F-Zero: Maximum Fun (F-Zero - Maximum Velocity (GBA))

Name: mmmbuffy

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Product:	F-Zero - Maximum Velocity (GBA)
Date:	28/06/01 (57 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Graphics, Gameplay, Fun

Disadvantages: None, None, None

Does everyone remember the good old days of the 16-bit powerhouse that was the Super Nintendo? And does everyone remember the quite possibly greatest racing game on that console, no wait, on any console? Yes, F-Zero. It really was a quality racing game that provided hours of racing fun for millions of people. It was a hard decision for me to splash out on an £85 machine, but as soon as I discovered that one of its first releases was F-Zero: Maximum Velocity, I just had to buy one. And was I disappointed with the game? No, not one single bit, I haven’t been able to put it down.

The Game

T he game is set around 20 years after the original speed demons of Captain Falcon and co. The vehicles are the descendants of the original racers, and a hell of a lot faster. When you first start out you can only choose from four cars, each with their own strong points, I recommend J.B. Crystal for beginners as it turns better and has a longer boost. With these four cars you can choose from three leagues, pawn, knight and bishop, as you progress through the game, completing these series on expert you can access the extremely hard queen series, as well as unlocking the better vehicles. So far I have managed to unlock two new vehicles and the queen series. As well as a new series and new cars, you can unlock the championship mode, this is very hard as you have to try and beat the record of a certain track. Sounds easy, but these records are very very good, however you do get some help in the form of being able to watch the replay of the record holders effort.
To pass each each race you have to finish in the top three, if not then you lose a life and have to re-try again. This gives the game an element of difficulty, especially on expert where the other vehicles ram you into the side barriers. I find myself having to set new records on each track to win on expert, even to come second.

Grand Prix

This option is exactly as it sounds, you choos
e your vehicle, series and difficulty level, then test yourself against the pace of the game. As mentioned, you must finish within the top three to pass each level, which makes the game more difficult than games such as Mario Kart where you get points and try to win a league. The tracks get progressively harder as you go on. Does anyone remember the solidness of the last track on the original game? Here’s a clue, Firefeild, well, once you get the queen series, the last TWO tracks are variations of Firefield, both very very hard.

Training

This is exactly as it sounds, pick a vehicle, pick a level, choose whether or not to race against the computer, and practice your skills on any of the levels you have gained access to. Need practice on ice, or maybe there is a hairpin that just won’t quit buggin’, then this is the option for you.

Championship

As you progress through the game you can unlock championship mode, I’m not sure how many tracks you can get, but I have one so far. This is extremely difficult, the computer record is almost perfect, and very hard to beat. You can watch the replay of the record attempt, this will help you to not only understand how to beat the record, but how to do well in races, so this option is worth unlocking.

Controls

The controls are very simple, making this game highly addictive, you have A as accelerate, B as break, L and R help you to powerslide, and press them together for a boost, and the D-pad controls the vehicle. At the start of the race, if you press the accelerator at the right time, you can get a boost start, since I’m kind I’ll tell you that for the J.B. Crystal you press the accelerator on the third flash of the ready sign. The break is not important if you want to win, especially on expert, instead try letting go of the accelerator. L and R are very useful, when you turn left, press L, when you turn right, press R. the buttons help you
to turn sharper and prevent you losing too much speed. When you complete a lap you gain a boost, these are represented in the bottom right of the screen, this gives you a burst of speed, how long depends on the car.


Ranking

With this option you can look at the best times on each track for each of the three files on the game, or you can compare the times of all three files to see who is best. Another good thing about this option is that with a link cable you can compare the files of different games.

Multiplayer

This option is what makes this game a cut above the original, I haven’t had the opportunity to do this yet, but I’m going to as soon as I have the chance. With this you can have up to four players playing with one game, however with this you sacrifice sound and the background.

If you have a Game Boy Advance, then you should have this. Even with the immanent arrival of Mario Kart Advance, it is a game well worth having. £30 seems a understatement for a game of this high, high quality.

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