| F-Zero 99
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| Details
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| Publisher
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Nintendo
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| Director(s)
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Chris Polney
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| Producer(s)
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Shinya Takahashi
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| Platform(s)
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Nintendo Switch
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| Genre(s)
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Racing
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| No. of players
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Multiplayer
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| Requirements
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Nintendo Switch Online
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| Release dates
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| North America
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14 September, 2023
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| Japan
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14 September, 2023
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| Europe
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14 September, 2023
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| Australia
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14 September, 2023
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F-Zero 99 is a multiplayer, battle royale style racing game released for Nintendo Switch in 2023. It is the first F-Zero title released after nearly a 20-year hiatus. The title was announced during the September Nintendo Direct as a surprise release.
Gameplay
As the name implies, players are pit against up to 98 other racers while racing on a series of courses, attempting to knock out other racers, either though elimination, or by depleting their power meter.
Gameplay is mostly based on the original SNES game, with some key differences. A race generally starts at a wide starting track from which the 99 racers jump into the actual track. The Boost mechanic is based on that of F-Zero X and GX: The player can boost as much as they like after first crossing the finish line, but doing so depletes the power meter. The player can use a Spin Attack to damage Bumpers or other players. Destroying a grey bumper extends the power meter, destroying another player extends and refills it. Collecting Super Sparks on the track allows the player to enter the Skyway for a short time, a track hovering above the main track with higher speeds, without collision penalties, and some shortcuts.
Modes
F-Zero 99 features several modes of play:
Courses
Currently all three leagues from the original SNES game are available with White Land I, Port Town II, Death Wind II, and Red Canyon II being the available Pro Tracks races.
In addition to the original tracks from F-Zero, specially themed tracks have been added occasionally to the lineup. In version 1.1.5, the Knight League tracks were temporarily replaced with a variation known as the Frozen Knight League from December 20, 2023 to January 17, 2024 00:59 UTC where the tracks were given a snowy makeover with the addition of new slip zone patches. In version 1.2.0, players can rarely encounter a secret track which will be indicated by a quick glitchy effect on the animation that plays while the cursor is on a game mode and during course voting where the banner for the track is corrupted and cycles through the banners of other courses.
Other features
Update history
| Version |
Release date |
Official note |
More information
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| 1.0.0 |
Initial release |
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| 1.0.2 |
October 12, 2023 |
Fixed Issues Related to Ranks
- Fixed an issue where the leaderboard will show a player’s level as “0” when they reach level “99.”
- Fixed an issue where the previous week’s weekly ranking result sometimes cannot be obtained correctly. Fixed an issue where a specific badge cannot be obtained when this bug occurs even though conditions have been met.
- Even when this bug has previously occurred, save data will be fixed by applying this update and playing the game for a while.
Other Fixes
- Several issues have been addressed to improve the gameplay experience.
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| 1.1.0 |
November 29, 2023 |
New Additions
- Added a new Classic mode. These are 20-player races with the same rules as the Super NES version of F-ZERO. Classic races are one variety of special event and will be held periodically.
- Added Lucky Ranks gameplay. Every time you enter a race, your rank and the machine you used will be recorded. After entering five races, you can reveal the Lucky Ranks. If your ranks match any of the ranks on the cards—or your machine matches the machine shown—you can receive in-game rewards.
- You can reach the Lucky Ranks screen by pressing the L Stick on the main menu.
- You can reveal the Lucky Ranks card once per day.
- Added backdrops, badges, and borders that can be used to customize Pilot Cards. After meeting the specified conditions, you will be able to use them for customization.
- You can check the specified conditions and perform customization by selecting WORKSHOP on the main menu, and then selecting PILOT CARDS.
Other Adjustments and Changes
- Made it easier to return to the main menu after crashing out or getting ranked out during MINI PRIX or GRAND PRIX races. (In Ver. 1.0.2 and earlier there were cases where, depending on the timing, it was not possible to leave the race for a little while).
- Adjusted the difficulty for the initial startup training to make it easier. A feature to skip training has also been added, making it possible to enter online races with other players right away.
- After the first training race has ended, you can skip all remaining training by pressing the Y Button on the main menu. Additionally, from the second race (F-ZERO 25) onward, an option to skip to the next race will display if you crash out or are ranked out.
- You cannot return to a training once you have skipped it.
- In F-ZERO 99, players who just started the game or are not yet used to the gameplay will now be matched together.
Other Fixes
- Fixed issues to make for a more pleasant gaming experience.
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| 1.1.5 |
December 20, 2023 |
New Additions
- Added Frozen Knight League, a limited-time Knight League where snow falls. All courses that are regularly included in the Knight League (MUTE CITY I, BIG BLUE, SAND OCEAN, DEATH WIND I, and SILENCE) will be blanketed in snow.
- The Frozen Knight League event will be held for a limited time only. You can see how much time is remaining in the event by pressing the R Button on the main menu.
- Regular Knight League tracks and Knight League Grand Prix cannot be played when the Frozen Knight League event is being held（except for training and practice modes).
- Added Boost colors to be used for machine customization as well as backdrops, badges and borders to be used for Pilot Card customization. These can be unlocked when certain conditions are met.
- The customization items added for this update can only be obtained during the time when the Frozen Knight League event is live.
- You can check specified conditions and progress for each item by pressing the R Button on the main menu.
- You can perform customization by selecting WORKSHOP on the main menu, and then selecting MACHINES and PILOT CARDS.
Other Fixes
- Fixed an issue that was occurring even after application of the Ver. 1.0.2 update where a specific badge could not be obtained even though conditions had been met. That save data will be fixed and the badge can now be obtained.
- Fixed issues to make for a more pleasant gaming experience.
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| 1.2.0 |
January 25, 2024 |
New Additions
- Private Lobbies have been added. To utilize them, select a game mode, set a 4-digit passcode, and then join the lobby. Players with matching game modes and passcodes can meet in the same lobby to race.
- Private Lobby race results are not reflected in leaderboard points, records, or challenge progress. Also, you will receive less EXP and fewer ticket points than in regular races.
- Secret Tracks have been added. These will occasionally appear in F-ZERO 99.
- Maximum level and skill rating for players have increased. The maximum level has increased from 99 to 399 and maximum skill rating has increased from S20 to S50.
- Levels 100 and above are indicated in the game as ☆ = 1. For example, "☆00" for level 100 and "☆☆00" for level 200.
- Added one badge that can be used to customize Pilot Cards. After meeting the specified conditions, you will be able to use it for customization.
- You can check the specified conditions and perform customization by selecting WORKSHOP on the main menu, and then selecting PILOT CARDS.
Other Fixes
- Fixed issues to make for a more pleasant gaming experience.
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| 1.2.1 |
February 8, 2024 |
Fixed Issue
- Fixed an issue that could occasionally cause players to land off the track when exiting the Skyway on the secret track based on MUTE CITY I that occasionally appears in the F-ZERO 99 mode.
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Notes:
- On September 29, 2023 at 0:00 UTC, the Queen League became available to players without requiring a software update. This update added in Mute City II, Port Town I, Red Canyon I, White Land II, and Death Wind II.
- On October 19, 2023 at 0:00 UTC, the King League became available to players without requiring a software update. This update added in Mute City III, Red Canyon II, and Fire Field.
Gallery
Mock title screen of the game
