The Nintendo 64 was a glorious system for Star Wars games. Nearly every Star Wars game released on the platform has gone down in history as a pivotal title. Episode 1: Racer is no exception. Originally released in 1999 for not only the Nintendo 64, but also the Sega Dreamcast and Microsoft Windows, it fed off the hype surrounding the start of the Star Wars prequels. It allowed us to experience an expanded view of this new Star Wars time period while being a darn good futuristic racer to boot. Aspyr has brought this classic title to Switch and while the port itself may be pretty bare bones, Racer is still holds up as an absolutely thrilling racing game.
Those looking to play a Nintendo 64 classic on a modern system will have a great time with Star Wars Episode 1: Racer on Switch. However, those looking for any significant updates will be left wanting. 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.
I've owned MSR 4 times since it came out... There seems to be far more copies of the first iteration out there then people think. I'm pretty sure 3/4 of the copies I've owned have been the first iteration.
The first time I bought it, it was second hand about a year after it came out and straight away I noticed so many bugs. I then happened to read about the game being bugged and copies being recalled, so I went back to the shop and exchanged it for another copy of the game. But when I got it home, I noticed that the other copy they'd given me had the exact same bugs. I decided to just keep it in the end, since I really loved the game.
Years later I ended up selling it I think and re-bought it from Gamestation. Again, this had loads of bugs and seemed to be the first iteration.
Finally, last year I bought a brand new, sealed copy of the game off Ebay and what do you know? It has very few of the identified bugs. I presume it must be the final release. It only took me, like, what? 13 years to finally get a decent copy haha.
The other option, BTW, for others in the PAL region, is to just buy the North American version, since that's the same as the final PAL release, with most of the bugs fixed.
Hi there Tom, here's a brief rundown on how Sega dealt with the recall
At first Sega denied there was a problem with MSR. When people intially complained via their helpline, they were simply told to take the game back to the point of sale if they encountered any problems. However they eventually relented and on 13 November 2000, customers were told to send their buggy disks (not the case) to Sega Consumer Services along with their name and address. A Freepost address was provided for this service. Here is an email response a player got back from Sega at the time:
"In response to your query about MSR, we are aware of the problems with this game and are currently producing another bug-free copy to send to those customers affected by this problem. Please reply to this e-mail including note of your name, address and telephone number, and also note of the MK code on the back of the MSR disc, and we will contact you when the new disc is ready to be sent out. This is expected to be on or around the 12 December [2000]."
You can also read the public statement from Sega Europe on my blog:
-europe-statement-regarding-bugged.html
Also Sega-dc.de have listed the 3 different ringcodes found on each version of the PAL discs:
MK-51022-0146SS: v1.001 (10.10.2000)
MK-51022-0146SA: v1.002 (20.10.2000)
MK-51022-0146SB: v1.009 (21.11.2000)
-dc.de/dreamcast/Metropolis_Street_Racer
I have 3 copies of the first disc ending "SS" and can confirm that most of the major bugs have actually been fixed. I would therefore guess that only the first batch of these discs had all the bugs present.
BTW I note you have seen a test pressing of the Japanese version of MSR as displayed on your Facebook site. If you get the chance to play it, can you confirm if the replay function is available. I doubt that it is but it's worth asking! ;)
My version of msr doesn't like to load the multi round races...For example the timed runs where there's two tracks to be timed on... Or the championships, it goes into the load screen, but just doesn't do anything at all. It means I'm not able to win the car at the end of the chapter. Annoying! Any suggestions?
Hi All. As a kid, I made car models from about age 12 to age 20 and then mostly gave it up. During the Pandemic I decided to pick up modeling again and this 1934 Ford Coupe is my first finished car model in 30+ years (saying the actual number of years would really date me!). The model started out as a Revell Snap-Tite kit given as a gag gift since I had a real '34 Ford. After climbing up into the garage rafters and getting down all of my old car models and parts I figured I had enough parts to make a complete car except for a flat head engine which came form a new 48 Ford kit. The look I was going for was of a vintage racer that was pulled out of a barn for one last run on the salt. Wasn't built to be perfect or exact, just for fun; enjoy.
