Something someone else talked about with the skyway is that since it is acquired from collision between karts, you're mostly likely to get it while in the clustered pandemonium of the middle-back ranks, which is typically the least fun position to be in in racing games. Whoever came up with it as a mechanic is a supergenius.

back to back to back 'Alro is happy' videos always brightens my mood :)

To add on to the rivals system, as someone who has heavily played racing games for years im actually glad F-Zero had a solution to the all or nothing mentality in most games besides “everyone is a winner” as in most racing games its 1st or nothing. The rivals system gives some leeway in a actual doable challenge for the average player. And even then there is still winners and losers but its less 1st or nothing which is a nice step in the right direction.

It's kinda fun how each race starts, and seeing all those machines go over that ramp like an ocean wave.

Its so addictive because its so snappy quick lobbies, and you don't get frustrated since they teach you the game before throwing you into the chaos. Its so good.

It also kind of fits in with F-Zero imo because F-Zero was always supposed to be rather chaotic at times.

My mother was such a damn unsung champion when I was growing up. A single mother supporting four children but somehow always managed to buy the video games I wanted. I played the absolute crap out of F-Zero on the N64 when I was growing up. I have such nostalgia for F-Zero because mum and I would always race each other when I wasn't at school and she freaking' schooled me. I'm happy to say that I repurchased a N64 from Ebay and rematched her recently and schooled her ass.

This looks like a fun, fastpaced time, and I'm glad you liked it. Hopefully, this is what we need to get enough people familiar with _F-Zero_ for Nintendo to make a new mainline game, or at least a remaster.

If F-Zero 99 does well enough maybe they'll consider a sequel and find a way for Mario Kart and F-Zero to live in harmony without stockholders throwing a fit over Nintendo releasing two racing titles.

The systems in F-Zero 99 are ingenious, specifically the catch up mechanisms and how they implemented a skill based system for people to maintain first place: You need to dodge a LOT of exploding cars. There's no one that's going to shoot you from behind, when you're in front it's 100% driving skill. The power sparks is also a very clever idea, because it gives you incentive to drive behind other cars to pick up them up; and this simulates IRL drafting. How they implemented the boost system is also great as well, because even if you know the best places to boost sometimes you know you shouldn't go for them because you don't have the health for it; and sometimes you want to use them to recover from bouncing around, but again usually you've taken a lot of damage there as well so then you're in survival mode and your goal switches from placing high to just simply surviving. The moment to moment shifting of goals I think is what keeps so many people engaged with F-Zero 99

I was so hopeful for the GX remaster, so I was a little let down by this. Once I began watching more footage, I got way more excited about it. Adding combat and the modern boost mechanics into the original SNES game actually makes me care about F-Zero SNES, and the multiplayer angle is cool since I haven't been able to get my family to play any F-Zero games with me. Hoping my terrible internet doesn't get in the way, and that this tells Nintendo that F-ZERO IS WORTH IT. At least the GX remaster!

As someone who has never been interested in F Zero, I've been playing this so much since it came out and I love it! They actually have two updates planned for late spetember and october according to oatmealdome, which will add two more difficult grand prix leagues and the last 8 tracks from the snes game that aren't already out. Feels like this game has more effort put into it compared to the other 99 games, so I hope it ends up staying around for longer than Mario and Pac Man did

This game remains my favorite thing out of the whole Direct, and I’ve never even played F-Zero

I haven't watched this yet, I just wanted the shot at telling you that you're my favorite gaming KZfaqr Arlo! I get so pumped to watch every time I see you uploaded something, your humor and wit are so comforting. Keep doing what you're doing! We love ya

This could be on my top 5 games of the year which is crazy considering this year.

_F-Zero 99_ allows for direct competition between the players, while many of the other games that have 99 in the tile, or 35 for _Mario,_ only have indirect competition. In those, you do your own thing, but sometimes you can send things to otther people that can alter their game. Here though, you get to overtake and smash right into other people.

This is legit going to be on my Best Of list this year. I adore the SNES version and think it's held up incredibly well, and this is exactly what I would've wanted. It's chaotic but like Arlo said, very much skill based as well. And that constant draw of "just one more race" has had me playing it for hours since it came out. Everything reaction I've seen has been very positive as well, so this is great for this game and the series moving forward.

They added some very well thought through game mechanics to make it one of the most fun F-Zero games out there. And I can tell it's addicting because people are playing it for hours and hours.

Thank you for all of the free content Arlo, I decided to support on Patreon because I feel as though you deserve it for being so awesome! Have a great night man!

