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Choose Star Wars: Galactic Racer if you want a newer, runs-based racer with multiple craft types, route and upgrade choices, and online competition. Choose Star Wars Episode I: Racer if you want to revisit the podracing from The Phantom Menace, race a defined roster across familiar worlds, and play split-screen locally. The better fit depends on the racing experience you want; the available evidence does not establish an objective winner.
At a glance: which game fits your preferences?
| Your priority | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Different kinds of Star Wars racing craft | Galactic Racer | Its official PlayStation page lists landspeeders, speeder bikes, skim speeders, and podracers, each with distinct handling and playstyles. PlayStation’s game page. |
| Runs with route and upgrade decisions | Galactic Racer | Official descriptions emphasize a runs-based structure, campaign choices, and craft customization. PlayStation and Amazon Game Studios. |
| Online competition | Galactic Racer | Steam lists Online PvP and Cross-Platform Multiplayer. Check the store listing for current platform-specific details. Steam listing. |
| Recreating the film’s podracing fantasy | Episode I: Racer | StarWars.com’s release announcement describes it as based on the podracing sequence from The Phantom Menace. |
| Local multiplayer on one console | Episode I: Racer | The 2020 announcement lists split-screen for its Switch and PS4 editions; it also lists Switch LAN multiplayer. StarWars.com. |
| A reviewed newer game with a replay-focused loop | Galactic Racer | TechRadar’s PS5 review praised its run-based replayability and customization, while noting repetition in some events and limited depth for its protagonist. TechRadar review. |
What kind of racing is Galactic Racer?
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is set in the New Republic era and follows Shade in an unsanctioned racing league. Its official descriptions present a runs-based campaign in which you make choices about routes, events, upgrades, and race setups. Rather than focusing on one vehicle category, it includes landspeeders, speeder bikes, skim speeders, and podracers, with different handling styles.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Star Wars Battlefront - Xbox | $41.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Star Wars: Heritage Pack - Nintendo Switch | $35.48 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing - PlayStation 2 | $29.46 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Star Wars Episode I: Racer for PlayStation 4 (PS4) - (Limited Run Games #350) | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Star Wars Episode 1: Racer - PC | $10.69 | Buy on Amazon |
That variety makes it the more natural pick if you want to move beyond podracing or like planning how a run unfolds. The advertised structure includes progression and customization; it should not be confused with a claim that routes or events are randomly generated. The game’s descriptions frame choices as player-selected branches.
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Modes and online play
Steam lists single-player, Online PvP, and Cross-Platform Multiplayer. Those are Steam’s listed modes, not a guarantee that every mode or service is available in the same form on every platform. Confirm the current listing for the platform you intend to use.
#1 Best Overall
- Choose which faction you'd like to join - The Rebel Alliance, Imperial Army, Clone Troopers or the Separatists
- Drive AT-ST's, speeder bikes and tanks to outmaneuver your opponents
- Jump into the cockpit of X-Wings and TIE Fighters and fight for control of space
- Explore actual locations from the Star Wars films, like the wooded moon of Endor and the ice planet Hoth -- and new locations like Kamino, the ocean planet
- The ringed world of Geonosis, the jungle moon of Yavin IV, the canals and bridges of Naboo are all created in amazing, fully-realized 3D
What one review says
In a PS5 review published October 2, 2026, TechRadar’s Demi Williams described the run structure as replayable and customization as a strength. Williams also found some Field Test races repetitive and Shade’s character depth limited. Those are one reviewer’s impressions of the PS5 version, not a consensus or a direct comparison with Episode I: Racer.
What kind of racing is Episode I: Racer?
Star Wars Episode I: Racer is the more focused choice if the appeal is the podracing sequence from The Phantom Menace. The official 2020 announcement for its Switch and PS4 releases lists 25 playable racers and tracks spanning eight worlds. It also describes upgradeable podracers: pit droids can improve top speed and acceleration, and tracks include shortcuts.
Rank #2
- The following games are included in the cartridge: STAR WARS Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (3.6 GB)
- STAR WARS Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast (1.1 GB)
- STAR WARS Episode I Racer (254 MB)
- STAR WARS Republic Commando (2.5 GB)
- STAR WARS: The Force Unleashed (3.4 GB)
This gives you a defined podracing setup rather than the broader range of vehicle classes described for Galactic Racer. If your main goal is to race podracers and upgrade them, its documented features align directly with that preference.
Playing together locally
The 2020 StarWars.com announcement lists split-screen multiplayer for the Nintendo Switch and PS4 editions, as well as LAN multiplayer on Switch. These details apply to the editions covered by that announcement; check the relevant platform listing for current availability and edition information.
Platforms and availability
Galactic Racer launched October 6, 2026, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, according to StarWars.com. Steam identifies Fuse Games as developer and Secret Mode as publisher. Amazon Game Studios also announced launch-day availability on Luna for Prime members with access to Luna. Availability and included services can differ by platform and region, so check the current storefront rather than assuming every edition includes the same options.
The cited Episode I: Racer announcement covers Nintendo Switch and PS4 releases from 2020. It does not establish current stock, physical-copy availability, or feature parity across every edition or region. Check the platform storefront and format you want before deciding where to get it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which one should you play?
Pick Galactic Racer if its variety of craft, runs-based campaign decisions, customization, or listed online modes are what you want. Pick Episode I: Racer if you specifically want film-inspired podracing, its documented racer and world roster, upgrades, and local split-screen.
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This is a feature-based recommendation, not a verdict from matched playtesting: the review evidence here covers Galactic Racer, not a side-by-side hands-on comparison. For the stated preferences, the documented mechanics offer a clearer guide than an unqualified quality ranking.
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Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
