Update (Tue 23rd Jun, 2020 17:15 BST): As a quick reminder, Star Wars Episode I: Racer is now available to buy on Nintendo Switch for $14.99. A brand new launch trailer has been released today to celebrate, which you can check out above.
Original Article (Tue 16th Jun, 2020 15:25 BST): Star Wars Episode I: Racer developer Aspyr has provided us with an update on the game's release. It's now scheduled to launch on Switch and PS4 on 23rd June.
The game was originally planned to launch on 12th May, but the release was unfortunately delayed due to "ongoing work from home requirements". Thankfully, we won't have to wait much longer.
Here's Aspyr's full statement, provided to Nintendo Life today:
ATTN Star Wars Episode l: Racer Fans!!!
We are slated to release on both Nintendo Switch and PS4 on June 23rd.
Thank you for your continued support, .gifs, and kind comments as we've worked on this release.
We'll see you on the racetracks
It'll be available for $14.99 when it launches later this month and will include all the features present in the original, including 25 playable racers, race tracks across eight unique worlds, and split-screen racing.
Excited to check this one out on Switch? Tell us below.
Comments (105)
Oh, I do wish I knew what THIS was...
Much excite. I smashed this game on N64 over a weekend with a bestie, when I was a wee lad. It was also powered by THE BREAKNECK SPEEDS OF THE N64 4MB EXPANSION PAK. 8MB was never milked so hard...
Can we have Jedi Power Battles on Switch next please?
@GrailUK Care to elaborate?
@FraserG Ah... the infamous "Untitled" placeholder where a picture is supposed to be, if people use the wrong/incompatible image uploader...
heck yeah! Sooner than I expected.
I was getting concerned this wasn't going to emerge. Day one purchase. Just hope it runs well.
Bring it on! Will be my first time playing it since I was a teenager on my N64. Shame they didn't add online racing, but it's 15 dollar game so I can't complain too much.
@ThanosReXXX I choose to believe the website just couldn't handle my GIANT picture of Jar Jar
Really hoping we get KOTOR 1 and 2 released on the switch!
No-one's done the "now this is pod racing" meme yet?!
@FraserG Me-sa thinking you might be rightey...
I will wait for a review before I purchase. The game is excellent, but the Steam version has unappealing graphical glitches. I want to make sure the Switch version looks better.
Great game on the N64, may pick this up if it reviews well, fingers crossed!!
Can't wait! Looking forward to playing this again.
I doubt this has aged great, but my nostalgia is tempting me to buy it anyway. Such good memories from beating this on N64. And traumatic memories as well 😂 (it's pretty crazy difficult toward the end).
Never played it, but it looks great. Good to see more 64 remasters popping up.
That image is stressing me out. You're gonna get sand in the charging port! Anakin won't be happy...
I hear great things about this racing game, but I never owned it for my N64. I was all about that Diddy Kong Racing, I'm afraid.
....I swear if they delay it on the day it releases again....
Has it been updated at all, like is this an HD remaster? If so that's super promising and a good price. Racing games can stand the test of time, FzeroX for the N64 is still a wonderful game, for example.
Does anyone know if this has online functionality for multiplayer?
Maybe we'll see Waverace 64 one day.
I would literally drop a load if it happened.
Give us Shadows of the Empire pls
Brilliant, day one purchase.
While I still have the OG N64 game I am getting this because N64 looks like hot garbage on modern TV's without an expensive solution.
A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.
I want this for my Switch, but if it runs poorly...PS4 it is. And, no online racing seems like a huge missed opportunity
I’d rather have Shadows of the Empire for a Star Wars port and Diddy Kong Racing or Waveracer for my racing game. Podracer just didn’t do it for me.
I might plug the cart in later and see how it holds up.
What version is this? Arcade? Dreamcast? N64?
Day one purchase for me. The price is just right for a launch day, and I've always wanted to play this game but never got to it, even though I do have the N64 cart.
Obligatory "It's working, it's Wooooooorrking" Little Anni quote.
Ah I used to love this game! I'll definitely be grabbing this 😀
This is cool, but it is stunning to me that with all the old SW games getting released on Switch that KOTOR is still a no-show...
