Captain Falcon
| Captain Falcon | |
|---|---|
| F-Zero series character | |
| File:Captain Falcon.jpg | |
| First game | F-Zero (1990) |
| Created by | Shigeru Miyamoto |
Captain Falcon (キャプテン・ファルコン, Kyaputen Farukon) (Full name: Captain Douglas Jay Falcon) is a video game character in the F-Zero series, Nintendo's fast paced futuristic racing video game franchise. He first appeared in the 1990 game F-Zero, as one of four original characters in the game. Introduced as a mysterious futuristic racer from the 26th century, Captain Falcon was not typical of racing games at the time. Only his machine actually was shown in game, portrayed by a two-dimensional sprite-- not until ‘’F-Zero X‘’ would his character be conveyed by a computer-generated image. The Smash Bros. games are the only times he has appeared outside the F-Zero series and the first time that he himself became a playable character. Other than that, the character has solely been seen outside the Nintendo games in general — on a television show called F-Zero GP Legend. The game F-Zero: Maximum Velocity is the single story mode driven game in the series not to feature this character.[1]
It is rumored that he is called Captain because he was once an officer on the Internova Police Force.[2] Captain Falcon races in an F-Zero machine called the Blue Falcon, arguably the most well rounded vehicle in the games. He is the winner of the F-Zero X Grand Prix and if successful again during the F-Zero Grand Prix in F-Zero GX, according to an interview, he will use the prize money towards building another machine, the Neo Blue Falcon.[3] When he is not taking part in races, he works as a bounty hunter, as portrayed in numerous games.
Characteristics
Captain Falcon is "an accomplished F-Zero pilot, a renowned and talented bounty hunter" as described in the first F-Zero game which was released for the SNES.[4] The character is known in later F-Zero games as a legendary bounty hunter and F-Zero racer who consistently thwarts Black Shadow's plans. Falcon resides on Earth, in an island chain off the coast of Port Town (Where he was originally from). He has the most rivals of all F-Zero characters. They include Samurai Goroh, Zoda, Michael Chain, Blood Falcon, Black Shadow, Deathborn, Dai Goroh, and Don Genie.[3]
Other characteristics
Even though it was stated in F-Zero Climax that his date of birth is "4.10"[5] and his blood type as "A+"[5], these characteristics are considered only to be applicable to this game, if not all the GBA games. The GBA games are considered reboot continuities since they feature contradictions with other information when compared to the home console games. However, it should be noted that some of these contradictions are not far from what the console games states.
Physical appearance
In the first F-Zero game, Captain Falcon was "rumored to be in his early 30s",[4] then was 36 in F-Zero X and 37 in F-Zero GX. His face was revealed for the first time after winning the F-Zero X Grand Prix in the game F-Zero X. Brash and flashy in appearance, Captain Falcon stands tall and firm. His outfit, a combination of a flight suit and body armor, consists of blue pants and blue formfitting armor, with a helmet for protection. His hair color is usually dark brown, but was depicted as a lighter brown in anime. Falcon's eyes were only shown in the anime as brown. He always carries a sidearm in a holster on the right side of his hip.[6] He is only seen using the sidearm once, for on-foot bounty-hunter work and self-defense.[7]
Machine information
The Blue Falcon is Captain Falcon's F-Zero machine. Its machine number was "111" and it was powered by four BF-2001 engines with a maximum speed of 457 km/h.[4] The machine number was switched to "07" in F-Zero X, then the engines in F-Zero GX, where it used four BF-2003 engines. During a interview in GX, he commented that if he does in fact win the Grand Prix, he shall use the prize money towards a new vehicle called the "Neo Blue Falcon".[8] The Blue Falcon one of the most balanced vehicles in the F-Zero series and the lightest one out of the four original machines; rating C for boost and B for body and grip, making him a good choice for players of any skill. Thanks to the efforts of the pilot, the Blue Falcon is well balanced and impeccably tuned.
With relatively little training, even a novice could perform well in this machine. The engine it utilizes was built especially for Captain Falcon and is perfectly compatible with the fuselage.[9] With a well-defended body, average boost power and good grip, the Blue Falcon has been under his control for years. He knows every inch of the machine and can make it perform as though it has a straight-A rating.[6]
| Body | Boost | Grip | Weight | Vehicle Designer | Engine Model Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | C | B | 1,260 kg. (2777.82 lbs) | Unknown | BF2003x4 |
The Blue Falcon's true weakness is its C boost, which hinders it in most races. It has a good acceleration to top speed ratio, reaching high top speeds when set to top speed, zipping past most other racers when set to acceleration. The Blue Falcon is not a specialized ship, making it decent in most situations, but not as good as the Wild Goose in tight corners, the Golden Fox in long turns, or the Fire Stingray in long straight-aways.
