5 Tips to Win F-Zero 99 (Nintendo Switch)

[@aleckermit]

Another hidden mechanic is that the super boost's duration depends on your current placement. If you're farther back in the pack it will last longer, meaning that using your super boost in like 4th place on lap 2/4 is a poor choice (wait until you fall behind).

[@redmoonisjustlikethat]

this mechanic is (for mario kart players) VERY similar to the concept of a bullet bill. for example, if you use a bullet bill in dead last, you would end up in at least 6th or 7th, before it diminishes. using it in 1st would only last for about a second and a half, and subsequently wouldn’t do much. the same concept applies to f-zero 99, however, the super boost mechanic shortens its length drastically, even for sooner placements. use your super boosts wisely, as not only can it cause you to make a breakaway in the competition, but also use it when you are encountering many sharp turns and can risk turning into a pinball!

[@gurvmlk]

It also won't wear off if dropping you from the skyway will result in death, such as if it's providing a shortcut that deviates off the track below. So if you can time it right that your skyway energy depletes while it's passing over a gap in the track, you can eke out a little bit more distance before it expires.

[@SuperVada]

​@@redmoonisjustlikethati was gonna same thing lol

[@edwardsaldivar317]

Thanks for the helpful video.

[@launchpadmcquack3380]

Another tip is when your super boost ends, it wont drop you back down onto the track during a turn, only on straight aways or before a turn. Meaning if you use it in the right spot you can extend the time your on the skyway by a second or 2. This also applies to any portion of the skyway that isnt directly over the track, it wont drop you there either

[@gurvmlk]

That's usually how I try to use it. When I know there's a sharp turn or a gap not immediately ahead, but a fair distance that I might be able to hit that turn or gap right at the end of its energy expenditure.

[@alb7466]

Honestly more than this sometimes, you can extend it by like 4-5 seconds even

[@retrauk]

1. Your energy bar gets bigger as you get KOs. In mini prix and grand prix modes, this larger energy bar carries over between races. Getting KO's early on in the prix modes can give you a serious edge throughout the entire set of races. 2. You are immune to damage from most other cars while spinning, and take heavily reduced damage from red bumpers if you're spinning when you hit them. Also bumper KOs count towards making your energy bar bigger, but they will not recharge energy.

[@jumpmadmadness1222]

Here’s a fun fact: F-Zero GX will be old enough to drink next year

[@gabs3147]

*unfun

[@ender7278]

It's already old enough to drink in most countries.

[@cliftongardner4367]

Because of how many more sparks you pick up, I tend to hang in the middle (25-40) of the pack conserving almost all of my energy for the first three laps, trying to use Super Boost at least twice ahead of the final lap, using the longer duration to get me back up closer to the front. Then, I basically lay on the boost the entire final lap. I’ve won twice, gotten on the podium quite a few times, and consistently get in the top ten using this method.

[@stripedrajang3571]

What car do you use?

[@spaceman_256]

Which machine?

[@iamspikefire]

Having someone rear-end you will bump you forward but deal the least amount of damage, if any. So aiming for that spot on straightaways when trying to pass someone is quite useful. On the opposite end, especially if you are using Golden Fox or Wild Goose it is beneficial to keep an eye on the arrows bellow you, even moreso when you are in a further up position as you can drive into the way of people trying to pass you and get a free little boost from them, especially because on boost they are likely to ram into the back multiple times in a row. My favorite spot to abuse my opponents boost is on Mute City where everyone does *that* slight edge cut with their boost at the end of the track. If im around the 30's i go into the shortcut and dont boost and instead piggyback off the people behind me who boost there religiously and use my actual boost a little bit further up to edge out just a little but not too much so as to not mess up the turn at the end.

[@FullaEels]

If you're new to fzero, practice mode is honestly your best friend. Particularly on tracks with more hazards and tighter turns. It's a stramash trying to go round the tight turns in sand ocean with 98 other players

[@ethanhinton4549]

I actually prefer Gold Fox because the insane regeneration at those stations. Means you can pretty much always spend up to 85-90% of your Power per lap and still get back up to 90% on your next pit stop. So you get plenty of survivability and boosts to work with.

[@PandaXs1]

god, no kidding. I saw people say this, but it wasn't until I saw a video of the wild goose go through the pit zone that I realized just how good it was.

[@noodle4492]

Regeneration seems to be the most important stay for me.

[@frost3533]

the regeneration is actually only slightly better, it looks so insane because it has such a tiny maximum meter, and is VERY fragile. One hit on golden fox hurts like 3 times as bad as a hit on wild goose

[@Spider-Dude_Handle]

Additional tip: I know it sounds counter intuitive but let off of the gas and slow down to make sharp turns. F Zero isn't just about speed, its about survival! Great video by the way! I'll have to try out your machine recommendation!

