Star Wars: Racer Revenge

Star Wars: Racer Revenge follows on from the popular Episode I: Racer and brings podracing into a rawer, more aggressive form. The player takes on the role of Ando Prixe, whose mentor is killed during a race by rival Elan Mak, and sets out on a path of revenge across tracks from both the films and the broader Star Wars mythology. Besides speed, the game emphasizes direct contact combat between podracers – wrecking rival craft, evasive maneuvers, weapons tied to an energy meter, and special attacks are just as important as finishing position.

Racer Revenge was released exclusively for PlayStation 2 in 2002 and was developed by Rainbow Studios, otherwise known for the Motocross Madness series and the later MX vs. ATV. Compared to the previous Episode I: Racer, it shows a noticeably more aggressive pace and collision physics that easily turn a race into a demolition derby – the tracks are also full of shortcuts, jumps, and dangerous obstacles that actively play into the game's destructive style. A new damage system also lets opponents literally tear a podracer apart, setting the game apart from its calmer predecessor.

The visual presentation fully exploits PS2's power for fast flybys over the landscape, flashy explosions when podracers crash, and more detailed models of both the craft and their pilots. The character roster includes both familiar faces from the films and new rivals created specifically for this game, each with their own riding style and special attack.

Why play it: Racer Revenge is ideal for players who wanted more adrenaline and less clean racing from podracing - combat on the track matters just as much as speed here, and the vengeful story framework gives what would otherwise be arcade racing an unusual weight.