Project GX / F-Zero GX Unleashed Overview and Changelist

Project GX/F-Zero GX Unleashed
A rebalance mod of F-Zero GX by AKC12
Current version: 1.0
What is this mod all about?
The main aim of this mod is to rebalance the original machines to make them perform more closely to the machines typically used in Max Speed world records. They are balanced with the “Max Speed” play style in mind, meaning no heavy snaking or space flying abuse, and generally closer to 100% max speed settings.
Featured Changes
All original machines now stand a chance against Black Bull, Fat Shark and custom machines in max speed styled play.
Less often used custom body parts have been given a buff to make them more viable picks.
A certain few custom body and booster parts are now Legendary Bodies/Boosters. Using them will make your machine go faster than ever before!
Other changes I hope to be able to implement in the future
Display the updated weights and ratings in the machine selection screen and settings graph
Update the Staff Ghosts using the rebalanced machines (including chapter 9)
Change the settings the AI racers use
Modify the lines the AI racers use, and make them boost more often in Master Difficulty
Change the color of the engine fire for all machines
Background
Shortly after the events of F-Zero GX, the hidden development of machines with interchangeable parts that have been going on in secret for a long while been made available for race use. Some of the more high performing and costly parts turned out to be beyond state of the art, leading to wealthy, less experienced pilots perform shockingly well in GP races. Rumor has it someone managed to obtained detailed info on the Rainbow Phoenix machine during his stay on this century, which lead to rapid development of the custom parts.

Rumors also say that Don Genie and Black Shadow were involved with this engineering group, and that some of the designs have been implemented to the Fat Shark even during Black Shadow’s reign of terror, several months before the unveiling of interchangeable parts.

In light of this, all of these so called “custom machines” have been banned. But the engineers and designers who have developed them fought back. The F-Zero Committee made the following deal to them: These machines would be allowed to race again in two years, but the current research and designs associated with them must be released to the rest of the F-Zero machine designers and engineers to equal the playing field. The full terms are undisclosed, but they agreed to these terms, and continued their development to these custom parts.

The next two years for the veteran pilots and their teams were in a race to upgrade their machines using these new designs and model. There isn’t much improvement in terms of handling, and integrity, but the gains in power and speed are said to be at least 20%, which would match the fastest custom machine that were shown off. It would sure make for faster, but much more dangerous and difficult racing.

What will happen once these supercharged machines are unleashed? We can only wait and see.
Balance Philosophy
I wanted to speed up the machines without changing their unique handling too much. I wanted to emphasize their strengths and keep most of their weaker attributes. Based on that, I made few changes to the machine’s handling properties and their acceleration.

Most machines were made heavier since heavier machines simply are better in this game. Strafe is buffed a decent amount to several machines so MTS capable machines can perform meaningful MTSs and more easily perform off road shift boosts like all of the top tier machines can.

While machines that can perform advanced techniques are now heavier, MTS and shift boost better, how about the very light machines and other machines that aren’t too great with advanced techniques? Well, now their booster and/or max speed are faster than anything else in the base GX game.

Ease of use is also considered when rebalancing the machines. Generally, the harder it is to handle a machine, the faster they can potentially go. But some of the more difficult machines will require a lot of skill to utilize the techniques needed to go faster than the rest.

I don’t expect too much change in terms of which machines will be the fastest for max speed style time attack, though I am certain a certain Bull will be at the top more often. And perhaps a select few machines will finally get to claim a World Record for the first time...

Recommendations for potential time attack play for the max speed category
First and most important, for the “max speed” style of play, I would loosen the allowable settings from 100% only (with exceptions) to any settings between 80% to 100%, as I did some play testing down to 80% and modified the Drift Accel stat based on settings in that range. I feel this will grant machines more flexibility to use the setting that best suits the machine without varying how the machine drives too much. This will make snaking abuse remain a non factor.

Also, machines that use the “Legendary” custom parts should be separated into it’s own category, since they were intentionally made to be better and faster than the other parts and original machines.
The Legendary Custom Parts
The following body and booster parts have been supercharged
Galaxy Falcon: Similar to Speedy Dragon, but much heavier
Megalo Cruiser: A heavier version of Dread Hammer
Silver Sword: Based off of Aqua Goose. Easy to use, but weaker in terms of MTSing compared to the other Legendary Parts
Punisher -4X: Well rounded booster, similar to Titan-G4
Hornet -FX: Best speed retention of the three.
Bazooka -YS: Boasts acceleration that slightly exceeds Fat Shark’s

