Star Wars: Episode I Racer

n/a

Star Wars: Episode I Racer
System(s): Sega Dreamcast
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: LucasArts
Distributor: Electronic Arts Software (ES)
Peripherals supported: Jump Pack, Dreamcast Modem, Visual Memory Unit, Dreamcast VGA Box
Genre: Racing
Number of players: 1-4
Release Date RRP Code US 2000-04-03 $39.9939.99 T-23001N DE 2000-07-28 T-17719D-18 ES 2000-08-31 T-17719D-05 FR 2000-08-04 T-17719D-09 UK 2000-07-28 £39.9939.99 T-17719D-05
Non-Sega versions Macintosh Nintendo 64 Windows PC

Star Wars: Episode I Racer is a racing game based on the film Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. It was originally released for the Nintendo 64 and Windows PCs in 1999, then it was ported to the Sega Dreamcast in 2000. It is unrelated to the similarly themed Star Wars Racer Arcade.

Story

“	A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... EPISODE I RACER For generations, the GALACTIC PODRACING CIRCUIT has thrilled citizens of the Outer Rim Territories with its fast and dangerous contests of repulsor and turbine-driven land vehicles. Amid the ruffian and racing elite, one champion stands above the rest. His name is Sebulba, a cunning and ruthless pilot who wins by any means necessary. To challenge him, all the best Podrace pilots gather on the desert planet Tatooine for the legendary BOONTA CLASSIC determined to claim the title of fastest podracer in the Galaxy...	„
— Opening crawl

Gameplay

The game is a science fiction racing game based on the podracing sequence in Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. It features a variety of tracks spanning several different planets, including a version of the Tatooine course seen in the film. Racers pilot "podracers," which are nimble, high-speed hovercraft consisting of a cockpit connected to two large, rocket-like engines. The game includes all of the racers from the movie, who all have their own unique podracers, plus some exclusive competitors.

The podracer is steered by moving the analogue stick left or right. Holding the analogue stick up increases the speed at the cost of some steering control, while holding the analogue stick down decreases the speed but increases the steering control. It accelerates with or brakes with . Holding while steering causes the podracer to slide around corners, similar to drifting using a handbrake. The podracer can roll onto its left side by holding or roll onto its right side by holding , which can be used to make tight turns or to fit through tight passages. Podracers can taunt their opponents by double-tapping . Using the D-Pad, pressing switches between four camera views, holding shows a view from the front of the podracer looking back, and pressing and switches between different layouts for the on-screen elements showing the course map and the positions of the racers.

When airborne (such as after launching off a ramp or when entering an anti-gravity section), the podracer can move vertically using the analogue stick with inverted flight controls. Pushing down on the analogue stick pulls the nose of the podracer up, which increases the distance the podracer can clear from a jump. This is sometimes necessary to make it over gaps in the terrain.

A semicircular "thrust meter" in the bottom-right of the screen shows the speed of the podracer. Podracers are equipped with afterburners that the pilot can engage for a boost of speed. When the podracer is at top speed, holding up on the analogue stick charges the boosters. This fills the thrust meter with red until it reaches the top, at which point the yellow light at the top of the meter turns on. When the yellow light is on, the player can release , then press and hold to activate the boost. While engaged, the thrust meter changes to black and fill with blue, and the podracer becomes more difficult to steer. Its engine temperatures rise as the thrust meter reaches its maximum.

If pushed for too long, the engines catch fire and explode, destroying the podracer and costing the player several seconds to respawn and continue racing. The podracer can also be destroyed if one or both engines sustain severe damage from colliding into walls or obstacles, requiring the player to steer carefully to avoid falling behind. Collisions while boosting always result in the destruction of the podracer. The status of the engines appears in an overlay whenever they take damage, with green showing a fully repaired engine and red indicating a severely damaged engine. The player can actively repair the podracer during a race by holding , though doing so slows the podracer and impairs its maneuverability until repairs are either complete or stopped.