89AKurt, thanks for noticing how the two sides give two different views. Since this was my first model build in over 30 years I wanted to top the models I built as a kid and add a lot of detail. Therefor, the hood and door had to be open with the tools laid out but I still wanted to be able to get an overall view of the car so closed door and uncluttered salt on the other side.
Hi all, as my Curtiss Seahawk nears decaling, I thought I'd take a look at a racer. So here is my next build, a Wedell-Williams Model 44 Racer by Dekno in 1/72, I have never built anything by Dekno, a producer resin kits of racers, Golden Age aircraft and subjects from the Spanish Civil War> I have a couple of resin kits under my belt and thought I'd give this little guy a go.
I don't think the build will give me any grief (that's done it) but I foresee problems with the painting and decals. The problem is the gold in that, I have to paint some parts gold and they've got to match the decal gold .
I emailed Dekno of Spain about my fuselage issue and Albert promptly sent my a replacement. I was only expecting the port side, so getting the starboard was a bonus. not perfect but miles better than the original.
I was recently surprised at the glossy surface I was (unintentionally) getting sanding some vallejo black primer with 7k grit paper. 30 airbrush misted and polished coats would be an interesting effect to go for (though requiring a bit of madness ? )
The recent photo is of the two replacement fuselage halves. I did try the original starboard half but the replacement parts were the best option. Before I made contact with Dekno, it did look at both options, lengthening or shortening and the better one was to lengthen...I haven't got to worry now.
That would be great Chris. I am thinking aluminium but I'm not 100%. About 1932, '44' was rebuilt with a aluminium fuselage after an earlier crash, before that I believe it was lateral ribs and canvas, wouldn't know what colour that would be.
It's easy to outrun a factory lighting system, especially when you're driving off-road. You'll have a lot tougher time outrunning a Baja Designs OnX6 Racer Edition Light Bar, the 10-inch LED light bar puts your factory lighting system to shame. The OnX6 Racer Edition Light Bar was designed for speeds of 110 plus MPH that's super-fast when you're slamming down the trail. This off-road light bar was developed exclusively for Baja Designs' Team BD racers. That's pro quality shipped right to your door. The 10-inch OnX6 Light Bar comes with our industry first 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee and Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Racer Edition Spot: A 4 degree beam focus for illumination WAY down the trail or road. The Racer Edition Spot is for speeds of 110+ MPH or if you need to see a mile+ away. This is the latest version for our Team Enlightened racers and is designed to be used in conjunction with additional Wide Driving and/or Driving/Combo beam lights. (Lighting Zone 5+)
Long-distance visibility is key for any racer or weekend daredevil. Our XL Racer Edition lights the way for off-road trucks, Jeeps, motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and any other vehicle that avoids pavement whenever possible. If you ask the winners of the Baja 1000, Dakar Rally, and other world-famous races, most of them will tell you that Baja Designs and the XL Racer Edition played a big role in their victory.
The Baja Designs XL80 is available however you need it. Both the original square XL80 LED light and the round XL80-R light fit snugly on front grilles, handlebars, light racks, and hood brackets. They come in three different beam patterns for your spread. The XL80 LED driving/combo light is an all-purpose solution while the wide cornering light helps you see in dusty and foggy conditions. Work/scene lights have an extra-wide spread to see projects while at a stop. Both the driving and cornering LED lights come in an optional amber color for use as running lights or fog lights.
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Despite the ugly visuals, this is still one of the most challenging and entertaining racing games of all time, featuring some of the best designed tracks in any racing title out there.Final Verdict: 8.0Star Wars Episode I: Racer is available now on Nintendo 64, PC and Dreamcast. Remastered version available on PS4 and Switch.
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