STAR WARS™ Episode I: Racer

One of the best racing games I know. It's hard, especially if you are not used to its speed. Even if you outrun your opponents, just staying on course is difficult. Level design is excellent - there are multiple side-tracks and even some hidden passages. Downsides: 1) Repair and upgrade system is not very obvious. I only noticed that upgrade parts wear down after completing the game 3 times. 2) There are multiple control options, like tilting your ship, but it is unclear when to use them. Normally I stick to just 3 buttons, and I feel like I miss out something.

Nostalgia, back to 1999, playing on the N64

Admittedly, I'm not exactly a neutral arbiter on this game. I really like Star Wars, and I really like podracing. Still, Episode 1 Racer has plenty to offer for all fans of high-speed racing games. Obviously, you're racing in pods in this game, across a wide range of different tracks, scattered across several planets. Depending on how well you do in every race, you get money which then can be spent on upgraded parts, and winning a race typically unlocks a new racer. So far, so mundane. What makes Racer special are the tracks and the speeds at which you're racing across them. Basically, every track has segments that reward speed, segments that require control during tight turns, and segments that require reflexes befitting of someone who is force sensitive. When racing at upwards of 600 mph, you only have a fraction of a second to react, lest you crash into the track fences. In general, you want to avoid contact with any objects, as too much of it will make your pod catch fire, necessitating repairs. Racer is not a hard game at all, but maintaining the balance between speed and control stays exciting throughout the entire tournament series of 25 races. As one would expect, the action on the track is further elevated by John Williams's iconic score. Frankly, there is nothing more adrenalin-pumping than racing down a track at 500 mph while being accompanied by Duel of the Fates. Even though there is little fluff between each race, Racer absolutely nails that Star Wars atmosphere. And while the graphics are basic, they're as fluid as they need to be, and I would argue that the limited draw distance is actually a boon, as obstacles popping up seemingly out of nowhere only ups the thrill. On the technical side, I had no issues aside from two crashes while flipping through the racers. A modified executable allowed setting high resolutions at an adjusted FOV. In summary, if you like high-octane racing, Episode 1 Racer will have you covered for several hours of fun.

When released, the game was really differente than usual. The graphics are really good for a 1999 game

As a STAR WARS Prequel fan this game is amazing. Hope this will come out with an update grafic version one day because it is deserved