This feature was originally written for TheNintendoVillage.com, a website I founded and ran from 2018 to 2021.

If there’s one franchise Nintendo fans want to see make a return on Switch it’s F-Zero.

It’s been 15 years since Captain Falcon last won an F-Zero Grand Prix on a Nintendo console. Yes, the Sega-developed F-Zero GX really is that old.

Since that GameCube release, the Blue Falcon has been languishing in the pit lane. Samurai Goroh has been trying his luck at Casino Palace, Dr Fox has been chilling in Mute City and Captain Falcon himself has had nothing but Smash Bros to keep him busy.

As an indication of how neglected the franchise has been, a Google Image search for Captain Falcon brings up shedloads of Smash Bros screens, sketches and fan art, with nary a racetrack in sight. There could well be a segment of younger gamers who have no knowledge of the genre-beating racing games in which the Captain made his name.

The reason for the series laying dormant - according to Shigeru Miyamoto - is Nintendo have no new ideas to keep the series fresh. At least that’s what he said back in 2013.

But both the industry and the racing genre have seen a bunch of innovations since then. Innovations that could give Miyamoto the fresh mechanics he needs to justify a new entry to the F-Zero franchise.

Fast RMX really scratched the F-Zero itch - why not give Shin’en a crack at the franchise proper? — Fast RMX *really scratched the* F-Zero *itch - why not give Shin’en a crack at the franchise proper?*

F-Zero Switch

One of the few games that has managed to scratch the F-Zero itch in recent years is the excellent indie title Fast RMX.

Developed by Shin’en Games, the influence of F-Zero is unmistakable. The speed is breakneck, the tracks twisting and expansive, and even the music evokes the series’ heyday.

Most interesting though is the shifting mechanic. A quick button tap changes your craft’s polarity, allowing you to make use of ramps and booster pads to gain an advantage. Get it wrong and you lose a considerable amount of speed. It’s a great gimmick, and adds a whole new level of quick thinking to a game that already pushes your reflexes to the limit.

Were F-Zero to adopt a similar mechanic, there’d be a whole new challenge to the series that fans would undoubtedly leap to tackle.

The title of “F-Zero Switch” practically writes itself too.

Nintendo have been more than willing to work with outside developers recently, including those of the indie persuasion - Cadence of Hyrule springs to mind. Why not enlist Shine’en to take what they did with Fast RMX and dial it up to eleven?

They’ve shown they’re capable of creating a futuristic racer of considerable quality. Imagine what they could achieve with a bigger budget and Nintendo’s guidance?

Third Driver

Using an outside developer could well be the way to go. After all, SEGA did an outstanding job with F-Zero GX. Nintendo may want to increasingly handle development of first party IP in-house, but if they’re struggling to generate new ideas, why not see what another studio can come up with?

It would appear they’re not totally opposed to this thinking either. Before the Wii U launched, Nintendo reportedly approached Burnout developer Criterion to create a pitch for a new F-Zero game. Unfortunately, the studio were too busy with Need for Speed: Most Wanted at the time, and thus the revival of F-Zero was shelved.

Nevertheless, this approach has worked before. Third party devs - be they indie teams like Brace Yourself Games or big boys like Ubisoft - have created some fantastic experiences with Nintendo franchises on Switch. F-Zero could easily be another addition to that collection.

And why not go back to a team like Criterion? Games like Need for Speed, Forza Horizon and Gran Turismo have really expanded the definition of ‘racing game’.

One of the undoubted highlights of F-Zero GX was the custom machine. Games like Forza have taken tweaking and refining your car to the Nth degree. A similar mechanic would be great in F-Zero.

Picture this: A career mode in which you earn credits to spend at a futuristic junkyard. Purchase new g-diffusers, turbos and bodywork to improve your machine in the hope of beating Captain Falcon in the game’s final race.

When you’re finished, take your machine online to see how it stacks up, or even upload it for other players to try out. I’m hyped as hell just thinking about it!

Death Race from F-Zero X is essentially Battle Royale on a racetrack. It would be perfect in today’s industry. — ***Death Race from* F-Zero X *is essentially Battle Royale on a racetrack. It would be perfect in today’s industry.***

An F-Zero for Current Gen Gaming

Because ultimately, that’s the freshest thing to have hit the industry since F-Zero GX: online play. It’s weird to think about, but the last time we jumped into the cockpit of the Blue Falcon, online gaming was barely a thing. Now though, it’s revolutionised the industry. The applications for F-Zero are obvious and compelling.

If the likes of Fortnite and PUBG can have 100 players all at once, then speeding through Big Blue with 29 other players doesn’t sound beyond the realms of possibility. With the likes of Splatoon, ARMS and Mario Tennis Aces running time-limited online competitions, imagine what Nintendo could do with F-Zero. There could be a full F-Zero GP with players taking part in a couple of races across multiple weeks to come out on top. Nintendo could even use this to release new circuits.

The Death Race from F-Zero X could make a welcome return too. It’s essentially Battle Royale on a racetrack anyway, so would fit into the current gaming zeitgeist perfectly.

Just racing against your friends and trying to top their best lap times in online leaderboards would add a whole new element that, whilst it may not be an industry first, would certainly be new for the series.

Remaster Revival

F-Zero GX is arguably one of the greatest racers of all time. The story mode offered a huge variety of tough challenges. The circuits were all incredibly memorable and fun to play. The custom machine mode with it’s emblem editor added a fantastic level of personalisation. Most of all, the controls were absolutely perfect.

If all else fails, I’d happily take a remaster of that game. F-Zero GX HD complete with online play and a new lick of paint would be more than enough. It’s an easier win than a whole new game, and therefore less risky for a franchise Nintendo are clearly unsure about.

Regardless of the approach Nintendo decide to take, a new F-Zero game is long overdue. The features and functionality of the Switch - modern console that is - would add enough ‘new’ to the franchise to justify a revival.

It’s time Nintendo showed us their moves, and put the Blue Falcon back on the starting grid.