Jedi Power Battles - A Classic Reborn on PlayStation 5

The Force is strong with nostalgia, but does Jedi Power Battles truly deserve a remaster, or is it just another relic from a long time ago? Asphyr strikes back with a new Force-wielding remaster in the form of Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles, reviving the classic action platformer for modern audiences. The original version of the game hit the PlayStation 1 in 2000, one of many spin-off titles of the eponymous Episode I movie released during that time. The PlayStation and Dreamcast versions are often heralded among fans with the glossy eyes of childhood nostalgia. But saying that, does the remaster fix the original's bugs and rework its magic to sustain a modern gaming audience?

Firstly, let's look at the visuals. The game has been upgraded to a higher resolution, making everything crisper, but textures and lighting remain unchanged, exposing the blocky character models and simple environments. At times, it feels less like a modern remaster and more like an upscaled emulator version. The graphics look bright and inviting, but not much has changed beyond the 2000 Dreamcast version, on which this remaster is based. If anything, the higher resolution only further emphasizes the aged, jagged nature of the character models (Samuel L. Jackson has never looked more awkward than he has here), as well as the plainness of the environments. At the very least, the improved framerate makes the gameplay flow better and, therefore, more enjoyable than it could've been otherwise.

Speaking of gameplay, everything remains intact from the original. Players roam through fairly linear levels, sabering (mostly) battle droids and jumping from platform to platform. Completing levels grants the player new saber combos and increases their health/force bars. Like before, the game boasts a cast of different characters, each with their unique fighting styles. The Jedi have a range of Force powers—my favorite character, Mace Windu, has a Force power that makes his lightsaber spin around his head while he crouches, killing anything that nears him. Sadly, no Force-shaking improvements have been made. The frustrating platforming remains intact, and timing jumps is just as painful as it was in 2000. While the developer insists removing them would've hurt the game's unique charm, when you're falling down chasms because of a needlessly stiff jump mechanic, it's hard to agree with them.

If you've played any Star Wars-licensed game, you'll know the music is almost always top-notch. Jedi Power Battles is no exception, boasting John Williams' iconic score from the movies. While the remaster doesn't add any new tracks or noticeable music upgrades, the score still provides as much atmosphere and intensity as it did in 2000, making the game feel like a legitimate part of the Star Wars universe. Likewise, JPB's use of the iconic sound effects—the lightsaber hum, the blaster shots, the droids' robotic voices—further cements the game's place in George Lucas' unique world. Voice acting is few and far between, with character dialogue reduced to a few sound bites here and there, but this is for the best. The remaster has done nothing to improve the awkward nature of the voice acting, which only highlights the game's age.

So, the gameplay may be the same, but what about new content? Well, Asphyr has made somewhat of an effort. The new training mode offers a slew of new levels and challenges, but the settings are visually bland and uninspiring. There are a bunch of new unlockable characters now (including the battle droid, Droideka, and other enemies you encounter in the game), but they are a fun novelty at best since they lack the range of abilities of the Jedi characters. It's a shame that these additions were given focus when the game cries out for more quality-of-life enhancements like save states or quick-saving to make up for the frustratingly placed checkpoints. Likewise, the developers have not provided any extra difficulty modes beyond the original Easy and Jedi modes. Such omissions may alienate modern gamers who are used to these features in their games.

Another lost opportunity lies in JPB's co-op options (or lack thereof). While it's great that the devs have kept the game's couch co-op, the title would've highly benefited from an online co-op option for those who struggle to find someone in their social circle willing to play a 15-year-old action game. The very fact that the co-op mode makes the already awkward platforming of the solo game more glaring doesn't help. And though the quirky cheats—like big head mode—were advertised heavily for the remaster, these briefly amusing novelties get old quickly and add nothing valuable to the experience.

All in all, Jedi Power Battles remains a fun but flawed relic, more of a time capsule than a true remaster. Nostalgic fans will enjoy reliving the droid-slicing action, but for modern gamers accustomed to polished gameplay and meaningful upgrades, this remaster feels like a missed opportunity rather than a triumphant return. While mowing down hordes of droids is just as thrilling—and, sometimes, addictive—as before, this is a game ultimately unchanged from the original Dreamcast version. The extra characters, training rooms, and cheats are needless window dressing for an old game that could use improvement in its gameplay. And while such facts won't deter retro gaming fans who relish the nostalgia this game represents, it'll do little to turn the heads of younger, modern players who expect a more refined experience.