The 7 Best Racing Games Like Star Wars: Galactic Racer
Polygon recommends seven sci-fi racing games similar to Star Wars: Galactic Racer, highlighting titles that share its anti-gravity mechanics, boost systems, or roguelite elements.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer introduces a roguelite campaign and unique multiplayer to the racing genre, but its roots trace back to classics like Star Wars Episode 1: Racer. Released in 1999 alongside The Phantom Menace, the game recreated the film’s podrace sequence with additional tracks and planets, introducing a boost mechanic that could overheat and destroy your vehicle—a feature later echoed in Galactic Racer. The 2020 port makes it accessible on modern consoles, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, and Xbox One.
Criterion Games alumni founded Fuse Games, and their influence is evident in Galactic Racer’s design. The Burnout series, known for high-octane racing and boost mechanics, shares DNA with Galactic Racer. While Burnout 3: Takedown aligns more closely in spirit, Burnout Paradise Remastered offers the most accessible entry point today, available on Nintendo Classics via a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.
Nintendo’s F-Zero series pioneered sci-fi anti-gravity racing in 1990, setting benchmarks for speed and competition. The series spans multiple entries on Nintendo Classics, including the battle-royale twist F-Zero 99. F-Zero GX for GameCube, developed by Sega’s Amusement Vision, remains a standout for its intensity and precision, reflecting Sega’s racing-game style.
The Wipeout series, Sony’s answer to sci-fi racing, blends realistic physics with weapons and pickups reminiscent of Mario Kart. While purists may favor the 1995 original or Wipeout 2097, the 2017 compilation of PS3/Vita-era games offers the easiest modern access. Fast Fusion, a Switch 2 launch title by Shin’en Multimedia, continues the tradition of high-speed anti-gravity racing on Nintendo consoles.