Modes

Two-player split screen

There are several game modes available:

• Tournament: The player chooses a racer and competes in a championship. Each race contains 12 racers (including the player) and lasts for 3 laps. Finishing in first, second, or third place awards truguts (the game's currency), with higher positions having larger payouts. The player can also choose "Winner Takes All," which creates a bigger payout for the first place winner but awards nothing for any lower standing. Truguts can be used to buy improved parts from Watto's shop. Races can be replayed, but truguts are only awarded when the race is finished for the first time (though the player can restart the race at any time through the pause menu with  START  to avoid a bad standing). Winning races unlocks additional racers and courses. The player can change to a different racer at any time (with winnings and parts carrying over between them). Progress is saved to a VMU.
• Free Race: The player can play any previously unlocked course using any unlocked racer against one or more computer-controlled opponents. Winning races in this mode does not earn money or unlock tracks and racers. The player can set the number of laps (between 1 and 5), the number of racers (2, 4, 8, or 12, including the player), and the speed of the opponents (Slow, Average, or Fast).
• Time Attack: The player races against the clock, with no opponents, to try to achieve the fastest time on any unlocked course using any unlocked racer. The player can set the number of laps (between 1 and 5).
• 2 Player: This is a two-player split-screen mode where players can choose any unlocked racer and course. Players can set the number of laps (between 1 and 5), the number of racers (2, 4, or 6, including the players), and the speed of the opponents (Slow, Average, or Fast)
• Internet: The game supported uploading the player's best race times to its official web site.

Racers

Each racer is rated in seven categories:

• Traction: Determines the stability and handling of the podracer at high speed.
• Turning: Determines the sensitivity of the podracer's steering control.
• Acceleration: Determines the acceleration of the podracer.
• Top Speed: Determines the maximum speed of the podracer.
• Air Brake: Determines the effectiveness of the podracer's brakes (which helps with braking around turns).
• Cooling: Determines the effectiveness of the the podracer's engine cooling (which affects how quickly its engines cool off and recover after boosting, increasing how often the podracer can boost).
• Repair: Determines the effectiveness of the podracer's repair functionality (which allows it to repair more quickly and without losing as much speed or maneuverability).

Starting

These racers are initially available.

	Anakin Skywalker
	Dud Bolt
	Ebe Endocott
	Elan Mak
	Gasgano
	Ody Mandrell

Unlockable

Additional racers are unlocked by beating them on their favored courses.

	Aldar Beedo
	Ark "Bumpy" Roose
	Ben Quadinaros
	Boles Roor
	Bozzie Baranta
	"Bullseye" Navior
	Clegg Holdfast
	Fud Sang
	Mars Guo
	Mawhonic
	Neva Kee
	Ratts Tyerell
	Sebulba
	Like in the movie, Sebulba's podracer is equipped with a flamejet that comes out of one of the engines by double-tapping , which damages an opponent that is racing adjacent to him.
	Slide Paramita
	Teemto Pagalies
	Toy Dampner
	Wan Sandage

Parts

Watto's shop

In the Tournament mode, new parts can be bought in Watto's shop before a race in exchange for truguts. The player starts the game with 400 truguts and earns more from winning races. When buying a new part, the game subtracts the value of the player's current part from the price of the part that is replacing it. More parts are unlocked as the player wins races. Purchased parts are shared between racers (if the player decides to switch to another racer).

Used parts can be bought in the junkyard. The parts and their condition are randomized. Parts can become available in the junkyard before they can be purchased in Watto's shop.

In addition to these parts, the player can buy up to four pit droids, which are robots that keep parts maintained, for 1,000 truguts each. Parts normally wear out from racing (except the least expensive parts in each category), causing their stats to degrade (potentially performing worse than a lesser part or even the base-level part). Each pit droid can keep one part in new condition, meaning that the player can keep at most four statistics maximized without another degrading.

