F-Zero is one of those franchises which Nintendo fans are constantly clamouring for, and not an E3 passes without demands from the masses for a brand-new entry. The series has been dormant for quite some time, although recent events - such as a F-Zero mini-game in Nintendo Land and the inclusion of the legendary Blue Falcon in Mario Kart 8 - have given fans hope that we could yet see a fresh instalment.
We can now confirm that the Wii U nearly launched with an F-Zero title. Back in 2011, Nintendo of Europe asked Burnout studio Criterion to work on a pitch for a new F-Zero, which would have been shown at E3 that year alongside the official unveiling of the Wii U itself. Shigeru Miyamoto has previously stated that he's at a loss about how the revive the series, which would explain why Nintendo opened up the field to third party developers, to see what they could come up with.
The objective was to show off a playable vertical slice of the game at E3 which would give fans a taste of what the full release would entail. A quick turnaround was essential, but sadly Criterion was hard at work on bringing Need for Speed: Most Wanted to multiple platforms and therefore couldn't spare the resource at the time.
Our source on this particular piece of information wishes to remain anonymous, but we've since had it verified by Criterion founder Alex Ward. He confirmed that the conversation between Criterion and Nintendo of Europe did indeed take place, and that time was of the essence for Nintendo. Because Criterion had prior commitments, nothing came of the idea - and it joined the untold legions of game pitches which went absolutely nowhere.
Would you have liked to have seen Criterion take on F-Zero? Post a comment below.
Image credit: FirebornForm
Comments 158
... just reading the title of the article, I died inside.
Oh god, that would have been amazing. Not only are they responsible for some of the best arcade racers ever made, but they have experience with anti-grav with the awesome Trickstyle game from the Dreamcast.
I'm also not buying this line from Miyamoto about not knowing how to do something new. Nintendo release tons of games that don't have anything new about them. The real reason is more likely down to the sales figures of previous games being dwarfed by Mario Kart. The SNES game did about a million I think, the N64 game just under 500,000, and the Cube game 350,000.
But why Nintendo Of Europe? I thought all they did was localize games and stuff for their own part of the world.
And now it'll never happen... that's so sad.
Wow, If Criterion games would have accepted this task, I can imagine how it could have been the new F-zero, it's a shame they never managed to start the project.
At least Most Wanted turned out to be a really good game. It's a shame the Wii U version sold so poorly.
Would have loved it if this actually happened, Criterion know their racing games.
considering NFS MW is almost unplayable imho, since there's no manuel transmission and the bumper view is all wrong... so, i don't know anything about criterion in general, but based on my own experience, maybe its for the best...
@Peace-Boy NoE probably got charged with approaching Criterion as they're a European developer,
Wait - Nintendo asked them to develop the game and they planned to have a playable demo ready for E3 that same year? That sounds so unlike Nintendo. :/
At least they're trying, right...? Right?!
A killer app at launch.... could've all turned out so differently if this happened.
Strange that they didnt come back to them a yr or 2 later
That hurts, man.
But I'm glad they didn't do it. If it was under time and resourcing pressure, well, the quality would have suffered. I'm in for a great f-zero, not a mediocre one.
Not really 'almost'. Nintendo asked, Criterion said "no". Nothing was made at all. How is that 'almost'?
Almost got a good Metroid. NOPE
Almost got a F-Zero. NOPE
@Peach64 You seem to forget that even when there is nothing new about them, they do have new things in them. New Super Mario Bros 2 is the same as the original but had new power ups. Pokemon X and Y isn't a new thing but it looked like it was new because of having 3D graphics. That's what Miyamoto meant by new. It doesn't necessarily mean innovation but it does mean putting new things to it and that we do see in nearly every Nintendo game.
@Peach64 I'm sure one led to the other
@Artwark The games that sell well need less inovation, as people find the core games fun.
It would of been nice to see what they could come up with. They have a pretty good track record, so I could see them making a solid F-Zero game and perhaps it would of given the Wii U the juice it needed when it launched. Being a launch title, it could of actually sold relatively well. It's a shame nothing will ever come out of this now.
It's a small miracle we're getting Star Fox. People better buy the crap out of that release to show Nintendo there's a need for their Sci-Fi franchises
I would take an FZERO game made by a baby right now its getting that damn ridiculous that they STILL haven't released a new one.
The wii u REALLY could have uses this at launch too. I know 3 people who own a wii u now if just that game was released.
