F - Zero


   First off, let me just say that this is a great game. True, I have
no pictures of it to boast of (although I do have some great times),
but it was just so innovative for its time, and it remains so today.
First of all, it featured Mode 7, so it ran VERY smoothly. Next, it
actually was a racing game where **gasp** different cars meant more
than just a different design. Each car had its own strengths and
weaknesses. Also, it was the first (and I think only ) game to let you
cut corners with jumps, but to take you back if you cut too much. Its
last track was absolutely difficult, and it actually let you interact
with the track. The various speeds attainable were very nice, and each
course had its own little speciality that made it memorable. For some
odd reason, no guide was ever made for it on GameFAQ's, so I've
attempted mine. Here it is.


  The Cars
  The Tracks
  The Track Objects
  The Points
  My Times
  Tips
  Weird Stuff
  Credits


THE CARS

There are four cars you can use in the game.

The Blue Falcon
This car is nice for you beginners, and it runs nicely in the Knight
League. Unfortunately, it has a bad turning rate. Also, it's a bit
average as far as top speed goes. Fortunately, it accelerates the
second fastest in the game, so if you run into a tough turn, just tap
the accellorator once or twice while turning to straighten out and
maintain speed. Use it to start, then move on.

The Golden Fox
This is your next trainer. It has a lower top speed than the Blue
Falcon, and it slides a heck of a lot more, but it's acceleration is
top notch. I recommend using this car for the Queen league, as some
jumps require you to accelerate fast, and you might not be very good
yet. Watch out, as its body is very weak, and a few solid hits will
cripple it. Use this, and once you're used to conserving energy, use
the next car.

The Wild Goose
This car could probably survive jumping over the course rail. Of
course, it can't (none can save the computer controlled ones noted
later), but it still takes a beating. For being a solid hunk of lead,
this "car" has next to no acceleration. For some reason, this means its
top speed is very, very high. (I believe the second highest). Use it
when you're conservative, and you might survive some of the tracks in
the dreaded "King League". Once you've beaten Death Wind II (shudder)
at least once, move on.

Fire Stingray
Now we have it! This car is the fastest, slowest accelerating (why
you'll need to be good before you use it), 2nd to toughest car there
is, and it'll be the best on every track. Of course, you need to be
very good in order to keep it going, as its accelloration is very poor.
Still, it's worth it. Ah, now we can finally get down to business.




THE TRACKS


_Knight League_

Mute City (I)
This course is fairly easy. Take the first 2 turns without stopping,
and then lean (with R) into the next one. Take the jump (hold down),
and cut a bit to the right. Now, there's some stripes of gravelly like
dirt, which you can drive through. You'll loose a little bit of speed,
but it's worth it considering the track you'll cut off (.1 to .2 KM's
to be exact). Avoid the next set of dark dirt. The next turn is a Mute
City monument, appearing on all three tracks. Better master it now.
Hold R down and jam the control pad to the right when you're just a bit
before the turn. If you're not in the Fire Stingray (see why I love
it?), you'll have to loose precious speed and tap the accell down a bit
to maintain control. Almost too easy. Super Jets: Use them either at
the start, as soon as you get it, before the jump (you can cut through
the roughs after the jump very nicely), or on the homestretch (a nice
thing for the other cars, it prevents you from losing speed, while you
still maintain your position).


Big Blue
This course is almost all water (as far as you're concerned, it is).
Fortunately, you can't jump into it. Unfortunately, it's a bit slippery
towards the end. The first turns right and left are easy, cut hard into
the next one, but refrain from sliding too far and losing distance. The
next three stretches have sand, you can avoid it if you slide into the
center after the first turn, then just stay out of the way. Next,
there's a slightly sharp turn you can cut, and a stretch followed by a
180 turn. Use the slide technique, and brake or accell. if you need
too. After this is a right angle, which is fairly easy to navigate
(slide). At the end, there's a blue surface. DON'T SLIDE. If you do,
you'll really slide. Instead, take a very sharp turn at the end of the
Blue, and you'll turn out fine. If you do slide, try and slam at the
end of the wall and try to straighten out. Finally, finish the lap.
Super Jets: Use them at the beginning, on the long rough stretch, or
after the blue area, in case you mess up the turn.


