Star Wars is one of the best-known properties out there. That original 1977 film spawned sequel and prequel films, Tv series, cartoons, novels, comics, board games and of course Video Games. There have been Star Wars titles in pretty much every console and platform known to man, from the Atari 2600, passing by the Amiga to current generations.
Star Wars Video Games have taken us to the universe of the films, expanding it in ways their original creator perhaps never expected. We’ve played the films, alternate events and even side-stories, and we’ve been Jedi, Bounty Hunters, Criminals or just people caught in someone else’s mess. We’ve used The Force, Blasters or just a ton of Thermal Detonators. We’ve traveled through the Republic and the Outer Rim, found exotic locales and met strange creatures, both good and evil. We’ve found ancient relics and superweapons, collecting or taking them down!
Every game also begins in the same familiar way. The words “A LONG TIME AGO IN GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY…” followed by John Williams’ now iconic piece let us know we’re in for a fun ride. We’ll see the blocky yellow text against the outer space background and learn of the latest turmoil plaguing the galaxy, and we’ll then go to where it all starts.
As I said, there have been countless Star Wars Video Games, but which ones are the best? I posed this question to some of my friends and colleagues and you’ll find our picks below. I’d like to thank these good friends for taking the time to join me in this:
- Ben, the original Gentleman Geek and member of 1001Up.
- Nathan, one of the recurring guests at 1001Up’s The Bromance—live on Twitch every Thursday at 8pm GMT.
- James, The man behind the Initiative Check channel on YouTube.
Me: As a fan of the Wizards of the Coast d20 Star Wars RPG, this game finally proved in my eyes that D&D rules could be put into a video game without being clunky and unwieldy. The story was fantastic and that twist reveal in the middle of the game…man…unforgettable!
Ben: Greatest twist ever.
Me: One of the first games I ever played on Gamecube and one I kept coming back years later. It’s fun, takes you through the entire original Star Wars trilogy and the mission challenges were tough as hell!
Ben: GameCube gem. Get to pilot some of the most iconic ships in the most iconic fights.
Me: The game that made Kyle Katarn the awesome Star Wars character he was. A fun and interesting game that turned you from mercenary to Jedi. Best of all, it encouraged you to go searching for secret areas. Each you find is one more skill point to add to your Force Powers. Also, some of the best FMV scenes in the 90s.
Ben: First person lightsabers done right.
Me: Shows you the other side of the Clone Wars, the covert ops. Squad is likeable and they each have their unique skills. Issuing orders and see them executed is fantastic. Also, blaster shotguns!
James: It fleshes out a very interesting section of Star Wars, and gives some real life to the Clone Wars. It puts you in the boots of some members of Delta Squad, and shows you what life as a trooper was like.
Me: Lets you play as Jango Fett and hunt Jedi and other bounties. Badass.
Me: Takes outrageous liberties with the source material, but it’s so much fun to play as Chewbacca and Han Solo in impossible stages! It even has some Starfox-ish levels with X-Wings.
Ben: All the best bits of the series and a story that reminds you you’re a small cog in a very big fight (until the final mission over Endor!).
James: A fantastic example of a great large-scale team based combat.
James: One of the best quick reflex racers out there.
Nathan: Character creation was fun, allowing you to play as many of the alien races from the Star Wars universe as well as choosing what Force powers you wanted to train in to suit your style of play.
James: Rogue Squadron is a fantastic game because it took one of the best characters from Star Wars, Wedge Antilles, and fleshed him out. It inspired my favourite book series by Michael A. Stockpole, and it’s a uniquely fantastic arcade game that has some incredibly crescendos of action.
Now, which one of these do you think is the best? Let us know in the comments and in this nifty little poll!
The Super Star Wars games were fun although very tough. I liked what I played of KOTR, but alas I never finished it as it kept crashing on my naff PC.
GoG is the answer my friend. Go for KOTOR again and finish it.
If not, I’m going to start a Let’s Play of KOTOR very soon, so you can check it out then!
The Super Star Wars games were amazing, they outrageously butchered the plot, but it was so much fun!
I never played the Snes ones but I’ve possibly played ever other Star Wars game. Empire at War and X-Wing Alliance are my personal favourites.
Just want to correct something you said with Rogue Squadron though, in terms of books vs games. It went:
X-Wing Game – 1993
Rogue Squadron comics – 1995>
Stackpole’s Rogue Squadron novels – 1996> (also some of my favs!)
Rogue Squadron Game for N64 – 1998
In the first novel they even have them training in a notoriously difficult level from the original game; “Briggia” mission (I think).
Nice timeline though I’ll cop out by saying that’s what James said! 😛