The Falcon Flyer is Captain Falcon's speedy mid-sized star cruiser that boasts an on-board computer that allows Falcon to control it remotely. This is probably the reason why it has never appeared on-screen in an F-Zero game. The only time it appeared in the series was on one the last pages of the original F-Zero's instruction manual. However, without this ship, Falcon could not prowl the galaxy like a lone wolf: the Blue Falcon is a state-of-the-art machine, but it is only used for F-Zero races.[10]
The Falcon Punch
The Falcon Punch is Captain Falcon's trademark move. It first appeared in the Super Smash Bros. series, where it appeared as a fiery punch in the shape of a falcon. Unlike most other characters, Captain Falcon shouts as he executes most of his special moves.[11] The Falcon Punch is also referenced at the end of F-Zero GXs story mode. The Falcon Punch also made an appearance at the end of F-Zero: GP Legend where it is surrounded by lightning rather than fire, and was massivley more powerful to the point that it immediately destroys both Captain Falcon and the target of the punch and causes an explosion large enough to be seen from space.
Appearances
Video games
Captain Falcon debuted with the November 21, 1990 release of the video game F-Zero in Japan. An eight-page comic was included in the manual of the 1990 SNES game, containing the original character designs of Captain Falcon and the three other original pilots, as well as the the F-Zero announcer - Mr. Zero. Taking place in the year 2560, the comic carried the reader fully through one of Falcon's bounty missions. In addition, the comic contained the only scenes of Captain Falcon ever using his sidearm and Falcon Flyer cruiser.[7] While largely forgotten and ignored, this is the source of some persistent fanon beliefs.
Very little information is available regarding Captain Falcon's personal background. In F-Zero X, Falcon’s DNA was stolen while he was hospitalized after an accident that suspended the F-Zero Grand Prix. The theft resulted in the creation of his clone - Blood Falcon. Captain Falcon has built a record as one of the best bounty hunters in the galaxy, a reputation that has earned him several enemies. This constant danger forced him to live in a sanctuary on an island chain off the coast of Port Town. Each island contains a different racetrack, giving Falcon safety as he sharpens his racing skill. He spends most of his time on the island, where he is comfortable in his personality — but no one has ever seen this side of him. Even after winning a race, he takes his award and quickly dashes home. Despite the fact that and (perhaps because) he is an accomplished racer and bounty hunter, Captain Falcon is considered a workaholic.[6][12]
In F-Zero GX, Captain Falcon was the sitting champion of the F-Zero Grand Prix, boosting his already high popularity even higher. Aside from the fact that he hails from Port Town, his past remains a complete mystery.[13][14] He was the main character in GX's story mode. After winning a number of races and saving Jody Summer, he went on to defeat Black Shadow, Deathborn, and even the Creators of the F-Zero world.[15]
Other appearances
Although information is only considered series canon if it comes from the games or instruction booklets (where there is conflict), or occasionally other Nintendo materials, there are a number of other officially licensed F-Zero stories.
The F-Zero GP Legend TV series
Captain Falcon, voiced by David Wills, was featured in this fifty-one episode anime, which originally aired on Japan's TV Tokyo from 2003 - 2004. Fifteen English-language episodes were produced before the show's cancellation in America. Based on the video game F-Zero GP Legend, the series presented Captain Falcon's as Ryu Suzaku's (Rick Wheeler's) best friend and rival.
Although he does not seem to enjoy it, Captain Falcon is generally helpful among the show's cast. Whether or not he is still an active bounty hunter, he is still feared by many criminals, especially in Port Town. Rumor has it that he has retired since the last racing season, and has opened a small shop in Mute City. Although he does not appear in every episode, he plays a significant role in the series.[16] His main goal is to capture Black Shadow, but his life is complicated by the appearance of Blood Falcon. At the end of the series, Captain Falcon dies and passes his title onto Ryu Suzaku (Rick Wheeler).
