… doesn’t have to be all hack-n-slash with a lightsabre!

As promised, here’s my semi-nostalgic review of the Nintendo 64 version of Star Wars Racer. As I discussed some entries ago, I had bought the N64 for the sole purpose of playing the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. I remember (in the fog of my mind) when I was at the store I had two choices: the regular N64 package, or a limited edition Star Wars package that featured a black console and controller (instead of grey) and included the SW Racer game. Well, as I am a SW fan, the choice was a no-brainer! What also helped that decision was that I had already played the game with my friend Travis.

Normally I don’t like racing games. This game is an exception! You start the game off with your choice of several stock podracers, including Anakin Skywalker’s racer. You win money touring the beginner’s racing circuit. In between races you get to modify your racer however you like by visiting Watto’s shop (that miserly Toydarian!). As you go up the circuit, and into the more advanced circuits, you’ll definitely use those modifications to your advantage. Otherwise, you’re left in the dust. The 3D graphics were great for their time and the music and sound came directly from Lucasfilms and Skywalker sound! Actual gameplay was also excellent, but I needed to keep reminding myself not to hold the control stick during a turn, much like piloting a aircraft. Tapping the stick was essential, unless you’re in a hard turn. Much of the courses were easy to medium-hard to master. However, playing the last track of the game, I’d swear that you’d have to be a computer to navigate it! It’s that hard! Oh, and every so often, when you win first place on a track, you unlock another podracer to race with. All the racers have different qualities to them (turning, braking, stabilization) that make them suited for different courses.

All in all, with my twelve games to choose from on that system, SW Racer is one of the very few that I keep going back to on the N64. Good racing fun! One more thing: If anyone does play this game… don’t drive a car immediately afterwards. Highway hypnosis is a pain when you’re used to going 700 Mph!

Cheers!

This entry was posted on Friday, October 28th, 2005 at 12:07 pm and is filed under Gaming. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.