A shame they didn't do 4 player splitscreen and online multiplayer with it...
Day one! I’ve missed this gem.
@ThanosReXXX It's fine, we have a winner (@bulkslash)
^^
IT'S A NEW LAP RECORD
@GrailUK Now this is pod racing? Was there any other kind, then? And mind you, if this is from some ad, which I suspect it is, then it might have been a decidedly local one, in which case I would never have known.
@GrailUK @ThanosReXXX And it is funny because the title is SW Episode 1: Racer, since some other game already had the pod-racer name.
@ThanosReXXX lol
@Kutal Oh boy this is the best suggestion I've heard for quite a while! Totally'd agree!
@ Topic: AT LONG LAST! I'm so hyped I can't remember when I was hyped like this before, was it MK8 coming to Wii U? Dunno. Oh Lord, thank you so much AspyrMedia! Take my money!
@sketchturner Graphically no, but its track design and aesthetics still hold up well.
@Realness Ya they definitely went for a straight port with no additions besides widescreen support.
Nice, was wondering what was going on there....I'll pick it up for sure.
Definitely getting this for sure, hopefully the devs are well.
@Lord I think it's the switch version
This’ll be my fifth time buying this game. Twice for N64, the original PC version, Steam version and now Switch.
It’s a new track record!
Can we get the Super Star Wars trilogy next?
eShop credits will do fine
@Incarna he always wins!
Really cool to see some of the back catalog of Star Wars games being released on Switch. Hope to see the Super SW trilogy, Shadows of the Empire and the Rogue Squadron trilogy next.
I'll gladly take more old-school SW games! I have no interest in Disney Wars and EA.
It’s a impressive game!
I revisited a lot in the last days, on my Nintendo 64.
But is so hard...I never managed to concluded the second cup.
Because I’m old, this, Shadowman and Mario 64 remaster are all my most anticipated upcoming games.
Love Pod Racer. I completed it back in the day and I’m not especially good at racing games. I loved how you could upgrade your pod
I liked this game when it was new on the N64. I wish I could play the original again to see what I think of it new. When old games come back from the past (with or without a fresh layer of HD), they're not always as good as you remember.
@Lord it's the PC version that the port is based on.
@Lord This remastered is based on the PC and N64 versions which plays similar to F-Zero and WipEout in that you must race laps. The arcade version is different and plays similar to Virtua Racing and Daytona USA where you must reach check point to extend race time just like many of Sega's other arcade racing games.
Fond memories of the N64 game. Looking fwd to this.
@retro_player_77 thanks that’s the answer I was waiting for!
I've been looking for a graphical remake since the n64 Ver released., love this game better than F Zero.
Anyone know what time today this will be released?
was thinking of getting this since it used to be one o my favorite games. Beste 3 movies for me as well. That said this looks like a shameless cashgrab. No updated textures, nothing! Shamefull really. I would have plunked mad money on Microtransaction in this game if they updated it.
@Demon-Serph same though KOTOR 2 at least needs the cut content.
If it runs at a smooth 60fps I will pick it up but deary me this is a pretty damn barebones release.
Improved textures, draw distance, sound quality and cut scenes and this release would be amazing as opposed to functional. Thankfully the game itself is still great fun.
@Demon-Serph I hope so! I still don't understand why KOTOR 1 and 2 aren't available on consoles. They released them on Android and iOS... Hopefully they get a console release at some stage.
Glad they didn't leave out the fog.
I'll be getting this for sure. Hope it doesn't play like poo-doo.
Yeap finally got it and enjoying it now. Sadly there's no online multiplayer unlike Duke Nukem 3D, you only get 2-player split screen with separate pro controller or joycon support.
Time for the fun to begin.
Great stuff, loved this back in the day. Hope we continue to get more N64 ports.
Always happy for decent Star Wars ports will pick this up eventually. Would love the Rogue Squadron series too!
@elpardo1984 The Rogue Squadron games are the holy grail of needed ports. Put them all in a single package:
Rogue Squadron
Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
Episode I: Battle for Naboo
That's a 100+ hours of content with all the replaying those games demanded. Plus, I don't think any games before or since have felt more like the quintessential "Star Wars" experience.