Sand Ocean
This course is your first real turn tester. Best of luck to you guys
who're playing it for the first time. Okay, start and veer a bit right
on the slant. Now, take a wide, sloping turn to the right. It shouldn't
be too hard, you may need to cut it (which means to use the slide
technique). You'll now go a bit right, then left on a nice 180 turn.
Don't cut it, just slowly turn, then ease up on the turning if you
must. Do this on all sloping long turns that aren't very sharp. There's
another sloper to the right, and you'll go on a small straightaway
(with sand, I believe). This may not be totally right, there may be a
straightaway before the sand one. Anyway, after that is a sharp turn
you should cut right on, then a nice, looong turn to the left. This is
a problem. You shouldn't cut it, but you'll have to be real careful by
not cutting it. Just watch yourself, and you should pull through all
right. Finally, take one more nice, easy turn right followed by a small
curve, and you'll be in line for the finish line. Fairly simple. Super
Jets:  Use them at the beginning, on the stretch with the sanded sides,
or at the end in case you mess up. Good luck, but if you beat this, the
next one's almost too easy.


Death Wind
This course is a giant 0. Note: Don't do the boost trick at the start,
as it will cause you to swerve wavy to the right. The winds on this
course are also a bit of a problem; just take them into account when
steering or at slow speeds (which you shouldn't be on this course....).
At the start, use R and L to slide around the sand areas. Take a nice,
easy turn right (cut it if you must), and hit the two dash zones. Let
me explain. These bring you up to 900mph, then decrease your speed
depending on your accelloration. The faster you gain speed, the faster
you loose it. So, the Fire Stingray rocks! Now, hit the oddly located
middle power refill (slow down if you want to, the next car will hit
you when it wants to pass you and you won't loose anything). Now, take
the final turn and try to hit the final dash zone. Very easy. Super
Jets: At the beginning's great, since there's sand. Don't use before
dash zones as a general rule unless in the Golden Fox or possibly Blue
Falcon. Or, save it for a rainy day (if you miss a dash zone). Saving
one for the homestretch of the last lap would be very wise.


Silence
With all the hazards here, it's all but silent. The track is even
shaped like a gun! Anyway, start and turn hard left, followed by a
gradual slope right. Now, if you're inexperienced, take the right
"fork", slope left, and hit the jump plate to miss the sand. If you're
dying for adventure (or have a SuperJet and don't mind using it if you
miss), then turn left, drive between the mines, and turn a very tight
left to hit the plate (hopefully). If not, then you'll have to boost,
but the twisted corridors following are no fun to go through at 500+
mph. Surviving this turn, turn hard left, then weave between the
siphoning track. You'll have to turn right, then there's a weird "S-
Curve" type section. Turn very sharply left then right, although you
may have to brake or even almost stop. At any rate, the next turn is a
bit easier. Go a bit left, then spin sharply around the turn (sort of
like in Mute City). Finally, there's a small "turn" near the end. It's
a pain, and a nice finisher to the Knight League. Super Jet:  Use it at
the beginning (or at the jump if you miss). Or, you may try to use it
after the tight turn (1 or 2) to recover back to max speed (if you can
handle it). The finish line is always a viable option, too.




_Queen League_

Mute City II
This course starts like its predecessor. So, do your turns. Now,
there's a big, big "O". Take left or right, preferably what the car in
front of you doesn't take. Turn the O without sliding, or you'll spin
out of control. Now, make sure not to go too far (only halfway), or
you'll start going in reverse. Take the path out, and hit the jump
plate. Angle it so that you jump the rough (and maybe the track, though
I'm not sure if you can), and land on the next jump. Now, take the huge
turn to the end. Shouldn't take you too long to master. Super Jets: Use
them at the beginning, the end, or on the jump plates. I like to use
them just before I hit the first one and cut off a nice chunk of the
turns.


