Less than Stellar Part of Movie Gets Own Game in Star Wars Episode I: Racer for the Nintendo 64: Today in History- May 19th, 1999

While Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is viewed as one of the worst Star Wars movies available, it did spawn an interesting game. Star Wars Episode I: Racer hit the Nintendo 64 console, even garnering a limited edition Nintendo 64 console variation (usually only seen in countries other than North America). Sales went through the roof for this game and gamers showed that they would support quality licensed games.(html comment removed: more)

Setup similar to other racing games with racing options such as:

Tournament- The main game Free Race- Basically practice mode Time Attack- As the name implies, take on different tracks and improve your lap time 2 Player- take on another real world player, locally of course

Where things got out normal racing gamers out of their comfort zone was when the racing actually started. Racing a pod racer is not like racing a tuned up car, oh no, it is totally different. Finesse was needed in many places on various tracks and there are weapons similar to what you expected from titles like Wipeout.

Star Wars Episode I: Racer has not had a re-release on newer systems but it did hit many platforms including:

Game Boy Color (overhead racing only) Macintosh Nintendo 64 Sega Dreamcast Windows PC

For a physical copy check eBay.

This article was originally published on Retro Gaming Magazine, a gaming website I own.