F-ZERO

**This article is about F-ZERO, the racing competition. For other uses, see F-Zero (disambiguation).**

F-ZERO, short for F-Zero Grand Prix, is a racing competition whose origins are usually inspired by the real-life F1 (Formula 1) racing competition.

The F-Zero Grand Prix consists of high-speed races in hovering machines driven by skilled pilots. It is held across venues on multiple planets and cities, with tracks built miles above the ground.

## Main Universe

In the F-Zero series' Main Universe, F-ZERO is the successor of F1 (20th and 21st century) and F-MAX (24th century). When a group of wealthy space merchants decided to spruce up their successful lives with a particular form of sports entertainment based on the old F1 and F-MAX Grand Prix races, F-ZERO was created.

The F-Zero Grand Prix was first held in the year 2560 (2560s in JP SNES manual), but later Main Universe content would switch this for a more vague "26th century" (US X manual) or even "25XX" (JP X manual).

Despite the initial danger of the Grand Prix, it grew popular over time and the danger became a key highlight enjoyed by many spectators. Additionally, it also provided another way to get money flowing, as people would gamble and make bets during races.

The F-Zero Grand Prix was eventually suspended following a huge accident that injured many pilots, but there no casualties. Three years later, the suspension was lifted due to large fan support in favor of continuing F-ZERO. The F-Zero races were reformed with new staff, rules, regulations, and equipment. F-ZERO was promptly reopened for the F-Zero X Grand Prix.

One year after the reopening, another Grand Prix was held. The F-Zero GX Grand Prix would feature the previous Grand Prix's 30 pilots, but also had brought in 10 more featured in the arcade variant of F-Zero GX. However, within the game, there are only 30 pilots in a race at a time. Adding on, F-Zero GX featured an exclusive pilot named Deathborn, whose prominence was in the Story Mode before but mostly after Captain Falcon won the GX Grand Prix. GX would also reveal, through the bios for some pilots' machines, that F-Zero also had racing teams at some point.

## Anime Universe

In F-Zero Farukon Densetsu (Anime) and its related content, the F-Zero Grand Prix has a much different origin and timeline, as well as different events.

Inspired by F1 in the 20th and 21st century, the first F-Zero Grand Prix was held some time in the 22nd century, and the Grand Prix has carried on to the present day 23rd century (At least 2132-2207 and present).

Because the Anime related content takes place in another universe different from the Main F-Zero Universe, the Anime Universe counterpart of The Skull is stated to have origins as an F1 racer (F-Zero Climax bio only), like Ryu Suzaku.

## Trivia

***Main Universe:***

* It is not known when the SNES F-Zero Grand Prix was held, as the manual wording implies it is not the first F-Zero Grand Prix which is mentioned in the introduction.
	+ Not known when any of the playable GPs truly take place in terms of specifically mentioned years.
	+ Also not known if SNES is still connected to X, due to lore / pilot bios / oddities.
	+ Also not known if Maximum Velocity connects to X and GX, as Maximum Velocity was released as a game in between X and GX's release years, and GX does not even allude to MV's existence.

***Anime Universe:***

* It is not exactly mentioned when the first F-Zero Grand Prix took place in the Anime Universe either. One could assume by the group photo from the first F-Zero Grand Prix that 'Bart' talks about, that the first F-Zero Grand Prix would have to take place at least 70 years before the year 2202 (2132).
	+ A younger (Anime Universe) Silver Neelsen is seen in the photo. By using Silver Neelsen's given age, one could come to the conclusion of the first Grand Prix being at least 70 years prior to 2202. (97 in the year 2202, Episode 14. 70 years prior would make him 27 in 2132. He is featured in the photo as his young self).
	+ Taking note of Anthony Ropkin's (who is an alien pilot) presence in the photo as well, and seeing as how in the Anime Universe that mankind and aliens had first contact in the year 2101 (100 years before the start of the anime's events in 2201), the first F-Zero Grand Prix probably took place sometime after 2101 but before 2132.