I think this is a testing ground to see the demand for a new F-zero game

Jesus Arlo, look at your MASSIVE boost meter at 7:44. You have such a happy friendly demeanor, but i shudder to imagine all the pilots you killed in cold blood during that Prix 😂. (The game doesn’t explain this too well, but for those who don’t know, every time you eliminate another machine the game increases your Max Boost meter, and you get to keep this bonus for all 5 races of a grand prix)

I love the extra nuance to the "boost meter as health" mechanic that even if you use up all your boost, it doesn't kill you right away - instead, it just makes you vulnerable to any obstacles or other racers, so if you play carefully enough you have a chance of surviving long enough to finish the lap. Usually I'll still die, but every once in a while I manage to cross the finish line with an empty power meter and it's *so* satisfying!

I've been playing and really enjoying F-zero 99. The concept is just so fun and interesting. I can understand why fans are disappointed in this game specifically, but I think this will be good for the franchise in the future because it's bringing eyes on the franchise. I was never a huge F zero fan, but now I'm playing the older games on Switch and appreciating them more because of 99.

I'm really impressed by the super boost system in this game. You build up to a super boost with the golden blorps, but those only spawn when players bump into each other. So naturally, people in the back are going to be picking up tons from all the bumping going on in front of them while people frontrunning are unlikely to build up their meter very high. This makes it a great comeback mechanic, while preventing the people in front from steamrolling with it. It just seems like a really well thought out rubber banding system.

8:00 "Im not good enough." *Is in the final round of a grand prix with a gigantic energy bar.

Great video as always arlo! We’re still eating good with the TTYD remake, however I’d like to tell you that the reason that the game feels so good online despite you only having a WiFi connection (because you said that in another video) is because they implemented rollback netcode! If you don’t know what it is it’s basically the game predicting what all other players will do based on their most recent input, and when the game registers a new input from another player, it “rollsback” to what the player actually did, it’s honestly very, and I mean VERY impressive that they managed to do it because even tho rollback has been out for years it was really only done in 1v1 fighting games, not 100 player battle royale racing games, but oh well, just wanted to chime in to the conversation, thanks again for the vid!

This game is SO fun. I never really liked SNES F-Zero before this, and, despite my best efforts, I never really got good at any of the others I've tried, but I do think they really hit the nail on the head with this. It is really good at keeping you motivated. The only negative I've had so far is that, while a practice mode is present, (where you can play the tracks without other people present) you can't do it offline, which seems like a completely unnecessary blunder, [albeit a minor one,] especially considering how little space the level data must take up.

My favorite part of some of your videos is when you catch us by surprise with the "I love you" near the end. It's touching and doesn't feel out of place coming from you. Some of us don't hear it often, so it's much appreciated.

YES! I''m having loads of fun with F-Zero, and I was never even a fan. I played the original once or twice just for funsies, but it was hard to control. Then I play it again.... and last night I got first place for the first time.

Day 5675: Nintendo still hasn’t brought back mario bros 35…

As a huge Fan of the first Game and GX they really played with my feelings. It isnt what i hoped for at first (GX remaster or god forbid a new entry in the Series) but after playing it and seeing how many new people have so much fun i am glad its here. My Hopes are Up!

Glad you were right, Arlo! As a die-hard F-Zero fan, I nearly had heart attack when I saw this!

Been feeling sick this week, but mark my words I'm diving into this ASAP once I'm feeling good for racing! I NEED that high-octane chaos in my life, this game looks so dang fun!!!!

The whole online concept of F-Zero 99 could honestly be a good factor going into making an entirely new F-Zero game. Like the rival system and maybe instead of 99 players, a new F-Zero game could have a 20 or even a 30 player online lobbies.

thanks for covering this when so few are. excited to watch the VOD

7:43 Woahhh I thought I was only person on earth who loved that Nintendo Land Fire Field remix!

the boost mechanic is so fun, you have to judge between using boost and keeping your health, it adds so much that other racing games I've played don't have

I can't believe I'm literally just learning about this right now! Its about time F Zero got some love after all of these years!

Imagine if Captain Falcon was a guest character in MK8 DLC. That game took his stages and his car but left him behind

I’m certain Nintendo is planning on keeping this up for a while since they’ve only got the Knight league unlocked. There’s still 2 more cups to go! F-ZERO IS BACK

6:15 you can also get K.O.s to get a full and longer power meter!