Wow amazing that they would asked Criterion! Well there is hope for F-Zero then. Thanks for the reveal!
That would have been a perfect match made in heaven.
But guess we just have to settle with NFS 20 instead of that and more Burnout then.... T.T
@Peace-boy yep.... and that's all they probably will do, they don't even have a good support too..
Sega had done an outstanding effort to bring the F-Zero franchise and it was one of the greatest experiences on the GameCube. Why not save Sega and give them another go for a HD sequel of GX? Perhaps being a little less punishing so early on in the game this time around.
I'd honestly wait for a proper F-Zero instead of having to settle for FAST Racing Neo that has been in the works for a while now.
Perhaps Nintendo and Shin'en could partner up and rekindle the franchise on the cheap and with the game being close to release, a splash of Captain Falcon and the level of visual fidelity that most would expect on the Wii U.
Despite that, even a HD remake of the original GameCube game that was a stellar joint effort by Sega and Nintendo would be perfectly fine with some higher detail in the various craft designs.
F-Zero GX is one of the few games that has aged very well, with a fresh coat of paint and a full 1080p treatment would be awesome to revisit. It's that game alone being why I still have my original Wii up and running instead of migrating everything to my Wii U. That is unless the most unlikely thing would happen and GameCube games end up on the Wii U eShop.
Since that's unlikely, my classic Wii has a permanent space in my media cabinet.
At least that brings hopes that a new F-Zero is a possibility. So whereas we all died a little after reading the title, at least there's that little bit of hope.
AAAAAARRRGH!!! SO CLOSE!
Recently rebought GX, that's how much faith I have in a new one... Maybe NXt time... Puns aside, F Zero NX at least works!
After last week there probably couldn't be a more deflating time to leak this news. I dunno why miyamoto is at such a loss at what to do.let platinum make it as some semi open game about captain falcon bounty hunting through space and using the races to catch criminals and avoiding their henchmen kinda like when bayonetta is on the motorcycle.
At the very least it'd be "new" for the series which seems to be his main concern.
Ouch. hurts a bit. annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd they went all in for a Galactic federation army main game branded Metroid Prime. I need a coffee.
Wow, this reveals a much darker reality regarding the Wii U. I thought the mess regarding the first year of its lifespan (and the future game droughts) was just Nintendo being too cocky about the Wii's massive success but in fact it looks like they tried to get a fair number of external developers to work on dormant franchises but most of them including this fell through. Would've easily bought a Wii U at launch rather than almost a year later if a new F-Zero was present.
It makes me feel like I must buy Star Fox Zero rather than maybe buy it to help keep these dormant franchises alive.
Yet we are getting a Skylanders Bowser/DK crossover... sounds about right =(
Guys...
Fast Racing NEO looks pretty dang close to what I wanted for a new F Zero.
If you want to see the return of this franchise we need to see Fast Racing Neo sell AT LEAST 500k. Anything less and it will be forgotten in the long history of games that couldn't even sell half a million on Wii U. And will all but cement the death of this franchise.
And let's face it the game looks phenomenal!
Since EA owns Criterion, I don't see how this will even come to be in the first place. Unless it's once of those "unprecedented" partnership deals they said on stage.
Well this has ruined my day. F-Zero at Wii-U launch from Burnout Paradise devs...I literally feel like crying.
I was hoping for a F-zero for the 3DS or a remake of the snes one as start of SNES 3D classics and the n64 version remade in 3D to release along side of this game
...This is interesting. Although I'm of the opinion that F-Zero GX is the pinnacle of futuristic, high-speed racing games, I would have loved to see what Criterion Games would have done with the series. Out of all of the developers in the world, Criterion Games would have had the best chance at coming close or even succeeding GX. It's sad to see a project with a lot of potential just slip through the fingers of everybody involved.
"Would you have liked to have seen Criterion take on F-Zero?"
What sort of foolish question is that?
I think my soul died a little bit as soon as I read the title.
It probably would have been fantastic with Criterion at the helm. Having F-Zero day one by the guys who did Burnout and Most Wanted.... oh man.
But let's take something positive out of this. At least we know that they had an interest in F-Zero on the Wii U.
Maybe we'll get F-Zero NX?
@DarthNocturnal
Sumo dose and did a great job on the sonic all star racing games
they make better sonic games than sega dose
Honestly, what's there to think about in how to revive it? Just give us more of the same with polished HD graphics and 60fps, then think about how to revolutionise the series for the next entry.
