Nintendo's hi-speed circuit-racing series returns, this time in 3D. You must choose one from a variety of F-Zero racers and finish each lap of a circuit in a certain place to move on to the next race. If you fail then you are disqualified. Additionally, if your power bar runs out you become weak and will explode on contact with anything. You can also fall from the track to your doom. If either of these happens, you are disqualified from the race.
Succeed in completing a Grand Prix, however, and you will gain access to more racers and more tracks. Each racer has slightly different top speeds, acceleration and handling, although it's hard not to choose on the basis of their high-quality comic book style appearance alone. Of course the four racers from the original F-Zero return, and are joined by a massive number of competitors. The stages are based in some familiar scenarios, and they twist and turn around tubes, loop-the-loops, through tunnels and even upside-down on some stages.
Tracks sometimes have boost pads on that let you gain a little speed. Completing the first lap will also give you Boost Power, letting you gain speed at any time at the expense of your Power bar. All courses give you a brief opportunity to recharge the Power bar by driving over the glowing pink areas.
There is a multiplayer race mode for up to four players, and also a demolition mode, where players have to destroy as many other cars as they can in an endlessly looping stage, while avoiding destruction themselves.
Mr. E.A.D.
One of the new racers is an android named Mr. E.A.D. He is named after Shigeru Miyamoto's development studio, Entertainment Analysis & Development. His appearance is loosely based on Mario, with a round face and a moustache, and a Starman on his belt.
His F-Zero Racer is called the Great Star, and its stats are E, A and D respectively.
James McCloud
One of the new racers is named James McCloud. While he is human, he wears full Star Fox uniform, and shares a name with Fox McCloud's lost father.
His F-Zero Racer is called the Little Wyvern, and its design is based on the Star Fox Arwing ships.
Rainbow Road
The first track in the Joker Cup is named Rainbow Road. It is a copy of the final track from Mario Kart 64. Several obstacles have been added, and some of the track edges have been removed.
Port Town 2
The Port Town 2 track is a large-scale 3D rebuild of the Port Town II track from the original F-Zero (SNES 1990)