I like that the experience you get is heavily afrected by the rival system. Its incresingly hard to be on the top 100 as you become better, so still managing to compete with people at your level and still increase levels is cool

The game is great. I've logged about 5 hours now and it's still as fun as it was when I first got into it. I'm really looking forward to the new leagues or "cups" that'll be coming out the end of Sept and middle of Oct. I've been playing F-ZERO since 1992 and for the last 20 years for a new F-ZERO experience. This is a new F-ZERO experience in a familiar packaging. I'm glad we got it. Hopefully this leads to more F-ZERO content soon.

I hope this game gets updates like the other 99 games to give more local multiplayer support. This would be so awesome to play 4 player (or more) local or private multiplayer with friends.

My favorite part about F-zero 99 is the random chance of becoming a bumper when you explode, which allows you to bump into other vehicles and score points and in the end self-destructing

The ultimate proof of concept that there’s room for innovation and reasons to make a new F-Zero game 💯

F-Zero is so thrilling. It dials to 99 actual motorsports aspects like race pace strategy and the high risk/reward in pushing lead agressively. Nothing like it out there... GOTY for me.

Being able to spin into other cars and having them blow up and you not respawning afterwards is just like Kirby's Air Ride. You have to turn on the damage though cuz it's off by default. My favorite thing was blowing up one of the other players and then running them over the next lap.

Arlo you're doing awesome! You are the text book definition of the casual gamer, it feels good to feel a part of myself represented by you when you play video games, please don't feel discouraged from reviewing other multiplayer games in the future.

Something cool happened to me earlier, where I was in a 'Team Battle', but ending up ranking out really early on. RESPAWNED as a golden vehicle with the camera facing backwards. You can still spin and try to wipeout the opposite team, and nudge your team to boost them -though if you don't spin into the other team, and they just bump you, they get a boost instead! Just some great gameplay there!

I absolutely love F-Zero, and this 99 game did exactly what F-Zero 99 is supposed to. Its a moshpit of bumpy racing fun, the standard difficulty of F-Zero games is still there (as long as youre playing a harder track, sorry mute city and big blue). The events are also great, i really like the team event, in which hitting enemies gives points, but getting too greedy and dying gives the enemy team A LOT of points, it makes it such a fun risk reward system. I do think there should be a permanent cup gamemode, without it being a relatively rare event. You get a ton of tickets, but because theyre limited to cup events, you wont be using them almost ever, and they don't give much of a reward either.

Fantastic intro Arlo, brought a tear to my eye 😢

This game got me to actually pick up the original F-Zero on NSO again. And I think I’m doing better with it than I ever have before.

I can't believe they made a whole racing game based on a Smash Bros character

I just hope the game gets good reviews because it's an absolutely fantastic game, even if a lot of Fzero fans wanted something else. The fact that we got a new Fzero game *at all* after 20 years should be praised. Maybe I'm just biased because the original Fzero game is my favorite of the entire series, but this new game is so damn fun and I can't put it down! I should be playing Starfield right now, but I'm too busy playing an updated online version of a Super Nintendo game from 33 years ago 💀

I think it's funny how a lot of people were upset by the very idea of F-Zero being turned into a battle royale type of game, when really, that's kind of what it already was in certain games, this is just the one that boosts the number of participants to 99 and each of them are actual people you're racing against. I understand the desire to see another game like F-Zero GX, but if anything, that only means we should show our support to this awesome and fun game and show Nintendo that there is an audience for games like this. Of course, I also hope that this game gets long-term support like Tetris 99 does as well.

I am a huge F-Zero fan, but I don't play any battle royal games and I rarely play online competetive games at all (except Splatoon). So I wasn't sure how much I would get into this, but so far it's been amazing. I am so glad to hear other people are enjoying it.

I can't believe there's been 99 f-zero games already

Everyone please play this game. Even if your not an f zero fan, try it out. Nintendo needs to know there are still people who care about this franchise. Its been abandoned for 20 goddamn years. This is our chance to remind them how much we want a new one!

I'm glad more people are realizing that this game is hella fun and a great addition to the franchise, and not just judging a book by its cover without a second thought because it's not GX or a "real" new game.

2 Videos in a day? You just made my day.

I feel like the main thing everyone points to with F-Zero is always "Why F-Zero when we can just do Mario Kart?" And I felt like that was the case because I had previously never played an F-Zero. I was a Wii kid, the franchise died before I ever got to play one of the games. F-Zero 99 feels like it's giving people a good way to say that F-Zero is *not* Mario Kart. F-Zero is chaotic, high-speed and nail-biting compared to MK's casual, approachable nature and what better to accentuate that then to cram a bunch of players into one race? It's very unique, and I hope it's Nintendo testing the waters for... *anything* in the future.

