Galactic Racer looks cool, but it lacks what made podracing so iconic.

There were some surprising reveals at The Game Awards 2025, but here are two of the most exciting: star wars relevant. What was announced at the start of the main show of The Game Awards 2025 was: star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, It was the highlight of the evening for many fans. Not only did it promise to follow up on one of its most loved people; star wars Video games from all eras, but also made by different companies. KotorThe original director of But for many people, the moment that is close to home is Star Wars: Galactic Racer.

It is being developed by Fuse Games, a new studio created by former Criterion developers. Need for Speed and burnout series, Star Wars: Galactic Racer Players can rise through the ranks in The Galactic League, a new racing tournament funded by the galaxy's largest criminal organization following the collapse of the Empire. Although no gameplay was shown during Star Wars: Galactic RacerWith its release, it already feels like it could be a true spiritual successor. Star Wars Episode 1: Racer This is what fans have been waiting for for decades. But there's a key element missing from the 1999 classic. Star Wars: Galactic Racers: Pod Racer.

Star Wars: Galactic Racer is missing a key part of Star Wars Episode 1: Racer's Identity.

The Star Wars Podracer has become an icon in its own right.

when Star Wars: The Phantom Menace A hit on the silver screen in 1999, it received a notoriously divisive response from critics and fans alike. With stories centered around trade disputes and criticism of Jar Jar Binks, Ghostly Menace's Podracing action sequences received some criticism. Although the special effects were truly groundbreaking, the podracing sequences were criticized for being short on substance and overlong.

Of course, as in most cases star wars Many fans grew up watching the prequel an invisible threat There is now a lot of respect and nostalgia for the Podracing sequence. And again, like most people star wars Even the most insignificant background character in the movie star warsThe podracing scene has become a beloved icon over the years.

Sebulba, Ben Quadinaros and Ratts Tyerell may not be household names, but thanks to recent meme culture, they've gained far more fans than anyone would have guessed in 1999. of course, Star Wars Episode 1: Racer It also played an important role in solidifying these little things. star wars The character is on the minds of many young fans, and the 2020 port of the game made by Aspyr may have helped remind many fans of these unique characters.

But it's not the racers themselves that many people remember. But the Pods they control. Sebulba has a striking silhouette, but Podracer's Mammoth Split-X engine is much more identifiable, as is the iconic “thud” sound it makes as it tramples its other victims. This is probably true in most cases. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace's Podracers all have distinct shapes, sizes and color schemes that set them apart from each other and the rest. star wars' Extensive catalog of iconic vehicles.

Star Wars: Galaxy Racer may suffer from a lack of unique vehicles.

Unfortunately, that doesn't seem likely. Star Wars: Galactic Racer It taps into this deep well of iconography. based solely on Star Wars: Galactic RacerJudging from the reveal trailer and official screenshots that developer Fuse Games has released so far, Podracers appear to be completely missing from the upcoming spiritual sequel, having been replaced with “Repulsorcraft” instead. star wars-y, but it doesn't have nearly the same visual flair as the Podracers.

For example, the M-68 and A-A4B Landspeeder Solo: A Star Wars Story can be found in Star Wars: Galactic RacerThere is also a trailer for the enhanced speeder bike and the latest model of Luke's X-34 Landspeeder. Although this vehicle is definitely suited for both world and action. Star Wars: Galactic Racer They all look rather generic, featuring similar muted color schemes and sleek yet repetitive designs. With these current vehicle designs, Star Wars: Galactic Racer I'm not really able to capture that vividness. Star Wars Episode 1: RacerAt least not yet.

Star Wars: Galactic Racer's trailer ended with a teaser that old Sebulba would appear in the game as a potentially playable character. It could be so galaxy racer You can include a few more Podracers in your list, which will help make the game's vehicles more diverse.

Why Star Wars: Galactic Racer's lack of Podracers is a good thing

To play devil's advocate, well Star Wars: Galactic RacerWhat its roster lacks in visual variety, it easily makes up for in gameplay variety. By introducing a completely different type of repulsorcraft, Star Wars: Galactic Racer There's more room to make each vehicle feel completely distinct from the other, with subtle differences in stats as well as major changes in how the aircraft feels piloting around the track and how it reacts to its airborne environment. This seems to be Fuse Games' goal, as the official description for the game on the PlayStation Store mentions that each RepulsorCraft has “distinct physics and playstyle.”

Star Wars: Galactic Racer It also allows players to hide much of their visual vitality and flair behind a customization system that will probably be responsible for how distinct their vehicles look. Although not much information was provided about this custom system. galaxy racerAccording to the store description, players can “build rides that show off. [their] style and gifts [them] “a competitive advantage,” he says, alluding to the ability to create unique-looking vehicles. Hopefully, with this customization system and unique gameplay elements, Star Wars: Galactic RacerRepulsorCraft can continue this noble legacy: an invisible threatThese are Podracers.