Category	Part	Cost (in truguts)
Traction	R-20 Repulsorgrip	250
	R-60 Repulsorgrip	400
	R-80 Repulsorgrip	600
	R-100 Repulsorgrip	1,200
	R-300 Repulsorgrip	2,600
	R-600 Repulsorgrip	6,000
Turning	Control Linkage	200
	Control Shift Plate	400
	Control Vectro-Jet	700
	Control Coupling	1,600
	Control Nozzle	3,800
	Control Stabilizer	7,500
Acceleration	Dual 20 PCX Injector	800
	44 PCX Injector	2,200
	Dual 32 PCX Injector	5,600
	Quad 32 PCX Injector	7,000
	Quad 44 Injector	10,400
	Mag-6 Injector	14,000
Top speed	Plug2 Thrust Coil	1,000
	Plug3 Thrust Coil	2,400
	Plug5 Thrust Coil	6,000
	Plug8 Thrust Coil	14,000
	Block5 Thrust Coil	17,500
	Block6 Thrust Coil	20,000
Air brake	Mark II Air Brake	700
	Mark III Air Brake	1,400
	Mark IV Air Brake	3,600
	Mark V Air Brake	7,000
	Tri-Jet Air Brake	10,400
	Quadrijet Air Brake	14,000
Cooling	Coolant Radiator	50
	Stack-3 Radiator	100
	Stack-6 Radiator	300
	Rod Coolant Pump	900
	Dual Coolant Pump	2,700
	Turbo Coolant Pump	5,400
Repair	Single Power Cell	150
	Double Power Cell	300
	Quad Power Cell	800
	Cluster Power Plug	1,400
	Rotary Power Plug	4,000
	Cluster2 Power Plug	7,000

Views

The player can switch between four views during gameplay by pressing on the D-Pad.

View 1

View 2

View 3

View 4

Courses

The Amateur, Semi-Pro, and Galactic circuits are initially available and can be played in any order (though they increase in difficulty). Each consists of seven courses. The first course can be played immediately, and successive courses become available after completing the previous course in fourth place or better.

Each course has a "track favorite," a racer who is particularly formidable on that course and favored to win. Most of the courses unlock the track favorite as a new playable racer if the player finishes in first place (with the exceptions being courses where the favorite is already initially available and Sebulba, who is unlocked after the third time facing him).

All modes except the Tournament mode have a "Mirror Mode" option that allows players to race the track but flipped (meaning that left turns become right turns and vice versa).

Amateur Podracing Circuit

	The Boonta Training Course
	Planet: Tatooine Track favorite: Sebulba
	Mon Gazza Speedway
	Planet: Mon Gazza Track favorite: Teemto Pagalies Racer unlocked: Teemto Pagalies
	Beedo's Wild Ride
	Planet: Ando Prime Track favorite: Aldar Beedo Racer unlocked: Aldar Beedo
	Aquilaris Classic
	Planet: Aquilaris Track favorite: Clegg Holdfast Racer unlocked: Clegg Holdfast
	Malastare 100
	Planet: Malastare Track favorite: Dud Bolt
	The layout of this course resembles the real-world Sonoma Raceway.
	Vengeance
	Planet: Oovo IV Track favorite: Fud Sang Racer unlocked: Fud Sang
	Spice Mine Run
	Planet: Mon Gazza Track favorite: Mars Guo Racer unlocked: Mars Guo

Semi-Pro Podracing Circuit

	Sunken City
	Planet: Aquilaris Track favorite: "Bullseye" Navior Racer unlocked: "Bullseye" Navior
	Howler Gorge
	Planet: Ando Prime Track favorite: Ratts Tyerell Racer unlocked: Ratts Tyerell
	Dug Derby
	Planet: Malastare Track favorite: Elan Mak Racer unlocked: Elan Mak
	The layout of this course resembles the real-world Laguna Seca.
	Scrapper's Run
	Planet: Ord Ibanna Track favorite: Wan Sandage Racer unlocked: Wan Sandage
	Zugga Challenge
	Planet: Mon Gazza Track favorite: Boles Roor Racer unlocked: Boles Roor
	Baroo Coast
	Planet: Baroonda Track favorite: Neva Kee Racer unlocked: Neva Kee
	Bumpy's Breakers
	Planet: Aquilaris Track favorite: Ark "Bumpy" Roose Racer unlocked: Ark "Bumpy" Roose

