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The last time a full-on F-Zero was released was all the way back in 2004 with F-Zero Climax, and that was a Japanese-exclusive for the GBA. For NA/EU audiences, we haven’t seen a new, standalone F-Zero game since F-Zero: GP Legend.

Many fans have wondered why Nintendo hasn’t released a new F-Zero game in so long. While the higher-ups at Nintendo aren’t talking, we have a response from the next best thing; Reggie Fils-Aimé.

In an interview with Venturebeat, Reggie was asked about why F-Zero games aren’t released anymore. While he didn’t have a definitive answer to share, Reggie did offer some interesting insight.

Why was F-Zero abandoned? The insight I would share is that, at least during my tenure, Nintendo developers were always experimenting with different gameplay styles, always thinking about where a unique experience could be applied back, either to an existing franchise or maybe creating a new franchise. My bet is that somewhere in the Kyoto development centers, some developer is playing around with an idea that might be applied to F-Zero. It’s never a situation, at least in my experience, where the company makes a conscious decision not to continue supporting X-Y-Z franchise. Historically it just hasn’t worked that way, not when I was there.

[Reggie Fils-Aimé]

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Comments (4)

sligeach_eire

2y ago

I think Nintendo want to concentrate on one racer and Mario Kart and the Mario brand are king. Like when is the last time we've seen Nintendo make another race type game? Soddy Kong Racing was great, it never got a sequel. Though that was Rare and they did have another kind of racing game planned for Gamecube but never materialised before their acquisition by Microsoft.

It's like Smash Bros, it's king of the fighters for Nintendo. There was ARMS most recently, but that's a different style and while it was a novel experiment, I don't think it'll see a sequel. Punch Out, there's only been a few, and not since Wii. Again, that's boxing. Nintendo have their tent pole franchises and are happy enough to stick with them. What we want is irrelevant to them.

I'd love to see a new F-Zero, but who would make it? Fast Racing Neo/Fast RMX developers, Shin'en, wouldn't be a bad call. But I'd like to see them assisted by Nintendo for a large scale project.

Edited 1 time

the_crimson_lure

2y ago

I think the situation is, Nintendo rarely starts out by saying "let's make a sequel to franchise X". Instead, they create gameplay prototypes and tinker around with new gameplay ideas. Then, once they have a fun concept, they either apply an existing IP to it or create a new one.

So up until now, out of the gameplay prototypes that have been made, none have been a good fit for F-Zero.

If I recall correctly, Splatoon went through various phases in development, with the Mario IP considered for it at one time.

So it's less that Nintendo has decided not to continue the F-Zero series, and more that the gameplay prototypes Nintendo's teams are making before an IP is assigned to them don't scream "F-Zero" from a gameplay point.

Edited 1 time

vinlauria

2y ago

I feel like there was a perfect opportunity to make an F-Zero UX back in the day after the success of FAST Racing NEO on the Wii U. The team could've contracted the series out to Shin'En and have them add FAST's unique twists to the formula to F-Zero's universe and it probably would've been really well-received.

I mean, there's still the opportunity to do that, but I'm still just cheesed that they gave up the chance to use the "UX" title.


nekotaku

2y ago

Just doesn't make sense... We just want a new F-Zero, nothing new is needed outside of cars and characters, stages and music... it being in HD and then slap online there and that alone could be the best F-Zero ever.