Port Town I (?)
Okay, I don't quite remember the track order. This or Red Canyon I is
next, I think it's this. Anyway, it's fairly simple. First start and go
to the right. Hit the jump and miss the rough, then hit the next jump
and hold down very much. You'll clear the exposed city, now hang a
right and be happy you didn't do it the hard way. The hard way: hit the
plate on laps 2 - 5 and hit your turbo jet (that you saved, of course).
Now slam to the right and jump over the very long section of purple
plains and try and land on the next section of track. You'll be picked
up (which is cool) by a passing spacecraft that deemed your move
illegal, and deposited (which is not cool) in just the right way so
that your "shortcut" made no difference. Oh well, it's fun anyway, and
a much bigger risk, so take it if you must. Now, curve around a bit.
When you land, especially on the later laps if you super jet, then you
should hold right and you'll just make the turn. The next few turns
depend on your style. If you're very good with your cutting, you'll be
all set. If not, hang tight. Eventually, you'll hit some magnets. Use R
or L to counteract them, or steer a bit in the other way than they
pull. Now, pull a hard right. Here it becomes insanely difficult (oh
wait, that's only on Port Town II. It's easy in I). Hang another 90
Degree right, and head for the finish. It's really very easy, if you
stay calm. Especially on Port II, you'll find that staying calm really
helps. Just pretend you're in Practice Mode (essentially you are, with
just more obstacles). Super Jets:  Use them at the beginning before the
jump (a must if you miss the rough), at the homestretch (if you can
take the 90 at those speeds), or, well, I guess at the magnets, if
you're really nuts.


Red Canyon I (?#2)
This is soo easy, oh wait, that's Red Canyon II. Sorry, these mix ups!
Anyway, this is just like II, but part's roped off. I don't have a map
handy, so hang tight as I trust my memory (not a good thing). First,
get in the lead quick, and take the sharp lefts and rights as good as
you can. Cut across the sand on the first few turns if you like. Next,
level out early to hit the jump plates and go flying. You'll rocket
over the track, downward magnets, and hapless riders that get in your
way (show 'em who's boss!). Watch the mid air collisions, they're
usually very messy. Now, you'll hit a hard right, followed by some
twists, turns, then another right. Just be careful in those turns, you
should be able to handle them with a bit of practice. Next, you're in
for a straight run for the finish. Enjoy! Super Jets:  These are so
much fun when going over the jump plates, or you can use them at the
beginning (as with most courses). Finally, they're good to save for the
end, although only as a fail safe, I trust you to be handy enough to
not hit stuff now.


White Land I
This is the first (and I think hardest) of two White Land courses.
Surprisingly, they're almost entirely different, and not on the same
track. Start by taking a nice, sloping turn left, then cut hard right
and turn another righty. Here, the designers decided to put down a nice
magnetic field blocker (how nice!). Worse, you have to turn. Now, I
know that when you guys are racing in the grand prix, the last thing
you want to do is let go of that throttle. Do it. And, tap it a few
times to level out while avoiding the rough. Now, breathe again, and
hit the next few jump plates to avoid the rough. I reccomend the first
one on the left, but switch right if you can so you'll be lined up for
the next set. After this is a turn left (you can cut it a bit with some
tricky flying). Now, there's a big, prolonged loop to the right at 180
Degrees. You'll need to be careful of the slip zone, but I'm sure
you'll be used to that after 5 laps! After that, take the relatively
easy curves to the finish. It helps to practice in the practice stage
(what a novelty!). Super Jets:  The beginning is a nice place to use
your boosts, and the jumps are also a fun place. Save one for the end,
you'll need it.


White Land II
This is a lot more fun, if a little harder/easier depending on your own
tastes. Take the first few turns, and watch out for the following
hazards: 1) The slip zones, one at the beginning, one before the end.
Use caution, and try not to slide unless you're in the Stingray or Wild
Goose. Otherwise, you're in for a beating. 2) A section of tight turns
with a lot of blue guidebeams blocking the easy rode. Ride over 'em.
Or, if you like to show off, take the turns the "right" (slow) way, and
retain some of your power. Your choice. 3) A huge (1/2 mile) jump. Use
excellent care on lap 1. Take the turn before it at top speed, slide so
you don't slow down. Now, immediately hold Down and A at the same time
and you should make it. Why the developers did this, no one knows.
Maybe they liked the challenge. Maybe they forgot to put in the track.
Maybe the elusive budget cuts cut their track funds short. Maybe they
didn't like the people the crafts just might hit if they mis-timed
their jumps. Either way, it's much easier and safer on the last few
laps with your super jets. Super Jets:  The jump. Thank you, that's
all.


