Star Wars Episode I: Racer stated they wanted to make it "feel like an eyeball-peeling racing game, where you're going so fast, you're just nervous." The game was originally titled "Star Wars: Podracer", however the subtitle was changed to "Episode I Racer" when LucasArts learned that another company owned the trademark for games with the name "Pod" in the title. Actor Jake Lloyd, who portrayed Anakin Skywalker in "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace", promoted the game at E3 1999. Lloyd also provided voice over for his character in the game. The theatrical score from was reused for the game, and various sound effects
Star Wars Episode I: Racer be inserted into the game card to activate vibration. The game received a digital re-release via the DRM-free digital distribution store GOG.com in May 2018. The game was met with positive to average reception. GameRankings gave it a score of 75.78% for the Nintendo 64 version; 75.42% for the Dreamcast version; 73.79% for the PC version; and 69.44% for the Game Boy Color version. It has been featured on several lists of the best "Star Wars" video games. In March 2004, "GMR" rated "Episode I: Racer" the fifth best "Star Wars" game of all time. In 2015 "PC Gamer" listed