Useful Links

• CGN’s Website – TAS Techniques and Info
  https://crazygamenerd.web.fc2.com/FZGX_TAS.html
• CGN’s TAS Playlist (Vanilla Game Only)
  YouTube playlist
• FighBat’s TAS Playlist (includes custom tracks and mods such as GX Unleashed and GXTREME)
  YouTube playlist
• F-Zero Central Submission Rules (GX)
  https://fzerocentral.org/rules.php?game=gx
• CGN’s Website – Japanese-Exclusive Custom Parts (cheat code required)
  https://crazygamenerd.web.fc2.com/FZGX_SP_Machines.html

Gameplay Categories / Playstyles

Max Speed

• "Standard" playstyle. Almost always uses 100% Max Speed settings, which makes snaking mostly irrelevant except for a few machines.
• Typically the slowest option, but also the most popular.
• Subcategory: Expanded Max Speed allows settings from 73–100%.

Snaking / Shaking

• Uses the snaking technique with 0% Max Acceleration settings.
• In TAS, snaking is enhanced by:
  • Shaking (frame-perfect snaking)
  • Space-shaking (shaking in midair to gain height)
• Many of CGN’s TASes use shaking but restrict space-shaking for a balance between speed and entertainment.
• Combined with spaceflying shortcuts, this would likely be the most optimal unrestricted TAS strategy.

Spaceflying

• Uses the spaceflying technique to fly above the track, often skipping most of it.
• Always uses 0% Max Acceleration settings.
• Enables Ultra Shortcuts, exploiting the checkpoint system to complete laps much faster than intended.

Common Gameplay Restrictions

• Side Attacks
  • Often restricted as "No Side Attacks" runs due to how drastically they alter gameplay.
  • Not enforced on the FZC leaderboard; purely self-imposed.
• Light Custom Machines (E or D Body Parts)
  • Sometimes restricted because they benefit from snaking at max speed settings, and they can drastically change the typical max speed playstyle.
• Hyper-Speed Side Attacks (HSSA)
  • Performed by alternating the accelerator and side attack every frame.
  • Bypasses the typical 8-frame limit for side attacking.
  • Can enable spaceflying at max speed settings.
  • Rarely used; only one TAS has ever used it:
    • F-Zero GX: Fire Field – Undulation (Fat Shark, Max Speed, HSSA) → 22"082 [TAS]
• Ultra Shortcuts
  • Exploit checkpoint mechanics to skip large sections of track.
  • Nearly all TASes restrict this; only one notable TAS uses it:
    • F-Zero GX: MCTR (Flying) → 12"925 [TAS]
• Spaceflying Limits
  • The Snaking leaderboard on FZC restricts the number of aerial strafes allowed to prevent full-on spaceflying in this category.

Fastest TAS Times (Vanilla Game Only, No Mods)

Grand Prix Tracks

Ruby Cup

Sapphire Cup

Emerald Cup

Diamond Cup

AX Cup

Story Mode