A Nintendo Switch version of F-Zero GX is reportedly in the pipeline, with a newly emerged rumor claiming that the remaster of this GameCube classic is being handled by the developers behind the popular Luigi's Mansion franchise. While the list of GameCube games available on Nintendo's hybrid console remains somewhat scarce, the surprise release of the Metroid Prime remaster in February inspired new hope among the fandom that more such titles are in the works.
The original rumor that an F-Zero comeback is happening surfaced in January, when a known Nintendo leaker suggested at least one more installment from the franchise will be making its way to the Switch sometime in 2023. Based on recent developments, many took this as an indication that the 2003 GameCube classic F-Zero GX is coming to the Switch Online library.
YouTube channel Nintendo Prime now claims that is precisely the case, in addition to reporting that the remastered version of F-Zero GX is being handled by Next Level Games, the developer behind the Luigi's Mansion and Mario Strikers series. The report, citing industry sources, suggests the Canadian studio is currently also working on one other unannounced project and that it has recently been on a hiring spree in order to combat a talent exodus which followed its 2021 acquisition by Nintendo.
This same outlet has recently been claiming The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch OLED model is in the works, which was corroborated by several other reports, implying some level of insider knowledge. That notwithstanding, Nintendo Prime also suggested this limited-edition Switch will be releasing on March 10, which hasn't come to pass. Their track record is hence neither impeccable nor consequential to the fact that all industry rumors should be approached with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Generally speaking, the notion of F-Zero GX making its way to the Switch would fit Nintendo's recent track record with the franchise, whose miniature revival started in September 2019, when the original F-Zero from 1990 found its way to the Nintendo Switch Online SNES catalog. The 1998 F-Zero X for the N64 followed suit in March 2022, whereas the 2001 GBA racer F-Zero: Maximum Velocity is currently listed as "coming soon" on the official NSO website.
While Next Level Games doesn't have an existing connection to the franchise beyond the ownership angle, the possibility that Nintendo wants to handle a remaster of F-Zero GX in-house appears feasible, if not plausible. For context, the original game was developed by Sega subsidiary Amusement Vision, which nowadays goes by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and is currently working on Like a Dragon 8 and supporting the recently released Like a Dragon: Ishin. But even if the developer was open to taking on another project, a company the size of Nintendo likely has little need to outsource a remaster of a 20-year-old game, especially when it comes to an IP like F-Zero that it fully owns.
Source: Nintendo
