The Skull

This article is about the Main Universe version of The Skull. For the Anime Universe character with the same name, see The Skull (Anime).

## The Skull

* F-Zero GX
* F-Zero X

### Aliases

Arbin Gordon (JP F-Zero X)
A Legend Raised From The Grave

### Occupation

Former F-MAX Pilot (200 years before X, in the 24th Century)
F-Zero Pilot (Was resurrected for X, Participated in GX)

## Biographical information

### Age

240 (X, resurrected from the grave)
241 (GX)

## Appearances

### Appears in

F-Zero X
F-Zero GX

### Debut

F-Zero X

The Skull is the pilot of the Sonic Phantom, and is a former F-MAX pilot from the 24th century. Having died 200 years prior to F-Zero X, The Skull rose from the grave by the power of science and magic to compete in the F-Zero X Grand Prix, and the F-Zero GX Grand Prix which followed a year later.

## History

### **Before F-Zero X**

#### **F-MAX Grand Prix**

The Skull was once a notable legend in the F-MAX Grand Prix races of the 24th Century.

### **F-Zero X**

By the powers of science and black magic, he rose from the grave to participate in the F-Zero X Grand Prix. Despite having just risen from the dead after two centuries, The Skull's experience in F-MAX as a racer came in handy during the F-Zero X Grand Prix.

Skull was once a great legend among drivers. Using science and black magic, Skull returned from the grave to compete one more time.

*Note: US Manual lacks the mention of F-MAX and other things that appear in the JP Manual for some reason.*

 **Arbin Gordon (English Translation by Sidier):** The legendary racer who achieved wonderful achievements in the predecessor of the F-Zero, the F-Max Grand Prix. He's come back from the grave through a combination of science and black magic after 200 years of being dead. His technique and race tactics haven't deteriorated at all.

### **F-Zero GX**

In F-Zero GX, one year after the X Grand Prix, The Skull once again participated. Adjusting more to F-Zero's standards, The Skull aimed to be as big of a legend in the Grand Prix as he once was in the F-MAX Grand Prix so long ago.

The Skull was once the greatest driver in the F-MAX Grand Prix, a competition that predates the coming of F-ZERO by some 200 years. Thanks to the inexplicable powers of science and black magic, he has returned to this world to compete again.
With his remarkable technique and decision-making powers, he now has a chance to extend his legacy into a new generation.

 **DeepL Translation:** A legendary pilot who raced in the F-MAX Grand Prix, the predecessor of F-Zero, over 200 years ago. He has been resurrected by the power of science and dark magic, and has been participating as an F-Zero pilot since the F-Zero X Grand Prix. His excellent technique and tactics from the past shine even now in the F-Zero races, and now that he has become accustomed to the speed of F-Zero, he is determined to become a new legend.

**A Legend Raised From The Grave.**
The Skull was once the greatest driver in the F-MAX Grand Prix, which predates the coming of F-ZERO by some 200 years. Thanks to the inexplicable powers of science and black magic, he has returned to this world to compete again.

#### **The Resurrection Of The Skull**

Upon beating any Grand Prix on Master mode with the Sonic Phantom, it will unlock a special video for The Skull, which also features his theme song.

In a lab-like crypt area, thunder strikes as The Skull is seen resting in his coffin. He begins to shake and rises from his coffin, but is struck by lightning, causing his arm to fall off. Though he puts it back on, he is struck again, causing his head to fall off. The Skull then spends the rest of the video trying to reach for his head.

## Gallery

F-Zero X artwork.pngF-Zero GX render.F-Zero GX pilot portrait.F-Zero GX icon.The Skull's autograph in F-Zero GX.
## Trivia

* The Skull does not have a real name, but perhaps his name in the JP version of F-Zero X may imply his real name is Arbin Gordon.
* A member of the F-Zero community, known as FZeroKid, has suggested that this name may have intended to be translated as "Alvin Gordon."
	+ Sterling LaVaughn is not a canon name, and neither is the entire instance of The Skull being involved in the "Horrific Grand Finale" which supposedly killed him and 13 other F-Zero pilots.
	+ This odd information is derived exclusively from Nintendo of America's F-Zero X website bios. The bios or portions of the bios are infamously known, spread across Wikipedia, the F-Zero fandom wiki, and Mute City wiki. Referred to as "Snaky Lore" by some people, the bios are full of inconsistencies and clashing information with actual canon and official content.
* The Skull often mentions the Netherworld, but mentions "the Underworld" once in F-Zero GX.
	+ However, the Netherworld and Underworld mentioned by The Skull are in a different context from Deathborn and Blood Falcon's mentions of the Underworld. It is explained in this tweet.
* Given that the Skull died 200 years before F-Zero X and had only just risen from the grave by the time of the Grand Prix's reopening, it can be assumed that he may have died around the age of 40.
	+ His F-Zero GX interview may also allude to how he may have died, as he is quoted saying "It's okay to go at full speed, but if you don't watch out for accidents, you'll end up like me." This could, however, just be a general warning, as the Skull is now an undead skeletal racer.

## References

1. ↑ [1]Tweet explaining the difference in context of the term "Underworld" used by The Skull, Blood Falcon, and Deathborn