Nintendo has exciting news for fans of high-speed racing games: two classic Game Boy Advance titles from the F-Zero series are now coming to the Switch Online + Expansion Pack! Both F-Zero Climax and F-Zero: GP Legend will be available for subscribers starting October 11, 2024.

F-Zero Climax and F-Zero: GP Legend Arrive on Switch Online

Nintendo announced today that the classic GBA racing games, F-Zero: GP Legend and the Japan-exclusive F-Zero Climax, will be accessible to Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers starting October 11, 2024. This marks an exciting moment for fans of the iconic F-Zero series.

The F-Zero series, known for its futuristic, high-speed racing, first hit the scene in Japan over 30 years ago in 1990. It has been a critical success for Nintendo, influencing other racing franchises like SEGA's "Daytona USA." The series has been celebrated for pushing the technological boundaries of gaming consoles, especially during its era, and is renowned as one of the fastest racing games available on retro consoles like the SNES.

Similar to Nintendo's acclaimed Mario Kart franchise, F-Zero gameplay involves racing to the finish line while navigating track obstacles and engaging in thrilling battles with other racers, known as "F-Zero machines." The series' protagonist, Captain Falcon, is a well-known character who also appears as a fighter in Super Smash Bros.

F-Zero: GP Legend was first released in Japan in 2003, followed by a Western release in 2004. F-Zero Climax, launched in 2004 in Japan, remained a region-exclusive title until now. It was the last entry in the F-Zero series for 19 years, until the release of the Switch's racing MMO title, F-Zero 99, last year. In an interview, F-Zero game designer Takaya Imamura mentioned that the dominance of Mario Kart, Nintendo’s most popular racing franchise, contributed to the series' dormancy for nearly two decades.

With the October 2024 Game Update for the Switch Online + Expansion Pack, subscribers can dive into F-Zero Climax and F-Zero: GP Legend. They'll have the chance to compete in various race modes, including the Grand Prix, story modes, and time-based challenges, striving to climb the standings.

For more details on Nintendo Switch Online, check out our related article linked below!