LucasArts Archive Series: Star Wars Episode 1 Racer

by LucasArts

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005B43X
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.9 x 1.5 inches ; 12.8 ounces
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: April 30, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,069 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Let's just for a second forget that Star Wars: Episode I, Racer has anything at all to do with the film on which it's based. Would it still have any appeal if you take away the movie license? The answer, almost surprisingly, is yes. This sci-fi arcade racing game is packed with high-speed thrills and a unique style of track-circling action that should get any racing fan's adrenaline pumping.

The game is based on the pod-racing scene from Episode I, which was arguably the best and most exciting segment of the film. Players enter a series of pod races as either Anakin Skywalker or one of his 20 different alien rivals--including Sebulba, once you get far enough into the game to unlock this bonus character. Races are linked in four different circuits, each more difficult than the last. The highest circuit, in fact, can be extremely tough.

Each race is a white-knuckled ride on the wild side, as the game does an excellent job of conveying a feeling of ferocious speed. It helps that Racer utilizes spectacular 3-D graphics to depict the racetracks and their alien surroundings. But racers can't waste time admiring the scenery: tracks are not always well marked, and it's all too easy to get lost and fly off the track.

As with most Star Wars games, the sound effects and music in Racer are top-notch. True, Anakin's cutesy voice can be annoying at times, but the other racers sound great when they complain as you pass them on the track. Watto the shopkeeper, the floating alien guy who sells new parts and upgrades for your pod, is a great character who chatters away humorously as you shop his store.

Overall, Racer is a game that can easily stand on its own merits rather than ride the coattails of Star Wars: Episode I. Intense speed, unique racing action, and excellent 3-D graphics make this one a sure-fire winner. --Michael E. Ryan

Pros:

• Unique, high-speed racing action
• Excellent graphics
• Pod upgrades
• Great sound effects and music

Cons:

• Becomes extremely difficult at the highest levels
• Tracks can be confusing at times
• The voice of Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker)

Amazon.com Product Description

Star Wars: Episode 1: Racer lets you participate in the famous pod race sequence that was the critical highlight of the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace. These lightning-quick vehicles are capable of reaching simulated speeds of up to 600 miles per hour while skimming a mere 4 feet above the ground. You can race alone or against a friend in split-screen mode on more than 21 courses among eight worlds. Take the controls as Jedi-to-be Anakin Skywalker or any one of over 20 pod racers. Feel the full-force blast while avoiding hazards such as methane lakes, meteor showers, and the unfriendly Tusken Raiders.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Racin' fun, February 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: LucasArts Archive Series: Star Wars Episode 1 Racer (CD-ROM)

This game is the BOMB!!
Star Wars Racer is the best racer I have ever played!
I just installed it on my computer, I played it for 5 hours straight!! Yeah, I know what your thinking, "this game is by LucasArts and it probably stinks", it doesn't it is a blast, literally, when your goin' 479 mph and you go off a 60 ft. ramp you feel like your in the pod just like Anakin. Anyways you probably made up your mind before you ever started reading my review whether to buy it or not, so do whatever, but if you take my advice buy it now before they're sold out.

Oh yeah, even though it came out in 99' the graphics are great!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's quite a game, February 1, 2002

By 

J. Boriotti "Vashu" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: LucasArts Archive Series: Star Wars Episode 1 Racer (CD-ROM)

I am not a racer enthusiast. I think most racer games can go kiss my *BEEP*. But that's merely my opinion :). They're not very creative, more just to make it seem like you're in the car really driving it. Gets boring - FAST, unless you play with other people.

This game is quite different though. I think just everyone about already knows that they hover off the ground through one way or another, and that's what makes it interesting. It gives us a flowing movement to the Pod when turning. The high speeds are also very contributing to the overall gameplay. Although not as Physics heavy as other racer games, it certainly has a creative spark to it, with Star Wars basis to back it up.

BTW, ALL Racers should have an economical part of the game. The idea of buying and upgrading the car/pod you're racing really motivates you to progress through the game, since if you buy that new engine, you'll see the results immediately.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE BEST LUCASARTS GAMES EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, November 12, 2001

By 

Port5 - See all my reviews

This review is from: LucasArts Archive Series: Star Wars Episode 1 Racer (CD-ROM)

This game impressed me right when I installed it on our home computer. VERY FUN!!!!! Race with podracer people on Episode I.
Earn different people. Some are better than others. For instance, you'll get Anakin Skywalker at the beginning of the game and pass the whole game to get Selbulba![By the way, Selbulba has a fire blaster!]A MUST HAVE for everybody!!!!!!!!!!