What helped me get a lot better is learning when to let go of the acceleration button on sharp turns

For some reason, KZfaq doesn't do the visuals of this game justice. I think there is some weird video compression where youtube tries to put a higher resolution at parts of the screen where it thinks the viewer is focusing and it gets confused by all the pixelated colourful cars. I'd highly recommend checking this game out on your Switch if you have NSO already.

I've never had an interest in trying F-Zero before. But I gave it a go because I've been looking for a new racing game to get into. And this one is fantastic.

The Skyway is also a really clever way to break up the pack that exists from the start of the race. These SNES courses weren't designed to have so many racers packed together going through them and using the Skyway to move some racers to a higher physical level helps break that up so things don't feel too narrow or cramped by time you hit the trickier turns in a course (which also happens to be where racers are most likely to use the Skyway if they a charged meter).

As a lifelong F-Zero fan who was anticipating a GX remaster or a new game, I was disappointed by this announcement. But the more I played it, the more I came to realize how perfectly this game captures the spirit of F-Zero.

Arlo: "I didn't even blow up! ... I still haven't blown up!" (8:18) Anyone who goes to watch the VOD on his other channel: "So that was a fucking lie."

It’s so surreal to think this is now basically a ‘type’ of game, and a lot of that is owed to Miyamoto having a weird note listed as “100 Marios” as a possible future game for a while many years ago, and that was a concept something like Mario Maker 2’s challenges and Mario 35.

You don't want to slide round corners Arlo. Take your foot off the accelerator and use L and R for sharp turns in particular.

I have a feeling this isn’t the only thing we’re getting of the F-Zero franchise in the next few years. I’m still feeling there may be a GX remaster.

I am still hoping that Nintendo is using this as a way to test the waters and or build up hype for an actually new and much more substantial F-ZERO game they tentatively have in the works. It worked for Pikmin 4, I don't see why it wouldn't work for F-ZERO.

The reveal was quite literaly the "Oh let's go, that's class!" meme

I'm someone who's played quite a bit of F-Zero GX back in the day, but I haven't really been keeping up with Nintendo lately. I'm like Arlo in that I don't care for competitive online multiplayer at all, but this game seems like something that might actually be fun. I feel like one thing that Nintendo is missing is the right amount of MMO/multiplayer in their games. My best hope for this is that it's a test of an online multiplayer system for a proper F-Zero game. I think 99 is a little excessive, but maybe they're thinking if they can do 99 here, they shouldn't have too much trouble having 30 racers in a 3D game. I would love to be able to play 30-player races and cups/tournaments online. One thing that sets F-Zero apart from Mario Kart is that you can actually play the points game, and don't actually have to get first every time (even in All Cups Mode, Mario Kart picks favorites, and it still comes down to either beat them or lose). In GX (and I think also X on N64), the Rival system simply points to whichever racer has the most points besides you. If you focus on the Rivals, you can take a couple of them out, making them earn 0 points for that race, finish around 5th most races, and still take the cup. Idk if that's how this game works or not, but I think that would be a great equalizer in a multiplayer format. If you have the most points in the cup, you have a target on your back.

Its unironically one of my favorite games of this year. It's so unique and qorks so well with F ZERO. The presentation, sound, gameplay are so precise and chaotic. Adding multiplayer in general gives this game so much more of a rush like you said. And I agree on your take on its lack of randomness and actual interaction with other players. Feels like a much more lived in multiplayer experience compared to Mario 35. It's way too fun and im addicted now. As an f zero fan this is more than enough for now and i can see myself putting as many hours as possible into this Best thing in the direct in my opinion

New F-Zero or not, I'm just very happy that we at least got SOMETHING from this series!!

Thanks for helping sell me on this game, it's actually really fun, and if Nintendo had just set it up as the next Mario 35/Tetris 99, its initial reception would have been way more favorable.

This game is INSANE! They better KEEP this! You’ll alway find matches since it’s a Nintendo free racing battle royal game! Races are fast and if you’re in a GO. It’s so fun!

This announcement was the most confusing rush of emotions I've felt in a long time. On one hand: F-Zero was acknowledged for the first time in 20 years, and we got a new game. But on the other hand: That adrenaline rush and thrill of the race you were talking about, Arlo? The last time we felt that rush was 20 years ago with GX. So... I'm in pain. Happy and hopeful for F-Zero for the first time in years, but still in pain. Ps. THANK YOU for saying "There isn't random things that make you lose. This isn't Mario Kart." I've been dealing with that crap for years. "Nintendo already has a racer with Mario Kart. Why would they make another F-Zero?" BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE SAME THING, NUMBSKULLS! Again Arlo, thank you for that.

