We'll admit, the 2000 PlayStation title Star Wars: Episode I: Jedi Power Battles wasn't the first "classic" to spring to mind when we wondered what Aspyr would be remastering next. But hey, it's coming to Switch next year, and eShop pre-orders are now open.
In a new pre-order trailer (above), we get another look at the Star Wars arcade brawler, complete with its new features. This includes all unlockables available from the jump, 13 fresh playable characters (shoutout to the Weequay fans) and some of the classic cheat codes from later releases of the game — Qui-Gon's head has never looked so bulbous.

The full game is set to land on Switch on 23rd January, but those who want to make their purchase early can now do so via the North American eShop for $17.99 (and that includes a 10% pre-launch discount). We'd imagine that it'll be cropping up on other regional eShops in the coming days.
You can find a full rundown of the game's features and a handful of screenshots below.
- Jump into Side-Scrolling Arcade Action in the Star Wars Galaxy: Play as Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Plo Koon, Adi Gallia, and Qui-Gon Jinn and face off against classic foes in iconic locations from STAR WARS: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
- All Secret Characters Unlocked & More to Discover: Play with all secret characters and levels from the original game unlocked from the start, including Darth Maul, Captain Panaka, Queen Amidala and more. There’s also 13 new playable characters to unlock after your first playthrough, like the Rifle Droid, Tusken Raider, Ishi Tib, and Weequay!
- Play with a Friend in Classic Couch Co-op: Battle side-by-side with a companion in two-player couch co-op for the entire 10-level campaign and bonus mini-games.
- New Features & Modes for Modern Platforms: Use classic or modern controls, toggle your lightsaber colors, enter classic cheat codes like Big Head Mode, dive into the VS and training modes from later releases of the game, and discover more surprises in this 25th-anniversary celebration of STAR WARS Episode I: Jedi Power Battles.
It all looks, well, like another Aspyr Star Wars remaster, but if the gameplay loop is entertaining enough, we can see this being a good slice of Lightsaber-wielding fun — once we've got over the initial sting of it not being a Rogue Squadron II remaster, of course.
Aspyr's last Star Wars project, Bounty Hunter, provided a faithful remaster of the 2002 action game, albeit one that felt very dated in 2024. Let's hope Jedi Power Battles isn't such a blast from the past (in all the wrong ways).
Will you be pre-ordering this one? Use the Force in the comments below.
Comments 35
That... looks... unique.
No, actually, that looks quite terrible, there's no way around it.
Star Wars Episode 1 The Dark Menace was a game, that I liked alot. Still worth a watch on YouTube, I think.
Edit: Of course I meant The Phantom Menace. If you translate the german title, it would be The Dark Menace.
$17.99 is like almost $30 Australian.
Um yeah, no thanks, there's literally hundreds of better games on the eshop I can get for that price point.
Of all the choices to remaster, this is what the picked. 🤦♂️. Even though we were kids, my brother and I couldn’t beat that mushroom jumping level. In Psone and the DC! I’m almost curious just to take it on again, supposing the remaster is actually playable….
Uhh…..yeah, I’m not sure what warranted the devs to want to release this. It’s not a game that has aged well at all. I’ll probably wait until it’s at least close to 80 or even 90 percent off. Anyways, I’m super stoked to play my digital pre-order of the Legacy of Kain collection tomorrow. 👍
Welcome back, Episode 1 forum wars
@AG_Awesome to be fair, theyve already done the Battlefront games, KOTOR games, Pod Racer, Jedi Knight 2 and Jedi Academy, Dark Forces, Republic Commando.
What unavailable game are you really referring to with "of all the games to remaster"?
Despite the naysayers, I'm jumping on this Day One. It had its flaws, but it was one of the games I'd always play with my brother, and one of the last we got to enjoy as adults again before he passed. From memory (when we were kids — we just played a level or two as adults) we gave up at the Droidekas minigame you'd unlock, and we lost our minds when we worked out there were unlockable characters. I'll do an Adi Gallia run for me, and a Darth Maul run for him.
@kevinm360 Rogue squadron
Nothing wrong with rereleasing somewhat more obscure games from time to time in my opinion and regardless, happy for those interested in this (potentially me included although not anytime soon considering I haven't played any of the other Star Wars games on Switch yet)!
