F-Zero 99 Gets New Update for April 2025

Nintendo has recently released the new Version 1.6.0 update for F-Zero 99, the popular online battle royale racing game available for the Switch. The latest update adds more content for F-Zero 99 and fixes some minor issues, improving the overall experience for gamers who love the old-school racing game.

F-Zero 99 was originally released in 2023 as a battle royale take on F-Zero, allowing 99 gamers to face each other in deadly races. Developed by Nintendo Software Technology, the title is free to download via the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service, and is the latest entry in the popular franchise, which has not received any new game since F-Zero Climax for the GameCube in 2004. After F-Zero 99’s launch, Nintendo unveiled periodic updates for the online title, adding more content and polishing the experience.

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With the new Version 1.6.0 update, F-Zero 99 has gained a few interesting additions. For example, five Mirror tracks from the Ace League have been added to the game, flipping traditional tracks horizontally and rearranging their gimmicks. Also, five new Classic Tracks have been released, mimicking layouts from the BS F-ZERO GRAND PRIX Ace League. Another major highlight is that the Mini World Tour was introduced to F-Zero 99, consisting of a special event where pilots compete in seven consecutive races of three laps to reach the top spot. Other improvements include new decals and color variants for vehicles, more backdrops, badges, borders added to Pilot Card customization, and more.

As usual, some adjustments and tweaks were also made to improve the game and fix issues that still plagued it. Hopefully, Nintendo will keep patching F-Zero 99, giving fresh content to players of the popular Nintendo Switch Online title.

This is not the first update F-Zero 99 received this year. Back in February, F-Zero 99’s Version 1.5.6 patch addressed various issues in the online game, enhancing the gameplay. However, the current patch is much more significant than the previous one, due to adding new features, not only squashing bugs.

Nintendo fans eager to play more games that belong to the F-Zero franchise should note that the classic F-Zero GX will be available for the Switch 2 soon. The title was originally released for the GameCube, and it will be available for Nintendo’s next platform as part of an upcoming GameCube collection, which will also include other popular first party titles such as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

F-Zero 99 – Version 1.6.0 (22nd April 2025) Official Patch Notes

New Additions

• Five Mirror tracks from the Ace League have been added.
  • Mirror tracks will appear in F-ZERO 99 races as well as Pro Tracks, Team Battle, Mini Prix, Mirror Grand Prix, and Mini World Tour game modes.
  • The usual tracks are flipped horizontally, and tracks where the gimmicks are rearranged will appear.
• Five Classic tracks have been added to the Ace League.
  • These Classic tracks have been modified from F-ZERO 99 tracks in places to bring them closer to the track layouts from the BS F-ZERO GRAND PRIX Ace League.
  • Classic tracks appear in both Classic and Classic Mini Prix game modes.
• Added Mini World Tour, a special event where pilots compete in seven consecutive races to compete for the top rank. The first Mini World Tour will be held on May 5.
  • The Mini World Tour is a special event that will be held at regular intervals. The event will last for one week.
  • The Mini World Tour is a series of seven races with each race consisting of three laps. The rules are based on a score system in which the rankings are determined by the total points awarded for each lap, the number of KOs, and the number of Gem Sparks collected during the three laps of the race.
  • In Mini World Tour, the more players there are in the lobby, the more potential points players can earn during the race.
  • During Mini World Tour races, a Mini World Tour tab will be displayed on the weekly leaderboard.
  • A Mini World Tour category has been added to Prix under Records in the Workshop. This will be displayed while the Mini World Tour is being held and will remain displayed if a record is set.
  • A player ranking in 999th place or above in the Mini World Tour weekly ranking will get a special badge. Mini World Tours will be held regularly, but this badge can only be obtained once during times when the event is live.
• Two types of decals and 15 color variations have been added for each of the BLUE THUNDER, LUNA BOMBER, GREEN AMAZON, and FIRE SCORPION machines. These can be used for customization when certain conditions are met.
  • You can check the specified conditions and perform customization by selecting Workshop from the Main Menu.
• New backdrops, badges, and borders have been added for Pilot Card customization. All of these can be unlocked when certain conditions are met.
  • You can check the specified conditions and perform customization by selecting Workshop from the Main Menu and then selecting Pilot Cards.

Other Adjustments and Changes

• Changed the conditions for obtaining the black machine color to finishing in 1st in any of the following: F-ZERO 99, Pro Tracks, Grand Prix, or Mini Prix races.
  • The color cannot be obtained by placing 1st in Team Battle, Classic races, or World Tour races.
  • If conditions have been met with save data from Ver. 1.5.6 or prior, then the color will be obtained when the game is updated to Ver. 1.6.0.
• Made adjustments to machine balance.

  Machine	Adjustments
  All Machines	The amount of Super Sparks required to trigger the Super Boost has been slightly reduced. Increased the minimum amount of time to be on the Skyway from four seconds to five seconds. Increased speed when traveling on the Skyway without touching the wall and when using the Skyway dash plate. Adjusted the amount of increase in the Power Meter when scoring a KO against another machine.
  BLUE FALCON	Reduced the amount of repulsion when colliding with other machines.
  GOLDEN FOX	Reduced the amount of damage received and slightly reduced the amount of repulsion when colliding with other machines.

  • The amount of Power Meter increase when you KO another machine will decrease with each KO after the first one. The advantage gained by getting many KOs early on in the World Tour and Grand Prix has been rebalanced. The maximum Power Meter value from stacking KOs remains at 200%, the same as before.
  • The BLUE FALCON and GOLDEN FOX machines have been adjusted as they tend to keep getting knocked away by other machines and lose more power than desired in crowded situations.
• SILENCE, WHITE LAND II, and FIRE FIELD will appear as course candidates for Classic races.

Other Fixes

• Fixed issues to make for a more pleasant gaming experience.