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F-Zero 99 brings battle royale to Nintendo Switch Online

By Michael W. Boccher Sr.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 24: Nintendo Joy-Con wireless controllers for the Nintendo Switch are displayed during the debut of Allied Esports' "PlayTime With KittyPlays" esports variety show at HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas at Luxor Hotel and Casino on March 24, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 24: Nintendo Joy-Con wireless controllers for the Nintendo Switch are displayed during the debut of Allied Esports' "PlayTime With KittyPlays" esports variety show at HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas at Luxor Hotel and Casino on March 24, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images) /
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Nintendo announced F-Zero 99 today at the latest Nintendo Direct. Not only was the game announced today, but it is available to download right now from the Nintendo E-shop. You will need to be a Nintendo Switch online user in order to play.

F-Zero 99 is free for online members, and you’ll only need the basic online subscription for it. That means no expansion pass or extra money is needed!  The game boasts 99 players – all of them human – on the track at once. You’ll need to race your way through in order to place first and win the race.

There is a caveat, however (of course, there is). Crashing into other players normally bumps them out of the way. In F-Zero 99, you will take damage. You’ll also take damage from hitting the walls. If your damage meter gets too high, you crash and it’s game over. A new mechanic sets the stage for letting other players jump out ahead of you.

As other players crash, Nintendo revealed that golden orbs will hit the track as a result of said crash. Picking them up fills a special meter, and once it’s full you get a huge new surprise. Your car will be propelled into the air into the Skyway track, allowing you to essentially bypass everyone without taking any damage whatsoever. In essence, it’s the F-Zero version of the Mario Kart blue shell where you slow down and let someone pass before you bomb the shell at them. I can see the rage-induced endings in my head right now.

The game is also compatible with the Super NES controller for Nintendo Switch online users. It may not be the new F-Zero title fans were expecting, but this seems like a battle royale title I can get behind. F-Zero is available to download from the E-shop right now free for all Switch online members.

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