Star Wars: Episode I - Racer

Video Game Critic, The (A-) (91%)

The illusion of speed is effective, and the game does a fine job of capturing the spirit of the film. But is it worth the upgrade if you already own the N64 version? No. In fact, unless you compared both versions side-to-side, you'd never be able to tell the difference.

Video Games (81 out of 100) (81%)

Es macht einfach Spaß, sich gegen die geschickt agierenden Konkurrenten durchzusetzen und dabei nie die oft hundsgemein designten Strecken aus dem Auge zu verlieren. Episode 1 Racer ist eine echte Herausforderung für die Sinne. So richtig Freude kommt aber erst in den späteren Leveln auf. Denn erst dann habt ihr hoffentlich genug Zusatz-Equipment, um die ganze Qualität des Games zu genießen. Einzig im 2-Player-Modus müssen in technischer Hinsicht einige Einschränkungen in Kauf genommen werden. Dennoch zählt Episode 1 Racer definitiv zu den besten bislang erhältlichen Racern für das DC.

GameSpot UK (7.7 out of 10) (77%)

Episode I Racer is basically no different to the PC version released some time ago and as such is a little disappointing. It would have been nice if some of the criticisms levelled at the game all that time ago had been addressed. Never the less, Episode I Racer is a very playable futuristic racer, which would perhaps have benefited more from the introduction of weapons than it has from the incredibly irritating alien voice samples of your opponents. Much like the film, Episode I Racer is not terrible when taken at face value but definitely fails to live up to expectations.

Digital Press - Classic Video Games (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

While the lack of any major enhancements (like internet play) is an utter disappointment, especially considering the power of the console, it still retains the feel of Episode 1. If you have yet to experience the game, this is the version to go with. The graphics, while not breathtaking, are sufficient and the sound just screams Star Wars.

GameSpot (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

Racer is an incredibly fast, superfun game to play once you get a few levels into it. While it may be true that it doesn't come close to tapping the graphic and audio capabilities of the system and that it's release comes far later than it should have, the gameplay is still very solid, and it fills the futuristic racing niche for the Dreamcast nicely.

NowGamer (7.4 out of 10) (74%)

The Dreamcast version of Star Wars Episode 1: Racer is blatantly just a cheap, lazy and frankly not particularly brilliant port of the PC version.

Jeuxvideo.com (14 out of 20) (70%)

Au final, Star Wars Racer déçoit. La fraîcheur et la rapidité qui avaient émerveillé les précédentes versions semblent bien plus pâles maintenant. Ce qui a pour effet principal de stigmatiser les quelques défauts du jeu. On a tout de même un jeu rapide et intéressant mais pas le hit auquel on aurait pu s'attendre.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (7 out of 10) (70%)

Star Wars: Episode 1 Racer is a really good blast for a while, and could last you for ages as long as you play it in moderation, giving it a chance to let you race on the really impressive later tracks. Long stints with it could mean consignment to the cupboard before it’s due, and it doesn’t really deserve that. Give it a chance, and it will deliver… just not all that it promises.

IGN (6 out of 10) (60%)

Overall, Episode 1 Racer isn't the worst Star Wars game (Rebellion, Force Commander, The Phantom Menace, and Jedi Power Battles are worse), but the graphics are nowhere near the level that is expected on the Dreamcast, and there isn't really anything here that we haven't already played on the N64 and PC. Developers need to stop shoveling graphically inferior titles onto GD-Roms and just tossing them into the market. Rayman 2 shows that a game can be multi-platform and still look absolutely amazing on each system it hits. Why is it that we have to settle for this?

Planet Dreamcast (6 out of 10) (60%)

Hey, it's Star Wars. If LucasArts put out a "Shave the Wookie's Back" game, I'd at least give it a chance. Episode 1: Racer, though, is another poor port that just happens to have a great license. I hate to say it, but I'd actually recommend the N64 version over the Dreamcast - if you're going to accept crappy graphics, you don't need to wait for them to load. I plead with LucasArts and Sega to release Star Wars Trilogy Arcade for the Dreamcast. I realize it's a short game, but it's running on a Naomi board already. With a little Crazy Taxi-style home version (just add in some more gameplay modes and you're set), it would be a huge hit. Help me, LucasArts. You're my only hope.

Jeux Vidéo Magazine (9 out of 20) (45%)

Loin de déshonorer la saga, mais très loin d'honorer la Dreamcast, Star Wars Racer plaira plus aux fans de Star Wars qu'aux pilotes chevronnés, qui risquent de vite se lasser. Une réalisation soignée aurait donné à ce jeu de course tous les atouts pour plaire. Or, elle est plutôt bâclée... Décevant !