F-Zero: Maximum Velocity

Last updated
F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
Fzmvpackshot us.jpg
North American box art
Developer(s) NDcube [1]
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Director(s) Kazunobu Shimizu [lower-alpha 1]
Producer(s) Takehiro Izushi
Hitoshi Yamagami
Composer(s) Masaru Tajima
Mitsuteru Furukawa
Naoto Ishida
Series F-Zero
Platform(s) Game Boy Advance
Release
  • JP: March 21, 2001
  • NA: June 11, 2001
  • EU: June 22, 2001
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

F-Zero: Maximum Velocity [lower-alpha 2] is a futuristic racing game developed by NDcube and published by Nintendo as a launch game for the Game Boy Advance. [2] It was released in Japan, North America and Europe in 2001. [3] It was the first F-Zero game released on a handheld game console.

Contents

Maximum Velocity takes place 25 years after F-Zero , in another F-Zero Grand Prix. The past generations of F-Zero had "piloted their way to fame", so it is the second F-Zero game without Captain Falcon, Samurai Goroh, Pico, or Dr. Stewart after BS F-Zero Grand Prix 2 . Players control fast hovering crafts and use their speed-boosting abilities to navigate through the courses as quickly as possible.

Gameplay

Every race consists of five laps around a race track. Players lose the race if their machine explodes due to taking too much damage, or if they land outside of the track, get ejected from the race due to falling to 20th place, complete a lap with a rank outside of the rank limit of that lap, or forfeit. In the single player Grand Prix mode, all of these conditions require the player to possess and use an extra machine to try again.

For each lap completed the player is rewarded with a speed boost, to be used once any time; one of the "SSS" marks will be shaded green to indicate that it can be used. A boost will dramatically increase a player's speed, but will decrease their ability to turn. A boost used before a jump will make the player jump farther, which could allow the player to use a shortcut with the right vehicle. Boost time and speed varies according to the machine, and is usually tuned for proper balance. For example, one machine boasts a boost time of twelve seconds, yet has the slowest boost speed of the entire game. Players can also take advantage of the varying deceleration of each vehicle. Some vehicles, such as the Jet Vermilion, take longer than others to decelerate from top boost speed to normal speed, once the boost has been used up. Players can also take advantage of this effect on boost pads.

The Grand Prix is the main single player component of Maximum Velocity. It consists of four series named after chess pieces: "Pawn", "Knight", "Bishop" and "Queen". The latter of these can be unlocked by winning the others on "Expert" mode. They have five races in four difficulty settings, "Master" mode is unlocked by winning expert mode in each series, the player unlocks a new machine after completing it. The player needs to be in the top three at the end of the last lap in order to continue to the next race. If the player is unable to continue, the player will lose a machine and can try the race again. If the player runs out of machines, then the game ends, and the player has to start the series from the beginning.

Championship is another single player component. It is basically the same as a "Time Attack" mode, except the player can only race on one, special course: the Synobazz Championship Circuit. This special course is not selectable in any other modes.

Multiplayer

Maximum Velocity can be played in two multiplayer modes using the Game Boy Advance link cable, with one cartridge, or one cartridge per player. Two to four players can play in both modes. In single cart, only one player needs to have a cartridge. All players drive a generic craft, and the game can only be played on one level, Silence. Silence, along with Fire Field, are the only areas to return from previous games. Aptly, Silence in Maximum Velocity has no background music, unlike in most other F-Zero games. In multi cart, each player needs to have a cartridge to play. This has many advantages over single cart: All players can use any machine in this game that has been unlocked by another player. Players can select any course in this game. After the race is finished, all of the players' ranking data are mixed and shared ("Mixed ranking" stored in each cart).

Development

F-Zero: Maximum Velocity was one of the first games developed by NDcube. [4] Like the original F-Zero for SNES, Maximum Velocity implements a pseudo-3D visual technique based on the scaling and rotation effects of bitmap graphics. In this game, this technique consists of a double layer, one of which gives the illusion of depth. [2] [3]

Release

iQue released it to the Chinese market in August 2007.[ citation needed ]

Maximum Velocity is one of ten Game Boy Advance games released on December 16, 2011, to Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors, a program to give free downloadable games to early adopters who bought a Nintendo 3DS before its price drop. [5] [6] It was also released on the Wii U Virtual Console on April 3, 2014, in Japan and April 17 in North America and Europe.

A February 2023 teaser trailer showing future releases for the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service mentioned the game. [7]

Reception

The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [8] NextGen , however, called it "A classic SNES racer that ports well, although the look is definitely dated." [17] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 31 out of 40. [14] Uncle Dust of GamePro said that the game was "every bit as good, if not better, than[ sic ] the amazing SNES version—it's a must-buy in the launch lineup." [21] [lower-alpha 4]

The game went on to sell 334,145 units in Japan and 273,229 units in the U.S. as of 2005. [22] [23] The game has total sales of over 1 million units worldwide.

