Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 68 | 12 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 86% | 80 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 79 | 6 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 84% | 78 | 6 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 17 reviews sampled · 14 total reviews in window · weighted 6.6 up / 1.3 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (35)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“This port is certainly nothing to write home about, but the core game is a classic, priced at just $14.99. Nostalgia, and the ability to play in handheld mode, are enough to recommend STAR WARS Episode I Racer on the Nintendo Switch eShop to fans.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Star Wars Episode I: Racer is still a very exciting game, but the remaster is quite lazy. If you are ready to put up with the outdated visuals, then the race can give you a few hours of fun. Especially if you like Star Wars.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The central loop of 'race, win, upgrade, race' is certainly compelling while it lasts, and if you have fond memories of Star Wars Episode I: Racer from your childhood this is as good a way to relive them as possible, just don't expect any huge overhauls from the original game. Star Wars Episode I: Racer sets itself apart from the likes of Wipeout with its earnest take on the popular licence, and it's still fun to relive one of the best scenes in the prequel trilogy, but it's a long way from being one of the best racers on Switch.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A competent port of a Nintendo 64 classic, Star Wars Episode I: Racer looks great with the added spit-shine, controls tightly, and performs excellently, with no slowdown in frame-rate. Loading screens have also been removed entirely, which was not really an issue in the original versions, but it is something that should be commended here. At a budget price, many will be pleased that this will help them re-live a piece of nostalgia, and for those on the fence, do not hesitate as this is a great quality port in both docked and handheld modes, yet it will leave others wondering what Aspyr could have done by adding in an online multiplayer and improved AI.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Despite its occasional quirks and missed opportunities, Racer delivers on a consistent, mostly-bug-free performance that made me pine for both LucasArts’ heyday, and the golden age of high-speed futuristic racers, which have all but disappeared as a sub-genre.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“More than anything, this game being both 20 years old and incredibly fun is a clear sign that a modern Podracing title should absolutely be a thing.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“This is a very straightforward port of a game from 1999. Motion controls are its most substantial update and they ultimately fail to impress. That being said, even the most bare bones port leaves us with an amazing racing game with gameplay that has excellently stood the test of time.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Star Wars Episode 1 Racer brings back a simplistic nostalgic racing game that captures the joys of podracing.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“As mentioned at the beginning of the review, your appreciation of Star Wars: Episode I: Racer appearing on the Switch will heavily depend on the rose tint of your glasses. On the one hand, the presentation is especially rough, and the lack of difficulty for most of the campaign makes the task of unlocking everything a chore, at least until the final few races become competitive. On the other hand, the sense of speed in races is still present, and the track design isn't bad when you consider how fast things are going. While those who have played the game before might get a kick out of being able to play it again on a modern, portable machine, others may be fine leaving this one alone.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“It hurts to see that those memories remain as simple memories and that this re-release didn’t scratch the nostalgia itch as much as I wanted it too.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Star Wars Episode I: Racer is a remaster of the original game and while the technical work falls below expectations, the gameplay is still as slick and enjoyable as it was over twenty years ago. This release mostly targets players who are already familiar with the original, since it pretty much recreates the experience in a contemporary platform but anyone looking for something new will come out disappointed, as other than motion controls there's nothing new when it comes to gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Star Wars Episode I: Racer takes the classic Nintendo 64 game and brings it to modern platforms with some nice improvements.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
GameMAG
Nintendo Life
Cubed3
Too Much Gaming
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
Gamerheadquarters
Worth Playing
Checkpoint Gaming
Starbit
ThisGenGaming…and 23 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
No patch announcements found on Steam yet.