For those of you who own the import (Japanese) version of F-Zero X, we have put together a quick translation of the most important options and menu points, as well as some general tips for the game:
Race Modes (Main Screen)
- GP Race -- The main Grand Prix mode, consisting of Jack, Queen and King cup races, (at novice, standard and expert difficulty levels respectively) each with six courses to complete.
- Time Attack -- Beat your best times. Records are saved internally. You can also race against a ghost. For that
extra challenge, the game's developers have also saved a Staff Ghost to
the cart, with hard-to-beat record times.
- VS Battle -- The bit where you can split the screen into two, three or four sections and yell at your mates as you try to outwit them and accumulate the best points tally. An amusing extra feature of this mode is the Slot game, where retired players operate a type of slot machine featuring the remaining players, and can jam their progress if successful! However, you need to switch this feature on in the Options Menu (see below).
- Death Race -- This competition -- which is set on its own track, is a grudge match between you and 29 rivals, where the spin and side attacks become supremely important. You must force the
retirement of all opponents through these attacks, so the heavier vehicles come highly recommended for the task. You compete for best time.
- Practice -- Speaks for itself, really. Valuable for testing out your revised machine settings.
When selecting Time Attack, you can also toggle a "ghost car" on and off in the upper right corner of the screen. Simply move up and down to switch from Ghost On to Ghost Off.
Car Settings Screen
After selecting your cars (more can be won when you complete the Cups on the higher difficulty levels), you will be brought to the Car Settings screen. Move left and right to balance the car between Acceleration (left) and Top Speed (right).
Translation of display:
Weight: X kg (kilograms)
Accleration ----- Speed
Body
Boost
Grip
Heavy cars are better to knock other drivers off the track and don't fall off as easily. Acceleration is important for courses with many jumps and turns, whereas speed is generally the better choice for tracks with long straights, pipes and tunnels. Use a 3/4 speed setting most of the time.
Options Screen
Translations of menu items (toggle between on/off):
- Vs. Computer (2P, 3P): This switches computer players (up to two in the two-player mode, and one in the three-player mode) on in the Vs. Mode. The default settings is "on."
- Vs. Slot: Switches the slot machine feature on in the Vs. Mode. You can screw with the other players by getting three slots of the same kind. Default is "off."
- Vs. Handicap: Switch "catch-up logic" (aka: cheating) on or off in the Vs. Mode. Default is "on."
- Sound Mode: Switch between Stereo and Mono. Default is "stereo."
- All Data Clear: Erases all records
Retire Menu
When you press the Start Button during a race, you can bring up the Retire Menu:
- Retry
- Settings
- Machine Change
- Course Change
- Quit
Here are the course type translations for the different Cups:
Jack Cup
1. Mute City: Figure Eight
2. Silence: High Speed
3. Sand Ocean: Pipe
4. Devil's Forest: Corkscrew
5. Big Blue: Cylinder
6. Port Town: High Jump
Queen Cup
1. Sector Alpha: Roll-Over
2. Red Canyon: Jump-Jump
3. Devil's Forest 2: Up-Down
4. Mute City 2: Technical
5. Big Blue 2: Quick Turn
6. White Land: Step-Up Road
King Cup
1. Fire Field: Zig-Zag Jump
2. Silence 2: Wavy Road
3. Sector Beta: Moonsault (Loop)
4. Red Canyon 2: Slimline (Narrow Road)
5. White Land 2: Half Pipe
6. Mute City 3: Curve Jumps
Beat Standard Difficulty Mode to Access:
Joker Cup
1. Rainbow Road: Rainbow Road
2. Devil's Forest 3: Mirror Road
3. Space Plant: Cylinder & High Jump
4. Sand Ocean 2: Wave Panic
5. Port Town 2: Snake Road
6. Big Hand (Big Hand)
Controls
The game can be played at a basic level with just two controls; namely the 3D analog stick for steering and the A button to accelerate. Seasoned race pros, however, will quickly find a need for more advanced handling:
Down-C button: Air Brake
B button: Boost (a turbo, activated only after the start of the second lap)
R + 3D stick to the right: Slide turn to right
R + 3D stick to the left: Drift turn to left
Z + 3D stick to the right: Drift turn to right
Z + 3D stick to the right: Slide turn to left
3D stick while airborne: operates just like it does in WaveRace
Attacks
Z, Z (pull trigger twice): Side attack to left
R, R: Side attack to right
The side attack is most effective when launched against an opponent
travelling near the edge of the course, the idea being that you slam him
or her against the rails. Where the course narrows, such as in the pit
area, this attack can put you in front very nicely (well, not that nice,
really). Particularly handy when vying for position just after getting off
the start line.
R + double tap on Z (or Z + double tap on R): Spin attack
The spin attack is very effective when a rival is up against the guard
rail or where the course narrows. It sends you in a spin in the horizontal plane, effectively blocking off a larger area of the track and making it difficult for others to pass you. It is also an extremely unpopular move, guaranteed to make you enemies. In some courses, this attack can knock your victim clean off the course if executed where there are no barriers. At the start line, this move will create a bit of space.
Quick Start
Be sure to press your Accleration button when the announcer says "Go!" This will get you the fastest possible start.
That's all for now. Hope it helps you enjoy the Japanese version of F-Zero X. The US version is exactly the same, minus the Japanese text.
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