F-Zero Climax, a Japan-Exclusive GBA Racing Game, Added to Switch Online + Expansion Pack

Nintendo has just announced two classic GBA racing games from the F-zero series for the Switch Online + Expansion Pack!

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

Available October 11, 2024

Classic Game Boy Advance racing titles, such as F-Zero: GP Legend and Japan-exclusive F-Zero Climax, are coming to the Switch Online + Expansion Pack on October 11, as announced by Nintendo today.

The F-Zero series is Nintendo's futuristic, high-speed racing game franchise that initially launched in Japan over 30 years ago in 1990. F-zero is considered a critical success for the company, having inspired other racing franchises such as SEGA's NASCAR-esque "Daytona USA" title. The F-Zero series has been esteemed for pushing gaming consoles' tech during its era, being regarded as one of the fastest racing games that had launched on retro consoles like the SNES.

Such as with Nintendo's Mario Kart franchise, the F-Zero racing series' gameplay involves the racer player to reach the finish line all while engaging with track obstacles and brawling with your fellow racers' cars, known as "F-Zero machines." Its protagonist, Captain Falcon, appears as one of the main fighters in Super Smash Bros.

F-Zero: GP Legend first launched in Japan in 2003, followed by a Western release the following year in 2004. Meanwhile, F-Zero Climax launched in 2004 in Japan and had remained as a region exclusive up until now—with the game having also been the last F-Zero entry for 19 years before the release of Switch's racing MMO title F-Zero 99 last year. Speaking in an interview, F-Zero game designer Takaya Imamura revealed that Mario Kart, being Nintendo’s most popular racing game franchise, was one of the factors as to why the F-Zero series had remained largely dormant for nearly two decades.

Now, as part of the Switch Online + Expansion Pack's October 2024 Game Update, subscribers will have access to F-Zero Climax and F-Zero: GP Legend and compete to climb the standings in various race modes including the Grand Prix, story modes, and various time-based challenges.

More information on Nintendo Switch Online can be found in our article linked below!