F-Zero RPG
Summary
The F-Zero RPG is a homebrew system designed specifically for conducting high-speed hovercar races. You can download it here.
Relevant threads are here and here.
So, what's all the fuss about?
It's 26th century. Mankind successfully left our tiny planet, our tiny star system and now across the entire universe there is roaring of engines, cheers of the crowd and, sometimes, a horrible metallic screech, followed by more cheers as slightly charred racer gets out of the wreck that once was his car. Heroes are born, villains are booed, fortunes are won and lost every hour. F-zero has become more than just sport- it's the way of life! Of course, even outside of the track there's much to do - most racers have jobs on the side, be it space trucking, bounty hunting or even piracy(but not in the system you race in, folks! Bad for business. Other systems are fair game - who likes these assholes anyway?). But first F-Zero:the RPG is about racing - dangerous high-speed racing with rivalries, famous heroes and all that pro-wrestling stuff. Only on cars that regularly break sound barrier.
Structure
There are two types of sessions ("episodes") in F-zero: Vehicle scale and Character scale. Vehicle scale episodes are usually races, but can be everything outside: pursuits, delivery missions, supersonic safari across the surface of Borneo Prime (beware of dragonoids!)... Character scale episodes are what your characters usually do outside of races. Here rules are even more light, boiling down to a few skill checks here and here and liberal application of Rule#0.
Character creation
Creating a character and his car is really easy and can be done in under 10 minutes. 1.Character concept, portrait, name, backround... all the delicious fluffy stuff. Feel free to go wild - the universe is endless and full of weirdest things! 2.Aim, Nerve, Brain and Flair. Now that you have impression what your character does, let's see HOW he does it. In F-Zero:the RPG main pilot stats are: Aim, Nerve, Brain and Flair. Aim: very important stat for F-zero pilot, it must have stat rating over C for pilot to compete in F-zero tournament. Aim governs your coordination, balance and driving skill. Aim has 4 skills: -Piloting- obviously a very important skill for F-zero pilot. Used when driving through a section of a track, piloting a spaceship, etc. -Passing- this is how you get to the first place (in most cases). Used mostly in races. -Balance- a lot of stuff from simple jumping to complex acrobatics. Used mostly in CS. -Shooting- used in CS and some races. Important skill for those, who mix f-zero racing with bounty hunting or other activities like that.
Nerve: not explicitly a physical fitness, more like "the will to power". Used in conflict situations. Sparingly. Nerve subskills: -Ramming- this is how you get to the first place if you don't mind leaving a couple of smoldering piles of metal behind. While not explicitly legal, ramming penalty is really more of a slap on a wrist, than a hindrance. Can be used in CS, of course. Just find a car or push enemy with your body. -Blocking- used to stop people passing you in race. Or to block bullets/lazer beams in CS. Quite a useful skill. -Striking- punching, kicking, stabbing, piledriving, falcon punching your opponents in CS. Or cars in vehicle scale, but i doubt it'll do much (unless you are Captain Falcon) -Lying- where a mighty punch fails, some bullshit will find its way. Generally used in CS along with influence.
Brain: In futuristic world of racing, gray stuff matters too.