Galactic Podracing Circuit

	Executioner
	Planet: Oovo IV Track favorite: Toy Dampner Racer unlocked: Toy Dampner
	Sebulba's Legacy
	Planet: Malastare Track favorite: Sebulba
	Grabvine Gateway
	Planet: Baroonda Track favorite: Anakin Skywalker
	Andobi Mountain Run
	Planet: Ando Prime Track favorite: Mawhonic Racer unlocked: Mawhonic
	Dethro's Revenge
	Planet: Ord Ibanna Track favorite: Ody Mandrell
	Fire Mountain Rally
	Planet: Baroonda Track favorite: Ebe Endocott
	The Boonta Classic
	Planet: Tatooine Track favorite: Sebulba Racer unlocked: Sebulba
	This course replicates the podrace sequence from the film.

Invitational Podracing Circuit

The first two courses on this circuit become available after placing third or better in the last races of the Amateur and Semi-Pro circuits, and the last two courses are unlocked by placing third or better in the last race of the Galactic circuit.

	Ando Prime Centrum
	Planet: Ando Prime Track favorite: Slide Paramita Racer unlocked: Slide Paramita
	Abyss
	Planet: Ord Ibanna Track favorite: Bozzie Baranta Racer unlocked: Bozzie Baranta
	The Gauntlet
	Planet: Oovo IV Track favorite: Gasgano
	Inferno
	Planet: Baroonda Track favorite: Ben Quadinaros Racer unlocked: Ben Quadinaors

Music and sound

The game features an orchestral soundtrack derived from the film's score, composed by John Williams (including "The Duel of the Fates," which is used on the title screen and during races on Oovo IV).

History

Legacy

The game received a high-definition update for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2020.

A sequel, Star Wars Racer Revenge, was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2002.

Production credits

• Project Leaders: Jon Knoles, Eric Johnston
• Dreamcast Programmers: Christopher Barnhouse, Justin Graham
• Programmers: Eric Johnston, Mark Blattel, Darren Johnson
• Additional Programming: Mark Haigh-Hutchinson
• 3D Artists/Animators: Clint Young, Jim Rice, Jon Knoles, Lisa Wong, Christina Napier, Armando Lluch
• Course Designers: Duncan Brown, Jacob Stephens, Jon Knoles, Japeth Pieper, Livia Mackin, Paul Zinnes, Trey Turner, Stephen Hwang
• Texture Artists: Paul Topolos, Japeth Pieper, Nathan Stapley
• Tools Programming: Amit Shaley, Hwei-Li Tsao
• Storyboard Artist: Paul Topolos
• Conceptual Artist: Peter Chan
• Dreamcast Production Manager: Reeve S. Thompson
• PC Production Managers: Camela Martin, Brett Tosti
• Production Coordinator: Dino Ago
• Development Coordinator: Peggy Stok
• Dreamcast Lead Tester: Julio Torres
• Dreamcast Testers: Matthew McManus, Bryan Erck, Troy Mashburn, Joseph Talavera
• Testers: Alex Neuse, Aaron Young, Erik Ellicock, Chuck McFadden, Chris Snyder, John Feil, Hans Larson, Darren Brown, Dan Mihoerck, Doyle Gilstrap, Charlie W. Smith, Chip Hinnenberg, Jason Lauborough, Jim Davison, Karsten Agler, Lynn Taylor, Scott Tingley, Marcus Gaines, Todd Stritter, Johnny Szary
• International Lead Tester: Dana Fong
• Quality Assurance Managers: Mark Cartwright, Dan Pettit
• Burning Goddesses: Wendy Kaplan, Kellie Walker
• Voice Department Manager: Tamlynn Niglio
• Voice Producer/Director: Darragh O'Farrell
• Voice Editors: Will Beckman, Coya Elliott, Cindy Wong
• Voice Production Supervisor: Peggy Bartlett

