Don’t Expect A New F-Zero Anytime Soon
After a long drought of animals in spaceships, we know we are getting more StarFox, and soon. Miyamoto confirmed in an interview the game was slated for later this year and would be playable at E3.
He also said Mario wouldn’t be starring in a major game this year, which potentially opens up the release window to more second-tier characters in the Nintendo universe. How about F-Zero? How long has it been since we had a new ultra-high-speed psychedelic racer? “I certainly understand that people want a new F-Zero game,” Miyamoto said back in 2013. “I think where I struggle is that I don’t really have a good idea for what’s new that we could bring to F-Zero that would really turn it into a great game again.”
His feelings today don’t appear to be any different. ‘Moto shot those hopes down in an intervew with the YouTube channel Smosh, implying he wouldn’t explore a new F-Zero at LEAST until the release of Nintendo’s next console. “If we create a new type of controller interface, and we find a controller interface that’s particularly suited for F-Zero, then maybe we’ll do something with it in the future.” One wonders what type of controller isn’t already out there. The Wii U accepts traditional, remote-shaped, tilt-based and tablet controls. What else is he thinking of?
The sad truth is this: F-Zero GX sold around one million copies on a system with an install base of 21 million. Even though Nintendo never really admits sales have much of an influence in which games they choose to get made, we can be sure the low sales of the previous installment have had something to do with its absence over the years….just as the low sales of Metroid: Other M have silenced all discussion of a possible next game for Samus, even though it’s obvious that game sold badly because the word of mouth wasn’t favorable.
If you want a new F-Zero, it may require some grassroots convincing, just as it took a massive bomb of Miiverse requests to convince Iwata to finally re-release EarthBound on the eShop.