During last month's Nintendo Direct Mini presentation, developer Aspyr announced surprised Star Wars fans by surprisingly releasing the previously announced Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Jedi Academy right after the presentation was over. As if that wasn't enough, Aspyr still had a card up their sleeve.
Revealed right during Nitnendo's presentation, Aspyr also took the opportunity to announce that the classic, and beloved Star Wars: Episode I Racer was also making its way to the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, although they didn't reveal exactly whe nthe game was supposed to become available.
Today we finally have an answer, as Star Wars: Episode I Racer producer James Vicari reveals that the game will become available on the PlayStation Store and Nintendo Switch eShop on the 12th of May.
"Good games should never be forgotten and great games deserve to be revisited as much as possible. I think Racer, like Jedi Academy and Jedi Outcast before it, has two crucial qualities: it’s a great game and it has emotional resonance. Those are very important to us. We really believe in reuniting fans with something they cherished, or connecting a new audience with something they may have missed," Vicari answered in reply to a question he was asked during an interview with the official Star Wars blog.
For those unaware, Star Wars: Episode I Racer will be featuring some modernisded controls that aim to give players an even better experience than the original game did over 20 years ago, and Vicari has also revealed some interesting details about this decision.
"Racer originally came out in an interesting time for controllers. We were really starting to see interesting things — rumble, multiple analog sticks. Even the shape of the N64 controller. So it’s sort of fitting that when you look at controls today, we’re seeing the same thing."
Vicari also explains that the Nintendo Switch version of Star Wars: Episode I Racer, very in particular, will give players the chance to actually feel like they're driving a podracer; all thanks to Nintendo's innovative Joy-Con controllers.
"You really want to make sure that the game plays well and embraces as much of the variations as possible for them. So we’ve done a lot of work to make sure that the game feels comfortable in all configurations, including playing with each individual Joy-Con. The team here is a big believer that the best control scheme is the one you don’t ever think about and that philosophy really permeates everything we’ve done with the controls. "
Originally, Star Wars: Episode I Racer was released for the Nintendo 64 and was later ported to other platforms. Vicari reveals that releasing the game for the Nintendo Switch feels special, since it does feel like "the circle is complete" now that the game is being re-released on a Nintendo platform.
"It’s super exciting. For many gamers, the Nintendo 64 was their first console and Episode I was their first Star Wars, which puts Racer in a very special place. And where before they may have been playing with their friends, now they can play it with their kids, their families. You know, Nintendo and Star Wars are really a generational experience and we’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of that circle."
While Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace may not be regarded as one of the fans' favourite movies, Star Wars: Episode I Racer is considered one of the best games the whole franchise has to offer, and it is nice to see Aspyr and Lucasfilm working hard to bring back such a classic title for new generations to enjoy.
Take the controls as Anakin Skywalker, or any one of over 21 Podracers, and feel the full-force blast of two massive jet engines at simulated speeds of up to 600 mph. Rein in a turbine-driven chariot through 8 spectacular worlds. Negotiate through flaming methane lakes, Tusken Raider assaults, ant-gravity tunnels and much more in a pulse-punding, do-or-die fight to the finish where anyone will do anything to cross the finish line. How far will you go?
Star Wars: Episode I Racer will release for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on the 12th of May.