Setup

Install

  1. Download the zip from the download page.
  2. Unzip it into a folder of its own, for example in Documents. Piconet keeps its settings, replays and the game’s files in a data folder inside that folder, so choose one you can write to: not Program Files, and not a cloud-synced folder (the game’s files take about 1.5 GB there).
  3. Start the program at the top of the folder.

If Windows SmartScreen stops the program, choose More info, then Run anyway.

A new version goes into a new folder. To keep your replays and settings, move the old folder’s data folder into the new one.

Disc image

Piconet needs your own copy of F-Zero GX. We don’t distribute the game, link to copies, or help find them.

  • Accepted: F-Zero GX for GameCube, USA (game ID GFZE01, revision 0), as a plain .iso or .gcm image with every file intact.
  • Not accepted: RVZ, GCZ, WIA, CISO and NKit images, archives, Wii images, other regions and other revisions. Dolphin can turn an RVZ, GCZ or WIA image back into a plain ISO (right click the game, Convert File).
  • Dumping your disc: follow Dolphin’s guide to ripping games.

First launch

  1. Choose your disc image on the first screen. The launcher checks it and shows Verified, or says what is wrong.
  2. Press CONTINUE. The launcher prepares the game’s files from your image, with a progress bar and Cancel. This happens once, and your image is never changed.
  3. Click your name in the left column to change it: up to 16 letters, digits, spaces and . - &. Other players see it with a short tag, like NAME #4F2A.

Controller

Open Settings, Controller. Each of the game’s four ports can be Off, Controller or GameCube adapter.

  • Gamepad or keyboard: pick the device, then Use the standard layout, or press Set beside a control and press the input you want.
  • GameCube controller adapter: set the port to GameCube adapter. The page shows what the game reads from it. Most adapters work without a driver; if yours isn’t found, ask on the Discord.
  • Calibration and button settings: Set up in the game opens F-Zero GX on its own controller options. Online races use those settings.

First race

  1. Press RACE. Quick Play puts you in a lobby of up to 30 players.
  2. The lobby votes on the course, then everyone picks a machine in the Garage.
  3. The game starts on its own. After the race you’re back in the lobby for the next one.

To drive on your own, use Practice on the Play tab: any course, your machine, and a one-minute rewind.

Connection

  • Input delay (Settings, Online): 0, 1 or 2 frames, 2 by default. Lower feels more direct; at 0 or 1 your game may skip a picture now and then in a full race, most at a high ping. It only affects your own game.
  • Race servers: each race runs on one server, chosen for the lobby’s players from nine regions: Ashburn, Chicago, Los Angeles, São Paulo, London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney.
  • Ping: a player above 250 ms to the race’s server watches that race instead of racing it.
  • Lag reports: each online race adds a line of figures to data\recomp-user\race-summary.txt. Send that file with your report.

Replays and practice

  • Every race and practice run is kept as a replay. The Replays tab lists them; Play watches one, from any racer’s camera, with a scrub bar.
  • Replay files are .fzrp files in data\replays. •••, Show the file opens the folder, so you can send a replay to someone else.
  • Replays from earlier versions still play.

Troubleshooting

  • The disc image is refused. The first screen says why. Check that it’s the USA disc as a plain .iso or .gcm image.
  • “Game program missing”. Unzip the download again into an empty folder.
  • “Could not reach the server”. Check your internet connection and try RACE again.
  • The game freezes. The launcher notices and offers to close it, keeping the replay.
  • Ultrawide screen. Not supported yet; widescreen goes up to 16:9.
  • A bug report: in the #bugs channel on the Discord.

Still stuck: ask on the Discord.

Ask on the Discord