I managed to place first in a race i think this past Friday and i really love the rush you get from playing as you somehow get closer and closer to first :O ditto on the small mistakes setting you back as you get so dang close

I am pretty sure arlo did say in a video that fzero may get the mario 99 and tetras 99 treatment. I think he has forgotten but I'm fairly sure of this. Not in the video he mentioned but when those closed down or came out

5:26 yeah its not like mariokart items but they do have a comeback mechanic with those glow orbs that you generally get more the further behind you are, and there is some randomness with the gold drones, but it still takes skill to hit those.

Arlo NEVER Disappoints❤

I used to play F-Zero all the time and while it's been like 20 years some of the skills I had are still there somehow it just comes second nature to me I played it so much when I was a kid.

I don't know which is crazier, that Nintendo's big F-Zero announcement is a 99-player variation of the original SNES game, or the fact that it's so surprisingly good.

I've had a blast so far playing this game, it's like a fever dream come true in some ways! But it's also modern Nintendo in a nutshell... put a brand new spin on a beloved classic game with enhanced graphics and sound to boot, but make it an online-only and most likely timed release with no real single player mode or local multiplayer options. There's so much potential a game like this can provide - for example you could have all new courses and modes, or even giving players their own track editor and ability to share custom maps online. I'd honestly rather Nintendo have fleshed this out into full retail release, with the "99" battle royale mode and other tournament options available in addition the standard grand prix modes or even say an all new single player, story-driven campaign a la F-Zero GX.

I would love to see a full new F-Zero game presented in this beautiful pixel art style.

Please if anyone has seen it recorded on to VHS the remaining dub episodes of 4kids F-Zero GP Legend English dub adaptation eps 16-26. Please archieve them. They are lost media and may have only aired in New Zealand! Or for Nintendo to stream it on KZfaq themselves!

The main thing you have to know to play F-Zero (or any other racing game) well is to start the sharp turns on the outside, and not try to cut into the inside too sharply too early. Aim to *end* the turn on the inside, even if you have to start your turn on the total opposite side of the track. It's especially important with F-Zero because the border damages you. I see non-racing game players always try to stay on the inside because it seems it would be faster, but it really isn't on the very sharp turns. I don't know how people could be disappointed with this game, but I'm such a fan of the original that this blows my mind.

Can confirm the ability of it to run amazingly well, I really played this game a lot last weekend and I only had 1 time where I was fighting for 1st and the guy in 1st noticably went straight at an odd pojnt and then teleported due to what I'd assume was lage correction

In the original F-Zero for SNES the boost wasn't your life meter. I think it is a really cool change for 99. I really want to play this, it looks so cool.

It's hard to say how much replay value it will hold fore players familiar with the tracks. But the game has been a captivating thrill for me so far. I really enjoy the mechanic of trading boost for health. I could see why this would not function well in a traditional racing game, or even vanilla F-Zero, but in a game that crams 99 contact-sensitive cars on the same road, at least one lap always becomes a sweaty decision between self-preservation and greed. The rival system is also a very clever touch to ensure no race feels too abitrary. The visuals and sounds are just great. The new effects are so well designed and blend seamlessly with the asethetic of the classic.

I love this game and series so much, thank you for talking about it :)

First the paper mario video, now this? Arlo truly is having the best time of his life.

The Grand Prix is such a thrill, so intense!

Alright Arlo, we need you to predict a full-fledged proper 4th F-Zero game now.

I've played the original F-Zero on the SNES Classic for a while, and for turning tight corners, I've found that it's helpful to let go of the acceleration button when turning and then press it again when it's done. I don't know if it's different for 99, but I think it's worth a shot.

Also a good premise for an F-Zero movie. Place in top 50 to move on, followed by top 25, lastly top 4 to be a winner

I have a feeling Arlo has the power to make his predictions come true. He predicted the next paper Mario would be about origami like a year before origami king was announced, he was a huge advocate for TTYD remake, and he predicted F-ZERO 99. Please Arlo, predict Super Mario Sunshine 2 😂

the game is very fun and every vehicle is balanced in some way: blue falcon is all rounded in stats, making it good for newcomers golden fox spams boosts all over the place at a cost of being very vulnerable to violence wild goose resists violence at a cost of not being able to financially recover from boosting more than once per lap without murder fire stingray has awful recovery rate (how much energy you get in a pit zone), acceleration and durability but turns super tight and has the best top speed, main choice for sweaty tryhards