficulty. This game is known for being extremely challenging, and while there are easier difficulty settings, the issue is that a decent chunk of content requires you to persevere over the game’s most ruthless hurdles. On the other hand, though, to those who like a challenge, putting in the time to practice and master the game and eventually overcome those hurdles can be a very rewarding experience. Playing F-Zero GX well just feels really awesome.

I was already into F-Zero back in the day when I heard that GX was in the works. Needless to say, I was excited. However, the game wasn’t a big seller, which may have been in part due to the fact that its release coincided with a certain more-popular fighting game coming out around the same time. X had run into a similar fate releasing close to Zelda: Ocarina of Time back in 1998. And I have to admit, despite being an excited fan, I too passed over GX at launch in favor of the more-popular game which friends and family were into, and I didn’t get it until the following year, pre-owned. Perhaps because of these disappointing sales, Nintendo still has yet to release another major console F-Zero title since, which is a real shame.

Once I DID get my hands on F-Zero GX, I sure did play the heck out of it. I tried over and over again and eventually managed to clear story mode on the highest difficulty, thus unlocking all the tracks and racers. To this day, I consider that one of my highest gaming achievements. If I go back now and try it, my main thought is immediately, “How the heck did 14-year-old me actually manage to do this??”

There was an arcade counterpart to this game as well, titled F-Zero AX. The toughest unlockable content from the console version is stuff featured in the arcade game. What’s cool is that you can bring your GameCube memory card, which allows players to race with their custom vehicles built at home among other features. I was aware of the arcade version when it first came out, but I think it only had a limited release in the United States and I never managed to find an arcade that had it. I only played it for the first time in January of 2024 during a trip in Tokyo. Even then, it was the more basic version of the arcade cabinet and not the more-impressive fully-featured one with a moving seat. I still hope to experience that someday.

F-Zero GX doesn’t have the broadest appeal, but it is highly revered by those who have played it. I’d consider it one of the best GameCube games, one of the best racing games…heck, one of the best video games, period, and I’m not alone in that assessment. But, surprisingly, I’m not even sure if it’s my favorite F-Zero game. There’s an enhanced version of F-Zero X that I haven’t talked about on this blog (yet) because I haven’t been able to get it to work, but that version boasts a big feature that GX lacks. I’m also not the biggest fan of how created vehicles in GX, when made properly, are simply far better than the standard playable vehicles. GX, of course, offers a more visually-impressive experience than X and its own distinct controls which have a great feel to them. Either way, this game is a stone-cold quintessential essential in my collection. This year, it was added to the Switch 2’s Nintendo Classics lineup, so if you happen to have that fancy new console, you’ve got an accessible way to play this amazing game that’s over two decades old. If you think you’re up for the challenge, buckle up, because you’re in for one heck of a ride.