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Choose Star Wars: Galactic Racer if you want a newer, runs-based racing game with several kinds of craft, route and upgrade decisions, and online competition. Choose Star Wars Episode I: Racer if you want to relive the podracing feel of The Phantom Menace, with a defined roster and worlds plus local split-screen. The better fit depends on the racing experience you want; the available reviews do not establish an objective winner.
How the two games differ
| What you want | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Different types of Star Wars racing craft | Galactic Racer | PlayStation lists landspeeders, speeder bikes, skim speeders, and podracers, each with distinct physics and playstyles. PlayStation’s game page. |
| A campaign built around repeatable runs, route choices, and upgrades | Galactic Racer | Its 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 listing for the platform you plan to use, since modes and services can vary. Steam. |
| Podracing tied directly to The Phantom Menace | Episode I: Racer | StarWars.com describes the game as based on the film’s podracing sequence. StarWars.com. |
| Local multiplayer on one console | Episode I: Racer | The 2020 release announcement lists split-screen for the Switch and PS4 editions; it also lists LAN multiplayer for Switch. StarWars.com. |
Choose Galactic Racer for variety and a runs-based campaign
Galactic Racer is set in the New Republic era and follows Shade in an unsanctioned racing league. Its official descriptions present a campaign organized around runs, with choices among routes and events, craft progression, and customization. Rather than focusing on one vehicle type, it features landspeeders, speeder bikes, skim speeders, and podracers, with different handling styles. StarWars.com and PlayStation.
| # | 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 |
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Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing - PlayStation 2 | $29.43 | 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 |
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What its replay loop means
A run-based structure gives you opportunities to make decisions about routes, events, and setup as you play through the campaign. TechRadar’s Demi Williams praised the replayability and customization in the PS5 version, while noting that some Field Test races could feel repetitive and that Shade has limited character depth. Those are Williams’s impressions of one version, not a matched comparison with Episode I: Racer. TechRadar.
Online and other platforms
Galactic Racer launched on October 6, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, according to StarWars.com. Steam lists Fuse Games as developer and Secret Mode as publisher, and identifies single-player, Online PvP, and Cross-Platform Multiplayer. Amazon Game Studios announced same-day Luna availability for Prime members with Luna access. Check the relevant store or service for current access and mode details. StarWars.com, Steam, and Amazon Game Studios.
#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
Choose Episode I: Racer for focused podracing
If your priority is the racing sequence from The Phantom Menace, Episode I: Racer is the more direct match. The 2020 announcement for its Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 release lists 25 playable racers, tracks spanning eight worlds, and pit-droid upgrades for top speed and acceleration. It also lists shortcuts, split-screen multiplayer on both consoles, and LAN multiplayer on Switch. These are features documented for those editions, not a guarantee of current stock or identical availability in every region. StarWars.com.
When local multiplayer is the deciding factor
For racing side by side on the same console, the cited Switch and PS4 versions of Episode I: Racer have the clearest documented fit: the official announcement specifies split-screen. It specifies LAN multiplayer for Switch as well. If buying or installing now, confirm the edition and multiplayer details in your regional storefront.
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)
Release and availability
The cited launch information places Galactic Racer on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with Luna availability announced separately for eligible Prime members who have access to Luna. The cited 2020 announcement covers the Switch and PS4 editions of Episode I: Racer; it does not establish whether either edition is currently in stock or which formats are available today. Verify the platform store and region before making a purchase decision.
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- Pick Galactic Racer for several craft classes, a campaign with runs and choices, customization, and documented online PvP options.
- Pick Episode I: Racer for a focused podracing game rooted in The Phantom Menace and documented local split-screen on Switch and PS4.
These recommendations compare documented features, not matched playtests. TechRadar’s review covers the PS5 version of Galactic Racer; the cited sources do not provide a comparable hands-on review of Episode I: Racer. There is not enough like-for-like evidence to say one is objectively better.
Quick Recap
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.
