Man, remember when games just worked? When you’d pop in a disc, swing a lightsaber, and lose yourself in a galaxy far, far away without a care? I was pumped to dive back into Star Wars: Episode I: Jedi Power Battles with Aspyr’s remaster, hoping to relive those childhood days of hacking through Battle Droids as Plo Koon (he was my favourite as a kid). But two months after its January 2025 release, this game’s got me feeling like I’m stuck in a Sarlacc pit—nostalgia’s great, but it’s buried under a pile of bugs and missed opportunities. Aspyr, you’re breaking my heart with these Star Wars releases. Jedi Power Battles earns a 5/10, and here’s why.
Let’s start with the good stuff, because there’s some. This remaster nails the nostalgic vibe. The moment you boot it up, you’re hit with that early 2000s charm—cheesy sound effects, Yoda’s random laugh when you grab a power-up, and John Williams’ epic Phantom Menace score. It’s like flipping through an old photo album, instantly taking you back to split-screen couch co-op with your buddy. Aspyr’s added some neat touches, too: 13 new playable characters like Jar Jar Binks and a Tusken Raider, plus the option to toggle lightsaber colors (Mace’s purple blade is canon now, thank the Force). The updated graphics are cleaner, and the modern control scheme makes it a bit easier to navigate those clunky mechanics. For its price tag, it’s a decent trip down memory lane, and couch co-op still sparks some genuine fun, especially when you’re deflecting blaster bolts side-by-side. But, wait for a sale. The fun doesn’t last long.
Nostalgia only carries you so far. Jedi Power Battles is a mess, riddled with bugs that Aspyr hasn’t fully ironed out even after a post-launch patch in April 2025. I’ve gotten stuck in scenery, had the game freeze after a grueling Darth Maul fight, and watched my save data vanish like Alderaan after closing the game. Crashes on levels like Coruscant’s elevator and audio glitches doubling up on Tatooine? Oh, having all items drop through the floor from enemies is beyond annoying. Three quarter of my force powers didn’t work for PLO Koon either. Come on, Aspyr, it’s been over two months! These aren’t minor hiccups; they’re game-breaking issues that make you want to chuck your controller into a trash compactor. The patch fixed some problems—like save data errors and a crash when dismissing credits—but too many linger, leaving the experience feeling unpolished.
The core game doesn’t help itself either. Even back in 2000, Jedi Power Battles wasn’t a masterpiece, and time hasn’t been kind. The combat’s stiff, like you’re swinging a lightsaber through molasses, and the platforming is a nightmare—janky jumps and finicky controls make those Naboo mushrooms feel like a personal vendetta. Co-op’s a blast until you and your partner get dragged off-screen because the camera’s stricter than a Sith Lord. Sure, the difficulty’s part of the “charm.” However, it’s more frustrating than fun when you’re dying to off-screen droids or glitching into walls. Aspyr’s commitment to “additions, not revisions” is noble for preservation. However, the game’s flaws—sluggish mechanics and brutal difficulty spikes—remain front and center. A remake could’ve smoothed these edges, but this remaster feels like a bare-bones port with a fresh coat of paint.
Aspyr’s track record with Star Wars games is starting to feel like a bad holo-drama. Their Battlefront Classic Collection was a buggy disaster at launch, and while Bounty Hunter turned out okay, Jedi Power Battles follows the same pattern of promising nostalgia but delivering half-baked execution. It’s like they’re banking on our love for Star Wars to overlook the rough spots, and I’m tired of it. I want to love this game—I really do. Those moments of slicing through B1 droids or landing a perfect blaster deflection still spark joy. But the constant technical issues and dated design keep pulling me out of the experience, reminding me that rose-colored glasses can’t fix everything.
If you’re a die-hard Phantom Menace fan or have a soft spot for this cult classic, you might squeeze some fun out of Jedi Power Battles. It’s got heart, and the co-op can make for a hilarious night with a friend. But for everyone else, the bugs and clunky gameplay make it hard to recommend. Aspyr had a chance to polish this gem into something special, but instead, we’re left with a flawed relic that’s more frustrating than it should be. I miss the days when Star Wars games felt like an escape, not a test of patience. Here’s hoping Aspyr steps up their game next time—because I’m still dreaming of a world where Delta Squad gets the remaster they deserve.
Score: 5/10 – Nostalgia’s strong, but bugs and dated mechanics hold this remaster back. May the Force be with Aspyr’s next Star Wars project.
