Living Out a Childhood Dream
The podracing scene in The Phantom Menace remains one of the most memorable cinematic sequences for many fans, combining futuristic speeders tearing over treacherous Tatooine terrain with alien chatter. Star Wars: Galactic Racer takes the core elements of that thrilling sequence and translates them into an adrenaline-fueled video game experience.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is my childhood podracing dream come true
The new Star Wars racing game is probably as close as players can get to actually piloting a high-speed podracer.
Familiar faces like Sebulba also make notable appearances in the game.
Roguelike Campaign and Progression
In Galactic Racer’s campaign, players control Shade, a cargo pilot entering the underground Galactic League circuit to challenge champion Kestar Bool. Operating on a roguelike structure, tours begin by selecting from various vehicles—with actual podracers unlocked later in the campaign—and choosing perks that shape playstyles. Races span multiple planets, including Jakku, chosen via a branching map screen. Post-race rewards aid buildcrafting, interspersed with exploration segments where players interact with characters and upgrade vehicles.
Shade serves as the customizable player character navigating the underground circuit.
Intense Racing Mechanics
The familiar format directs full attention toward the races, which demand instant reactions to distant turns and sudden obstacles. Dual boost mechanics keep vehicles surging forward constantly while rival racers aggressively ram or target crafts with weaponry. A split-second mistake frequently ends in a fiery crash, visually highlighted by cinematic wreckage sequences before respawning. The tension escalates further once players graduate to piloting genuine podracers.
Authentic Star Wars Atmosphere
Developed by Fuse Games—a studio featuring former Criterion staff behind Need for Speed, Burnout, and Star Wars Battlefront—the title nails the authentic look and feel of the franchise. Speeders feature grungy, worn aesthetics, competitors bicker in Huttese, and scene transitions utilize classic wipes accompanied by John Williams-inspired orchestral scores. Pre-race button sequences mirror the cockpit preparations seen in Episode I.
High-speed navigation through cramped caverns introduces significant environmental hazards.
Difficulty and Frustration
This extreme intensity introduces notable frustration, as sudden obstacles and aggressive opponents frequently trigger crashes. Late-game runs can exceed two hours, turning a late-stage defeat into an exasperating experience. Permanent stat upgrades between tours help mitigate the difficulty curve, though players may occasionally need to lower the challenge settings to progress comfortably.
Despite occasional brutal setbacks, the desire to jump back in remains strong. Galactic Racer stands as the most successful realization of podracing gaming to date, effectively capturing the spirit of the iconic movie sequence.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer launches on October 6th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox consoles.
