This is Part 3 of a 4-part series. Catch up with Part 2: The Punch Is Born.

The Falcon Punch belongs to a man, and that man belongs to a universe. The F-Zero world is one of Nintendo’s most distinctive settings: a high-speed, high-stakes future where racing is both sport and spectacle.

The 26th century

F-Zero takes place in the year 2560, in a galaxy where humanity has made contact with alien civilizations. Trade, technology and wealth have flooded in. The world’s richest figures wanted entertainment that matched their ambitions, so they founded the F-Zero Grand Prix: anti-gravity machines racing at speeds that would shred ordinary vehicles.

Cities built for speed

The circuits are the real stars of the setting. A few of the best known:

• Mute City: a gleaming metropolis and the series’ signature track. Its music is still a fan favorite.
• Big Blue: a track suspended high above the clouds, famous for its sweeping curves and its theme.
• Port Town: a coastal course with tight turns and industrial backdrops.
• Sand Ocean: a desert circuit where heat and open space dominate.

Rivals and racers

Captain Falcon never races alone. His rivals include the ruthless bounty hunter Samurai Goroh, the scientist Dr. Stewart and the mysterious alien Pico. In later games the villainous Black Shadow and his criminal organization add real menace. Falcon, as a bounty hunter, has his own reasons to keep racing.

The series grew with F-Zero X (1998), F-Zero GX (2003, developed with Sega’s Amusement Vision), and several handheld entries. Its look and sound remain instantly recognizable.

One universe meets another

When Captain Falcon joined Super Smash Bros., he carried this world along. The Smash series brings Nintendo’s universes together on a single stage, and Falcon is the F-Zero universe’s ambassador. In Part 4, we’ll look at the legacy he and his punch have left.

F-Zero and all related characters are the property of Nintendo. This series is an unofficial fan retrospective.