@Ouch What killer app? F-zero was never a big seller. I don't see how it would have made things different.
I was going to repeat what I said on GoNintendo but can't be bothered to repeat myself so here's the whole thing copy and pasted for your convenience
Hmmm....if only it had happened. I get why Miyamoto wouldn't know what to do with the series. I wouldn't know what to do with it beyond 'Make it HD'. I think the series needs a bit of a reboot really. I mean, the 'futuristic racer' genre really isn't one that people play nowadays as far as I'm aware. I think giving the series a cel-shaded look would be nice so it can convey some badassery and its campness (Look at those uniforms and machines! So bright) so it had an anime-like effect.
I mean, I know a lot of people loved GX but I found it too challenging. I think if Nintendo considered doing a Fire Emblem and gave made it a little more accessible to some extent like keeping the speed but maybe removing the risk of the machine exploding for Game Overs for less skilled gamers. You know, like just being slowed down when you clash with something. Removing the dying mechanic in Fire Emblem influenced me to get Emblem (I used Classic but grinded off the DLC) so maybe reducing some of the risks in F-Zero might be a good move (of course, you can always go back to traditional F-Zero mode if you're adamant on being hardcore)
Hey, does remember me saying I wasn't sure what to do with a new F-Zero but then wrote about ideas I had? xD
Who knows, I though the plastic peripheral rhythm games and extreme sports genres were pretty much dead but this year proved me wrong. All in all, I guess it's nice to see F-Zero is still within Nintendo's thoughts.
Now I am depressed. Thank you.
I'd love a new F-Zero as much as the next guy, but is Criterion really a good developer? I've played a few of the PS2 Burnouts and they got boring pretty quickly.
Plus, I've said it before: A new F-Zero that can't make use of analog triggers would be a step backwards from the awesome GX. Maybe the Wii U just isn't the right console for it?
I think they should change how we race with the use of the gyro sensors for steering and the analouge sticks to adjust the power of the left & right thrusters to help take those corners with ease. Of course people would object to this control method without really trying it to begin with.
If I have to make an uneducated guess the relationship with EA going south is why Criterion wasn't approached again after Need For Speed Most Wanted was finished (as since EA owns Criterion they would likely need their approval before they make a game for another publisher).
@CB85 It sounds more like the prototype they would've made would be shown at E3 and then be developed into a full game, like what they did with Star Fox Zero.
at least we got Need for Speed instead weeps
I actually like that game they showed at e3, the super fast one. What was it called?
WHY NOT?????????
F-Zero being unveiled at the E3 2011 conference would have sold WiiUs.
I love Criterion Games. They've made some amazing racing games over the years and if Nintendo had been able to give them the project I think it would have been amazing. Sadly through they've been hacked apart and dismantled by EA now so it will never be the same. We may not even get another Burnout game.
Would've been an awesome game, just hope we see a F-Zero game sometime in the future.
I just lost faith in gaming.
Do not get me wrong here. F-Zero is pretty fun, but it's not the best thing since sliced bread. Life goes on.
....i just died inside......and i don't know what i'll do...
@JaxonH Exactly what I was going to say. FAST Racing Neo means this news doesn't hurt much at all.
Do Nintendo not know how to make it themselves?
Back then I guess they were new to HD. And the makers of Burnout would've been a terrific match-up.
How's their schedule right now?
Lesson learned. Sales matter.
Criterion is a good dev group so I would have been interesting as to what they could make. One day I'm sure we will get another f zero game.
Who did the F-Zero tracks in the MK8 DLC? Those were pretty good. Why couldn't they have went on try their shot at a full game when this had fallen through?
burnout was my favorite racing series. would've killed for this to happen
Play the F-Zero levels in Mario Kart 8 on 200cc and you've got a pretty close approximation of F-Zero.
I've actually long thought F-Zero is a good candidate for a crossover. Maybe F-Zero x Metroid? Samus and Cpt. Falcon are both bounty hunters, maybe they could team up... or compete. Really though, Star Fox would have been a better crossover candidate. Imagine switching back and forth between the Arwing and the Blue Falcon, but the latter is equipped with a laser. Plus, there's already a "James McCloud" in the F-Zero universe. Obviously it won't happen, but as long as we're discussing ideas that go nowhere, thought I would throw that out there.