Notes

  1. Also referred to as Isshin Shimizu
  2. Known in Japan as F-Zero for Game Boy Advance
  3. Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 7/10, 7.5/10, and 9/10.
  4. GamePro gave the game 4.5/5 for graphics, two 4/5 scores for sound and control, and 5/5 for fun factor.

Related Research Articles

Mario Kart is a series of kart racing games and a spin-off Mario franchise developed and published by Nintendo. Players compete in go-kart races while using various power-up items. It features characters and courses mostly from the Mario series as well as other gaming franchises such as The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, F-Zero, Excitebike, and Splatoon.

<i>Mario Kart: Super Circuit</i> 2001 kart racing video game

Mario Kart: Super Circuit is a 2001 kart racing game for the Game Boy Advance (GBA). It is the third Mario Kart game and retains its predecessors' gameplay: as a Mario franchise character, the player races opponents around tracks based on locales from the Super Mario platform games. Tracks contain obstacles and power-ups that respectively hamper and aid the player's progress. Super Circuit includes various single-player and multiplayer game modes, including a Grand Prix racing mode and a last man standing battle mode.

<i>F-Zero</i> (video game) 1990 racing game

F-Zero is a racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It was released in Japan on November 21, 1990, in North America in August 1991, and in Europe in 1992. F-Zero is the first game in the F-Zero series and was a launch game for the SNES. F-Zero was rereleased for the Virtual Console service on various Nintendo platforms and as part of the Super NES Classic Edition in 2017.

<i>F-Zero X</i> 1998 video game

F-Zero X is a futuristic racing video game for the Nintendo 64 console. Developed and published by Nintendo, it was released in Japan, North America, and Europe in 1998. In 2000, the Expansion Kit was released in Japan, including a track and vehicle editor. The original game was ported in 2004 to the iQue Player in China. It had Virtual Console re-releases on the Wii in 2007 and the Wii U around nine years later. On March 11, 2022, the game was re-released on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, featuring online multiplayer.

<i>Metroid Fusion</i> 2002 video game

Metroid Fusion is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance in 2002. It was developed by Nintendo Research & Development 1, which had developed the previous Metroid game, Super Metroid (1994). Players control the bounty hunter Samus Aran, who investigates a space station infected with shapeshifting parasites known as X.

<i>Mario Kart: Double Dash</i> 2003 video game

Mario Kart: Double Dash!! is a 2003 kart racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the GameCube (GCN). This game is the fourth main entry in the Mario Kart series, succeeding Mario Kart: Super Circuit (2001). It is the first game in the series to use 3D polygon graphics for the racers, as opposed to sprites, after Mario Kart 64 (1996) only used polygons for the environments, and 2D sprites for the racers.

<i>Sonic Advance</i> 2001 video game

Sonic Advance, known as SonicN on the N-Gage, is a 2001 platform game developed by Dimps and published by Sega for the Game Boy Advance. It was the first Sonic the Hedgehog game released on a Nintendo console with Sonic Adventure 2: Battle on the GameCube, and was produced in commemoration of the series' tenth anniversary. The story follows Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy as they journey to stop Doctor Eggman from taking over the world. Controlling a character, players are tasked with completing each level, defeating Eggman and his robot army, and collecting the seven Chaos Emeralds.

<i>Rock n Roll Racing</i> 1993 video game

Rock n' Roll Racing is a vehicular combat-based racing video game developed by Silicon & Synapse and published by Interplay Productions for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993 and the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1994. The game prominently features a number of popular heavy metal and rock songs in its soundtrack, hence the game's title. The game was ported to the Game Boy Advance in 2003. In celebration of the company's 30th anniversary, Rock n' Roll Racing was re-released for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as part of the Blizzard Arcade Collection in February 2021.

<i>Excitebike</i> 1984 video game

Excitebike is a motocross racing video game developed and published by Nintendo. In Japan, it was released for the Famicom in 1984 and then ported to arcades as VS. Excitebike for the Nintendo VS. System later that year. In North America, it was initially released for arcades in 1985 and then as a launch game for the Nintendo Entertainment System later that year, becoming one of the best-selling games on the console. It is the first game in the Excite series.

<i>F-Zero GX</i> 2003 video game

F-Zero GX is a 2003 racing video game developed by Amusement Vision and published by Nintendo for the GameCube console. It runs on an enhanced version of the engine used in Super Monkey Ball. F-Zero AX, the arcade counterpart of GX, uses the Triforce arcade system board conceived from a business alliance between Nintendo, Namco and Sega. Published by Sega, it was released alongside GX in 2003.

<i>Wave Race 64</i> 1996 video game

Wave Race 64 is a 1996 racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. Gameplay involves the player racing on a personal watercraft on a variety of courses while successfully manoeuvring the vehicle around various buoys. A multiplayer mode where two players can compete against each other on a chosen course is also included. The game supports the Controller Pak, which allows players to transfer saved data from one game cartridge to another.

<i>F-Zero</i> Video game series

F-Zero is a series of futuristic racing games published by Nintendo, developed by Nintendo EAD and other third-party companies. The first game was released for the Super Famicom in Japan in 1990. Its success prompted Nintendo to create sequels on subsequent consoles.