_King League_

Now you're playing! It takes serious skill to beat this course
(especially in the Golden Fox or Blue Falcon **shudder**), much less
finish Fire Field in first (of course I have, thank you very much).
Good luck.


Mute City III
The only planet to boast 3 races, Mute City should be very familiar by
now. You'll race at night. Start by doing your normal turns, then stay
in the exact center of the track, and you'll miss the outcroppings
(it's a pain when there're guys in front of you). Now, cut right, over
the sand, and stay on your current trajectory to avoid the first set of
mines. Stay straight, cross another rough, and you should completely
miss the second set of mines. This is a nice plus. Now, hit the final
turn. Super Jet:  Useful at the beginning, in the trench with the
outcropping track sections, at the end as a failsafe, or (my personal
favorite) when avoiding the mines. Pick and choose.


Death Wind II
Gag! Ack! This is a pain. Start and stay in the clear, then turn. Now,
you'll have to turn hard left, followed by right to hit the dash zone.
Turn left (while going at 900 mph) very, very quickly to hit the next
jet and avoid smashing yourself to smithereens against the wall (if you
miss, you'll know). Finally, there's another turn and jet thrown in
there for fun, then a power up area. You'll need it. Slow down
considerably, knowing that you can box out anyone trying to pass you
(it's fun to hold up about 5 cars). When you're ready, go on (don't
tempt fate too long), and hit the final dash jet to finish one
lap.....only 4 left! Super Jets:  Use them at the beginning, or at the
end. Save one for the last lap in case you miss the last dash zone,
unless you don't mind 2nd or 3rd place.


Port Town II
Don't worry, after this one you get a brake. Follow the normal Port
Town Guide, but turn left very sharply where you'd normally go
straight. Now, the next turn is a very thin slope right. Be careful,
and tap right little by little to get it. It should straighten out,
following that, just watch for the tiny S. You can usually make it if
your timing's good. Off to the finish line. Super Jets:  Use them at
the beginning, at the jump (virtually the same effect), or wait until
you reach the S and slam them to full. Curve and you'll make a nice
loop around the guy in front of you. I normally do this.


Red Canyon II
Yeah! Easy! Fun! Do the normal course, but, after the 3rd jump plate,
stay towards the left hand wall, going straight. If you don't reach 400
mph soon, turn right and take your chances in the minefield. If you do,
hold down and you'll hit a jump plate, followed by a big arrow of jump
plates. Nice shortcut! Legal, too! Take the right to get back on track
(slam a wall if you want to). Then, take the next few turns, being
careful of walls and sand, until you reach the straightaway to the
finish. Easy as pie, no? Super Jets:  Use them for the jump, or, if you
want to risk death, somewhere else. Your choice....


Fire Field
Out of the frying pan, into the fire, eh? This one's a blast, and
you're likely to die out after 3 minutes or so (I took 3:58 or so to
finish it in first). Start, and stay on the left or right side of the
track (right near the wall) to avoid the land mines. You'll also pass a
few people. Now, there's a nice right turn. You will probably have to
brake. Next, a big turn (if I remember correctly) to the left. After
that is a section with rough blocks like in Death Wind. Avoid them, or
super jet, and survive another turn to reach a long curve with sand on
the left. Note on the long turns: hold R or L and turn sharply, but,
most importantly, hit the brake a bit before the turn to take it at a
hairpin. You'll hardly notice it in the fast accell vehicles, but your
Stingray will loose a place or two if you brake too much (and your
Goose will be cooked :-). After this hazard is (I think) a turn. After
that, there's a pink slip zone. Steer in or out of it if you want, then
straighten up and go left or right around the magnets and track
section. Just don't drive in the middle. Finally, stay on the left and
you'll see a power up zone. Slow down or keep going, then hit the dash
zone to zip back to the lead. On the last lap, ignore this, it'll just
waste time. Super Jets:  Use them in the rough area mentioned above,
or, if you're desperate, to zip through the center of the zone I told
you not to drive through (try not to die, okay?). The beginning is not
recommended. Good luck!