After seeing the latest Star Fox, I'm actually afraid of what Nintendo would do with a new F-Zero. It would probably look far worse than the Sega game—which would be disappointing enough—and likely add in some stupid forced gimmick that just introduces a problem, or problems, that didn't exist in previous entries in the series. I worry similarly about the likes of new [proper] Metroid and Mother/Earthbound games now too, to be honest. I'm just not sure if Nintendo—or maybe it's actually Miyamoto—even knows how to do some of these big franchises true justice anymore.
PS. Seeing how there's this common thread with some of Nintendo's modern takes on these beloved IPs; where "time is of the essence"—or in other words "You have to slap something half-decent together as quickly and cheaply as possible"—and it leads to totally disappointing new games in the series rather than the treatment, the care and attention, and love, that these franchise deserve imo. Star Fox being a case in point; followed by games like the new Metroid and the new Animal Crossing board game, etc. You can see where Nintendo's attitude/approach is all wrong and its starting to show in the quality and scope of the games it's churning out. I expect and want more from Nintendo; especially when it comes to its big franchise games and possible new entries in these beloved series.
Fate is a cruel mistress. That's just really, really sad.
At least we got Most Wanted U, a racing game that I have really enjoyed much more than any F-Zero game.
By the end of reading that article title I already had a tear in one of my eyes, like really that would have been amazing the kind of game Wii U needed at launch.
Yeah, i probably still would not have bought this.
@Artwark Mario Tennis on Wii U has muchroom power ups and a jump shot and it's getting made but F-Zero Wii U with online multiplayer, online tournament mode etc (firsts for the series) isn't.
It has nothing to do with new ideas and everything to do with sales. ant another example, how many Mario Party games have there been in the last 20 years or so? Why? Sales.
So...their request was denied and they just give up? Why can't Nintendo develop F-Zero themselves? Hell, give the game to Sega, they did an awesome job last time. Criterion would've been an excellent choice for F-Zero Wii U but come on, Nintendo, if they can't do it, do it yourself or give it someone else! Just watch now...we'll beg for a new F-Zero and we'll get something like F-Zero: Adventures of Captain Falcon which will end up being some sort of point and click adventure game. "Hey at least they gave us F-Zero though right?"
Wow... That just... Suuuuuuuuuuuucks, man!
I wonder if someone already invented a software that randomly create this kind of news: just insert "Nintendo Brand + Software House + Wii U" and the magic begins!
I'm not even a huge F-Zero fan (I've only played the original) and this hurt me so much regardless. Criterion is such an amazing dev team for racers, they really should get back to talking about it as I don't really know if they're working on anything right now. Maybe an NX title if it need be.
Probably would've helped Nintendo fans who skipped out on the Wii get a Wii U. I wonder what these "commitments" Criterion had were.
Nintendo should hire Shinen to do an F-Zero game instead
Well that's good and all, but -almost- doesn't get us a new F-Zero. I think I'd rather not have known about this.
Criterion created one of my favorite games of all-time in Burnout 3 Takedown so of course I would have loved to see a new F-Zero game from them. That being said I'm not as disappointed as most people seem to be about this. The conversation was a long time ago and I haven't been expecting a F-Zero game for a long time.
Too bad for fans. I've never been a fan of F-zero. Just not my cup of tea i guess
Ah, yes. Sweet and delicious F-Zero fan tears.
Nintendo UK today tweeted Retro Gamer over their new issue with F-Zero on the cover. The trolls. #FZero #Retro
@Shiryu same and I'm not even a huge fan of f-zero.
pls F-Zero game for wii U.
Just play Fast Racing Neo
goshdang it, EA...
So they asked Criterion if they wanted to make a F-Zero game and they said no. I don't think that qualifies as 'we almost got a F-Zero game by Criterion'.
What Nintendo should definitely do is to release the long waited F-Zero, Metroid Prime and maybe even Mario entries as the release games on NX... As well as the port of Zelda U or a new one...
That would make them forget the bad taste of WiiU sales performance...
Nintendo's biggest problem is that they do not have enough development staff to keep a steady supply of games coming to both Wii U and 3DS. I think that the move to HD made the situation worse in terms of how much time and money is required for each HD title. Zelda Wii U is probably keeping a big chunk of their staff busy at the moment. It would be hard to convince investors that having 100 people work on an F-Zero game was more important than having those 100 people work on a franchise that is likely to sell much better.
I am hoping that this situation will improve with NX. If it really is a unified platform with the same titles playable across both home console and handheld devices then Nintendo will no longer need to split their development teams between platforms and fans will get a wider variety of games to play as a result.