[@nekonomicon2983]

I try to, but some levels are impossible sharp turns like on Silence

[@canalso5806]

​@@nekonomicon2983 no gass + holding a direction + holding R/L (if you going left press L and if you going right press R)

[@CrasherX2000]

@@canalso5806using the brake on Silence should also help too (y button)

[@CrasherX2000]

@@nekonomicon2983it’s funny because it’s entirely possible to take those turns in the original

[@yogxoth1959]

@@CrasherX2000 It’s perfectly possible in this version as well.

[@SamirRolemberg]

Not only for the hardest parts but Super Boost can be extended over "non safe landing zones". So even the meter reaches the end, the platform will not disapear if the system detects he could eventualy kill you by drop you in a hole or a tight corner

[@gurvmlk]

Sometimes I'll even try to use that when a straightaway on the skyway leads over a swerving part of the track below. I might try to direct myself to the edge of the skyway that passes off the track to keep it going just that millisecond longer. Not sure how much that helps when applicable, but in the moment it often just feels like the right thing to do.

[@superbodoque7860]

Actually you get more boost power energy the faster you go through the "pit stop", so DO NOT let go of the accelerate button while going through there

[@B0ssguy]

has this been proven? ive seen people say both and idk who to believe

[@Zeroforce14]

the Pit Stop will regenerate your Power based on time spent there. so the longer you are there, the more boost you get back

[@superbodoque7860]

@@B0ssguy well from what I see in this video compared to how I play he BARELY gets any energy when going slow

[@kurtmatteson4914]

​@@superbodoque7860That's because he's using the Wild Goose, which has the worst Recovery stat of the ships. The gain he gets from slowing down would barely be noticeable. If he were to use the Golden Fox instead, you would be able to see if there's a difference.

[@rabbidguarddog]

​@kurtmatteson4914 that's true weird how that stat hasn't come up in conversation yet.

[@randyramirez6095]

Wild goose actually has another weakness. When driving over the pit-stop area, this machine regenerates the least amount of energy out of all 4 machines. This means wild goose will get less boosts in a race when compared to the other machines.

[@MarkyV83]

I love this game. I would love endurance races in it. Like 20+ laps

[@Xifihas]

You can also destroy the grey AI cars. They don’t restore your energy but they do extend your maximum, making them especially valuable in Grand Prix.

[@iamspikefire]

I have seen them restore a small portion equivalent to how much the max got increased by though, so it doesnt hurt to swing and spin into a smokey one

[@gurvmlk]

@@iamspikefire Indeed. They do replenish some energy. They just don't provide the full heal you get from destroying another player.

[@espio87]

Destroying gray bumpers also increase your meter bar but they don't restore you to full energy. At most they give you enough energy for an extra boost.

[@etiennelemieux472]

Another tip: when you're going to crash out of the circuit, try the booster. Even if you're out of bounds, it drives you to the sky way.

[@antman2483]

Trying your best to get a few KOS is also a good tip, more so for mini prix and grand prixs, because it increases the likely hood of you succesing in getting top 3.

[@antman2483]

This can take a vehicle such as Wild Goose which is tanky and can't use boosts as often too a even more tanky vehicle that makes up for boosting🧐

[@FitterSpace]

Good stuff! This game looks really fun.

[@WizeLoL]

Really good tips here! Thanks a lot!

[@Mitjitsu]

For the jump pad don't you need to hold down when hitting one and hold up just before you hit the ground?

[@shaomy_okamy]

You can use super boost at some place to have extended super boost because the game doesnt put you back on the road if the road isnt under the super boost track

[@reborno-o4498]

Any tips for dealing with the onslaught of red bumper cars? I dominated most of a race in Port Town 2, but the constant turns and hazards made it impossible to avoid them. I ultimately was overtaken on the final lap and crashed. It was heartbreaking.

[@Paikerchu13]

They always stay the same distance away from the center of the road, even while turning. So if a group of them re filling up the right side of the road, you should focus on staying on the left side as you pass them. In the event that you end up with one in your face, a spin attack will prevent you from spinning out wildly

[@aleckermit]

Use a red ship skin to blend in with them 😈

[@gurvmlk]

I spin pretty much whenever I get the chance. Sometimes I'll even just be hitting the button when my spin isn't fully recharged yet, trying to do a spin but with my eyes focused more on the track ahead than the HUD.

[@Rubberman202]

Are any of these tips mentioned or spelled-out in-game? They're all pretty useful, particularly the bit about how jumps instantly recharge the spin.

[@silvesta5027]

Yeah most of it is mentioned in the tip guide. I had no idea that super boosts last longer if you’re further behind though!

