Dear Mummy, in a galaxy far, far away there was a daddy that longed for escapism. He sought the ways of the force to calm his mind and relax. He felt that his quest for fun and enjoyment was unfulfilled, that was until a new experience surfaced called Star Wars: Jedi Challenges. It is an AR (Augmented Reality) package for your phone that will transport you into the Star Wars universe, right from the comfort of your front room.
My daddy is a MASSIVE Star Wars fan, he’s been to geeky conferences, dressed up as Obi Wan, hung out with UK Garrison and Rebel Legion, he’s even got me in on the act, using the force to convert me into a young padawan.
On May the Fourth we were sent some AM.MAZ.ING goodies from Lenovo UK and even before we agreed my daddy had bitten my hand off at the offer of becoming a Jedi, well its the nearest he’s ever going to get to becoming one with Star Wars: Jedi Challenges.
We’re excited to say we’re reviewing the brand new Lenovo Mirage™ AR headset, Lightsaber controller, and all-new gameplay content from a galaxy far, far away. Bringing the Star Wars experience to life!
Watch Our Unboxing Video
Star Wars: Jedi Challenges, brings together the latest augmented reality technology and one of the most recognised franchises in the galaxy to fulfil the wishes of anyone who’s ever wanted to wield a lightsaber or take on the empire forces on the battlefield. Jedi Challenges features a smartphone-powered Lenovo Mirage AR headset, Tracking Beacon, Lightsaber controller, and hours of Star Wars gameplay. Players can hone their Jedi talents across a variety of augmented reality-based experiences, each offering multiple levels of deep and immersive gameplay. Our guide was The Archivist who instructed us in the ways of the Force and the knowledge of the Jedi.
Throughout these augmented reality challenges, we perfected our lightsaber skills by taking on some of the most menacing villains the dark side has to offer, command armies in combat missions to defeat the Empire, and outwit their opponents in daddy’s favourite game – Holochess.
Game Features:
- Lightsaber Battles. With our lightsaber, we trained against legendary villains like Darth Maul and Darth Vader.
- Strategic Combat. Players marshal the forces of the Republic, Rebel Alliance, and Resistance against the might of the Separatists, Empire, and First Order in epic battles in our living room.
- Holochess. Perhaps one of the most iconic board games brought to film, Holochess first leapt into moviegoer hearts when it was played on the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars™: Episode IV – A New Hope™. It has now been brought to life in Jedi Challenges. Fans can direct their holographic alien pieces across the board, wrestling for territory and control.
- NEW Multiplayer option. Dual your friends and family and see who the strongest Jedi is.
What’s in the box?
We’re suckers for things that come in good packaging and looks slick. All the kit is neatly packaged in one box and you get a shiny lightsaber which is 50% charged and pretty much screen accurate. A Lenovo Mirage AR headset and a tracking beacon with batteries. Other items in the box are the necessary charging cables which will see most phones covered. There is also a mains plug and instructions.
Set Up
We started by downloading the Star Wars: Jedi Challenges app on our phones. If you order the box set, download the app in advance. Then we slid the phone into the tray of the Lenovo Mirage AR headset, which can accommodate even plus size phones. When you power up the app it takes you to pairing the device and a press of a button on the light saber and its done. Check out this handy video on the Star Wars: Jedi Challenges setup. It was a slightly longer set up for the pairing of two devices in the multiplayer mode but well worth the effort!
How it works
The Lenovo Mirage AR headset provides full gaming immersion with an optimal level of comfort during gameplay with a three-point straps for a secure fit and support. It’s well padded on the forehead and cheek areas too and will happily suit those that wear glasses like daddy. The Tracking Beacon, which is placed on the floor and acts as a stable base for the headset’s sensors to detect the user’s movement during gameplay.
The headset pairs with a close to screen accurate Lightsaber controller, modelled on the one wielded by Anakin Skywalker, then Luke Skywalker, and eventually Rey. The Lightsaber acts as a controller and pointer, allowing players to navigate the user interface, with all controls, actions and commands activated with a simple two-button configuration.
The headset’s sensors work together to lock onto the position of the Lightsaber controller, allowing players to see a beam form above the “hilt,” which they can use to block and interact with the universe in-game. The hilt vibrates as players strike or block their opponents, while an inertial measurement unit sends rotational information from the controller to the smart phone to assist the beam in remaining stable mid-swing. I found this very exciting as daddy won’t let me play with his lightsabers!
Playing
Lightsaber on, app running and headset on we were ready to go. Daddy tells me that this is augmented reality not virtual reality so your surroundings will always be in view because he’s a bit of a geek. We were guided by the friendly Archivist and shown how to hold our lightsaber. We headed to Naboo to have a tutorial. and battled droids as we dodged their blasters and wielded our lightsabers. Daddy enjoyed playing Holochess and to keep current with new movies regular updates will even see the introduction of Porgs. I hope I don’t have to fight them with my Lightsaber!
Multiplayer
One important update that has hit Star Wars: Jedi Challenges just last week is the highly anticipated multiplayer option. We were sent two devices to play and even though the set up was a bit daunting the software guided us through each step. Your two phones need to be on the same WiFi otherwise they won’t talk to each other and we placed both tracking beacons on the floor, about three feet apart from one another and to make sure that they’re not the same colour (There is a switch that changes the colour from purple to blue on the bottom). We put the phones in our headsets and the apps on our phones were detecting that we were both in the room with our lightsabers on.