I don’t care what anyone says, this is one of the best Star Wars and PS1 games. DAY ONE
Some Star Wars games re-releases I’d actually be interested in (instead of more of this janky prequel era crud):
-Rogue Squadron 2
-80s Star Wars & Empire vector games
-90’s Star Wars Trilogy Arcade
-Shadows of the Empire
-Super Star Wars/Empire/Jedi
-X-Wing/Tie Fighter games for PC
-Empire Strikes Back for Atari 2600
-The Famicom Star Wars game where Vader turns into a scorpion
-The other Rogue Squadron games, I guess
I wish they would do remasters for 'The Simpsons' games now Disney owns 'The Simpsons' like they own 'Star Wars.' I would love to have 'The Simpsons: Hit & Run', 'The Simpsons: Road Rage' and 'The Simpsons (2007)' on modern consoles and Matt Groening and Al Jean have said they get asked about 'The Simpsons: Hit & Run' all the time by fans and want it to get re-released too but they don't have the power to get the game re-released or make a sequel.
As for Star Wars I am not really interested in remastered games but I can't wait for 'Star Wars Jedi 3' and the first two games are probably my favourite Star Wars adaptations ever and I like Cal Kestis, Merrin, BD-1, Greez and Cere more than the movie characters and would love to see them made into movies or a show with Cameron Monaghan and Tina Ivlev playing Cal and Merrin in live action.
I remember enjoying this back in the day, but then I may have been more determined to find enjoyment in the fewer games I had back then. Does anybody remember the official Phantom Menace game on PS1? I still remember the official Playstation magazine giving it something like a 9 or even 10 when it came out and then experiencing the broken mess that it actually was shortly after having enjoyed none of the swanky studio visits and freebies that they enjoyed. Allegedly.
@AG_Awesome
Never owned this game but played it at multiple people's houses growing up and I never got beyond that either so you are not alone there.
I'm hoping if/when Rogue Squadron returns it's in better hands than Aspyr...
I used to play this to death with my grandma, so I'll definitely pick it up!
And we beat it multiple times so uh... skill issue? (she was above 80 and half blind)
@Mario_maniac
I’m with you , it wasn’t the “best” Star Wars game, but it was a “good” Star Wars game, and one I always went back to on my PS1. This was one of those games I’d constantly replay cause it was just mindless fun. I’m looking forward to picking it up.
Also, so sorry to hear about your brother passing, I hope this re-release gives you some fond memories.
This is a "wait for a sale" game for me lol
@Warioware Yeah I even still own the PS1 version. I actually kind of liked it. It's so odd, funny, and janky that I can't hate it.
This Game looks like a Beat em up, pick it up, have fun with a friend and thats it.
Not sure why it gets such harsh Opinion.
Price seems also ok.
Sweet, I loved this game when it first released. Fun little co-op brawler. Will be picking this up Day1.
And this is where things start getting a little ehhhhhh. There were lots of licensed games around then. Heck, some were on a real console, with a controller, and a TV, and everything! We called them "Shovelware," or "Filler," or "Sh*t Games."
I think this might be one ya had to grow up with...which is absolutely fitting in the case of The Phantom Menace.
@GrowingWings My mom has this thing where she zeroes in on exploits that everyone else seems to miss. It's hilarious. She plays everything like a troll and doesn't even realize she is doing it. So, she will do things like jump in place and punch a ridiculous boss for thirty minutes, until it dies, then say "see, not hard," shaming those who came before her.
@Zealv2 yeah, my brother and I still quote some of the dreadful voice acting to each other. But I'm pretty sure that's not how it earned the 9
It would be nice to get more ports of classic Star Wars titles that are actually good, like Rebel Assault 1/2 and any of the X-Wing titles or X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter.
@LikelySatan Yeah I am like 99% sure she was just mashing buttons randomly but hey, if it's stupid and it works then it's not stupid.
Maaaaan, why can't they just make Pod Racer 2 with N64 assets as opposed to bringing this one back from the grave?
I’ve lost all faith with Aspyr at this point.
Why they are dragging their feet on the Rogue Squadron trilogy, I will not understand. Nintendo already has those in their back catalogue. Would it really take much to get them ported over to the Switch?
@kevinm360 and Shadows of the Empire!
I'll wait for physical, same as with Battle Front 1 & 2!
I want a port/upgrade (with special controller) of the Arcade Pod Racer game!
Rogue Squadron games,
Melinium falcon game
Tie fighter
Jedi Knight 1
Episode 1 ( "stop pushing me!" )
Obi-Wan
The Clone Wars
Masters of Teras Kasi
Whatever that WiiSaber game was ... Never played it...
All these need upgrades!
Aspyr? Never again.
I wouldn’t consider it a sting that it’s not Rogue Squadron 2. If that gets remastered I want Nightdive, not Aspyr to do it! They make some very rough and ready “remasters” that are often inferior overall to the retro versions.
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