Aspyr Releases Its First Update For Star Wars Episode 1: Racer

I took out my n64 cart of racer today to see the difference and the controls are improved nicely. But to be fair, the n64 joystick isn’t great.

I am loving this game, such a great throwback in the best way possible. Back when arcade racers were all about challenging tracks with obstacles and finding the best path, secret paths and all. It's a very satisfying experience for me, Star Wars games really stood out and this one was so different from the others. It's honestly one of my all time favorite hover racers. This game really had some personality.

It might be my imagination, but the update seems to have also improved the sound during races.

So where is it sold? Physical edition that is.

@thesilverbrick great to hear, I truly hope so, some reviewers stated the sound compression was quite bad and some VAs were missing during the "taunt" sequences (before each race).

Fix the draw distance that makes Turok look embarrassed.

Far too much a bare bones port for its price point.

I would pick it up for a fiver.

The pods look fine but everything else looks really low res. Id have loved to have seen a complete tidy up of the tracks etc as i remember this one being really good on the 64. I will get it but it will ho on the "wait for a sale" list. As it csn be completed in a couple of hours i may just go ps4 and get the easy platinum as once its done i dont see myself returning.

@Thwomp_Stomper I think this is a port of the pc version, which imo handled and played better than n64s

@TheFullAndy Yeah, just pick up the original PC version for cheap on Steam or GOG, and you aren't missing anything unless you really care about those motion controls.

The cheat menu from the original version is also now accessible. Previously, you could still enter codes at the name entry screen, but you couldn't access the cheat menu during the race. This has now been fixed. On an empty player slot, hold down ZL and ZR while entering RRTANGENTABACUSend with the L button, then when you start a race from another player slot, pause and then press up, left, down, right in order to make a cheat menu option appear. Enjoy!

@SwitchForce Don't think there is one yet. Best guess limited run will be the company to look out for with this one. They've released a bunch of retro star wars stuff the past year so I wouldn't be surprised.

Thank you for restoring the sun in Tatooine, it was in all the older versions so not sure why that was missing in the first place.

@theberrage I remember the Dreamcast version looking the best, but maybe that's nostalgia. This has got the cutscenes and the music so it's definitely better than the N64 version.

@JayJ The N64 version had the music, actually.

Strange review.

People that played this version - it’s great. Plays great and looks great!

People that haven’t played - it’s bare bones and graphics are bad and they didn’t do enough.

I do love people that reviews games and give opinions of games they haven’t played.

@rushiosan I hadn't noticed any sound compression in the launch version, just that it's very very loud.

I haven't picked this up but I plan to, I loved playing this back in the day especially at the arcades. I loved sitting in the replica of Anakin's pod racer, it made me feel like I was in the movie lol. Very immersive for its time

Game is very good as it is but it's great to havevthis update... I hadn't even noticed any issues before the update

@HollowSpectre and I got excited thinking a Physical release...

@SwitchForce Yeah me too. But we can always hope!

Shouldn’t these issues be worked out before the game is sold? The consumer really gets screwed in the gaming industry.

@SwitchForce digital only I believe unless you buy a n64 copy of the game

@JayJ
That makes sense, as the Dreamcast most likely had more storage space, since it used a disc and not a cartridge.
I believe that's why the N64 version doesn't have the intro cutscene because the N64 cart couldn't hold it.

@Liam_Doolan
Do you know when you guys will have the Episode I Racer review up?

@Bengals76 I really don’t see it that way at all. They patched it, how was anybody “screwed”?

So, how have the motion controls improved since the update? Does anyone notice a difference?

Add in online multiplayer!

@Stocksy dont need to play it to see and know what i stated is true. The resolution on everything apart from the pods isnt going to miraculously change if i buy it and the campaign isnt going to double in size. Its not a major gripe as most racers of that age were no bigger really, ie F-zero, mario kart etc. But more should have been done on a game that people have so much love for and hold close to their hearts. Me included.

@Liam_Doolan Can they please say if tank controls (using both analgue sticks for controls) is available, so far havent seen anything mentioning it, and that was the best cheat on the N64, using two controllers plugged in.

@Liam_Doolan
Okay, thanks for the update. 👍

@Liam_Doolan Sorry, I don't need the cheats menu, just if the tank style controls are available as a controller option.

As it isn't in the cheats list you supplied, I'm guessing it is?

@Krambo42
What if you don’t have Internet for the patch?

@Bengals76 Then how did you download it?

Man do you just like to argue? I didn’t even buy the junk game. I’m trying to stick up for the consumer that buys a game that doesn’t work right because it needs patched. In the United States we cannot return a used video game no matter how (broken/patch needed) it is at the date of purchase.