Watch my folks battle!
We’ve had the most amazing time playing with this AR and it’s made Daddy’s year! *seriously*. We all love this gadget. Once you get passed the initial setting up of the headset and your phone, this is so much fun. The new multiplayer option is a must if you know someone who also own the kit. Playing with a friend/family member adds a whole level of fun. We can’t recommend this product enough for people who love Star Wars. We might even do a follow-up with daddy in his Jedi gear if we get enough likes!!
Love Bella x
Disclosure: We were sent these Star Wars: Jedi Challenges sets in return for an honest review, all gasps of excitement are our own.
dearmummyblog.com 
Oh wow! It’s incredible how far technology has come over the past few years – anything can be bought alive 🙂
My husband is a massive Star Wars fan and would absolutely love this! What fab tech 🙂
haha I loved the review! Daddy was so excited 🙂 It is awesome that you can be in your own bedroom and in a galaxy far, far away at the same time! 🙂
OK how fun does this look for Star Wars fans young and old! Love that you can play it at home and just be transported to another world.
This looks so cool! I know for sure my husband would want to try this out more than the kiddies 🙂
This looks like so much fun! My fiance is a closet star wars geek I will have to show him this later !
What a fantastic product to review! My Hubby is a huge Star Wars fan too, and once this becomes multiplayer, I’m thinking they’ll be war!
Looks like so much fun, though I’m not so good with things that require lots of set up and downloading stuff. But I am a huge Star Wars fan.
Oh my goodness, my partner would love this! I’m sure he would happily introduce it to our son x
I enjoyed watching the unboxing video. Great for Star Wars fans.
Oh my gosh this would be right up my sons street, he ADORES Star Wars and I could see him playing on this so much!!!
This is so cool! Star war fans will totally love this!
Wow I know lots of people who would LOVE this! THe lightsabre battles sound amazing x
This looks so cool and definitely something my boyfriend would love as he loves VR and star wars x
That looks like so much fun! My son and other half would absolutely adore this!
This looks like so much fun although I think my husband would love it more than my kids!
My hubbie and son are huge star wars fans and they would love this. Looks like you guys had loads of fun as well
THIS LOOKS AMAZING!!! I mean who doesn’t love Star Wars and wish they could have a real light saber and this why they can! My boys would love this
I cannot believe how little we know about Star Wars in this house – Looks like we’ve missed out on some great technology. I really like the idea of the multiplayer aspect.
Wow, technology is amazing isn’t it. This is perfect for all the Star Wars dans out there!
Okay, I’m a little jealous right now! #DreamTeam linky
You’d love this James! Make it so…nope that’s Star Trek 😉 well worth the money!
I love how the whole family got involved with this review. I almost daren’t introduce my son to Star Wars as I imagine he’d fall hook line and sinker in love with it too. At the moment he’s quote content with a few Lego mini figures!
Yeah we’ve started something with this…now the whole house loves Star Wars!
This is great 🙂 The two Jedi’s in my house would adore this.
They’d be playing all the time! It’s awesome and great for young padawans
The cat might be less than thrilled by that idea! Back again from #bigpinklink
Hubby and my boys are star wars mad so would adore this – may have to buy it for Fathers Day
They’d love it. It’s so much fun playing together too!
That looks like great fun – though I must admit I’m not great with VR, it makes me feel sick.
We’re not the best with VR either but love the AR as you can still see your surroundings as you play. Great fun. We don’t get dizzy with it x
Oh my word this looks amazing and I’m not even a die hard Star Wars fan! I do love a bit of VR and this really takes it all to the next level.
It’s so much better than VR and you can see your surrounding as you play! You’d love it x
This looks so much fun. Ideal for any star wars fan no matter what the age by the looks of it lol!
Yes, definitely! The whole family loves it!
wow. We were lucky enough to play with some VR stuff at last years HasCon and it was really cool. I can’t imagine how much fun this must be #familyfun
It would be right up your street then! You’d love it Jeremy! Very addictive!
This looks and sounds like so much fun! I love how the whole family was involved.
My fella is a Star Wars fan and would love this!
OMG this looks like bags of fun1 My husband loves Star Wars so would be all over this!
This looks amazing, my boys would have adored this a few years ago #TriedTested
Wow that’s seriously cool! What a fab way to enjoy Star Wars as a family. Im a pure technophobe so I’d be glad if it was easy to set up. What a special treat for your Daddy!! Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky
This looks like a lot fo fun, The lightsabre looks really good. I like that there is a multiplayer option too.
#FamilyFun
This is so cool! Hubster would love this and his birthday is coming up! #DreamTeam
This looks like so much fun. I think my nephews and nieces would love it.
This looks like so much fun! My lot would love this! #familyfunlinky
Back again from #DreamTeam!
Don’t get mad, I’m not really a Star Wars fan but that looks fantastic! #bigpinklink
This sounds absolutely incredible! My aunties are massive Star Wars fans and would totally love this, that’s Christmas sorted then! Thanks for linking up with me at the #BigPinkLink this week!