Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles was officially released in 2000 (same year Coldplay’s debut album Parachutes came out) on PlayStation & Dreamcast. It received solid reviews from critics and gamers alike as well as selling enough copies. 25 Years Later, Aspyr released a remastered version in 2025 on PS4/PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch. When I was seven, I used to play Jedi Power Battles. I played the remastered version to relive my childhood. I had fond memories playing almost every action figure from “The Phantom Menace” and Original Trilogy recreating scenes from the movies or make my own stories. I miss my childhood.
Light & Dark Aspects
Graphics in the original version looks good for a PS1 game.
Soundtrack retains John Williams’ score from the film. “Duel of the Fates” never gets old.
The game’s not a fully accurate depiction of The Phantom Menace. Just a fun game seeing what if Mace Windu, Adi Gallia & Plo Koon had bigger roles. It’s like playing with action figures retelling a scene with different characters.
Although a short game, it has one advantage, Replay Value. You can play a different character in a new game.
If you grab a power-up, Yoda laughs.
Random Thought: I only played Jedi Power Battles on the PS1 along with the video game adaptation of “The Phantom Menace.” The latter was extremely hard.
Gameplay/Mechanics
- Presented as a platform beat ’em up, you play as five characters. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Mace Windu, Plo Koon & Adi Gallia. You play any character fighting your way through enemies and jumping from Point A to Point B.
- A specific character has distinctive combo attacks and force powers. For example, Qui-Gon uses the force pushing enemies away and heal himself.
- Combat acts as the meat and potatoes. Mow down enemies, block melee attacks and deflect projectile attacks timing the laser blast back at ’em.
- You can play with a friend in Co-Op Mode. Various platform sections are very challenging. Work together as a team.
- Boss Battles are unique. Darth Maul’s the toughest of them all.
- Obtain points by chopping foes, power-ups, restore health/force bar and an extra life. Once you finish a level, you obtain upgrades. Increase health/force meter, a new combo and a bonus perk. The more points you earn, the more upgrades you get.
- There are ten levels.
- After you beat the final level, you unlock Padme Amidala, Captain Panaka & Darth Maul. Ki-Adi Mundi’s unlocked in the Dreamcast version.
- Cheat Codes like big heads.
New Stuff (Remastered Edition)
- Visual upgrade gives a crisp and clear high definition and a higher frame rate.
- Darth Maul & Padme are unlocked early before starting a new game.
- New characters Tusken Raider, Droideka, Battle Droid, Loader Droid (a really big one) and of course, Jar Jar Binks.
- Switch between classic or modern style for the controller. I picked classic to relive my childhood.
- Change lightsaber colors. Mace Windu’s was blue prior to Attack of the Clones.”
- Old school offline Co-Op Mode.
- Four Mini-Games.
- Cheat Codes are back. No microtransactions. That old school feeling puts a smile on my face.
Dark: Both versions are glitchy. Had to restart a level from the very beginning for a proper experience. Remaster version lacks an autosave.
The Final Verdict: A-
Star Wars: Jedi Power Battles still holds up. I’m glad I played the remastered version reliving my childhood. A darn shame LucasArts never developed sequels based on “Attack of the Clones & “Revenge of the Sith.” If you wanna relive your childhood like I did,
Nickthemoviecritic.com 