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

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack welcomes two classic F-Zero GBA racers!

Get ready to experience the thrill of high-speed futuristic racing with the addition of F-Zero Climax and F-Zero: GP Legend to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, launching October 11, 2024!

Nintendo's iconic F-Zero series, known for its groundbreaking speed and intense competition, makes a welcome return. Initially launched in Japan over 30 years ago (1990), F-Zero has earned critical acclaim and inspired other racing franchises like SEGA's Daytona USA. The series is celebrated for pushing the boundaries of console technology, delivering some of the fastest racing experiences on retro systems like the SNES.

Like the popular Mario Kart series, F-Zero features intense races against opponents, navigating challenging tracks and engaging in thrilling vehicle combat using "F-Zero machines." The series' iconic protagonist, Captain Falcon, even features prominently in Super Smash Bros.

F-Zero: GP Legend, originally released in Japan in 2003 (with a Western release in 2004), and the previously Japan-exclusive F-Zero Climax (2004), finally become available globally. F-Zero Climax remained region-locked for nearly two decades, marking a significant gap until the release of the Switch's F-Zero 99 last year. In an interview, F-Zero designer Takaya Imamura cited the immense popularity of Mario Kart as a contributing factor to the series' extended hiatus.

This October 2024 update to the Switch Online + Expansion Pack brings both titles to subscribers, offering Grand Prix, story modes, and various time trials. Prepare for intense competition and exhilarating speeds!

Learn more about Nintendo Switch Online in our related article (link below)!