Editing F-Zero X (section)

== Gameplay ==
[[File:N64 F-Zero X.jpg|thumb|upright=1|left|Graphical detail is sacrificed to keep the game at a stable 60 [[frames per second]] (FPS).<ref name="IGN review"/>|alt=Hovercars navigate through a giant pipe in a course. Around the edge of the frame are two-dimensional icons relaying game information.]]

''F-Zero X'' is a fast-paced futuristic racing video game where 30 competitors race on high-altitude circuits inside [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]]-powered [[hovercar]]s in an intergalactic [[Wiktionary:Grand Prix|Grand Prix]].<ref name="X JPN intro"/><ref name="manual"/>{{rp|4}} Taking place after the original tournament was discontinued for several years due to the extreme danger of the sport, ''F-Zero X'' begins after the Grand Prix is brought back with the rules and regulations revised under the same name as the video game.<ref name="manual"/>{{rp|5}} The tracks include hills, loops, tunnels, corkscrews, and pipes.<ref name="history"/> Players can [[Drifting (motorsport)|drift]] into turns without losing momentum<ref name="IGN review"/> by using the control stick and trigger button.<ref name="EU Release Summary"/> The game introduces 26 new vehicles, and reprises the 4 from the original ''[[F-Zero (video game)|F-Zero]]'' game.<ref name="VC description"/> Each has its own performance abilities affected by its size and weight, and a grip, boost, and durability trait graded on an A to E (best to worst) scale.<ref name="manual"/>{{rp|8}} Before a race, players are able to adjust a vehicle's balance between maximum acceleration and maximum top speed.<ref name="preview"/>

Each machine's energy meter measures the machine's health and is decreased, for example, when the machine hits another racer or the side of the track.<ref name="manual"/> This is also a boost meter for manually boosting, usually starting with the second lap of a race.<ref name="manual"/>{{rp|10}}<ref name="EGM preview"/> Energy can be replenished by driving over recharge strips,<ref name="manual"/>{{rp|13}} located at various points around the track. The game introduces the ability to attack other racers with either a side or spin attack.<ref name="IGN review"/><ref name="IGN VC review"/> Dash plates in various locations give a speed boost without using any energy.<ref name="GSreview"/> Courses may have obstacles that reduce speed and traps that launch vehicles into the air, reducing its energy. If the player has a "spare machine"—the equivalent of an [[Life (video games)|extra life]]—then falls off a track or runs out of energy, the race can be restarted. Players get an additional spare machine for every 5 contenders eliminated.<ref name="manual"/>{{rp|13}}

=== Race modes ===
''F-Zero X'' has 5 different gameplay modes: GP (Grand Prix) Race, Practice, Time Attack, Death Race, and VS Battle.<ref name="IGN review"/> In GP Race, the player races against 29 opponents through 3 laps of each track in a cup.<ref name="manual"/>{{rp|7}} Players get a certain number of points for finishing a track depending on where they placed, and the winner of the cup is the character who receives the most total points.<ref name="manual"/>{{rp|12}} Each cup has 4 selectable [[difficulty level]]s: Novice, Standard, Expert,<ref name="manual"/>{{rp|7}} and Master.<ref name="IGN cheats"/> The higher the difficulty level selected, the tougher the opponents, and less spare machines the player starts with.<ref name="manual"/>{{rp|7,13}} Furthermore, the 3 cups initially available are ordered by increasing difficulty (Jack, Queen, and King respectively) and  6 tracks each.<ref name="IGN review"/> Eventually, the player can unlock the Joker Cup with its set of 6 tracks,<ref name="IGN cheats"/> followed by the X Cup.<ref name="IGN review"/> The X Cup is a set of 6 tracks that are randomly generated on each playthrough.<ref name="IGN cheats"/> The randomized track elements lack loops and can be simplistic, but others are intricate.<ref name="IGN review"/>

Practice mode demonstrates any track with opponents.<ref name="manual"/>{{rp|11}} [[Time Attack]] lets the player choose a track and complete a 3-lap race in the shortest time possible. Transparent re-enactments of Time Attack performances, allow racing against [[Ghost (video gaming)|ghost racers]], recorded by the player or [[Video game developer|game developer]]. Up to 3 player-contributed ghosts can be raced against simultaneously, but only 1 can be saved per track.<ref name="manual"/>{{rp|14–15}} Death Race has the player annihilating the 29 other racers as speedily as possible on a specialized course.<ref name="IGN review"/> There is no selectable difficulty level, or set number of laps, but the boost is immediately available.<ref name="manual"/>{{rp|17}} Vs. Battle is the multiplayer mode where 2 to 4 players compete in a 3-lap race, and slots not in use by players can be operated by the [[artificial intelligence]].<ref name="manual"/>{{rp|18}} A slot machine for those out of the race early will appear if the option is enabled. Players can adversely affect the energy levels of those still competing by matching symbols.<ref name="IGN review"/>