| 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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| 1.3.0 |
March 28, 2024 |
New Additions
- Mirror tracks have been added. The usual tracks are flipped horizontally, and tracks where the gimmicks are rearranged will appear.
- Mirror tracks will appear in F-ZERO 99 races, Pro Tracks, Team Battle, Mini Prix, and Mirror Grand Prix.
- Five Mirror Knight League tracks will be added first, followed by the Mirror Queen and Mirror King League tracks.
- Added the Steer Assist feature. This function avoids barriers and rough patches while driving, and prevents falling off the course while jumping.
- You can switch the Steer Assist function ON or OFF in Options under Main Menu or from the lobby screen in each mode.
- You cannot use Steer Assist in Classic mode.
- Practice Mode has been expanded. In addition to the previous 15 courses, Classic tracks and Mirror tracks are now unlocked for practice.
- For save data played with Ver. 1.2.1 or earlier, Classic tracks that you have already raced on will be unlocked.
- Added Classic Mini Prix to special events. It's a three-race series with Classic rules and courses.
- SILENCE, WHITE LAND II, and FIRE FIELD will appear.
- Added Challenge Highlights. You can highlight limited-time challenges that can only be attempted for a set period of time, challenges related to ongoing events, and challenges that are close to completion.
- Press the L Button on the Main Menu to advance to the Challenge Highlights screen.
- Added Boost colors and Spin Effects for machine customization, as well as backdrops, badges, and borders for Pilot Card customization. After specified conditions are met, these can be used for customization.
- You can check the specified conditions and perform customization by selecting Workshop on the Main Menu, then selecting Machines or Pilot Cards.
Other Adjustments and Changes
- Pilot Card badges can now be set multiple times with the same card.
- At least one machine card is now included among Mystery Ranks in Lucky Ranks.
- You can reach the Lucky Ranks screen by pressing the L Stick on the Main Menu.
- The Private Lobby passcode can now be toggled on and off.
- Lobby wait-time specifications have changed.
- Before: If no other player joins the lobby for the first 15 seconds, matching will be terminated and the race will begin.
- If no other player joins 10 seconds after the last player joins the lobby, matching will end and the race will begin.
- Private Lobbies are not subject to this specification change.
- Made adjustments to machine balance.
| Machine
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Adjustments
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| All Machines
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- The amount of damage when machines collide with each other or with barriers has been reduced.
- Boost can no longer be used continuously without power.
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| BLUE FALCON
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- Slightly increased maximum speed when using Boost.
- The maximum speed obtained when touching a dash plate has been slightly increased.
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| GOLDEN FOX
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- Slightly reduced maximum speed when power is reduced.
- Slightly increased the amount of power required for Boost.
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| WILD GOOSE
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- Decreased cooldown period after Spin Attacks.
- The maximum speed obtained when touching a dash plate has been slightly increased.
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| FIRE STINGRAY
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- Slightly reduced the amount of power required for Boost.
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- Added penalty for players who intentionally exit a race.
- This applies to players with a grade of S2 or higher, and if they are penalized, they lose the same number of skill points as they would have if they had lost to all of their rivals.
- If you do not drive for a certain period of time during the race, give up from the pause menu, or rank out from driving the wrong way, etc., you will be penalized.
- Repeated communication disconnections will also result in a penalty.
- Slightly reduced the number of skill points a player with a skill of S20 or higher loses when losing to three or four rivals.
- With the addition of the MUTE CITY I and BIG BLUE Mirror courses in this updated data, there will now be two secret courses, one based on DEATH WIND I and the other based on MUTE CITY I. As a result, the Mini Prix that consisted of three races on secret courses has been eliminated.
- The two secret courses will continue to appear in the Mini Prix along with other courses in the future.
- In F-ZERO 99, the specification for matching players who have just started the game or who are not yet accustomed to playing the game with other players has been eliminated.
Other Fixes
- Fixed issues to make for a more pleasant gaming experience.
