How to Unlock All Five Golden Cars in F-Zero GX

More than 20 years after F-Zero GX launched, players have discovered hidden cheat codes that unlock its five extremely rare golden machines without using an Action Replay or old Japanese event save. The codes work by adding each machine's three Gold Parts to the F-Zero Shop, where they can then be purchased with tickets and assembled into the complete vehicle.

There is one unusual requirement: all five Gold Part codes require four controllers. The same sequence must be entered on every controller at almost the same time, making these cheats considerably harder to use than a normal button combination.

Connect four controllers and load F-Zero GX, then go to Customize > F-Zero Shop. Stay on the shop screen while entering the code and use the D-pad whenever a sequence calls for LEFT or RIGHT.

Each corresponding button press must register across all four controllers within roughly a 10-frame window. There is no overall time limit for finishing the sequence, so the easiest method is to have one person call out each input and let all four players press it together before moving to the next button.

Successfully entering a code unlocks the relevant Gold Parts in the shop. You still need enough tickets to purchase those parts before you can assemble the finished golden machine.

Enter each sequence simultaneously on all four controllers:

The newly discovered codes have been confirmed to work across regional versions of F-Zero GX. That includes the original GameCube releases as well as the version available through the Nintendo GameCube Nintendo Classics library on Switch 2.

The four-controller requirement still applies on Switch 2, so four compatible controllers need to be connected while entering the Gold Part sequences. There is no requirement to own F-Zero AX, use a Japanese save file or complete one of the original promotional events.

The 15 Gold Parts were originally distributed through extremely limited events in Japan. Gladiator was available through participating stores, while Thunder Storm and Chrono Symphony were distributed during specific F-Zero Galaxy Cup events in 2003.

Bahamut and El Dorado were tied more closely to F-Zero AX, the arcade companion to GX. Players could transfer unlocks using GameCube Memory Cards and special arcade licence cards, with El Dorado particularly difficult to obtain because its card was limited to Galaxy Cup tournament participants.

For years, hacking and cheat hardware were effectively the only practical ways for most players to access all five machines. The newly uncovered button sequences finally provide an in-game route to Thunderstorm, El Dorado, Chrono Symphony, Bahamut and Gladiator on modern and original versions of F-Zero GX.