Star Wars Episode 1 Racer

by Star Wars

Product Features

• Includes Game Boy's Amazing Rumble Feature
• Choose from five unique Star Wars Worlds
• 21 Podracers and 20 different trcks to race on

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00002ST5H
• Media: Game Cartridge
• Release Date: December 6, 1999
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,424 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

GameSpot Review

Star Wars: Episode I Racer was one of last year's best N64 racing games. So it's only fitting that the Game Boy version should follow suit. Of course, you can't expect to get the same breakneck speed and 3D graphics that graced the N64 version, but the game translates into a top-down racer very well. At the start of the game, you'll only be able to choose Anakin. But after each victory, you add your rival's pod to your collection. So by the end of the game, you'll have a nice selection of pod racers to choose from. The track design is fairly simplistic, but it gets the job done and tosses in neat little obstacles, like huge patches of ice that make steering a real chore. Racing is very simple. You only race against one other pod at a time, so you never get the feeling that you're totally out of the race after a bad wreck. The turbo boost helps you catch up, but it, along with collisions with the other racer, saps some of your pod's precious energy. You can raise your energy level if you must, but your top speed is greatly reduced while charging, so it's better to just use your power wisely and make it last. Visually, the game trades graphical sheen for speed. The game moves along at a very fast pace, but the pods look pretty ugly and the tracks are pretty plain. The sound is also a fairly grating collection of buzzing noises meant to represent engine noise. You can, however, hear the rival pod closing in on you from behind, so it's at least functional. Racer for the Game Boy Color is a fun little game. It's not the sort of thing you'll find yourself playing for months on end, but it's one of the better racing games to grace the system.--Jeff Gerstmann--Copyright © 1998 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited.

Manufacturer Description

Join Jedi-to-be Anakin Skywalker in the race of your life! Choose from five unique Star Wars worlds each with four mind-numbing courses. Beat vicious bosses on each course to win their podracer! Face off in 1-on-1 high speed challenges against 20 authentic Star Wars characters each with their own unique podracer! 5 planets - 21 podracers (including Anakin Skywalker) and 20 different tracks to race on all from the Star Wars universe! 2-player simultaneous head-to-head racing using the Game Link cable. Includes Game Boy's amazing new Rumble Feature!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Racer rocks!, December 12, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Star Wars Episode 1 Racer (Game Cartridge)

This came is awesome! It is a must for all Star Wars lovers. The podracers look like they're going the real speed and the 20 courses on 5 different worlds look cool. The only setback is the podracers aren't in very good detail during races. Episode One Racer is also very chalanging, for those who tend to beat video games really fast.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Decent Racer for the GBC, May 3, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Star Wars Episode 1 Racer (Game Cartridge)

This game for the gameboy color only apparently is a pretty good racing game overall. I think though that it suffers from many of the problems that some of the other Episode I games suffer from in that it feels like it could have been better. The graphics during the opening and while viewing the ships and planets are pretty good, but I feel like the graphics within the game itself could have been better. However that being said this game is still a lot of fun, and the rumble pack does add some nice features at times. The learning curve seems to be pretty gradual, I got through the first couple of wins pretty quickly but then it started to take me about 10 races on average to win a new race. If you want to beat all the races on all the planets it could take some serious playing time. Overall though this makes a great game if you are trying to beat records or if you just want something to do real quick while your waiting. One small note unlike many of the GameBoy games that I play a lot I find this one hard to play while moving/walking and thus its not a good game if you use your gameboy while working out like I do.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! THIS IS SUCH AN AWESOME GAME!, March 23, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Star Wars Episode 1 Racer (Game Cartridge)

This game is the best! I really don't know why so many critics keep bashing it! The game sports many different aliens and podracers from Star Wars, Episode 1. It's got so many courses with so much graphic detail that it'll make your head spin. The graphics are as smooth as butter, and there are awesome FMV (full motion video) clips from Episode 1! Also, for Star Wars music fans, there's "Duel of the Fates" and "Anakin's Theme" from the movie. Easy controls, so you can learn the game fast! Check out the headshots in the podrace selection screen! It's got a rumble pack, too, so you can feel the action (literally)! Reccomended to ALL gamers, and especially to Star Wars fans! Word of caution to buyers: it's only for Game Boy Color.