Along with providing the world of cinema with several notable classics, the Star Wars franchise has contributed many exciting products to the world of gaming. Starting with Atari's 1982 adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars games have grown and prospered over the decades, eventually leading to several gaming classics.
While plenty of these games have gone about transporting the film's stories to the gaming medium, others have greatly expanded the series' universe and lore. Focusing on tales from before, during, and after the films' events, these games have led to franchises of their own in some instances, including books and comic books expanding upon the characters, tales, and uses of The Force on offer. Although deciding on the greatest of all time in anything is a tall order, there are several traits worth considering: gameplay quality, cultural and gaming impact, success, and influence in the years since. With this in mind, here are Star Wars games that managed to give fans something special.
6 Star Wars Rogue Squadron 2: Rogue Leader – An Instant Classic For GameCube
Not only is Rogue Leader a Star Wars gaming masterpiece, but it's also one of the greatest releases ever seen on the Nintendo GameCube. Its gameplay was so top-notch at the time that it was even used for the console's showcase.
Above all else, Rogue Leader's biggest contribution to the Star Wars gaming world was arguably its rendition of the much-loved Trench Run feature, which went hand-in-hand with the game's straightforward, all-action style.
A noticeable change from the original Rogue Squadron can be found in this game's lighter approach to combat systems, providing fans with a faster-paced, less complicated experience. Coupled with elite-level graphics for the time and a fun narrative spanning the original three films, Rogue Leader marked a new peak for spacecraft-focused Star Wars games.
5 LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker – A New Peak In LEGO Gaming
Not only is The Skywalker Saga an excellent piece of Star Wars gaming, but it's also arguably the pinnacle of LEGO games. The game lives up to its title, charting the events from The Phantom Menace all the way to The Rise of Skywalker.
Featuring 45 levels across all three film trilogies, the game boasts plenty of the light-hearted, trademark humor the LEGO games have become renowned for. Better still, the game showcases greatly enhanced combat systems and mobility mechanics to enjoy compared to prior releases. Essentially wrapping up everything great about both LEGO and Star Wars in one neat, good-natured, family-friendly bow, this was one adaptation that managed to exceed any and all expectations.
4 Star Wars Episode 1: Racer – A Top-Selling Phenomenon Upon Release
Of the games released in tandem with 1999's The Phantom Menace, it's safe to say Racer proved more seminal than the direct film adaptation. Inspired by the popular Tatooine podracing scene from the film, the game provides players with a thrilling, fast-paced experience.
Along with the Tatooine racetrack from the film, Racer comes with a diverse array of other planetary settings for players to enjoy speeding through. Its large range of customizable features, attention to detail, and references to the source material all add to what made this a near-flawless game racing experience at the time.
In a nice touch that ensured a certain level of suspense for players, the trusty booster features can ultimately destroy the player's pod if used for too long, making it a double-edged sword for those desperate to get in first when lagging behind. A monster seller at the time, Racer ensured interest in Star Wars gaming remained high as the 21st century rolled in.
3 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – A Near-Perfect Jedi Adventure
The adventures of Cal Kestis have kicked up a notch this year with the release of the highly-anticipated Survivor. The story picks up five years on from Fallen Order, and sees Kestis still on the run, now as a seasoned Jedi Knight.
Survivor retains much of the gameplay and action that made Fallen Order such a treat and turns them up to 11, offering an immersive thrill ride for players. While some have dismissed the game's core plot as being uninspired, Survivor has plenty to offer Star Wars fans, including new Jedi lore, a curious look at Darth Vader as a mentor, and the continuing growth and development of Cal as a Jedi. At a visual level, Survivor may just be the greatest, most well-textured Star Wars game ever released.
2 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen – Revolutionized Lightsaber Action In Video Games
This much-loved 2019 game delivered the high-level lightsaber action fans had been hoping for decades. Respawn Entertainment's entry into a time long ago, in a galaxy far, far away has won them much acclaim and introduced Star Wars fans to a new fan-favorite protagonist.
Fallen Order focuses on the aftermath of the infamous Order 66 from Revenge of the Sith. The player takes control of Cal Kestis, a Jedi Padawan on the run from the Galactic Empire. Unsurprisingly, being a fugitive makes completing his Jedi training even more difficult than usual. Chased by Imperial Inquisitors, Cal's adventure is a gripping, immersive affair that lifted the lid on the potential of Jedi combat in modern gaming.
1 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic – A Masterclass In World-Building
The Old Republic gives George Lucas' prequels a run for their money on the complicated lore front, introducing players to a very different time in the galaxy's history. Set four millennia before A New Hope, Knights of the Old Republic gives fans a space western-infused look at the war between the Jedi and the Sith.
The main narrative revolves around Darth Malak's declaration of war on The Galactic Republic. The sinister Sith Lord has an entire army of Dark Siders on his side, leading to war-torn chaos throughout the galaxy. Players slot in as a noble Jedi tasked with chasing and ultimately defeating Malak across a variety of planets.
Released in 2003, Knights of the Old Republic remains the narrative pinnacle of Star Wars games, featuring a very different tale and experience to the times and battles depicted in the films, all while remaining true to the series' overall themes and style. A seminal modern gaming classic, BioWare's role-playing take on Star Wars remains one of the most important and influential games of its time.