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| 1.4.0 |
July 4, 2024 |
New Additions
- Added Festival Queen League. All tracks included in Queen League (MUTE CITY II/PORT TOWN I/RED CANYON I/WHITE LAND I/WHITE LAND II) will appear as Festival tracks. During these events, Gem Sparks can be collected on Festival tracks.
- Added customization items that can only be obtained during the time when the Festival Queen League event is live. You can check acquisition status by pressing the L Button on the main menu.
- The Festival Queen League event will be held for a limited time only. You can see how much time is remaining in the event by pressing the L Button on the Main Menu.
- Regular Queen League tracks and the Queen League Grand Prix cannot be played when the Festival Queen League event is active (except in private lobby and practice modes). Also, limited-time challenges will be unavailable.
- Added an event ranking tab to weekly ranking based on Gem Sparks collected. A player ranking in 999th place or above when the event ends can get a special badge.
- Added Star Rivals. They will occasionally appear on Festival tracks during a Festival Queen League event.
- Star Rivals will appear in F-ZERO 99 and Festival Queen League modes. They will not appear in Private Lobby races.
- The Star Rivals are the four characters Captain Falcon, Samurai Goroh, Dr. Stewart, and Pico from the SNES version of the F-ZERO game.
- When you beat a Star Rival in a race where they’ve been chosen as your Rival, you’ll receive a special badge that can be used for customizing Pilot Cards.
- Added emotes that can be sent at specific locations during a race. A face icon will appear in the upper right corner of the screen when the emote can be sent. At that time, hold the R Button and press the A, B, X, or Y Button to select the emote you want to send.
- Emotes can be sent from the Pilot Card display screen before the race begins, during the camera intro at the starting point, and while spectating a race.
- Emotes sent by other players who are spectating will appear in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- You can turn DISPLAY EMOTES on or off from Options in Main Menu.
- The Team Battle rules have been changed. The previous two-team system has been changed to a five-team system, and the number of players per team is now 10. Also, in Team Battle, all teammates share one Team Super Meter. When the Team Super Meter is full, all teammates can drive on the Team Skyway together.
- Super Boost is activated by each teammate pressing the boost button within the time limit.
- The number of players allowed to participate in Team Battle is 50.
- Available team colors are blue, yellow, green, pink, and white.
- Gray Bumpers, Red Bumpers, and Gold Bumpers now appear in Team Battle as well. Gold Bumpers appearing in Team Battle can now be KO'd.
- Three weekend events have been added:
- Weekend Event: Lucky Weekend
- Lucky Ranks will reset every four hours. You can earn bonus ticket points and EXP when playing F-ZERO 99 or Pro Tracks modes during the event.
- Weekend Event: Machine-Shuffle Mini Prix Weekend
- At the start of the race, one type of machine is randomly selected, and all players compete for the Mini Prix with that machine.
- Weekend Event: Team Battle Weekend
- Team Battles will be held frequently. You can earn bonus ticket points and EXP in Team Battles during the event.
Weekend events are scheduled to be held sequentially on the weekends following the end of the Festival Queen League period.
- Added Boost colors and Spin effects 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.
- New Boost colors and Spin Effects can be obtained mainly through limited-time challenges starting after the end of the Festival Queen League.
- New backdrops are primarily obtainable through Lucky Ranks.
- You can access your new customization items via the Workshop on the Main Menu.
Other Adjustments and Changes
- Increased how much the skill rating of a player with skill S-S50 goes up when they defeat a Rival.
- Added variation to the pattern of Bumpers appearing.
- Due to a change in the Team Battle rules, the conditions for obtaining a Team Battle badge have been changed to "Finish in the top 3 teams in a Team Battle 20 times” (and 50 and 99 times after that).
- The number of times you have placed 1st in previous Team Battles will remain on record, and after this update is applied, the number of times you have placed 1st through 3rd will be added.
- The badge that can be obtained by a Double KO has been changed to a hidden badge.
- Lucky Ranks reset time was changed to 5 p.m. (PDT).
Other Issues
- Fixed issues to make for a more pleasant gaming experience.
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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
