Forget Palpatine, Star Wars Just Brought Back the Last Character I Ever Expected

by

Over the years, Star Wars has been known for bringing back characters in surprising ways, but a recent return might be the most shocking yet. While some fans had mixed feelings about Palpatine’s reappearance in The Rise of Skywalker, this latest Star Wars revival has been almost universally praised.

A new game announcement has officially brought Ben Quadinaros, a well-known podracer from the Star Wars universe, back into the official Star Wars story – and it feels like a natural fit.

Somehow, Ben Quadinaros Will Return In Star Wars: Galactic Racer

The first gameplay trailer for the upcoming Star Wars: Galactic Racer game confirmed that players will be able to race podracers. A surprising addition revealed in the trailer was Ben Quadinaros, appearing alongside Sebulba – who was previously hinted at in an earlier announcement trailer for the game.

Let me tell you about Quadinaros, a Toong racer from the planet Tund – yes, you read that right! He first showed up in The Phantom Menace during the Boonta Eve Classic on Tatooine, that big race Anakin Skywalker ultimately won. It’s a real shame, though, because Quadinaros never even got a chance to compete. Someone sabotaged his power coupling, and his pod exploded right at the starting line. It was a truly unfortunate moment, and honestly, a bit heartbreaking to watch.

Even though Ben’s initial appearance was a critical failure, his memorable name and unusual alien look unexpectedly made him popular with fans – and even funny. Over time, he’s become a legendary inside joke among fans, especially those who grew up with The Phantom Menace.

Galactic Racer is giving Ben Quadinaros a second chance to win a podracing championship. Alongside rivals like Sebulba and other well-known racers, fans are thrilled to see “The GOAT” return. Beyond his loss at the Boonta Eve Classic, there’s more to Quadinaros’ story in the Star Wars universe before the start of Galactic Racer.

Ben Quadinaros’ Full Star Wars History Explained (Beyond Phantom Menace)

Even though Ben Quadinaros was a newcomer at the Boonta Eve Classic and didn’t perform well, he didn’t stop racing afterward. Later stories show that Ben continued his podracing career long after his disappointing race in The Phantom Menace.

Ben Quadinaros eventually overcame his early setbacks and became a successful and well-known podracer. He even developed a major rivalry with Sebulba during the Clone Wars, with their races being famously called “The Sport’s Greatest Rivalry,” as advertised on a poster in Anakin Skywalker’s room at the Jedi Temple.

The return of racing to the Star Wars universe with Galactic Racer is sure to be thrilling. Because the game takes place during the New Republic era, we can expect it to offer new insights into the ongoing rivalry and expand the official Star Wars story.

It’s great to see Star Wars fans enjoying the surprising return of this little-known but surprisingly popular background character in 2026.

Star Wars: Galactic Racer is expected to release later this year.

5 Questions
Test Your Podracing Knowledge: Ben Quadinaros’ Epic Return!
Your Top Score
—
Attempts
—
0
0
Report Error

Found an error? Send it info@screenrant.com so it can be corrected.

Read More

2026-02-20 23:10