Featuring revamped controls, uprezzed FMVs, and a Platinum Trophy.
Update: We are so excited to share Star Wars Episode l: Racer with you soon! Unfortunately, due to the ongoing work from home requirements across the industry, the game will be further delayed on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. We’ll be back with an update as soon as possible.
Update: The release date for Star Wars Episode I: Racer has shifted to May 26.
On May 12, PlayStation fans will soon get to experience the original Star Wars Episode I: Racer when it launches for PlayStation 4.
Episode I: Racer was an intergalactic kart racer that included a variety of racers spanning the Star Wars galaxy and a satisfying upgrade system that let you develop and customize the stats for your racing style. You were able to choose your destiny; racing over lava pits and through ice caverns, it was entirely possible you might just crash in a fiery wreck.
Of course, we wanted to capture the feeling of the original, but just delivering a one-for-one port of this classic wasn’t enough for Aspyr. Our teams wanted to bring the definitive experience to life, combining the best elements of all versions of the game into an experience that was worth the 20-year wait.
Here’s just a sampling of what you can expect from Star Wars Episode I: Racer on PS4:
- We uprezzed all of the FMV sequences in the game. Output resolutions have massively changed in the past 20 years, as have file size restrictions. This allowed us to natively re-export everything into greatly increased resolutions that will look better than ever on your 4K TV. Despite the age of the original models, these cutscenes look stunning and will take you back to seeing the track on Tatooine for the first time in 1999.
- We re-mapped all of the controls to feel right for DualShock 4. This might sound trivial, but to really feel like you’re piloting a Podracer takes a very special touch. The controls that captured the thrill of Podracing in 1999 simply don’t feel as natural on the modern controller, but our team was dedicated to creating the ultimate Podracing experience. You can expect controls that feel natural and modern.
- Trophy hunters will be happy to hear that we’ve added Trophies. You’ll even be able to prove you’re the ultimate Podracing champion with a Platinum trophy!
If you’re new to Star Wars Episode I: Racer, the only word you need to know is speed. This game is all about the speed and fans of Star Wars: Racer Revenge will be pleased to see that the original delivered on the promise of exceeding 600 MPH. Racing purists will drift through turns, discover shortcuts, and break lap records, while kart-racing fans will defer to bumping, smashing, or even using Sebulba’s secret flame jets to knock opponents out of the race.
Please accept a massive Thank YOU from the teams here at Aspyr for all your support! It’s an honor to be able to bring our favorite games back, and we’re looking forward to watching y’all hop in :)
If you’re looking for more classic Star Wars games from Aspyr, check out Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast and Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy.
The one game I kept saying truly deserves a remaster to anyone who would listen. I can’t wait!
So basically the GOG version, but on PS4. Eh it’s worth $10 I guess…
Wow, seriously? Yeah, I’m buying this!
Great jumping Jehosaphat. Thank you for putting this together.
Love this game although the lack of updating is disappointing. A single guy remade the desert level in Unreal 4 a while back. Had a chance to play what he made before it was taken down and it was great (you can still find videos). If that one guy could do what he did kinda disappointing these devs didn’t do something more. It’s a great game and deserves a fresh coat of paint.
Now this is pod racing!
Seriously disappointing no one did this already.
Fix the 7.5 update It ruined my disc drive and thousands of others
Had so much fun with this game as a kid!
Will this version be better then Racer Revenge?
While I don’t know exactly what you mean by if “this version will be better than Racer Revenge.”
However I’ve played the Aspyr ports of the Jedi Knight games… on Switch specifically. That being stated, the port themselves were just as solid as the originals with some minor tweaks here and there.
Game probably won’t feature anything majorly new like an Online Multiplayer. It’ll likely stay as true to the original game as possible.
But this is merely estimating what Aspyr has already provided. So far it’s been good and I hope they keep providing these Retro Star Wars games. Who knows, maybe we’ll see’em pick up the Rogue Squadron games. Now that would be wicked, wishful thinking but wicked.