Jedi Power Battles follows the storyline of Episode One, putting you in the role of three Jedi Masters from the feature film. Players can select from Qui-Gon Jinn, Mace Windu, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The premise is straightforward - slice everything in sight throughout 10 levels. While this might sound exciting at first, treading through the game proves to be anything but.

To put it briefly, the GBA edition is a watered-down edition of its PlayStation counterpart. Each Jedi character features a distinctive attack style executed by a combination of button taps or D-pad respectively. The combos are much less extensive than featured in the PSX counterpart, much like your enthusiasm after the first few minutes of play.

Personally, it wasn't the controls which I found to be a bore, but the general pace of the action itself. Take for instance, the first level which takes place on the Trade Federation Battleship. In an opening similar to Droid infantry, where they're practially, well...not too bright is embodied all to well throughout the entire level. In essence, players will develop a ho-hum feeling well before even reaching the end boss.

Another element in which Jedi Power Battles comes up short lies in jumping. In previous experience, I've had my share of games that left me frustrated for days due to shoddy collision dection and this title is no different. It's very difficult in certain areas to guage the how far you need to leap to reach an adjacent platform. In just the first level alone, I died from improper jumps on more occassions than I'd care to admit. Not enjoyable in the slightest, and unfortunately is a recurring deterrent throughout the game.

The sound effects, the few which are present vary from decent samples depicting the swift strikes from the lightsabers, weapon fire, and the like. The music, though not of the same accord of John Williams features a variety of psuedo-Star Wars interpolations, much of which are exceptionally dynamic to the onscreen action (!)

It's unfortunate that the hex of console based adaptions of such a successful franchise can not even find solace on the handheld platform. Jedi Power Battles suffers from the same mediocrity that plagued its PlayStation counterpart, which proves to be an unenjoyable experience both for action and bonafide Star Wars fans alike.

· · · Bahn