Star Wars: Episode I Racer
Star Wars: Episode I Racer, which can also be written as Star Wars Episode I: Racer, Star Wars: Episode I: Racer, or simply Star Wars: Racer, is a racing video game. LucasArts published it for several platforms including Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, Macintosh, and Dreamcast.
This racing game draws its inspiration from the podracing sequence in Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. Players take control of one of 23 podracers (or 25 if you include the cheat code replacements in the N64 version) and compete on 25 tracks set across 8 unique worlds. The voice cast includes Jake Lloyd, Andrew Secombe, Lewis MacLeod, Greg Proops, and Scott Capurro, who reprise their roles from the film.
Opening crawl
Tournament structure
The game allows players to participate in a tournament using a chosen character. Finishing in the top three positions rewards the player with prize money (if selected) and unlocks the track's champion. While not every track offers an unlockable racer, winning a race does grant access to new tracks. The earned prize money can be used to purchase upgrades for the player's podracer.
Amateur Podracing Circuit
Semipro Podracing Circuit
Galactic Podracing Circuit
Invitational Podracing Circuit
Starting Racers
Cheat Code Racers
- Cy Yunga - Replaces "Bullseye" Navior
- Jinn Reeso - Replaces Mars Guo
Upgrades
Other versions
PC version
The PC version has different cheat codes, as well as additional cut scenes for the racetracks introductions as well as an opening cinematic (scenes of which were re-created with in-game models and tracks in the N64 version). It should be noted that in the PC's opening movie, Gasgano is seen being knocked out of the Boonta Eve Classic by Sebulba, though other sources list Gasgano as having finished the race. The music is vastly superior in the PC version (it plays from the CD and is in WAV format), and the speedometer uses vector graphics instead of raster graphics in the N64 version, for a superior effect. Also, the title screen is different, and the PC version supports multiplayer over IPX, instead of multiplayer on the same platform.
Game Boy Color Version
The game for Nintendo Game Boy Color stands apart from the other versions in several ways. The tracks are structured as drag races, consisting of a single lap. Players compete against a designated track favorite, and victory unlocks a new playable character. Initially, only Anakin Skywalker is available as a playable character. While almost all racers appear (except Neva Kee), the selection of planets is limited. The planets featured in this version include Tatooine, Ando Prime, Baroonda, Mon Gazza, and Malastare, each offering four distinct courses. After completing four races on a planet, players can challenge Sebulba to a duel. Winning grants them Sebulba's pod, but losing a subsequent race results in the loss of the pod until it is unlocked again.
Gameboy Color Planets and Courses
- Tatooine Tatooine drag course 1 (vs. Teemto Pagalies) Tatooine drag course 2 (vs. Ark "Bumpy" Roose) Tatooine drag course 3 (vs. Mawhonic) Tatooine drag course 4 (vs. Gasgano)
- Ando Prime Ando Prime drag course 1 (vs. Slide Paramita) Ando Prime drag course 2 (vs. Fud Sang) Ando Prime drag course 3 (vs. Ebe Endocott) Ando Prime drag course 4 (vs. Aldar Beedo)
- Baroonda Baroonda drag course 1 (vs. "Bullseye" Navior) Baroonda drag course 2 (vs. Toy Dampner) Baroonda drag course 3 (vs. Wan Sandage) Baroonda drag course 4 (vs. Clegg Holdfast)
- Mon Gazza Mon Gazza drag course 1 (vs. Ody Mandrell) Mon Gazza drag course 2 (vs. Mars Guo) Mon Gazza drag course 3 (vs. Ben Quadinaros) Mon Gazza drag course 4 (vs. Boles Roor)
- Malastare Malastare drag course 1 (vs. Dud Bolt) Malastare drag course 2 (vs. Bozzie Baranta) Malastare drag course 3 (vs. Elan Mak) Malastare drag course 4 (vs. Ratts Tyerell)
- Any drag course (vs. Sebulba)
Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch release
The game was re-released in HD for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch twenty-one years after its initial launch. This updated version included local multiplayer support. Originally planned for release on May 12, 2020, it was postponed and eventually launched on June 23 of the same year. The Switch version incorporates motion controls, enabling players to manipulate the individual throttles of the podracer's dual engines.
Xbox One
On October 27, 2020, the Xbox One version was made available.
Continuity
The novel and movie adaptation of Episode I stated that Anakin Skywalker's podracer reached speeds of 941 kph (approximately 585 mph), earning it the title of "Fastest Podracer in the Galaxy". Episode I Racer does not adhere to this information, as podracers can reach speeds of 1046.1 kph (650 mph) with maximum acceleration, even without using boost.
Furthermore, in the game, Ben Quadinaros's podracer has a boost thrust of +643.7 kph (400 mph), which is twice the boost thrust of Anakin's pod at 321.9 kph (200 mph). This gives Quadinaros's pod a maximum speed of 1,689.8 kph (1,050 mph), making it the fastest podracer on a level surface.
Interestingly, the game also depicts Anakin Skywalker potentially racing on various planets, and even being a favorite for a race track on Baroonda, despite limited evidence suggesting he ever raced outside of Tatooine. Therefore, any involvement he had with podracing on these other planets would likely be considered non-canon within the Legends continuity.
Media
Editions
- UPC 023272653422; April 30 , 2001 ; LucasArts Entertainment Company ; LucasArts Archive Series edition [7] [8]