Lovely memories of the N64 game. Will DL this soon.
@Muddy_4_Ever I would just love to see the original get a port.
Got it and put 30 minutes in, it plays very well with the Pro Controller.. Graphics minimally improved but it still looks clear and crisp, music now starts from the start of the race and not the last lap which is a plus...
The cinematic intro to each track and at the beginning of the game which I'm sure were missed out of the N64 version due to cartridge size restraints are now here.. It all adds to the depth of the game.. Overall nothing beats some nostalgia, 8.5/10 for me so far 😀
Well worth the purchase price to me at least...
@BANJO Cool! Will definitely be downloading it today!
Where is the promised motion control? In the Trailer but not in the Game. Or only docked? Want my money back!
Hmm, might buy this classic PC racer at some point.
Cya
Raziel-chan
@MikeW Just played a couple more races, the fact the race's have small intro movie's really is an added bonus over the N64 version, control's really are spot on, orchestral music is great in the races... You will not be dissapointed..
Literally one of two good things to come out of THE FILMS THAT SHALL NOT BE NAMED (the other being the excellent John Williams' piece "Duel of the Fates").
Give us Star Wars Episode 1: Battle for Naboo and I'll be interested.
I really hope we get the Squadron games remastered!
I downloaded it and played it for a bit. As a teenager, I wasn't particularly impressed with it. As an adult, I can really appreciate how good it really was.
This is definitely worth a purchase, and has more bells and whistles than the N64 version did.
@Mordridakon thanks man, going to get this on payday ! Think my boy with love this too!
Is this a digital-only release? Grabbing it either way, classic Nintendo 64 racing game. Here's hoping they bring over Shadows Of The Empire as well.
It looks like from the trailer, that it holds up pretty well! Too many games to play for a busy dad!
@FraserG That image is fantastic. Thank you for that.
@Muddy_4_Ever
I would love to see Star Wars Dark forces remastered/re imagined for the Switch. That was a great game that had the Star Wars feel.
One of the few times I bought something from the eShop without waiting for a review (other than first impressions from @BANJO and @Mordridakon ).
@BANJO
This is my experience also. I own the Steam version and this version, and this is better to control with the Pro Controller. It feels very fluid.
I’ve gotta prepare for WoW raiding tonight. I’ve got to catch up on tasks in Fortnite. Not finished the DLC in Pokemon. But what I’ll be doing is playing Episode I Racer!
@FraserG 🤣🤣🤣
@wal Honestly I don't see much point in motion control in a game like this, but maybe they are going to patch it in soon?
I recently got this on PC dirt cheap and that's satisfied my nostalgia fix so will wait for at least 50% off to get on Switch. Now give us the complete Rogue Squadron series, including the Battle for Naboo, the two Starfighter games and the never-realsed Wii Rogue Squadron.
They removed wireless local play. Epic.. I'll save my monies.
I bought this as soon as I saw this post! I love this game.
Companies need to port more classics over to the switch.
Does anyone else find the audio during races to be quite “blown out” sounding?
I used to play this with my father when I was young. Brings back good memories.
@Tandy255 I normally wait to see a review or two but the force was strong with this one 😂
@MichaelHarvey It does, control's really are spot on..
@thesilverbrick Yes. Keeping it at my normal Switch volume on the TV made it sound like you said - “blown out”. Turning it down a bit helped, but the sound quality wasn’t great.
I don’t remember how it sounded on the N64. It might be due to limitations of doing the pod engine sounds and the music tracks together.
@Tandy255 I’m glad I’m not the only one. It’s strange, because it seems to only be that way during races. The sound in the menus is fine.
I never played the original, and this is not tempting me tbh. Just looks kinda basic and dull.
@PapaMurphy
It is a racing game from 1999 so if you never played it then yeah by today's standards it probably would be basic. For the time though it was pretty great and it has a large cast of playable racers! It also helps if you're even remotely fond of the movie.
@Zeldafan79 fair point. If I'd had that affinity for the original maybe I would be excited. And I like star wars yeah, but episode 1 is not my favourite.
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