F-Zero : Maximum Velocity

by Nintendo

Product Features

• For Play on Your Game Boy Advance
• Published by Nintendo
• Game Genre: Racing, Game Sub-Genre: Adventure, Action

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00005B8IX
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: June 11, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (136 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,133 in Video Games (See Bestsellers in Video Games)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

If you like blazing-fast racing games (and have thumbs of steel), F-Zero: Maximum Velocity is one of the wildest rides yet for a handheld system. Based on the famous Super NES game of yore, the futuristic F-Zero asks you to pick from a starting lineup of four pilot hovercrafts that tear across flat but hazardous tracks. Your goal: compete for first place so you can advance to the next track and difficulty level.

To have any success in F-Zero, great reflexes and a memory for track detail are absolute musts. While the controls are responsive, in general the frictionless racing means that almost all cars have a suitably loose feel to them, and require skilled pilots to handle corners. Be warned that gamers with adult-size thumbs may be in for a very painful experience due to the constant mashing of the GBA's shoulder buttons. When you get bored of racing the computer, you can take on up to four opponents via the link cable--and unlike multiplayer Game Boy games, only one cartridge is needed.

While F-Zero features many tracks and skill levels, beyond the simplistic (yet challenging) racing, there isn't much depth. Fortunately, the silky smooth animation and detailed graphics should keep fans of speedy arcade racers taxing their thumbs long after they've brought home the checkered flag. --Mark Brooks

Pros:

• Ridiculously fast-paced arcade racing done right
• Many tracks and hovercraft to choose from as you gain skill
• Graphics give a good hint of the GBA's pixel-pushing power
• Four-player racing is a blast

Cons:

• Extremely painful to the thumbs of adult-size hands
• Lack of depth may be a turnoff once novelty of speed wears off

Product Description

If you like blazing-fast racing games (and have thumbs of steel), <I>F-Zero: Maximum Velocity</I> is one of the wildest rides yet for a handheld system. Based on the famous Super NES game of yore, the futuristic <I>F-Zero</I> asks you to pick from a starting lineup of four pilot hovercrafts that tear across flat but hazardous tracks. Your goal: compete for first place so you can advance to the next track and difficulty level.<p> To have any success in <I>F-Zero</I>, great reflexes and a memory for track detail are absolute musts. While the controls are responsive, in general the frictionless racing means that almost all cars have a suitably loose feel to them, and require skilled pilots to handle corners. Be warned that gamers with adult-size thumbs may be in for a very painful experience due to the constant mashing of the GBA's shoulder buttons. When you get bored of racing the computer, you can take on up to four opponents via the link cable--and unlike multiplayer Game Boy games, only one cartridge is needed.<p> While <I>F-Zero</I> features many tracks and skill levels, beyond the simplistic (yet challenging) racing, there isn't much depth. Fortunately, the silky smooth animation and detailed graphics should keep fans of speedy arcade racers taxing their thumbs long after they've brought home the checkered flag. <I>--Mark Brooks</I> <p> <B>Pros:</B> <ul> <li>Ridiculously fast-paced arcade racing done right <li>Many tracks and hovercraft to choose from as you gain skill <li>Graphics give a good hint of the GBA's pixel-pushing power <li>Four-player racing is a blast </ul> <B>Cons:</B> <ul> <li>Extremely painful to the thumbs of adult-size hands <li>Lack of depth may be a turnoff once novelty of speed wears off </ul>

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great game - let down by multi-player, May 4, 2001

By	Aaron Holt (East Sussex United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

The original F-Zero was released way back in 1991 as a SNES Launch title. It featured "Mode 7" which enabled games to pull of a 3D effect.

The game was followed up with a special "Sattelaview" version entitled "F-Zero 2". However, it only included one more class "Ace" and the tracks were not as good as any in the first version.

The latest F-Zero game was released on the Nintendo 64 a couple of years ago and followed the same princible - Fast cars going along space themed tracks. However this version included twists and hills in the tracks, as well as 30 cars on the track and many tracks.

Now Nintendo have released a portable version of F-Zero and it follows the SNES roots more than the Nintendo 64 game.

F-Zero Advance (which will be titles F-Zero : Maximum Velocity for the USA launch) is basically an upgraded version of the SNES title. The game however, features all new tracks, cars, classes and music. It only shares the same graphic style as the SNES version - which I'm sure many people are pleased with. This game is not just a "rehash" and overal it is very playable.

There are three initial Classes - Pawn, Knight & Bishop - with an additional Queen class which is uncovered later in the game. The game also has difficulty modes - Begginer, Standard and Expert - again a further difficulty "Master" can be unlocked later in the game.

The game starts of with four cars and you can uncover a further four by completly certain tasks in the game.

The game uses the GBA techology to full effect - the graphics are very sharp and smooth and once you have got used to the controls you will just be speeding though each track with ease.

The sound is also pretty good - all the music is brand new. However, I would have liked some of the classic SNES F-Zero music to be present, but really it doesnt matter much.

The control does take a little while to get used to. I did have problems with the L & R buttons at first, but after 20 or so minutes I had gotten used to it. Now I don't have any problems at all.

The only major dissapointment is the Multiplayer mode. You can play upto four players using one cartridge. However, you can only play one track (Silence) which is very simple and short. You can also only chose one model of car to play with.

If you have 4 copies of the game though you don't need to worry. You may play any track and as any car as you want!

Overal, I reccomend this to everyone as a must buy launch game. It really is great fun - and as the tracks are all brand new, you won't have already played this game in another form already.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full Reveiw of this AWESOME game, June 17, 2001

By	"centauri256" (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

There are many things I like about this game.

1. The graphics are superb. The courses are the same stye as the ones for the Super Nintendo F-Zero, but it runs at a fantasticly smooth and fast framerate like the N64 F-Zero. Great lighting too.

2. Big game. There are 4 circuits with 5 tracks each, plus a championship track and a track for single-pak multiplayer games. There are 10 cars (you have to earn 6 of them) with differences you can really notice.

3. Challenging. I have beaten the first 3 circuits on standard difficulty and am struggling to beat them on expert. Not to brag, but I am a pro at F-Zero Games, and I think this is hard.

4. Replay value. It is very fun to replay the tracks, trying to get a better time, or seeing how you can do with different "cars"

5. Multiplyayer. I havent actually used this yet (none of my friends have a GBA), but I'm sure it will be very fun for people who are already pros at beating computers. I know that there are two ways to play multiplayer. A: with one game pack. You may only play one course with the same "car" for each player and there is no music. B: with a game pack for everyone playing. You have full access to all vehicles and tracks that are unlocked in any one of the games. Up to 4 people can play at once in both modes, and the empty slots may be filled with computers.

6. Sound. I kind of miss the old F-Zero tunes, but the new ones are great too. Much, much better sound quality than any older gameboys.

Overall rating from one to ten: 9.5

If you like racing games and have a GBA then this is a must buy!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Game Playing Advance, June 7, 2001

By	Nick Langlee (Dallas,Tx) - See all my reviews

This is one of the best GBA launch titles out there. Even though it is difficult to play, you get used to it easily. The coolest part is that you only need one game pak to play multiplayer but they all need a GBA. Don't hesitate buying this item. If you put it on a big screen, people would think it's a SNES Game. But puting it on GBA it will make there jaws drop! I hope this reveiw was helpful.