Super Smash Bros. series
Captain Falcon is one of four unlockable characters in Nintendo’s 1999 fighting game, Super Smash Bros., and one of the fourteen characters playable from the start of its 2001 sequel, Super Smash Bros. Melee. Both games have also contained the Blue Falcon. In these titles, his combat techniques seem to be a mix between Kung Fu and street brawling, as well as pyrokinesis, which he uses to engulf some of his attacks in flame.[11] Falcon is known for his signature taunt in which he puts one hand on his waist, saluting with the other and commanding the opponent to "Show me your moves!" It is currently unknown if he will appear in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Falcon has been voiced by Ryo Horikawa in the Super Smash series, but because no F-Zero game contains substantial spoken dialogue, the part is a radical departure from F-Zero GX.
In Super Smash Bros., Captain Falcon is a fast close combat fighter, dressed in purple rather than the original blue. A player can play as "Blood Falcon" by changing Falcon's costume colors to red and purple. His signature move is the Falcon Punch, a slow but powerful, fiery punch in which a flaming falcon surrounds the character's fist.
His other moves in the first Super Smash game are the ‘"Falcon Kick’’, which unlike the punch, is fast and takes him a fairly long distance, and the ‘’Falcon Dive’’, which propels him upward and, should he come in contact with an opponent, grabs hold and bounces off them with a fiery kick.
In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Falcon receives several new moves; two of these are the Raptor Boost and the Knee Smash. The Raptor Boost blasts him forward with a vertical uppercut that takes him a lengthy distance. Like the Falcon Dive, the Raptor Boost can be used as a horizontal recovery move, and will leave the player vulnerable when used in the air. The Knee Smash, on the other hand, is often used as a "finisher move", often at the end of a combo. It must be timed correctly to ensure maximum damage and velocity, or it will result in a normal attack. If done correctly, there will be a small electrical charge on contact, and will send enemies at a low trajectory with great power. Falcon also receives three new Smash Attacks in Melee. Falcon's attacks are very similar to those of another playable character, Ganondorf (although they differ considerably in physical attributes such as speed and weight). Unlike in the F-Zero video games, the Falcon Flyer is featured in one of the game's F-Zero stages and is also available as a display trophy.
Cameo appearances
Some of Captain Falcon's material possessions have shown up in different games, such as his Blue Falcon which appears in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. At the back of Hinopio' Inn deep within Barrel Vocano, there are three small models of spaceships sitting on top of boxes. Two of them are the Blue Falcon and Samurai Goroh's Fire Stingray.[17] One of the treasures in Kirby Super Star's "Great Cave Offensive" is called "Falcon's Helmet", which is indeed Captain Falcon's helmet.[18]
References
- ^ Nintendo (2001). F-Zero: Maximum Velocity instruction manual. (in English).
- ^ “Smash Moves.”IGN InsiderSite. Retrieved October 29, 2006.
- ^ a b "Captain Falcon profile". F Zero World. Gideon. Retrieved 2006-09-12.
- ^ a b c Instruction manual for F-Zero. URL retrieved 17 February 2007.
- ^ a b "Captain Falcon profile". nintendo.co.jp (in Japanese). Nintendo. Retrieved 2006-09-12.
- ^ a b c “Falcon's Biography.” All game guideSite. Retrieved July 20, 2006.
- ^ a b “Comic.” f-modeSite. Retrieved July 24, 2006.
- ^ Mr. Zero: What do you plan to do with the prize money?
Captain Falcon: Begin construction on the Neo Blue Falcon. Nintendo EAD (2003-08-26). F-Zero GX (Nintendo GameCube). Nintendo. - ^ “Pilot Profiles.” f-modeSite. Retrieved October 26, 2006.
- ^ “SSBM trophy description.” GamespySite. Retrieved October 26, 2006.
- ^ a b “Smash Profiles.”CubeIGNSite. Retrieved December 19, 2006.
- ^ FZerox.com Official Website (no longer exists)
- ^ "Pilot & Machine". F-Zero.com. 2003. Retrieved December 16.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Instruction manual for F-Zero GX. URL retrieved 16 December 2006.
- ^ "F-Zero GX story guide". IGN.com. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
- ^ “Pilot Profile.” Absolute AnimeSite. Retrieved December 7, 2006.
- ^ Fryguy64. "Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars". Nintendo Database. Retrieved February 18.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Fryguy64. "Kirby Super Star". Nintendo Database. Retrieved February 18.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)