File Download and Instructions
Mod with custom parts edits: https://ln.sync.com/dl/c830b6040/r66n7cib-6ttm5ics-e6gpfxzj-6gdk4g3d

Mod WITHOUT custom parts edits: https://ln.sync.com/dl/191d98990/ys3yvgbh-89awabvm-iq6rdk4b-ee95kez4

Download one of the above files
Download GCRebuilder: http://www.romhacking.net/utilities/619/
Open GCRebuilder, go to Image-> Open, and open the F-Zero GX ISO (Not provided here)
On the right side, right click on “Root”, select Export and choose a Save destination.
Once Exported, copy/move the cardata.lz to Root\Game, replacing the cardata.lz file that’s already there.
Reopen GCRebuilder. Go to Root->Open, and select the Root folder
Go to Root->Save. Select the save destination of the ISO file that will have the modified file in it.
Go to Save->Rebuild. Once the rebuild process is finished, you now have a playable ISO file with the mod! It is playable through Dolphin and Nintendont.
F-Zero GX Unleashed Changelist (Base values, rounded)

Red Gazelle
Weight: 1330 -> 1630
Max speed: 0.198-> .408
Strafe: 30 -> 38
Boost strength: 13.3 -> 21.3
Drift accel: 1.8 -> 2.3
Turn decel: 0.036 -> 0.016

White Cat
Weight: 1150 -> 1400
Max speed: 0.14 -> 0.39
Boost strength:12.8 -> 22.8
Strafe: 30 -> 40

Golden Fox
Weight: 1420 -> 1720
Max speed: 0.13 -> 0.3
Boost duration: 1.8 -> 1.95
Boost strength: 13.5 -> 25
Strafe: 17 -> 35
Strafe turn: 20 -> 33
Turn movement: 120 -> 140
Drift accel: 1.3 -> 1.5
Turn decel: 0.014 -> 0.0025

Iron Tiger
Weight: 1780 -> 2030
Max Speed: 0.14 -> 0.38
Drift Accel: 0.4 -> 0.65
Strafe: 28 -> 40
Boost Strength: 13.9 -> 20.9
Fire Stingray
Weight: 1960 -> 2160
Max Speed: 0.15 -> 0.49
Drift Accel: 0.7 -> 0.8
Strafe: 35 -> 40
Boost Strength: 14.2 -> 25
Turn Decel: 0.04 -> 0.02

Wild Goose
Weight: 1620 -> 2020
Max Speed: 0.1 -> 0.38
Drift Accel: 0.9 -> 0.95
Strafe: 18 -> 40
Boost Strength: 12.7 -> 20.7

Blue Falcon
Weight: 1260 -> 1620
Max Speed: 0.1 -> 0.325
Drift Accel: 0.4 -> 0.72
Strafe: 35 -> 45
Boost Strength: 14 -> 21

Deep Claw
Max Speed: 0.1 -> 0.25
Strafe: 30 -> 35
Boost Strength: 12.3 -> 24.6

Great Star
Weight: 1870 -> 2070
Max Speed: 0.12 -> 0.28
Strafe: 40 -> 50
Boost Strength: 13.6 -> 20
Turn Decel: 0.03 -> 0.015

Little Wyvern
Weight: 1390 -> 1720
Max Speed: 0.13 -> 0.38
Drift Accel: 0.65 -> 0.8
Strafe: 20 -> 35
Boost Strength: 14 -> 22

Mad Wolf
Weight: 1490 -> 1790
Max Speed: 0.13 -> 0.42
Strafe: 18 -> 30
Boost Strength: 13.7 -> 22.5

Super Piranha
Weight: 1010 -> 1111
Max Speed: 0.18 -> 0.35
Boost Strength: 13.6 -> 26

Death Anchor
Weight: 1620 -> 1820
Max Speed: 0.14 -> 0.2
Strafe: 36 -> 43
Boost Strength: 14.7 -> 22.7

Astro Robin
Weight: 1050 -> 1300
Max Speed: 0.21 -> 0.31
Drift Accel: 1.3 -> 1.41
Turn Movement: 123 -> 150
Strafe: 20 -> 35
Boost Strength: 18 -> 28.5
Boost Duration: 1.5 -> 1.7
Turn Decel: 0.035 -> 0.015

Big Fang
Weight: 1520 -> 1750
Max Speed: 0.22 -> 0.42
Strafe: 25 -> 40
Boost Strength: 14.5 -> 20

Sonic Phantom
Weight: 1010 -> 1210
Max Speed: 0.14 -> 0.34
Strafe: 30 -> 40
Boost Strength: 13.6 -> 22.2
Boost Duration: 1.7 -> 1.9

