The pinnacle of futuristic racing on the N64. Thirty tracks, twenty-four ships at once, a rock-solid sixty frames a second and a sense of velocity nothing since has quite matched. Imamura's rock soundtrack electrifies the whole package. An absolute Nintendo EAD masterpiece, pure, intense, indestructible.
Your verdict
Category
Racing1 player3+
Split screen
Description
Futuristic anti-gravity racing at dizzying speeds on aerial circuits without guardrails against relentless opponents. Published by Nintendo, released in 1998 in Japan, Europe, and North America. Thirty tracks, twenty-four simultaneous on-track opponents, blazing fast gameplay, and a randomly generated X Cup.
F-Zero X review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Pure concentrated hard rock, the music makes distorted guitars and frantic tempos scream to match the supersonic speeds of the anti-gravity circuits. Each track becomes an electric trance galvanising the extreme driving. This raw energy, cut for adrenaline, remains one of the most nervy on the console.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
The sense of speed trumps everything: thirty machines streak by at 60 frames per second across dizzying circuits, without the slightest dip. Mastering the tight corners, the boosts and the side attacks demands nerves of steel and rewards precision. The scenery is bare, but this pure piloting adrenaline remains unmatched by many a recent game.
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Thirty machines hurled at insane speeds, loops and barrel rolls that defy gravity: the racing sensation here reaches a rare intensity. Everything moves so fast that each turn demands nerves of steel, and the slightest mistake costs you dearly. Demanding, brutal and exhilarating, an absolute must for anyone chasing the big racing thrill.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Hurling a machine to dizzying speeds among twenty-nine rivals, managing your boost at the cost of your energy bar and skimming the edge of the track stretches every race to the limit. Clawing back positions and chasing a better time keeps the next attempt coming without pause. The scenery is plain, but this sensation of pure speed stays furiously compelling.
Difficulty
"Punishing"
Thirty machines hurtling at full speed across dizzying tracks: collisions loom constantly and the slightest flinch hurls you off the road. Timing your overtakes, sparing your energy gauge and memorizing loop-filled layouts demand unshakable composure. A pure, no-frills driving challenge, it remains a benchmark of high-octane arcade racing for anyone chasing total mastery.
Original Japanese Nintendo edition from July 1998, the first of the two N64 F-Zero entries and the only one released on a standard cartridge. The Japanese cartridge carries the 30-ship duel mechanic at a stable 60 fps, a technical feat signed by Nintendo EAD. The Japanese version stands out for a Takaya Imamura cover putting Captain Falcon in an iconic pose, an immediate identification cue on the Japanese shelf.
Is F-Zero X still worth playing in 2026?
F-Zero X is arguably the absolute peak of futuristic racing on the N64, and it ages beautifully. Thirty tracks, twenty-four ships on screen at once, a rock-solid sixty frames per second on period hardware and a sense of speed that has never been matched since. The rock soundtrack from Taro Bando and Hajime Wakai electrifies everything, and the death race mode turns the experience into a tense arena. Visually leaner than GX, but absolutely pure in handling. For retro racing fans, it is a complete classic to play today.
