1999 was an exciting year to be a Star Wars fan with a new film finally releasing, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. But new merchandise was also released in droves. The late '90s saw the beginning of a gaming boom that grew exponentially in the decades that followed and Star Wars made sure to join in on the trend.
One of the highlights of The Phantom Menace was the introduction of the sport of Podracing. It wasn't long before a PC game released for the exciting and dangerous sport called Star Wars: Racer. The game was an overall hit with fans and spawned a sequel, Star Wars: Racer Revenge. For over a decade, there hasn't been a new release in the franchise, and with so many new Star Wars games coming out, now is the time for a next-gen comeback.
When podracing, players control a sled that is attached to two engines. The racers then have to navigate a winding track to the finish line. However, depending on the planet, the tracks can be perilous. Other racers also have no qualms about cheating to win, even if it means destroying other pods. A next-gen version would feature the best graphics and a totally original story that could tie into the canon.
Since so many more planets have been introduced since the last game, that opens up the doors for even more tracks. Some great additions could be an underwater tube track on Kamino or a winding race through the planet of Crait. With the latter, racers could wind through the salt caverns and travel back up to the surface, where they would use the salt kicked up to damage the engines of others behind them. More planets could be added over time with DLC, as well.
In the films and the earlier games, racers had to ram into one another to eliminate them. A next-gen addition could still include that while expanding on offensive mechanics. Before entering a race, a player could outfit their pod with certain power-ups or tools that could help them win the race. This could be anything from a speed boost that could overheat the engines or an ion gadget that could short out electronics for a short time. These additions would force players to think on their feet and trust no one.
New characters could also be introduced to the game along with other classics. This could include the return of Anakin's rival Sebulba or other little-known racers from the prequels like Dud Bolt. Joke characters could also be added, like Darth Vader. Anakin has appeared in both Racer games, and a return to the track as Darth Vader would be an entertaining inclusion. Star Wars: Racer has a lot of potential as a next-gen title, and while it may not be the focus of Star Wars anymore, it would be a great way to bring in new and classic fans of the sport.