This is it. The big one. F-Zero X coming to Switch Online

[merrychan]

11 minutes ago, phresh said:

Other than the slightly twitchy controls (for non n64 pad owners) this is still such an incredible game. I’ve had no issues with the emulation so far (3 cups down), a few frame rate drops here and there but pretty sure they did on the original. The sense of speed coupled with the control is unparalleled I think.

 

It feels a bit like if Motörhead were asked to make a futuristic racer.

Same, except for the progress part ..there's lots of opinions out there about what works with drifting / sliding and if you should ignore them completely, how do you all tend to play it? At the moment I'm playing it like GX so boost boost boost but not air braking, is that even a thing in X?

[phresh]

I air brake all the time in both games! Depends if you like to drive a little more time trial style or if you treat every race like a death match.

[Kevvy Metal]

18 hours ago, Protocol Penguin said:

Not impressed by the emulation at all. Plus the control’s obviously set up for the replica N64 controllers at the expense of the Switch Pro Controllers. Couldn’t face playing more than five minutes if it. Hope some later patches improve the situation, because I’m currently not keen on possibly ruining memories of one of my favourite games of that generation.

 

18 hours ago, Rex Grossman said:

There's a simple solution to the problems caused by playing with a Pro Controller. Just get a Switch N64 controller from Nintendo.

Easy enough.

The Switch Pro controller is one of the worst performing controllers over Bluetooth when it comes to lag, it runs at 20+ ms of added lag just via the controller itself! 
 

I ditched it long ago and use an 8bitdo SN30 pro. 

[shirubagan]

They need to release an AX/GX remaster next. 

[Benny]

51 minutes ago, phresh said:

I air brake all the time in both games! Depends if you like to drive a little more time trial style or if you treat every race like a death match.

 

I remember playing it like you're fighting the track itself: never using air breaks, just boosting nearly all the time and using the sideways double tap attack, sometimes a few times in rapid succession, to brute force yourself around corners.

 

On some tracks you can also slide off the track entirely while going up hill so you're flying, then when you point yourself back into the track you'll be going at more than max speed.

 

God this game is great. Might have to get a sub when I finish Elden Ring in a few years.

[dataDave]

17 minutes ago, shirubagan said:

They need to release an AX/GX remaster next. 

 
As in, a thorough rebuild which runs natively in the hardware.

 

Unless they rework (I.e., remove) the analogue air brakes it’s going to need a proprietary controller as well.

 

You can’t remove the air brakes from AX/GX. The scheme is built around them. It’d be like trying to remove the analogue tilt from Monkey Ball.

[the_debaser]

55 minutes ago, Kevvy Metal said:

I ditched it long ago and use an 8bitdo SN30 pro. 

Its a fine controller but I just don’t like the concave y and x buttons. They annoy me so much it has been relegated to a backup incase my two Pros run out of juice. 
 

N64 controller for the switch online is definitely the route to go for this service though as so many games were built around its design. The 6 face buttons just don’t transfer well to other 4 button controllers, especially when it comes to stuff like Zelda.
 

Nintendo really need to build more of them to allow people to get the most out of the service. 

[Vorgot]

15 minutes ago, the_debaser said:

Its a fine controller but I just don’t like the concave y and x buttons. They annoy me so much it has been relegated to a backup incase my two Pros run out of juice. 
 

N64 controller for the switch online is definitely the route to go for this service though as so many games were built around its design. The 6 face buttons just don’t transfer well to other 4 button controllers, especially when it comes to stuff like Zelda.
 

Nintendo really need to build more of them to allow people to get the most out of the service. 

 

I use the 8bitdo Pro 2 whcih is a great controller, but I really want the N64 controller, hoping they make some more because they've not been available since the launch day. They are upwards of £150 on ebay which is just stupid

[Unofficial Who]

1 hour ago, phresh said:

Other than the slightly twitchy controls (for non n64 pad owners) this is still such an incredible game. I’ve had no issues with the emulation so far (3 cups down), a few frame rate drops here and there but pretty sure they did on the original. The sense of speed coupled with the control is unparalleled I think.

 

It feels a bit like if Motörhead were asked to make a futuristic racer.

 

Now that brings back memories.

 

[Protocol Penguin]

6 minutes ago, Kevvy Metal said:

 

The Switch Pro controller is one of the worst performing controllers over Bluetooth when it comes to lag, it runs at 20+ ms of added lag just via the controller itself! 
 

I ditched it long ago and use an 8bitdo SN30 pro. 

I have one of those actually, but to be honest it was so unreliable connecting to the Switch that I’ve rarely bothered using it.

[FalconGR]

I may be biased as GX is one of my favourite games of all time (hence the name),  but I am surprised there are people who prefer F-Zero X to that. For me, the handling in X is less precise and the tracks feel significantly wider and as a result slower, whereas GX is just perfection. I don’t think it’s a technology issue either - I think Wave Race 64 is astonishing and in the absolute top tier of racers, but X has never really impressed me in the same way. 

[the_debaser]

GX is really good but the difficulty spikes are utterly ridiculous. 

[FalconGR]

If you mean story mode, then fair enough, I think the Grand Prix is pretty fair although very hard. 

[Colonel Panic]

The problem with GX is having to constantly boost close to death all the time. It just makes the game feel super annoying. X is the bestest. 

[FalconGR]

GX is certainly a game about boost strategy. The whole thing comes down to figuring out when the optimal points to boost on a given course are, such that you don’t run out but gain maximal advantage. I think it’s that tension and strategy to it that I love.