O. M. G.
@BLPs Sometimes all people want/need is more of basically the same game[play] on different maps and with nicer graphics (see Mario Kart f.e.), especially when the last release in your series was over 10 year ago.
@RantingThespian
Yes. Exactly this.
@RainbowGazelle You have a good point but I think that just the thought of Myiamoto thinking that a new F-Zero would be plausible and asking third-party developers to make it is certainly a step in the right direction. Maybe we'll see an F-Zero game on the "NX". Who knows?
Well at least we can't say Nintendo didn't try, but a part of me still died while reading this... At least we still have Fast Neo Racing, hopfully at one point Nintendo ask them to make a F-Zero game since the seem to know what they're doing.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
faints
@ericwithcheese2 Didn't the MK8 DLC team get "promoted" to smartphone game development?
Criterion ? Mach 2 Takedowns ? Cancelled ?
Im out....see ya....
Put on your sad faces...
We got worse franchises instead. Bravo.
Why do they need a "new idea" to make an F-Zero game???
It's a racer! Just build new courses and update the graphics and sell sell sell!
Nintendo overcomplicates things... -_-
@Ninty4thewin for me the bumper view was simply too low, so since i couldn't see, i crashed into everything... and i've never actually saw it as a ridge racer type of game, i was expecting a gran tourismo... so yeah, maybe i should give it another try keeping that in mind since there's so few good racing game on the WiiU and criterion always had a good reputation in my book,its just that i had a very bad first impression, so i was not totally convince you know...
:c
Damn 2 generations without an F-Zero game is just saddening. The worst part is that Super Smash Bros. is in its forth entry now and we still only have 1 rep from the F-Zero side. Add that to the fact that F-Zero is now only DLC to Mario Kart 8, guess Nintendo is starting to bury franchise now just like Capcom, Konami, and Sega. Aw man... Japanese devs, what happen to you all?
Thank god that didn't happen. Only Sumo Digital should be allowed to be involved as a third party studio.
As a lifelong fan of F-zero, and decade-long fan of Burnout, this is where I cry. Truly, this would've been the greatest thing ever. Anyone know how to get in contact with Criterion and ask them to try again?
Yeah... that would have been absolutely amazing. Criterion is responsible for some of my all-time favourite racing games. I can only imagine the type of F-Zero experience they would have made...
Why can't this happen now or at least for the NX?? F-Zero + Criteron who knows what could come out of this mashup!!!
Criterion would have done really well with F-Zero. Too bad.
So it sounds like this only didn't happen because of time restraints. I hope the story stays that away, if it turns out in anyway Nintendo didn't want this idea I'd have to sell my Wii U and only express my absolute hatred for Nintendo on forums.
This sucks so much to hear. But it also gives me hope. Maybe, just maybe NX will launch with F-Zero? Please people, make it heard that you want this. Screw Metroid F-Zero has been dormant for two console Generations! We need a new F-Zero! Man, Nintendo really did not have hope for the Wii U at all.
@RantingThespian Yeah...
As a big F-Zero fan...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i_SDejECbS0
Four years later and they still are empty handed? I'm now interested in what happened in the years between 2011 and 2015
Yeah but we'll probably end up with F-Zero Federation Force.
What's to revive... just a Wii U version is all anyone wants. Funny that they never bother to revive Mario Kart, Mario, Zelda, Smash or any other franchise. As long as it's good quality and fun to play... more of the same is fine. Pretty sure fans only get pissed off when they don't get anything... the amount of time between Star Fox games was insane... how long are we going to wait to see F Zero, A true Metroid game and a Mario game that's in the same league as Galaxy???
I'm just surprised that Nintendo wasn't the one to shut it down. It was the developer themselves.
A pity , but it wouldn't have shifted many more consoles. The N64 game was good , but I thought the Gamecube version was sublime , even better than Wipeout in my opinion. I honestly believe Nintendo would have released a HD upgrade if Fast Racing Neo didn't exist. The treehouse footage of FRN looked pretty good for an alpha build. I hope Nintendo give the game and the developers the support they deserve. It was also a pity that Most Wanted U was sent out to die by EA , then the Criterion team was split.
The Wii U's 1st year was a total mess.
What should have happened is it should have launched in 2011 with a much stronger lineup. I won't speculate on what should have been in the lineup; F-Zero would have helped though.
I'd love for one day to get sone insight into how Nintendo dropped the ball so much between 2008 (top of the console world) and 2012 (launch of a console that sinks like a stone). And let's not forget that Wii sales flatlined in the last 2 years it was on the market...