[@OldSchoolNoe]

Needs an advanced tips video! Such as ways to drive through the curves in port town 2, or red canyon

[@TBrizzle01]

Thank you, this is good advice. I have a hard time seeing where I am on the map or what lap I'm on in the heat of a race.

[@ChrisPercy92]

How do i not lose speed when i jump the ramp. I know you are supposed to hold down the down button when you make the jump. Do i spin when i land.

[@TheJoshColeman]

I agree, can someone please answer this?

[@leslieloud17]

Yup

[@IanHollis]

KOing another driver not only fills your meter, it enlarges it too.

[@aleckermit]

It grows in mini and grand prix, yes, but not in 99.

[@J.The_Saint]

bro the game literally came out in like 4 days and i have found so many tips and tricks

[@gurvmlk]

Well a lot of that is probably coming from people who've been playing F-Zero for 30 years. So despite this version just coming out, a lot of veterans are already going into it with a lot of applicable wisdom.

[@decas5505]

How many times have you won?

[@Bytezor8]

In the standard 99 mode victory’s feel like pure luck especially with how unbalanced red bumpers are you might as well just use a super boost before the finish and hope you win, rest of the race barely matters

[@RickyIcecubes]

Just recorded my first win. It took just under 40 hours of game time.

[@EstryHeartSubscribers]

Tip: some spots to use skyway are best, you wont be dropped over a gap, (thats unfair,) leading to an extention

[@damiencrossley7497]

OK my tips PRAYER!

[@dlux_wrld]

Chicken sandwich

[@Shad0wlaw]

Gooback?

[@dlux_wrld]

@@Shad0wlaw no

[@thrillstudios616]

I’m using the Golden Fox and nobody is going to stop me 😎

[@mariotaz]

Nice

[@Samipaaa]

Doesn't help, I still suck

[@SweenyLand]

Yeah I've got a tip of my own lol

[@yakov9903]

Wild that tips 2 and 3 are you just re-explaining in-game mechanics that the game already tells you. These aren't tips, it's the bare minimum.

[@iamspikefire]

Some people dont read, so it can be nice for those who forget and/or to have an easy resource to pull up outside of game for any reason

[@94jmbottaro]

I am the worst fzero99 player to ever exist. I have almost 400 races and 0 first place wins

[@Orpheusftw]

How do you tend to place, though? If you're often hitting top 10, or even 25, you're not a bad player. Competition is VERY steep in this game, especially as rank seems to rise too quickly/easily, which I assume affects matchmaking. 1st place can be extremely rare even for skilled racers, as most queues have at least a few absolute maniacs effortlessly front running in golden foxes. 👎

[@gerardgayle6711]

If anything, the competition in this game is much like it would have been intended if somehow F-zero was a real Grand Prix. It's supposed to feel like an all or nothing, risk- reward, everything on the line to get better sort of situation. I think they actually execute that very well in the way that the races happen. It forces you to learn all the secrets and challenge yourself even harder to pull ahead. You're definitely not a bad player. You're just in the perfect position to learn to tricks you need to excel past the competition

[@Shad0wlaw]

I have won a few grand prix now and yet I still have races where I crash out almost immediately or just rank 50 or so. Hell, I KO'd Grey Leno, who was ranked 1st on the leaderboard yesterday, on the last lap of Silence and ended up bagging a 1st, only to immediately crash out on a regular run on Big Blue. It happens. As long as you are consistently above 30 I would say that is pretty good.

[@brianmartinez7979]

Promo*SM

[@2cool4u06]

luck dependent ahh

[@DetectiveKarnovJr]

Tried all those tips. I nearly broke my Switch out of anger. I been stuck at C+ rank for almost a week now. This game seems rigged. If i win im always at 50th place or lower. Same outcome each time

[@Shad0wlaw]

But remember these are all the tricks that everyone are using so of course there is still the skill and luck factor to throw in. I have gotten 4 player KOs in the first track of Grand Prix which basically guarenteed me to win it all. Then there are times I can't KO anyone, even if I clearly hit them and they explode all over my face for the game to just say 'Nope, wasn't you.'

[@DetectiveKarnovJr]

@@Shad0wlaw yeah I figured out how winning at a higher rank works. You got to find a car that is about to explode and smash it. Your meter then refills so you can go crazy with extra boosts. Its rare though.

[@Shad0wlaw]

@@DetectiveKarnovJr A good trick is near the pit when everyone typically bunches up, lool for players that leave the pack and drive on the opposite side. They will usually be flashing and smoking and easy pickings. If you KO them, you don't need the pit anyway. Also if you are in the Wild Goose or Stingray, you get about the same HP back for a grey bumper as you would in the pit so it is a good chance to get a bumper or two un interupted while everyone else bundles into the pit.

[@Organization_13]

Not very good tips tbh