[CheekyLee]

GX is clearly very good, and there are plenty of people who love it dearly. But, it's just too hard! Yes, that's a valid complaint. I have no problems with games having extreme difficulty. I've indulged in some of the most ridiculous challenges games can throw at you, putting myself through virtual hell. But, I would never classify something like I Wanna Be The Guy as better than Super Meat Boy.

 

X requires skill, but you can still have fun while progressing. GX beats you up too much, too soon, and many people will bounce off it early as a result. It takes too long to master, and often leaves you feeling like you'll just never be good enough. Whereas in this one, you feel like you improve with every race 

 

I much prefer this one. 

[Unofficial Who]

Have to say though, N64 games look really ugly on large high def tvs. I might have to play this in hand held mode.

 

Played it a couple of days ago and midway my partner asked me to turn it off. It was making her ill.

[Phantoon]

3 hours ago, CheekyLee said:

X requires skill, but you can still have fun while progressing. GX beats you up too much, too soon, and many people will bounce off it early as a result. It takes too long to master, and often leaves you feeling like you'll just never be good enough. Whereas in this one, you feel like you improve with every race 

Yeah. Also I personally prefer the music too. GX is a brilliant, brilliant game, but for my money X is better.

[Lujin]

Bought an expansion pass and played it this evening. I can’t comment on how good the emulation is but the nostalgia wave of playing (and especially hearing) my favourite N64 game for the first time in c.20 years had me grinning throughout and was worth the entry price.
 

My skills aren’t what they were though, went straight to expert on Jack cup and lost my last life on port town after not getting above 10th place in any of the previous races…

[Eighthours]

This is as good as I remember! Shame about the frame rate issues, mind. Definitely still some work to do on the emulation.

[Gotters]

Still plays very nicely but it's a shock to my eyes how basic the N64 games look nowadays, not bad, just in my memory they were far closer to today's level of graphics than I recall, it's like I've forgotten this is only the infancy of 3d and polygons really.

 

The N64 controller is also a mixed bag, I love the analogue spring loaded stick with some real resistance, its better than floppy thumbsticks now on all the official pads, ergonomics though seem a bit off with it feeling a bit small and cramped, gave me hand pain in a few races.

[Sarlaccfood]

5 hours ago, Gotters said:

Still plays very nicely but it's a shock to my eyes how basic the N64 games look nowadays, not bad, just in my memory they were far closer to today's level of graphics than I recall, it's like I've forgotten this is only the infnacy of 3d and polygons really.

 

The N64 controller is also a mixed bag, I love the analogue spring loaded stick with some real resistance, its better than floppy thumbsticks now on all the official pads, ergonomics though seem a bit off with it feeling a bit small and cramped, gave me hand pain in a few races.

F-Zero looked super blocky even at the time though as it was pretty clear they were prioritising speed over detail.

[joffocakes]

I think it looks great, it's held up much better than I expected. I much prefer how it handles to GX as well.

[Phantoon]

2 hours ago, joffocakes said:

I think it looks great, it's held up much better than I expected. I much prefer how it handles to GX as well.

Yeah, a stable 60Hz ages way better than Playstation or N64's attempts at pretty.

[Sarlaccfood]

Oh yeah it was the right call for sure.

[Loik V credern]

Was excited when I read 'This is it. The big one. F-Ze...' as newest thread in discussion on the main forum page, only to then click and see...a port of a 24 year old game I've been playing for 10 years on an emulator. 'Fucking F-Zero in bed mate let’s fucking goooooo'...yeah I've been doing that for 10 years now..

 

People seem to carry on like they're estranged from games they played decades ago, like a port is like being reunited after a long time. 

 

It's more insulting when something like this reveals Nintendo are aware of F Zero and will put meagre resources into milking it while refusing to do anything new.

 

It's upside down, the strength of F Zero X's name based on the quality of the game can be mined but its exact qualities can't be remagined even though its graphics if taken as an influence on something new wouldn't cost much. Yes, F Zero in the exact style of X, but all new tracks. That would be cool. 

 

X is still my favourite racer so obviously it's nice to read positive comments from people who have had access to an N64 emulator on every console they've owned in the last 15 years but to make this Switch port matter can only play it now. 

[phresh]

Why are you assuming nobody in this thread has played it since the N64 version? I don't think anyone has explicitly said that, it just comes down to shared experience around a release date, which is where emulation suffers as the probability of my 1-2 week playthrough every 5+ years aligning with anyone else's is highly unlikely. I think it's the one thing that often gets lost in the 'but you've been able to emulate it for decades!' argument.

[Loik V credern]

38 minutes ago, phresh said:

Why are you assuming nobody in this thread has played it since the N64 version?

 

Because that's the only way the overwhelming excitement and 20+ upvotes on this news makes sense to me. But...

 

38 minutes ago, phresh said:

I don't think anyone has explicitly said that, it just comes down to shared experience around a release date, which is where emulation suffers as the probability of my 1-2 week playthrough every 5+ years aligning with anyone else's is highly unlikely. I think it's the one thing that often gets lost in the 'but you've been able to emulate it for decades!' argument.

 

I do get this, although I don't think shared experiences make much sense when it's an old game, isn't the excitement everyone sharing in the discovery of something new? Why not just make a thread in the retro folder which asks people to play an old game and post impressions?

[phresh]

Rediscovery is just as valid as discovery I think, especially if it still stands up. I think LTP is a great idea, but most of us are probably pretty low effort when it comes to gaming so playing what's in front of us (i.e. newly released) is often the path of least resistance.

[Stoppy2000]

Played this for the first time ever last night. It's bloody hard. Is there anywhere that shows the actual controls? Does it have a manual on the switch? I did enjoy it though and did seem to be getting a bit better each race...