Star Wars: Galactic Racer is the kind of game I’ve been hoping to see for years, and it races across the finish line with all the speed, style, and spectacle I’ve wanted. I’ve been a Star Wars fan for as long as I can remember, and Star Wars Episode I: Racer on the Nintendo 64 has always held a special place in my gaming heart. I spent countless hours shaving seconds off lap times and squeezing through narrow canyons. Ever since, I’ve wanted Star Wars racing to return to racing in a meaningful way.
What I didn’t expect was something this ambitious. Rather than simply recreating the pod-racing experience I remember, or upgrading an older experience with 4K graphics, Galactic Racer builds a much deeper arcade experience around that same sense of speed and danger. I was quickly hooked by its combination of blistering speed, aggressive racing, and surprising depth. Let’s explore everything Star Wars: Galactic Racer has to offer in my full review.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer details
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Reviewed on: PlayStation 5 Pro
Developer: Fuse Games
Publisher: Secret Mode
Genre: Arcade racing
Available game modes: Galactic Tour campaign, Arcade, online multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
Racing for glory in a galaxy rebuilding
Set after Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Galactic Racer drops you into a galaxy where the Empire’s grip has weakened, and a dangerous underground racing scene has taken hold. You play as Shade, an up-and-coming racer looking to climb the Galactic Racing League. The story is very much in service of the racing action, but I liked that approach. It gives you enough motivation to care about rivalries and progression without constantly pulling you away from the track.
The campaign is divided into three acts built around “run-based” progression. Fail to advance, and you’ll be sent back to the beginning of your current act, forcing you to regroup, rethink your setup and try again. It can be punishing and a little disappointing after a strong run, but it also makes every event feel more important. It’s high risk and high reward, much like the racing gameplay action.
Racing chaos in a galaxy far, far away
Once a race begins, Star Wars: Galactic Racer absolutely flies, capturing a terrific sense of speed. I kept thinking about the classic racer Burnout as I played because of its aggressive style and features like slow-motion crash cams that show off the destruction.
Tracks are wide, with multiple routes, shortcuts, hazards and plenty of opportunities to make life miserable for the racer beside you. Contact isn’t always something you want to avoid. I loved slamming rivals into barriers, trackside obstacles and environmental hazards to take them out, then blasting past the wreckage. It gives races a physical, almost combat-like edge that fits the Star Wars universe very well.
That mix of speed and aggression is what really won me over. I had races where I’d duck into a narrow shortcut, hold onto my boost until the exit, then use that burst of speed to steer a rival into the wall. Here, you don’t play by traditional racing, rules, and you are encouraged to race dirty and win at all costs. Those split-second decisions made learning each track genuinely fun because I wasn’t just hunting for the fastest line; I was also looking for the best place to make my move.
A dynamic garage with vehicles to customize
Another highlight is the fact that the vehicle classes give you plenty to experiment with. Landspeeders are the tanks of the lineup, heavier and tougher, with handling that encourages drifting and pushing opponents around. Speeder bikes are fast and nimble and can use temporary Kinetic Bursts, but their lack of armour means one bad collision can ruin a run. Skim speeders take inspiration from aircraft, with momentum-based handling and a Knife Edge ability that lets you tilt sideways through narrow openings. Then there are podracers, the massive high-speed machines I expected to steal the show. They are so powerful they appear in specialized events of their own, and their speed is incredible.
I liked that each class isn’t simply a “new look” they control differently, which changed how I approach a race rather than just another vehicle with different stats.
Building the ultimate galactic racer
Progression adds another layer to how you approach your ride setup. You can acquire vehicles, unlock parts and tune your build as you move through the Galactic Racing League, so different runs can feel noticeably different depending on the upgrades you collect and apply. Early tours keep things focused across a couple of planets before later runs expand across as many as five, eventually leading to a winner-take-all finale.
Explore your paddock
Between events, you can explore your garage and racing paddock in a third-person view. I really liked this design choice; instead of bouncing me through menus, it gave me a chance to explore. I loved this touch because it adds personality and makes you feel like part of an actual racing circuit in an alien world.
My biggest criticism of an otherwise very enjoyable experience is the repetition I sometimes experienced. The planets and tracks are beautifully designed, but because the structure encourages replaying them, I eventually wished the League had a few more destinations on its calendar.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer graphics and performance
Visually, Star Wars: Galactic Racer is outstanding on PS5 Pro. The art direction makes each environment feel authentically Star Wars while keeping everything readable at extreme speeds. The lighting is excellent, vehicle models are detailed, and some locations look so good that I wanted to slow down and take in the scenery.
Breakneck speeds, rock-solid performance
In terms of graphical performance, it was rock solid during my time with the game, helping sell that incredible sense of speed. The sound design is equally strong. Engines roar, machinery rattles, warning alarms fight for your attention, and the soundtrack knows exactly when to swell and make a final lap feel like the climax of a Star Wars movie. When everything comes together, the audiovisual presentation is spectacular.
Final thoughts on Star Wars: Galactic Racer
After all this time, Star Wars: Galactic Racer is worth the wait. It captures the speed and danger I loved in Episode I: Racer while giving the experience its own modern identity. At times, I wished the overall variety stretched a little further, but that never stopped me from jumping back in for another race. If you’re a Star Wars fan or simply enjoy fast, aggressive arcade racers, this is an easy recommendation and one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve played this year.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fantastic sense of speed and satisfying Burnout-style takedowns | More planets and tracks would help reduce repetition |
| Distinct vehicle classes with deep customization and upgrades | Losing progress late in an act can be frustrating |
| Beautiful Star Wars environments with excellent performance and sound | No local split-screen multiplayer |
Overall Assessment of Star Wars: Galactic Racer
Gameplay: 4.5/5
Graphics: 5/5
Sound: 4.5/5
Lasting Appeal / Replayability: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 — 90%
