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F-Zero: Maximum Velocity (Game Boy Advance)

F-Zero: Maximum Velocity review

Game: F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
Platform: Game Boy Advance
Genre: Action Racing (Sci-Fi)
Developer: NDCube
AKA: F-Zero (JP)

Reader review by ratking

November 27, 2002

F-Zero X was a grand game for the N64, and showed that there were more than just kart racing and car racing in the racing industry. Now there was the master of hovercrafts, who had appeared in two different games on two different systems. So why not make another one on the GBA. The GBA was as powerful as a Super Nintendo and the original F-Zero was good, so this one could be just as good. And it was good, but not great as it had some weaknesses.

STORY (1/5): All the drivers have no story period. They are just racing for money. There is one that is supposebly Captain Falcons son, which really leaves alot to desire. There are only 10 racers this time, and none of any original race or anything.

GRAPHICS (13/15): You will always be amazed when you look at the GBA. It always looks beautiful, and it has great power. F-Zero is no exception. It looks really nice, and it fits the wide screen very well. The ships all look nice, except your opponents. You may also get bored with always looking at the back of your ship, but that's not the graphics fault.

SOUND (6/10): Simple racing music. Nothing more nor nothing less. It fits the game very well, but it doesn't really help it go over the top. There is still the reving up of the engines while you play, and that is what you will mostly hear. It does the job, but does leave much to be desired.

GAMEPLAY (31/55): The game is similiar to all the F-Zero's before it. You race in a hovercraft against other hovercrafts. However instead of the slick upside down courses, the most challenge you have are a few jumps and maybe some oil on the race course. Also instead of just three laps, you do five which I personally do not like. It just prolongs the races and makes them get boring after the 3rd lap. There are 4 sets of course with 5 race courses in each, making a total of 20. You can work your way through the 20 courses either in the actual game or the training mode. By beating certain combination of courses you will unlike either another character, or something else special.

The racing itself is fairly easy to control. It is fun as you make the turns, and do the special boost turns so you do not slam into the wall. That is the most important technique in the game is that you will need to perfect the boost turn. After you understand that, you will be able to race through the game very easily. The hovercraft will follow your orders, and you won't need to worry about being thrown all over the place by the slightest movement of your thumb.

REPLAYABILITY (5/10): This is the biggest difference between this game and it's prequel F-Zero X. There is only so much to do in this game, before you get bored of the racing. Sure, you will play for awhile and work your way to getting the special racers, and the special courses, but after you do that there is little else to do in the game. There is GBA link up, but I'd much rather play a PS2 or GC racer with a friend, then linking GBA's. It just doesn't hold up.

DIFFICULTY (5/5): It is a very hard racer, that will take alot of attempts to master. If you can get the 10th racer then you have mastered F-Zero: Maximum Velocity, but likely you will never get that racer. This is a hard game, but you can pull through it. It will never be too easy for anyone.

OVERALL (61/100): This is an F-Zero game, what was once the top of the racing industry. I was very dissapointed in this game, cause I had very high expectations. Depending on who you are most likely you should not purchase it. I guess if you do love F-Zero though, it may be worth the risk. It all depends on what you like.

Rating: 6.1/10

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