Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles

About

In "Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles" , players can engage in fast-paced side-scrolling action as Jedi characters from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, using lightsabers and the Force to fight off droids and other enemies. The game offers a 10-level campaign and bonus mini-games, and can be played in 2-player couch co-op mode. Players can choose from a variety of characters, including Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Darth Maul, and can customize their lightsaber colors.

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Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles screenshot

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 152 reviews

humor4 positive mentions

stability4 negative mentions

The game is a nostalgic trip for fans of the original, with enjoyable beat-em-up action and a solid port that includes bonus characters and unlocks.
The addition of local couch co-op and level select features enhances the gameplay experience, making it more accessible and fun to play with friends.
Despite its jankiness, the combat is engaging, and the game retains its charm, making it a worthwhile revisit for those who loved it as kids.

The remaster is based on the Dreamcast version, which lacks some features of the PS1 version, such as destructible environments and better aesthetics.
The game suffers from numerous bugs, awkward controls, and frustrating platforming mechanics that can detract from the overall experience.
Many players feel that the updates are minimal and do not address the core issues of the original game, making it feel outdated and less appealing to new players.

graphics
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
65%
18%
The graphics of the game have received mixed feedback, with many users favoring the PS1 version for its superior aesthetics, destructible environments, and faithful visuals that capture the essence of the movie. While the remastered version shows decent visual quality and supports higher framerates, it lacks significant graphical options and does not allow players to toggle back to the original graphics, which some found to be more appealing. Overall, the visuals hold up well, but there are concerns about the adaptation from the Dreamcast version not qualifying as a true remaster.
- “For my money, the PS1 version is the definitive version of the game, with better aesthetics and destructible environments.”
- “The visuals hold up surprisingly well; I think the greatest addition is support for higher framerates, as this mitigates some of the difficulty.”
- “Not a lot of graphical options, but the game still looks clean and doesn't suffer from any visual or performance issues as far as I can tell in an hour of playing.”
- “The graphics seem to have been adapted from the Dreamcast version but do not consider this a remaster by any means.”
- “This was an issue in the Tomb Raider remasters too as some areas looked better in the old graphics.”
- “Except here, you can't even toggle back to the old graphics.”
gameplay
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
65%
18%
The gameplay features a diverse roster of characters, each offering unique playstyles that enhance replay value, but it suffers from outdated mechanics reminiscent of the PS1 era, including clunky controls and frustrating platforming. While some technical improvements like faster load times are appreciated, many players find the overall experience lacking, with calls for better quality of life enhancements and a more responsive gameplay system. Nostalgia may appeal to some, but others may be deterred by the repetitive and bare-bones gameplay.
- “Different characters to use, they play differently and essentially provide replay value. With the leveling up mechanic, you'll want to max out some of the characters.”
- “The gameplay features all levels unlocked from the get-go, allowing you to get straight to the fun. The expanded character roster provides more combat opportunities, and the minigames add a fun twist to the standard gameplay.”
- “First couple of minutes of gameplay had no issues; I'm excited to try all the characters.”
- “Only buy this game if you're nostalgic about it or willing to put up with some of the clunkiest gameplay ever.”
- “The gameplay is pretty much a PS1 game, so a lot of weirdness with hitboxes and combos can be annoying to execute reliably.”
- “While some technical updates like faster load times are nice, the force is not strong with its outdated mechanics, frustrating platforming, and missed opportunities to fix core issues.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The game features a fun arcade-style beat-em-up experience set within the storyline of "The Phantom Menace." Players enjoy engaging with characters like Plo Koon, although there are limitations on character upgrades and access to certain characters until later in the game. However, the lack of quest markers can lead to frustrating moments, particularly in missions like "save 7 handmaidens," where players may inadvertently trigger a boss battle and fail the mission.
- “A really fun arcade Star Wars beat-em-up set in the Phantom Menace story.”
- “So I've done half of the game missions in less than 3 hours.”
- “(Note: you can't upgrade non-Jedi characters, and you can't play a bunch of the new characters like the mercs or Tuskens from the start. I'm wondering if you have to complete the story once first and they're in New Game Plus.) So far I'm really enjoying Plo Koon for close-quarters.”
- “There's no quest markers, so beware the first Naboo mission 'save 7 handmaidens' because if you have any less than 7, take a wrong turn and stumble into the boss battle cutscene. It makes you watch it, and the mission suddenly fails without warning.”
- “I've done half of the game missions in less than 3 hours.”
- “You can't upgrade non-Jedi characters, and you can't play a bunch of the new characters like the mercs or Tuskens from the start. I'm wondering if you have to complete the story once first and they're in New Game Plus.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The remaster is plagued by significant stability issues, particularly with frequent crashes at key loading points, such as level 6, which prevent players from completing the game. Despite these bugs, some users report a solid 60 fps performance and commend the game's visuals and quality-of-life improvements. Overall, while the game has nostalgic value, its stability problems detract from the experience.
- “Solid 60 fps experience; the game looks great, runs smoothly, and includes some nice quality of life features along with new content.”
- “The game is extremely buggy.”
- “Good game in the sense of it being a part of my childhood, but this remaster is buggy. The biggest problem for me is level 6; the mid-transition load point always crashes the game, so I can't complete it.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find humor in unexpected glitches, such as a crash occurring during a specific transition and the activation of a "big head mode" that initially provides laughs but becomes frustrating due to the obstructive camera angle. Overall, the game's comedic elements stem from its quirky bugs and exaggerated character designs, which can be amusing yet occasionally annoying.
- “We don't know how, but we activated big head mode and we didn't know how to turn it off. Hahaha, it was funny at first but it got annoying, because again, the camera is so zoomed in, Liam Neeson's head was taking up a quarter of the screen.”
- “The funny part is it would crash on my PS1 version at the same part but only 15% of the time and only if I was getting hit as I triggered the transition.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game, featuring iconic compositions by John Williams, effectively enhances the nostalgic atmosphere and complements the beat'em up gameplay. Players appreciate how the soundtrack fits the mood, making the cooperative experience even more enjoyable.
- “It's a fun beat'em up game, got the Star Wars music fitting the mood, there's co-op to play with something, the levels are fairly done well, the nostalgia is strong with this one.”
- “[Couch co-op can be fun, John Williams' music]”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game has limited graphical options but maintains a clean appearance without significant visual or performance issues during gameplay. However, some players have noted sluggish combat and performance quirks that may detract from the overall experience.
- “Not a lot of graphical options, but the game still looks clean and doesn't suffer from any visual or performance issues as far as I can tell in an hour of playing.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
50%
Players highlight the strong replayability of the game due to the variety of characters, each offering unique playstyles. The leveling up mechanic further incentivizes players to revisit the game to maximize different characters, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The variety of characters available adds to the replayability, as each one offers a unique playstyle and progression through the leveling system.”
- “Replayability is enhanced by the diverse characters, each providing a distinct experience and encouraging players to explore their potential through leveling up.”
- “The different characters to use play differently, which is essentially the replay value. With the leveling up mechanic, you'll want to max out some of the characters.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy is generally well-received, with players appreciating that it does not feel exploitative or like a cash grab. Instead, it reflects a respect for the game's legacy, contributing positively to the overall experience.
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find that grinding can be frustrating, particularly for blaster characters who struggle with level progression and face tedious jumping puzzles. Additionally, the intense sound effects can add to the overall stress of the grinding experience.
- “Most blaster characters will have trouble beating levels, and the jumping puzzles are still tedious to get through.”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- “Leveling up takes far too long, which makes the experience feel more like a chore than fun.”