When comparing F-Zero vs Power Drift, the Slant community recommends Power Drift for most people. In the question“What are the best and the most revolutionary games of all time?” Power Drift is ranked 95th while F-Zero is ranked 103rd. The most important reason people chose Power Drift is:
While Power Drift isn't actually 3D, it manages to appear like it has some 3D elements because of the way it uses 2D sprites. It also tilts the screen when steering, and includes a 3D looking fly-by introduction to each track. Together, this made for a 3D-like experience, without actually using any 3D technology.
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Pros
Pro Launch title for the NES
The NES brought a revolution to console gaming, and F-Zero was a part of that by being one of the launch titles.
Pro The first game to use "Mode 7 Scrolling"
The NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) was the first console to allow for what Nintendo called "Mode 7 Scrolling", and as a launch title F-Zero was the first game that took advantage of that feature.
Mode 7 Scrolling refers to the newest (at the time) graphic mode which brought new ways to configure the background layers. Background layers could be manipulated in new ways than what was available before. It allows layers to be scaled and rotated, and for background layers to move in the foreground in front of some sprites.
This was at a time when backgrounds were flat and could only consist of 2D objects. Mode 7 scrolling - and F-Zero as the first game with it - brought a much more dynamic background to RPGs and racing games especially.
Pro One of the first games to incorporate 3D effects
While Power Drift isn't actually 3D, it manages to appear like it has some 3D elements because of the way it uses 2D sprites. It also tilts the screen when steering, and includes a 3D looking fly-by introduction to each track. Together, this made for a 3D-like experience, without actually using any 3D technology.
Cons
Con Very touchy controls
The controls in Power Drift are extremely touchy, making controlling your cart very frustrating. Adding in the fact that it's very easy to fall of the track, plus the very fast gameplay makes it extremely difficult to control.