Green Panther
Weight: 2060 -> 2220
Max Speed: 0.17 -> 0.32
Drift Accel: 1.05 -> 1.76
Strafe: 20-> 43
Boost Strength: 13.3 -> 22.3
Turn Decel: 0.02 -> 0.015

Hyper Speeder
Weight: 1460 -> 1610
Max Speed: 0.2 -> 0.27
Strafe: 16 -> 25
Boost Strength: 17.5 -> 28.3

Space Angler
Drag: 0.11 -> 0.1
Weight: 910 -> 1010
Max Speed: 0.14 -> 0.54
Boost Strength: 13.9 -> 26.9

King Meteor
Max Speed: 0.185 -> 0.325
Drift Accel: 1.8 -> 2.1
Boost Strength: 12.5 -> 24.5
Turn Decel: 0.035 -> 0.025

Queen Meteor
Weight: 1140 -> 1480
Max Speed: 0.21 -> 0.441
Strafe: 20 -> 40
Boost Strength: 12.7 -> 22.5
Turn Decel: 0.035 -> 0.015

Twin Noritta
Max Speed: 0.2 -> 0.3
Boost Strength: 20 -> 27

Night Thunder
Weight: 1530 -> 1730
Max Speed: 0.17 -> 0.35
Drift Accel: 1.3 -> 1.7
Strafe: 20 -> 50
Boost Strength: 13.5 -> 22.75

Wild Boar
Weight: 2110 -> 2610
Max Speed: 0.1 -> 0.27
Strafe: 17.5 -> 37.5
Boost Strength: 13.25 -> 16

Blood Hawk
Weight: 1170 -> 1475
Max Speed: 0.1 -> 0.36
Drift Accel: 1.4 ->1.5
Strafe: 21 -> 50
Boost Strength: 13.5 -> 20.5

Wonder Wasp
Max Speed: 0.1 -> 0.2
Drift Accel: 1.4 -> 1.7
Strafe: 20 -> 30
Boost Strength: 13.2 -> 25.9

Mighty Typhoon
Max Speed: 0.12 -> 0.29
Drift Accel: 0.8 -> 0.9
Boost Strength: 13.8 -> 24.2

Mighty Hurricane
Weight: 1780 -> 2030
Max Speed: 0.13 -> 0.53
Turn Tension: 0.06 -> 0.02
Drift Accel: 0.8 -> 0.95
Turn Movement: 135 -> 145
Strafe Turn: 30 -> 60
Strafe: 28 -> 40
Boost Strength: 13.6 -> 17.6

Crazy Bear
Weight: 2220 -> 2375
Max Speed: 0.13 -> 0.34
Drift Accel: 1.3 -> 1.86
Strafe: 21 -> 40
Boost Strength: 12.5 -> 20.5

Black Bull
Weight: 2340 -> 2420
Max Speed: 0.17 -> 0.25
Strafe: 38 -> 42
Boost Strength: 15.5 -> 19.5

Dark Schneider
Drag: 0.015 -> 0.01
Weight: 2080 -> 2580
Acceleration: 0.39-> 0.36
Max Speed: 0.35-> 0.25
Strafe: 40->50
Boost strength: 17.5->20
Turn movement: 180->160
Drift accel: 1.2->1.5
Turn decel: 0.026->0.02

Fat Shark
No changes (he doesn’t need them)

Cosmic Dolphin
Drag: 0.011 -> 0.01
Max Speed: 0.1 -> 0.3
Drift Accel: 0.2 -> 0.55
Strafe: 25 -> 35
Boost Strength: 12 -> 23
Boost Duration: 1.65 -> 1.75

Pink Spider
Weight: 1100 -> 1280
Max Speed: 0.11 -> 0.36
Drift Accel: 1.3 -> 1.5
Strafe: 28 -> 45
Boost Strength: 13.8 -> 22.8

Magic Seagull
Weight: 1330 -> 1580
Max Speed: 0.1 -> 0.3
Strafe: 17 -> 30
Boost Strength: 14 -> 25.5
Boost Duration: 1.6 -> 1.7

Silver Rat
Weight: 880 -> 1001
Max Speed: 0.1 -> 0.3
Drift Accel: 0.33 -> 0.85
Strafe: 20 -> 40
Boost Strength: 11.2 -> 25.2
Turn Decel: 0.03 -> 0.02

Spark Moon
Weight: 1620 -> 1860
Max Speed: 0.13 -> 0.37
Drift Accel: 1.05 -> 1.75
Strafe: 20 -> 45
Boost Strength: 13.7 -> 22

