Star Wars Episode I: Racer is a futuristic racing game developed and published by LucasArts for the Nintendo 64, based on the podrace from The Phantom Menace. Players pilot high-speed podracers across 25 tracks on multiple planets, managing twin engines that overheat, boosting, and repairing damage mid-race. It features Watto’s junkyard for parts upgrades and two-player split-screen.
How To Play Star Wars Episode I: Racer
Control
Action
Control Stick
Steer the podracer
A Button
Accelerate
B Button
Brake / reverse
Z Trigger
Boost (when the turbo meter is charged)
R Button
Repair the podracer mid-race
C Buttons
Lean / slide; adjust view
Start
Pause
About Star Wars Episode I: Racer
Release date
NA: May 18, 1999 · EU: 1999 · JP: December 16, 1999
Developer
LucasArts
Publisher
LucasArts (JP: Nintendo)
Platform
Nintendo 64; also PC, Dreamcast, Game Boy Color, and modern platforms
Sheldon has spent over a decade immersed in retro gaming, from NES classics to arcade gems. He's deeply passionate about preserving gaming history and helping others rediscover these timeless titles. When he's not gaming, Shaun writes about the evolution of video games and their cultural impact.