It frustrates me to no end how much Nintendo criminally ignores the modern F-Zero era. I mean, sure, F-Zero 99 is great and all. But players want more of the sheer gusto that F-Zero GX delivered generations ago. It remains one of the best GameCube games, and deserves celebration.
Apparently Aaron McDevitt feels the same way. He took it upon himself to build an F-Zero inspired racing game from scratch. The end result of that effort is Aero GPX, a game that takes Nintendo’s dropped ball and runs with it. And, yep, he scores.
Along with precision controls, Aero GPX won us over with impeccable speed and all sorts of options. And, of course, that sweet little spin you can score off an aerial jump for a little boost of speed. Sometimes it can make all the difference – especially on harder difficulty.
It’s still in Early Access on Steam and likely won’t leave it until sometime next year. But McDevitt has a hell of a foundation in place with Aero GPX. And, with the rate it’s coming together, it could create a legacy all its own.
Aero GPX Definitely Likes To Go Fast
Aero GPX comes loaded with choices. You can choose from 15 different pilots (racers?), and then proceed to take on a variety of tracks. These include futuristic sky courses, vivid planet trips and so much more. While there are only 15 courses in all, you won’t get tired of them.
Once you make your selections, it’s time to hit the road. Boy, will you. Aero GPX, like F-Zero GX before it, moves at a blistering pace. The game’s frame rate is zippy and doesn’t let up, not even in its early state. But what’s more important here is how the game feels.
See, you want good controls in a racing game. Because, without them, you’re just going to eat walls all day, right? But McDevitt knows what it takes to make such a game feel right, and it shows here.
The steering is precise and, well, if you do hit anything, it’s your fault. That’s not a bad thing, since the game is so fast that you might miss an upcoming turn. But it feels great, and the thrill of boosting is caught just right. You’ll blaze past opponents (unless they pursue you in return) and shoot for that first place victory. Just be careful – your car isn’t perfect. And too many collisions will easily turn it into flaming sashimi.
There are other tactics you can choose, but the big one here is the spin. When you go aerial off of a jump, you have a chance to nail a little spin before you hit the ground. Doing so scores you a nice bonus boost. But it takes practice, as you have to be done right when you land. We assure you, though, it’s not an abundant practice. After a couple of tries, you’ll spin right round like a record, baby.
Also, the AI is very competitive. Racers don’t let up in their pursuit for victory, nor should you. But don’t let shock overcome you when they try to come back and flatten you. That’s the name of the game with Aero GPX.
I do wish the game had more options, namely leaderboards (after all, it’s a competitive racer). But it’s an early work in progress. And thus far, Aero GPX already feels like a winner. Imagine how the final game will fare with tightened mechanics. And maybe even more spinning.
Oh, You Like Fast Visuals? All Righty!
Next, let’s get to presentation. And Aero GPX brings nostalgic goodness to the table.
If you recall F-Zero on the Nintendo 64, you’ll like what’s on display here. As we mentioned, the track design is inventive and twisting, with lots of great courses. The use of colors is definitely noteworthy as well. Even the “sky-high” courses look amazing, thanks to brightly detailed sections. The hovercraft vehicles look excellent as well, complete with distinct little animations. There are some that are better than others, depending on your states. But there’s something here for everyone.
And as we mentioned, the game’s frame rate is amazing. It moves at a fast clip and doesn’t slow down in the least. That is a blessing and a curse, given how quickly a course’s direction can shift. Just gotta keep your eyes open. Here’s hoping we see a multiplayer element thrown in, if only to test out some split-screen prowess. (It’s okay if it doesn’t happen, though – the game still looks awesome.)
Along with that, the soundtrack is inspired by F-Zero goodness too. The rock tunes sound like they’re coming straight from the 90s. And there’s something new with each course you cover as well, so it doesn’t grate on your nerves. Throw in some great sound effects and you have a game that will keep your ears busy.
Aero GPX Is In Full Effect
Again, the game’s in an Early Access state, and there’s more to include with it. But even so, Aero GPX has something magical. It feels outstanding, especially with its fluid handling. And it looks and sounds like something straight from the F-Zero era. We can tell that’s something McDevitt wants.
Since Nintendo seems to be in a stall state with the F-Zero franchise, Aero GPX will more than suffice. Now we just need a Switch release, but, hey, one thing at a time. We’ll happily jump into this race whenever asked.
Thanks to Aaron McDevitt for providing a review code! You can check out Aero GPX on Steam now!