What a shame for a company that arguably has the most fun games on the market!
Sigh... so close and yet so far. I don't mind Nintendo farming out their franchises if they feel they can trust the developer. Capcom made a lot of portable Zeldas, Rare did a great job with Donkey Kong. Retro did awesome with Metroid and Donkey Kong. Other M... should have gone to a developer with a real strength in storytelling by design. Studio Ninja's game library should have raised a red flag. Gameplay was good though, I'll give them that.
Oh well, that's been how many years in counting? Oh right, STILL more than Metroid excluding Other M.
That's sad, I would have loved this game to have been made.
That would have really sold me on getting a Wii U at launch, instead of waiting till this year to get one. I hope Nintendo talks to them and gets criterion back on board to do a fzero game, I really miss the series.
Well, at least this confirms that someone at Nintendo has looked into reviving this franchise.
@BLPs I'd argue that the opportunity to create a new F-Zero with online support and the ability to design tracks with the Gamepad is all the reason needed.
I would be willing to get an F-Zero game made by Criterion for the WiiU or NX. There is still time to made the game, better late than never.
@S-Miyahon Jave you read Morgan sleepers's review? It sounds perfect and just as I imagined. Actually It sounds more like the truth, comparing to already released titles like Splatoon.
@BLPs: Usually I would second you, but in that case the last installment of the series came so long ago, any successor will be new and different. Because the possibilities of video game development have vastly progressed.
@manu0 That's what I'm gonna do.
@earthboundlink I would be content with a F-Zero-only DLC for Mario Kart. Also I want a DoubleDash-DLC.
@krakensoup I'm pretty sure Nintendo has it hands full right now, otherwise they wouldn't offer it to someone else. I don't believe Big N ran out of ideas for a new F-Zero, just look how much F-Zero content (Nintendoland, MK, Fast Racing Neo, The Next Penelope) we have or will have on the Wii U. But Sega would be a good option!
Actually I'm not so sure Criterion would've made a good F-Zero. Their NFS games weren't bad, but they also weren't something special.
And as much as I wish for a new F-Zero for so many years, I don't get why this news upsets some people. It hasn't changed a thing for me.
We already now (or can assume) that F-Zero will be a launch title for the next home console. Miyamoto said last year that a new F-Zero will come when they have a suitable controller for it (I guess with triggers?). Miyamoto never says such things without already having an idea or knowing something we don't. So I know or am pretty sure F-Zero will be a launch title of the next generation.
They could've made a standard F-Zero game for Wii U, but it's pretty obvious (and normal) that Miyamoto & co. want the next F-Zero to be something special, not something normal that get's boring quickly.
That would have been cool, but u don't need to reinvent the series. It's a racing game, just have new tracks that rock and the speed we all love in the series. For some reason i could see a fzero cart racer type game with the lil futuristic space car, lol.
It feels like Fast Racing Neo is a farely good consolation prize for F-Zero fans at the moment.
I think I would have rather not known this. Then I wouldn't have to wonder what might have been. I think a new fzero is long overdue.
Ouch.. that hurt..
I am so looking forward to the next F-Zero game on a home console!
If they want to sell this NX console, maybe they'll make it for that...since they're already set to release the next Mario Adventure for it...maybe an F-Zero, Metroid, Mario Adventure, Smash Bros and Zelda for launch games of the NX...that would give it a high selling point, but...nintendo will probably wait a year and wonder why the system isn't competing. Come on nintendo, bring incredible launch games when the system is set to arrive.
I'm not a fan of remakes, but the GameCube version (GX) including the arcade tracks (AX) that Nintendo decided to lock in (this can be reversed using an Action Replay disc), I'd settle for GX on the Wii U. Why Nintendo did this is a mystery. It's about time there was a sequel to Stunt Race FX and more so Wave Race. The last one was crap on the GameCube. How it never happened on the Wii is another mystery.
Only thing that would worry me with them is getting awesome F-zero music but I bet nintendo wouldn't balk at doing that bit.
Hearing this news is like rubbing salt in the wound after the letdown that was Nintendo's E3. #ForeverSadFace
I only believe half of it. The thing is, Nintendo Europe (or Nintendo America for that matter) doesn't have any power. Sure they can ask Criterion a favor, but it would only annoy Nintendo of Japan. Nintendo Japan is ALWAYS calling the shots!