Bunny Flash
Weight: 1414 -> 1818
Max Speed: 0.13 -> 0.28
Turn Movement: 138 -> 155
Strafe: 25 -> 35
Boost Strength: 13.9 -> 27

Groovy Taxi
Drag: 0.11 -> 0.1
Weight: 1280 -> 1700
Acceleration: 0.47 -> 0.45
Max Speed: 0.11 -> 0.38
Drift Accel: 0.4 -> 0.8
Strafe: 20 -> 40
Boost Strength: 13.7 -> 20

Rolling Turtle
Max Speed: 0.115 -> 0.395
Drift Accel: 0.7 -> 0.85
Strafe: 20 -> 30
Boost Strength: 11.3 -> 19.6
Boost Duration: 1.55 -> 1.7

Rainbow Phoenix
Weight: 1080 -> 1212
Max Speed: 0.14 -> 0.42
Strafe: 25 -> 35
Boost Strength: 16 -> 26.5

General Custom Body Part Changes

Body Part
Old Weight
New Weight
Old Strafe
New Strafe

Brave Eagle
460
710
40
43
Giant Planet
1020
1320
25
30
Splash Whale
280
530
50
50
Wild Chariot
800
1100
28
38
Valiant Jaguar
1000
1300
35
40
Holy Spider
540
840
25
35
Blood Raven
600
900
20
32
Funny Swallow
490
640
35
40
Optical Wing
420
670
35
40
Mad Bull
900
1200
30
40
Big Tyrant
1500
1500
25
40
Grand Base
1380
1380
20
35
Fire Wolf
840
1140
30
40
Dread Hammer
1440
1440
45
45
Rage Knight
440
690
40
43
Rapid Barrel
580
880
20
32
Sky Horse
640
940
20
32
Aqua Goose
700
1000
20
32
Space Cancer
680
980
30
40
Metal Shell
950
1250
30
40
Speedy Dragon
240
490
50
50
Liberty Manta
380
630
40
43

Summary of Changes to Body Parts
Weight
D and E Body: +250 KG
B and C Body: +300 KG
A Body: No changes to weight

Strafe
E Body: No changes

Brave Eagle, Rage Knight, Liberty Manta: +3 to Strafe

Funny Swallow and Optical Wing: +5 to strafe

Space Cancer and Holy Spider: +10 to Strafe

Blood Raven, Rapid Barrel, Sky Horse, Aqua Goose: +12 to Strafe

Wild Chariot, Mad Bull, Fire Wolf, Metal Shell: +10 to Strafe

Giant Planet: +5 to Strafe

Big Tyrant and Grand Base: +15 to Strafe

Special Body Part Changes
Galaxy Falcon (Legendary Body)
Changed Grip 1, Grip 3, Turn Tension, Turn Reaction to equal with Speedy Dragon’s values.
Weight: 260 -> 700
Did not modify Galaxy Falcon’s Body, and and all values related to Camera, Tilt and Wall Collision.

Megalo Cruiser (Legendary Body)
Changed Grip 1, Grip 3, Turn Tension, Strafe, Turn Reaction to equal with Dread Hammer’s values.
Did not modify Megalo Cruiser’s Weight, Body, and all values related to Camera, Tilt and Wall Collision.

Silver Sword (Legendary Body)
Changed Grip 1, Grip 3, Turn Reaction to equal with Aqua Goose’s values
Weight: 620 -> 1100
Strafe: 20 -> 35
Did not modify Silver Sword’s Body, and all values related to Camera, Tilt and Wall Collision

Cockpit Part Changes
Rush Cyclone
Made it identical to Combat Cannon

Bright Spear
Made it identical to Maximum Star

Booster Part Changes
Punisher -4X (Legendary Booster)
Drag: 0.11 -> 0.1
Weight: 580 -> 730
Acceleration: 0.38 -> 0.37
Max Speed: 0.19 -> 0.23
Drift Accel: 1 -> 0.9
Boost Strength: 16 -> 22
Boost Duration: 1.8 -> 1.9
Turn Decel: 0.018 -> 0.015

Bazooka -YS (Legendary Booster)
Weight: 250 -> 600
Max Speed: 0.11 -> 0.32
Boost Strength: 13.3 -> 20
Boost Duration: 1.3 -> 1.8
Turn Decel: 0.012 -> 0.01

Hornet -FX (Legendary Booster)
Weight: 700 -> 860
Acceleration: 0.34 -> 0.315
Max Speed: 0.21 -> 0.47
Drift Accel: 1 -> 0.8
Boost Strength: 19 -> 20.5
Boost Duration: 1.9 -> 2
Turn Decel: 0.03 -> 0.02