Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11820 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Lucas Arts
• Released on: 2000-08-28
• Platform: Sega Dreamcast

Amazon.co.uk 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 licence? 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 utilises 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

Amazon.co.uk
At last! The first Star Wars game for the 128-bit Dreamcast lets you participate in the famous pod race sequence (which 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 over more than 21 courses among eight worlds. Take the controls as Jedi-to-be Anakin Skywalker, or any one of over 20 podracers, and feel the full-force blast--while avoiding hazards such as methane lakes, meteor showers, and the unfriendly Tusken Raiders.

Customer Reviews

Build You POD, And Break All Records.
You play Anakin Skywalker in some of the most serious POD races in the galaxy. There are many new options for the dreamcast version, not to mention the smooth scrolling and the ability to taunt your opponents, as you glide past them. The game brings no surprises, as the levels and tracks become harder as you progress. The best strategy being to get the most trogutts (credits) as you can, to purchase new parts for your POD. Strategy here is important, as you have the option of buying parts from the junkyard, and also to buy pit droids. Once the game gets harder it has the possibility to lose appeal, however if you use the new freeplay option, you can improve your technique on completed tracks, without injury to your POD. If you like fast racing games, and building up your vehicles to become the best, this game is a must. Completing the tracks in first place should open up new vehicles and components as you advance on.

Awesome speed
This game is for people who love fast paced racing, i never played a car racing game for a long time after this. With the selection of tracks, pods and parts etc. you will become addicted as soon as you push the power button "on", what's more it's just as great to play when you think your getting bored of it, just flick over to a different game mode, or even better, challenge a bragging sibling and run them into the ground haha. Overall, probably that game that redefined the racing genre.