@Lemmy_the_Koopa
That's what I'm thinking. So they couldn't have it by E3 2011... so then what's been stopping them in the four years since?
This makes me very, very sad. F-Zero has been absent for far too long (a lot longer than Metroid and most non-RPG Nintendo franchises), and Criterion would've been a very capable company to produce it I imagine. Hope we AT LEAST get a new F-Zero for the NX....
@Pigeon It wasnt really SEGA.
It was its division, Amusement Vision.
They did a great job with the game and the first 2 monkey ball games, but after they merged with Smilebit, SEGA just ruined the whole Super Monkey Bal franchise with questionable games.
I suppose something similar might have happened.
Well that's nauseating, NFStupid potentially killed an F-Zero game, and the knife twists more knowing how buggy and offputtingly bad the WiiU version was despite being released late.
Sorry if this has been said already ( a lot of comments, and I am in a hurry), but I'm surprised that Nintendo hasn't asked Sega (again) or Shin'en to do a F Zero.
You have got to be kidding me. We could've had a new F-Zero from the guys behind some of the best racing games ever and didn't get it because why? But they can waste time on stuff nobody asked for like Mario Tennis? Still haven't gotten that long overdue Wave Race either. It's just annoying reading stuff like this though. It would've been awesome with Criterion in charge. Wish Nintendo had kept this news to itself.
The good news just keeps comin'...
"At a loss for what to do next" didn't stop New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Or New Super Mario Bros. Wii U. Or New Super Mario Bros. 2.
It's not too rough, Nintendo. You make new levels with an HD polish. No need to reinvent the wheel
I can honestly say that not being whored out to a western dev is the best thing that ever happened to F-Zero and, in turn, me.
For every Luigi's Mansion 2, there's a western Final Fight reboot, and worse. Japanese games should stay Japanese.
@Shiryu
Me too, bro. Me too. But maybe they'll reveal a new F-Zero next E3, right? Or the next one after that? Or the next after that one? Or the next...
@RantingThespian
Even the doctor is sad. He just wanted to play a new F-Zero game.
@BLPs
There's not a single F-Zero game with online play. If you want something new, how about 30-player online game that runs 60 fps 1080p? If they can pull that off I'm more than happy.
Not every franchise needs to innovate with gimmics, just look at the last few Mario and Zelda games they've had a succesful formula and run with it (there were too many New Super Mario Bros games though and I prefer the older 3D Marios). F-Zero GX is the best racing game ever made and if they can improve the gameplay and track design even further, it will be a wonderful game.
@Gridatttack
So THAT´S what happened to Super Monkey Ball. I always wondered why the art style got a lot worse and the games became gradually easier, at which point Super Monkey Ball 3D was so easy, that I couldn't clear the last bonus level. It's seriously the ONLY hard level in the game and that's only because you have one try and if you fail to collect all the bananas you have the restart that world. I heard that things got little better the PS Vita Monkey Ball but otherwise I see only mobile titles.
@Luffymcduck I simply cannot believe how far off-course we are with the franchise right now...
@Shiryu
The funny thing is that I really got into the series in late 2005, a year after the currently last F-Zero. I've played every game since (expect for Satellaview ones, F-Zero X Expansion Pak and the arcade version of AX) and been waiting for a new F-Zero. I even recently watched that F-Zero anime for kids and I actually liked it.
This fall, it's been 11 years since that anime and F-Zero Climax. That's not even funny anymore. Soon, Kid Icarus games come out more often than F-Zeros.
@Luffymcduck I wrote all about it a few moons ago. I am still trying to stay positive, but it's harder by the day.
How about F - zero NX as a launch title for next generation? It represents the arrival of the future, the music would make for an incredible E3 opening trailer and making Nintendo fans wait so long for new f - zero means plenty of folks would want the console right off the bat.
@YoshiTails
They should do a stage presentation next year. Room is dark, F-Zero music starts playing and Miyamoto arrives with a real Blue Falcon car and says in english with a japanese accent: "Show me your moves!"
E3 2016, best E3 ever,
First smart thing I've heard Nintendo doing in a long time, even if it wasn't successful.
I don't see why they didn't go to someone else though, there's plenty of racing game devs out there.
I get it if they're protective of their IPs when lending them out, but can the result really be worse than just letting them get forgotten completely?
Like many have already said, Nintendo should have asked/ paid Shin'en to change FAST in to an F-Zero game. How completely blind of them to miss such an obvious opportunity.
@Peach64
No it soled more. In fact F-Zero was always the most successful futuristic racing game.
