Star Wars: Episode 1 Racer Game by Lucasarts Reviewed by Adrock adam@dmgice.com Size: 16 Megabits Save: Battery (1 Slot) Released: 1999 Works with: GBC Only (Rumble Cart!) **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: One of the biggest movies of 1999! And the games that came out for it were pretty good attempts at good games, but in some areas they fell short. Star Wars: E1R for Nintendo 64 and PC is called by some a mere "Wipeout/F-Zero Clone". Star Wars: Phantom Menace (The Action game) is pretty good but suffers a lot of delays on the PSX and doesn't break quite that much ground as it could have. Likewise, this game is a decent play but doesn't quite pass the finish line. The review below. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: The game is played in an overhead perspective, like Super RC Pro AM, Grand Theft Auto, Wave Race, etc. You have limited power before you blow up, so you can't crash into too many walls. The controls are pretty basic, B and A for your brake and thrust, Up for boost (when the light above your energy is yellow), and A and B at the same time will repair you but you can only go about 400 when repairing.There are five planets and four challengers for each planet, so that's 20 different levels. So no worries there. The game is very fun at times but because of the type of game that it is you need quick reflexes or else you'll get really frustrated with this one. Plus there is only one difficulty level. There are 20 cars you can earn by beating each stage. That, combined with Anakin (your only selectable character at first), makes for 21 different racers.25 levels and 21 racers is not bad, not bad at all. I loved Star Wars: Episode 1 in theaters. I love Star Wars period, infact.It's awesome. I've played Racer on N64 and PC, and the action game on PC aswell, and they were nice games. This game is pretty well done too. But for some people the cramped screen and tough turns/obstacles will be a quick turnoff. In addition, there are 1 and 2 player modes but besides that there aren't any different modes you can pick besides one on one racing. So it can get pretty old, and once you beat the game all you can do for replay is go back and beat your times. Liked: A fun game. Lots of racers and tracks. Rumble feature. Hated: Gets repetitive at times and is frequently frustrating. Only one game mode (one on one racing), not much screen room and only one difficulty level. **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: The tracks are very diverse and colorful. There is a tiny bit of black and white FMV sequence in the beginning from the movie which is pretty cool. During the game, the graphics are clear. Liked: Pretty nice graphics and FMV sequence at the beginning. Retains a "Star Wars" look. Hated: More FMV sequences or eye-candy is desired at times. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: Besides the Duel of the Fates theme at the beginning, there is next to no music. Common for a racing game, the blowdryer type sound of the engines can get tedious. Liked: Duel of the Fates song is pretty accurate. Hated: Not much music, for a Star Wars game, but you most likely won't notice. This game is infected with the blowdryer syndrome too, so turn those headphones down a tad. **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: Play Control isn't too nice. You'll be swerving along the track most often. Sharp or quick turns are near impossible in the later stages of the game. Expected of an overhead racing, not to mention such a high-speed one. I thought maybe a blinking "Hold A + B!" message would have been nice, since I always forget about the repair feature. Liked: Eek... not much... but once you get them down there is some fun to be had. Hated: hard to manuever, very hard to stay on the road, and quick or sharp turns, forget it. **************************************************************************** Improve: 3D graphics for a Game Boy Color game are possible, look at that game Stun Runner on Atari Lynx for example. Overhead seems like a bad choice forso fast of a game. More FMV RIYL: Star Wars, Super RC Pro AM, Grand Theft Auto, Wave Race, F-Zero or Wipeout. **************************************************************************** Final Words: Star Wars or GBC Racing fans should enjoy this one, but others might need to think hard before they make their purchase. Especially forteen gamers, this one should be a nice challenge if you like your games tough. (And I mean R-Type DX tough.) **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: **** Graphics: ***** Sound/Music: *** Play Control/Game Design: ** Personal Opinion: **** Total: 18 Final Score: %72 **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: For a boost at the beginning, hold up and press A right when the SOUND for three is heard.If you get all 20 racers then Anakin's max speed will go up to 735. It increases a bit each time you get a new racer.Beat all four racers on one planet, then you can race against Sebula on any of the four courses. If you win, you get his pod. In future races, if you lose, you lose his pod.In the third level of the Tatoonie races there is a shortcut about 1/3 of the way through the course. It is on the left side of a long plane.