<i>F1 Race</i> 1984 video game

F1 Race is a racing video game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Famicom in 1984. A version was released in 1990 for the Game Boy in Japan and in 1991 in Europe and North America, including the Four Player Adapter for four-player gameplay.

The Virtual Console is a defunct line of downloadable video games for Nintendo's Wii and Wii U home video game consoles and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

<i>Tube Slider</i> 2003 video game

Tube Slider is a 2003 racing video game developed by NDcube and published exclusively in North America by NEC Interchannel for the GameCube. A Japanese release was planned but canceled for unknown reasons. The game takes place on Earth in the middle of the 21st century, where a new sport based around tube sliding was born out of people's desire for speed and competition, after hydrogen-based energy replaced fossil fuels in motorsports. The player can choose between one of eight futuristic formula vehicles, each one varying in terms of performance, and race against computer-controlled opponents across ten tracks divided into three sessions.

<i>F-Zero: GP Legend</i> 2004 racing video game

F-Zero: GP Legend is a futuristic racing video game for the Game Boy Advance handheld. Developed by Suzak Inc., it was released in Japan in 2003, and in Europe and North America in 2004.

<i>F-Zero Climax</i> 2004 video game

F-Zero Climax is a racing video game developed by Suzak Inc. and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance (GBA) handheld console. The game was released in Japan on October 21, 2004 and was the last F-Zero installment for the next 19 years.

Zero Racers is an unreleased racing video game that was in development and planned to be published by Nintendo on a scheduled 1996 release date exclusively for the Virtual Boy. Had it been released prior to cancellation, it would have become the first F-Zero installment to have featured 3D graphics. In the game, players can choose between one of four characters, each with their respective hovercar and race against AI-controlled characters in fifteen tracks divided into three leagues. The title was previewed in video game magazines, erroneously reported to have appeared at E3 1996, but it was ultimately shelved due to the failure of the Virtual Boy itself, despite being completed for release. According to a Nintendo of America employee, the game was complete, having been rated by the ESRB and materials having been made for a physical release.

References

  1. "Product Information". NDcube Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on April 10, 2001. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 Harris, Craig (June 14, 2001). "F-Zero: Maximum Velocity". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 Satterfield, Shane (June 6, 2001). "F-Zero: Maximum Velocity Review". GameSpot . Fandom. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  4. IGN staff (January 31, 2003). "Tube Slider (Preview)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  5. Pereira, Chris (December 17, 2011). "3DS Ambassadors Get Their Free GBA Games Today". 1Up.com . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012.
  6. Pereira, Chris (December 14, 2011). "Zelda: Minish Cap, Wario Land 4 Among 3DS Ambassador GBA Games Coming Friday". 1Up.com. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012.
  7. Plant, Logan (February 8, 2023). "Nintendo Switch Online Adding Game Boy and Game Boy Advance Games". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  8. 1 2 "F-Zero: Maximum Velocity". Metacritic . Fandom. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  9. Weiss, Brett Alan. "F-Zero: Maximum Velocity - Review". AllGame . All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  10. Edge staff (May 2001). "F-Zero: Maximum Velocity [sic][JP Import]" (PDF). Edge . No. 97. Future Publishing. p. 77. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  11. Hager, Dean; Dudlak, Jonathan; Sewart, Greg (July 2001). "F-Zero Maximum Velocity" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 144. Ziff Davis. p. 93. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  12. Craggs, Samantha (June 14, 2001). "F-Zero: Maximum Velocity". The Electric Playground . Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on May 10, 2003. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  13. Bramwell, Tom (July 21, 2001). "F-Zero: Maximum Velocity". Eurogamer . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 6, 2001. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  14. 1 2 "ゲームボーイアドバンス - F-ZERO FOR GAMEBOY ADVANCE". Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 915. Enterbrain. June 30, 2006. p. 121. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  15. "F-Zero: Maximum Velocity". Game Informer . No. 99. FuncoLand. July 2001.
  16. D'Aprile, Jason (December 25, 2001). "F-Zero Maximum Velocity". GameSpy . IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 17, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  17. 1 2 "F-Zero: Maximum Velocity". NextGen . No. 79. Imagine Media. July 2001. p. 64. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  18. Wahlgren, Jon (December 23, 2011). "F-Zero Maximum Velocity Review". Nintendo Life . Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on September 16, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  19. "F-Zero: Maximum Velocity". Nintendo Power . Vol. 145. Nintendo of America. June 2001.
  20. Sanches, Joao Diniz (October 21, 2005). "F-Zero: Maximum Velocity". Pocket Gamer . Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  21. Uncle Dust (July 2001). "F-Zero: Maximum Velocity" (PDF). GamePro . No. 154. IDG. p. 39. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  22. "Nintendo GBA Japanese Ranking". Japan Game Charts. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  23. "Game Boy Advance Best Selling Ranking". Shrine of Data Sales Database. Archived from the original on April 9, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2022.