F-Zero ( SNES, 1990 ) - 2.85 million
F-Zero X ( N64,1998 ) - 1.10 million
F-Zero - ( GBA,2001 ) - 1.04 million
F-Zero - ( GC,2003 ) - 0.65 million
Funny that they have exaggerated in eary 2000's, there was to much F-Zero for in short period for the Game Boy Advance:
F-Zero: Maximum Velocity - 1,04 million ( 2001, GBA )
F-Zero: GP Legend - 0,16 million ( 2003, GBA ) ( N marked it with a anime serie )
F-Zero: Climax - 0,01 million (2004, GBA )
It was too much GBA for F-Zero, what they thought ? The anime for GP Legend had no effect on sales. And i think Nintendo excepted that the GameCube version F-Zero GX would be a million seller, the problem was that the Gamecube struggled to reach an older hardcore audience which buys games like F-Zero, many of F-zero fans buyed at that time the PS2 which was surrounded by a huge hype . So the GameCube had a low user base and limited the possibilities of GX and together with unwise publication policy of Nintendo on GBA, the F-Zero franchise took a back seat at Nintendo.
In fact F-Zero was always the most successful futuristic racing game.
F-Zero ( SNES, 1990 ) - 2.85 million
F-Zero X ( N64,1998 ) - 1.10 million
F-Zero - ( GBA,2001 ) - 1.04 million
F-Zero - ( GC,2003 ) - 0.65 million
Funny that they have exaggerated in eary 2000's, there was to much F-Zero for in short period for the Game Boy Advance:
F-Zero: Maximum Velocity - 1,04 million ( 2001, GBA )
F-Zero: GP Legend - 0,16 million ( 2003, GBA ) ( N marked it with a anime serie )
F-Zero: Climax - 0,01 million (2004, GBA )
It was too much GBA for F-Zero, what they thought ? The anime for GP Legend had no effect on the sales. And i think Nintendo excepted that the GameCube version F-Zero GX would be a million seller, the problem was that the Gamecube struggled to reach an older hardcore audience which buys games like F-Zero, many of F-zero fans buyed at that time the PS2 which was surrounded by a huge hype . So the GameCube had a low user base and limited the possibilities of GX and together with unwise publication policy of Nintendo on GBA, the F-Zero franchise took a back seat at Nintendo.
That crashing noise you just heard? Thats the noise of my soul being obliterated into a million pieces.
First Metroid and now this. Nintendo is evil. ;_;
EA abandons the Wii U as a hardware platform and makes gimped versions of games for it. People never want to buy another EA game again.
An EA owned dev. was maybe going to do a F-Zero game. Fans rejoice.
What's with the flipfloping?
Need for speed or F-zero?
Much love for F-Zero, yet wise choice going with need for speed (seriously). We all were craving for new speeds, we had a need for it
Any idea what they're up to now? F-Zero U doesn't have a ring to it, F-zero NX does
F-Zero shows up when Mario Kart doesn't do well. N64, Mario Kart 64 disappointed at the time. It was over shadowed by the sci-fi racers like Wipeout.
F-Zero offers something you don't see in dimilar games and was a hit.
GameCube.
Mario Kart wasn't quite the hit people were hoping. F-Zero GX steps in as the flag ship racer.
But since the DS Mario Kart has been doing well.
Nintendo has little need for F-Zero it seems.
Personally I think Nintendo should bring it back. Maybe throw in some RPG aspects and see around the F-Zero world?
Online, players create there own racers. Meet up in a Splatoon style Plaza/lobby.
Chat, socialise and challenge allsorts of players. Essentially have the player live the character's role a little.
But what do I know.
@JaxonH Thanks dude. Really appreciate the tips. I did check out a soft mod on Wii a couple years ago, but didn't pull the trigger as I only had my work computer to do the job. I prob need grab myself a personal computer just in case I do something wrong, I don't wana tamper my work stuff. Plus I'd be worried i would brick my system somehow. My Wii is prob the only one I'd take the risk on considering i have the Wii u for vWIi and I have an original cube so it's not like it's a system I'm too worried if something happens.
Might be easier if we could exchange emails or something with any questions i have when I start looking into it. You have animal crossing right? We can become switch friends and I can send you a letter with my email address if you're cool with it.
@NintendoByNature
Here,
[email protected]
Nobody is reading this old article anyways
@JaxonH the only post i got was the one above this (comment 166). I Will shoot you an email with my info..
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