Voice Cast

• Anakin Skywalker: Jake Lloyd
• Watto: Andy Secombe
• Sebulba: Lewis MacLeod
• Gren Announcer: Greg Proops
• Red Announcer: Scott Carpurro
• Ben Quadinaros: Dominic Armato
• Clegg Holdfast: Dominic Armato
• Gasgano: Bob Bergen
• Ody Mandrell: Bob Bergen
• Cy Yunga: Gregg Berger
• Wan Sandage: Gregg Berger
• Jinn Reeso: Gregg Berger
• Toy Dampner: Dave Fennoy
• Ark 'Bumpy' Roose: Roger L. Jackson
• Ebe Endocott: Roger L. Jackson
• Aldar Beedo: Nick Jameson
• 'Bullseye' Navior: David Jeremiah
• Dud Bolt: David Jeremiah
• Elan Mak: Tom Kane
• Slide Paramita: Tom Kane
• Boles Roor: Peter Lurie
• Neva Kee: Peter Lurie
• Bozzie Baranta: Terry McGovern
• Ratts Tyerell: Terry McGovern
• Mawhonic: Michael Sorich
• Teemto Pagalies: Michael Sorich
• Fud Sang: Jim Ward
• Mars Guo: Jim Ward

• Voices Recorded at:

Screen Music Studios

Studio City, California

LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC

San Rafael, California

The Sound Company, London

• Star Wars Music Composed and Conducted by:

John Williams

© Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

Bantha Music

All rights administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

All rights reserved. Used by permission.

• Music Editing: Peter McConnell
• Lead Sound Designer: Jeff Kliment
• Additional Sound Design: Dave Levison
• Sound Assistants: Michael Frayne, Jory Prum
• Sound Department Manager: Michael Land
• Sound Department Coordinator: Malena Sletton
• International Manager: Simon Etchells
• International Production Coordinator: Benjamin Becker
• International Production Assistant: Shara Miller
• International Tools and Development Manager: Andre Bremmer
• International Marketing Coordinator: Kathy Apostoli
• Product Marketing Manager: Tom Byron
• Marketing Coordinator: Anne Barson
• Manual Writers: Victor Cross, Mollie Boero
• Manual Designer: Patty Hill
• Package Design: B.D. Fox and Friends
• Box Art: Clint Young, B.D. Fox and Friends
• Public Relations: Tom Sarris, Heather Twist, Josh Moore
• Internet Marketing Specialist: Jim Passalacqua
• Art Department Technical Manager: Yasmin Khan
• Art Department Coordinator: Lisa Swart
• Art Department Administrator: Allison Purdy
• Paul Support Manager: Paul Purdy
• Hint Line Supervisor: Tabitha Tosti
• Senior Mint Line Representative: Bob McGehee
• I.S. Special Thanks: Dick Blair, Jim Gordon
• Manager of Admin. and Facilities: Catherine Durand
• Facilities Department: Denise Gollaher, Sandi Manesis, John Knowles
• Deathstar Shipping Services: Gabriel MacDonald, Chris Howard, Cleopatra Boxill-Clark
• President: Simon Jeffery
• Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing: Mary Bihr
• Controller: Tom McCarthy
• Director of Art: Karen Chelini
• Director of Technology: Malcolm Johnson
• Lucas Licensing: Stacy Mollema, Chris Gollaher, Athena Portino, Dan Riha, Howard Roffman, Allan Kausch
• Industrial Light and Magic: John Knoll, Christine Owens, Fay David
• Thanks to Sega of America: Gregory Lanz, Kathy Schoback, Gary Lake, John Byrd, Alexander Villagran, A.J. Briones, David J. Rudolph
• Dreamcast Team Thanks: Kate Warne
• Personal Thanks: Jack Sorensen, Steve Dauterman, TC, Jennifer Austin, Dindaion, Emily Duval, Homer S
• Very Special Thanks: George Lucas

Source:

In-game credits

File:Star Wars Episode I Racer DC credits.pdf

---

• Project Leaders: Eric Johnston, Jon Knoles
• Programmers: Justin Graham, Christopher Barnhouse, Mark Blattel
• Production Manager: Reeve S. Thompson
• Lead Tester: Julio Torres
• Testers: Bryan Erck, Matthew McManus, Troy Mashburn, Joseph John Talavera II, Hans Larson

Voice Cast

• Anakin Skywalker: Jake Lloyd
• Watto: Andy Secombe
• Sebulba: Lewis Macleod
• Green Announcer: Greg Proops
• Red Announcer: Scott Carpuro
• Ben Quadinaros/Clegg Holdfast: Dominic Armato
• Gasgano/Ody Mandrell: Bob Bergen
• Cy Yunga/Wan Sandage/Jinn Reeso: Gregg Berger
• Toy Dampner: Dave Fennoy
• Ark "Bumpy" Roose/Ebe Endocott: Roger L. Jackson
• Aldar Beedo: Nick Jameson
• "Bullseye" Navior/Dud Bolt: David Jeremiah
• Elan Mak/Slide Paramita: Tom Kane
• Boles Roor/Neva Kee: Peter Lurie
• Bozzie Baranta/Ratts Tyerell: Terry McGovern
• Mawhonic/Teemto Pagalies: Michael Sorich
• Fud Sang/Mars Guo: Jim Ward
• Voices recorded at:

AT Screen Music Studios

Studio City, CA

LucasArts Entertainment Co. LLC

The Sound Company, London

Star Wars music composed by John Williams. © Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. and Bantha Music. All rights administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

All rights reserved. Used by permission.

The Sega Dreamcast Racer team would especially like to thank the PC and N64 Racer teams without whose work this version would not be possible. For a full list of Racer team members please view the in-game credits.

• Thanks to: Bill Tiller
• Very Special Thanks: George Lucas

Source:

US manual

Magazine articles

Main article: Star Wars: Episode I Racer/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Print advert in GamePro (US) #139: "April 2000" (2000-0x-xx)
also published in:

• Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #130: "May 2000" (2000-04-04)
• GamePro (US) #140: "May 2000" (2000-0x-xx)
• GamePro (US) #141: "June 2000" (2000-0x-xx)

Print advert in Next Level (AR) #16: "Mayo 2000" (2000-xx-xx)

Print advert in Dreamcast Magazine (UK) #9: "No. 9" (2000-05-18)

Print advert in Dreamcast: Le Magazine Officiel (FR) #4: "Mai/Juin 2000" (2000-0x-xx)

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score 576 Konzol (HU) 91 Arcade (UK) PAL 75 Consoles + (FR) NTSC-U 91 Dreamcast Monthly (UK) PAL 60 DC-UK (UK) PAL 70 Dreamzone (FR) NTSC-U 92 Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U 80 Entsiklopediya igr dlya Dreamcast (RU) 81 Fun Generation (DE) PAL 87 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 80 Game Informer (US) NTSC-U 86 Gamers' Republic (US) NTSC-U 67 Incite Video Gaming (US) NTSC-U 80 MAN!AC (DE) NTSC-U 81 MAN!AC (DE) PAL 80 Official Dreamcast Magazine (UK) PAL 60 Official Dreamcast Magazine (US) NTSC-U 70 Sega Magazin (DE) PAL 85

	79
Based on 18 reviews

Star Wars: Episode I Racer

Dreamcast, US
Cover
Disc Manual Inlay

Dreamcast, UK
Cover
Disc

Dreamcast, FR
Cover
Disc File:SWEpisode1Racer-DC-FR-Manual.pdf Manual

Dreamcast, DE
Cover
Disc

Dreamcast, ES
Cover
Disc Sticker (on case) Manual supplement

Dreamcast, PT
File:SWEpisode1Racer-DC-PT-Manual.pdf Manual

Technical information

Main article: Star Wars: Episode I Racer/Technical information.

External links

• Sega of America webpage: Dreamcast