History VideoGame / StuntRaceFX

After the release of ''VideoGame/StarFox1'' for the UsefulNotes/{{Super Nintendo|EntertainmentSystem}} in 1993, Creator/{{Nintendo}} and Creator/ArgonautSoftware began experimenting on more ways to make use of the 3D capabilities of the Super FX chip. This led to the creation of a 3D-animated {{racing game}}, which was eventually released in 1994 as ''Wild Trax'' in UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}, and ''Stunt Race FX'' in the rest of the world.

It's been theorized that the cancelled UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 game ''[[https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/04/buggy-boogie-n64-proto-cancelled/ Buggy Boogie]]'' was intended as a sequel to ''Stunt Race FX'', but no definite proof of it has surfaced. F-Type and TRAILER made appearances as Stickers in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' and as Spirits in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''. In September 2019, the game was included with the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch Nintendo Switch Online]] SNES app, making it the first time it's been made available since its initial release.

* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: A dinosaur is present near the final stretch of the Lake Side track. According to ''Magazine/NintendoPower'', it's a [[ArtisticLicensePaleontology Polygonasaurus]].

After the release of ''VideoGame/StarFox1'' for the UsefulNotes/{{Super Nintendo|EntertainmentSystem}} in 1993, Creator/{{Nintendo}} and Creator/ArgonautSoftware began experimenting on more ways to make use of the 3D capabilities of the Super FX chip. This led to the creation of a 3D-animated {{racing game}}, which was eventually released in 1994 as ''Wild Trax'' in Japan, and ''Stunt Race FX'' int he rest of the world.

** Advertising billboards on the side of the road feature the faces of [[FrFranchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]], FrFranchise/{{Kirby}}, and [[FrFranchise/StarFox Fox McCloud]].

* BubblyClouds: The level Sky Ramp is set on a track in the clouds.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/stuntracefx_title.png]]

It's been theorized that the cancelled UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 game ''[[https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/04/buggy-boogie-n64-proto-cancelled/ Buggy Boogie]]'' was intended as a sequel to ''Stunt Race FX'', but no definite proof of it has surfaced. F-Type and TRAILER made appearances as Stickers in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' and as Spirits in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''. In September 2020, the game was included with the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch Nintendo Switch Online]] SNES app, making it the first time it's been made available since its initial release.

[[quoteright:256:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/stunt_race_fx_1.jpg]]

''Stunt Race FX'' is most notable for its cast of cartoon-looking googly-eyed {{Sentient Vehicle }}s: [[FragileSpeedster F-Type]] is a UsefulNotes/FormulaOne-like car with high speed and manoeuvrability but poor acceleration and ''terrible'' durability, [[JackOfAllStats COUPE]] is a small car with medium overall stats and low boost consumption, [[MightyGlacier 4WD]] is a very robust monster truck with great off-road capabilities but very poor top speed and steering, [[MechanicallyUnusualClass 2WD]] is a two-wheeled vehicle with good to great stats but a tricky balance-based control scheme, and [[AdvertisedExtra TRAILER]] is a heavy and tough-to-control semi-truck reserved for {{bonus stage}}s.

After ''VideoGame/StarFox1'' was released for the [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem Super Nintendo]], Nintendo wanted more games to show off the capabilities of the new FX Chip. Thus, ''Stunt Race FX'' (known as ''Wild Trax'' in Japan) was created. Using the Super FX Chip, ''Stunt Race FX'' was able to render fully 3D vehicles and race tracks.

In addition to the standard race modes, ''Stunt Race FX'' also has a mode called Stunt Trax, where the player drives their vehicle over 3D rendered jumps, ramps and hills in an attempt to grab stars.

!!''Stunt Race FX'' provides examples of:
* BalancePowerSkillGimmick: 4WD is a sturdy truck that has good acceleration but a low top speed. Coupe is well-rounded, with average acceleration, top speed and durability. The race car styled F-Type is fragile and slow to accelerate but has the highest top speed. 2WD has average acceleration and a high top speed, but, due to having two wheels, can have issues with balance.
* BonusStage: Halfway through each of the three difficulty classes there is a bonus level where the player takes control of the large Trailer and drives through an obstacle course to gain additional time that can be used in the remaining two courses.

* TheCameo: The Star Fox team will fly by on the Sky Ramp track in an air show-like fashion throughout the race (and you can actually bump them out of the sky if you collide with them overhead) and if you knock over a Star Fox billboard on the Night Cruise course an Arwing will descend to the track level and leave you a blue crystal.

* DifficultButAwesome: The 2WD has a very sharp turning radius that takes some getting used to but once you do, you get a vehicle with the top speed of the F-Type and immunity to terrain effects like the 4WD, which can set insanely fast records. That said, getting good with the 4WD can trivialize the Speed Trax classes as well (thanks to the aforementioned immunity to terrain effects like water and dirt as well as having a respectable top speed under Boost despite being the slowest vehicle in the game), although the 2WD will still shatter any records set by it.

* RaceAgainstTheClock: The main game, Speed Trax, is made up of three difficulty classes, each containing four races that form a cup. However, even though there are three other vehicles that you compete against, you ''aren't'' awarded points at the end of each race. (Though if you finish fourth you will lose a life.) Instead there is an omnipresent timer that is counting down. More time can be gained by completing laps and passing through checkpoints. If the timer runs out, you lose a life.

* SuperDrowningSkills: All three water-based courses (Aqua Tunnel, Sea Breeze, and Harbor City) have half-pipe sections with unguarded edges. Fly over these and you end up losing by "SPLASH", which is the only instant-lose condition in the game.

* SharkTunnel: Aqua Tunnel has a see through tunnel letting you peer out into the water.

* TheCameo: The Star Fox team will fly by on the Sky Ramp track in an air show-like fashion throughout the race and if you knock over a Star Fox billboard on the Night Cruise course an Arwing will descend to the track level and leave you a blue crystal.

* SuperDrowningSkills: All three water-based courses (Aqua Tunnel, Sea Breeze, and Harbor City) have half-pipe sections with unguarded edges. Fly over these and you end up losing by "SPLASH".