THE TRACK OBJECTS

These should be avoided or not as follows:


Rough - Looks like sand, try to avoid the full areas, it'll slow you
down. The sparse areas don't affect you too much, and are usually nice
shortcuts.

Anit Gravity GuideBeam - i.e. Railing. Just avoid it, and don't jump
over it (unless I tell you to).

Land Mines - When hit, they boost you, take away a nice chunk of power,
and send your vector to a random direction. Not a fun thing to hit, but
the enemy can hit them too (or you can "persuade" them too).

Jump Plate - Your friend. Hit it, and you'll jump and gain speed. Hold
up to go down, down to go up. Hold down when you hit to avoid losing
speed.

Down Pull Magnets - They pull you into contact with the track surface.
Just don't drive on them, or fly over them (but they'll pull you down).

Left/Right Pull Magnets  - They pull you , you guessed it!, left and
right. Use R or L to counteract them, or steer away from them. When far
away, they have little effect.

Magnetic Block Coat - This will keep you sliding, no matter if you hold
R or not. If you hold R, good luck winning this lap. Just be careful,
and hit the accelerator when you need to straighten out.

Dash Zone - Hit them if you can. They boost you to 900+ kph, then drop
you down. If you accelerate fast, you'll loose speed fast. Just watch
the turns, okay?



POINTS

Points are awarded per lap based on place. If you're disqualified, you
don't get points:


Rank 1           900 pts.
Rank 2           600 pts.
Rank 3           400 pts.
Rank 4 or less   200 pts.




At the end of the race, you get:


First Place      2,500 pts.
Second Place     1,500 pts.
Third Place      1,000 pts.


After every 10,000 points, you get a free car. How nice.


MY TIMES

To be updated



TIPS

Useful stuff to know.


At the start, hold down B for the duration, and hold R. When the timer
starts, wait a little and release R, a machine will bump you from
behind and you'll loose no time. Nice thing to do, but not on Death
Wind I or II.

Jump plates increase your speed.

Land from jumps by holding down.

You can see your rival with the Check Mark. Herd them off, if you want.
Pressing B (throttle) will restore your stability after sliding.

The Fire Stingray Rocks.

Fire Field should not be attempted in the Golden Fox.

Let off the accell. in the pit stops. It is worth the time to recover a
little.
Don't use Game Genie. It ruins it.



WEIRD STUFF

Nice game, eh? Want to know some weird stuff?


In the Pitt Zone, the craft above you follows you so exactly, it even
turns off its engines if you do!

If you hit a flashing car it'll blow up (one less contender).

Go in reverse and hit a car to send each other flying.

You can kill the enemy. They just come back. I did it. To do so, hit
one while going over a jump over Port Town or White Land II while in
Super Jet mode. They'll go flying hard to the left or right out of
control, with no hope of saving themselves. Unfortunately, they come
back.

Beat the Game on Expert mode to unlock Master Mode. Beat it to get a
special bonus.



CREDITS

I did this all by myself, all with my own two (sore) thumbs, and
skills, etc. However, Nintendo's instruction book provided a list of
the items, so I tried to igrnore their descriptions (and tips) and
write my own.

In return, I have two favors to ask:
1) I am currently looking for any Game Genie codes (you'd have to
create them) to either:
         a) Make you jump higher
         b) Make you go faster either when jetting or normally
2) Does anyone have any F - Zero pictures? I could use some for my
page.
E- mail all these to: [email protected]

Thank you!

Copyright 2000 by Seth Hetu, Snhes@ aol.com Do not reprint, post, or
reproduce without asking me first. I probably will let you, just ask
for my permission.

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