Star Wars Galactic Racers features a seedy gambling exposé that feels off

Star Wars: Galactic Racers might be the sci-fi Mario Kart alternative that we've always dreamed of, harnessing young Anakin's pod-racing skills for our own.

For nearly 30 years, following the release of Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars fans have called for a racing game. It took Lucasfilm next to no time to greenlight Star Wars Episode I: Racer and Racer Revenge two years later, but since 2002 we've been running on an empty tank of space gas.

Of course, we've been treated to some high-octane vehicular action courtesy of the LEGO games and Battlefront, but they've not hit the same chord as Galactic Racer promises.

Yet as we nearly reach 'lightsabers out and away we go' time, details of a seedy criminal underbelly have been revealed, and it adds an unnecessarily odd tone to the game.

Galactic Racer or Grand National?

Set to launch in October, the first gameplay leaks for Galactic Racers have emerged online, courtesy of an Alpha playtest.

Initial reactions have been divisive, with the racing element looking awesome but being let down by initial visuals and pesky invisible fences - there's plenty of time for polishing, though, so there's nothing to fear there.

However, one feature that has already got fans talking is the ability to gamble on races, wagering rewards on your performance.

Every racer will place a bet before the start of the race, where you earn rewards based on your placement - rig it and go bust for a guaranteed 'rare' item. Back your game and go for the top prize and net something 'legendary'.

Of course, there are no real stakes here; it's far from the banned Grand Theft Auto casino, but it sets a quirky undertone.

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"This is canonically how Watto went from a well-respected businessman for vehicle parts and services to a fucking corner store junk collector," one fan said.

A second joked, "I can fuel a gambling addiction through gaming, let's go," while a third echoed the same energy by adding, "boutta be the most degenerate gambler on this side of imperial space."

It all smells of the Hutts.

Yet, it is canon, and that's exactly how Anakin and Qui-Gon Jinn first bonded - a lucky hand of credits exchanged with a dodgy dealer.

Nonetheless, we've already dubbed it the Burnout revival that we dreamed of, and this tiny element of the game won't put people off entirely.

Come October, the gloves will come off, and we'll be in the driving seat.