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F-Zero: Maximum Velocity

GBA-race action from Nintendo. Zoooooom!

As with Super Mario Advance, GBA purchasers have once again to settle for a SNES remake in getting their first taste of the new handheld’s much lauded promise; a shame really, but nonetheless F-Zero was, and still is, a fine game. Indeed, without the original hovercraft-style racer there would be no Wipeout, and arcade gaming would be a very different sight indeed.

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The GBA’s update of the classic lacks none of the addictive fast-paced action of it’s predecessor too, as once again the game sees you racing at full throttle around a variety of futuristic tracks, in a number of cutting edge and performance-varying craft. It’s all good, clean, arcade-style fun, and it can be enjoyed with friends now, too.

That’s right – because the because improvement of the title on which this GBA edition is based, is the inclusion of multiplayer action; enabling you to link together with other Game Boy’s and race each other over the variety of tracks and using the different vehicles mentioned. It is in this department that the game is at it’s most entertaining; afterall mastering the AI-controlled competitors is one thing, beating your friends to the finishing line is quite another.

The singleplayer experience does offer plenty of entertainment too, however, especially for those speed-freaks which enjoy Wipeout-style action and frenetic racing games. I would urge fans of this genre to indulge in F-Zero without hesitation, for whilst mastering the gameplay can at first seem a little too easy, there still lies quite a lot of potential in the unlocking of new tracks and craft.

The graphics are true to the games arcade origins too, representing some of the best the GBA can initially offer, and being pleasingly three-dimensional in appearance; colourfully vibrant. Of course from time to time the tracks can seem a little sparse, but this seems unimportant matched against the formidable speed at which the game moves; the action-packed racing keeping boredom at bay for quite some time.

Having said the above, of course, the limited nature of the gameplay on display cannot be ignored, and the fact remains that it's a fast-paced and fun experience while it lasts but one that is over all too quickly. F-Zero then, represents a very purified experience, which is better suited for the occasional quick thrill, than hours of immersive play. It is with gamers that appreciate this in mind, that I can cautiously recommend this game…

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