Lets be perfectly honest here, Star Wars is kind of a big deal! Since its theatrical debut in the summer of 1977, it seems as though George Lucas' sprawling space epic has grown more powerful over time, and shown up on every last piece of merchandise possible! From movies to mugs, toys to t-shirts, Star Wars has been a part of our lives for over 35 years and shows no signs of slowing down.
Fans are about to enter a new era, one that will include 3 brand new Star Wars motion pictures, a new animated series, new figures, Lego sets and video games! Ah, Star Wars video games! With LucasArts bought out by the Walt Disney corporation in the Fall of 2013, we thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the best Star Wars video games to ever arrive on home consoles during the company's 21 years prior to the buy out. And that is exactly what we're going to do, right here, right now.
Fans who've been following us for awhile will no doubt remember we did something similar to this countdown, but with Jurassic Park gaming titles. So, no doubt, you'll know what to expect. Every major system, going as far back as the Atari 2600, has been privileged to have a Star Wars game in its library. That, however, doesn't necessarily make them good. So, we're going to weed through it all and pick out the Top 10 Best Star Wars Video Games from the past 21-years. Another monumental, Herculean task at that, especially for those of us without the Force as our aid!
In any case, the fans demanded it, so here it is! The Top 10 Star Wars Video Games of all time, as decided by the team here at Infinite Earths! Just sit back, relax and get ready to be transported back A Long Time Ago, to a Galaxy Far, Far Away...
#10 - Star Wars Episode 1: Racer (N64/Dreamcast - 1999) - In 1999, the first of the prequel films arrived in theaters, to a less then stellar reaction from fans. From a plot stooped in politics to Jar Jar Binks, The Phantom Menace would effectively start to divide the Star Wars fandom into two groups - those who liked the prequels and those who didn't. However, despite the reaction from fans, this didn't stop Episode I merchandise from flowing into store at an alarming rate. Every major gaming console at the time would get a game based on Episode I, one of which was the fast-paced, and very exciting Racer! Based off the pod racing scene in The Phantom Menace, players got to race those hi-speed machines around several tracks located on several different planets. The racers seen in the film also made appearances as playable characters in the game, which was released on the Nintendo 64, Sega Dreamcast, PC and Game Boy Color. Racer took a unique approach to the Star Wars license in that players simply raced - no Jedi, no lightsabers, no force-choking, just good, old-fashioned racing! Racer actually holds the record for being the best-selling sci-fi racing game the world over, beating out the likes of Wipeout and F-Zero with ease. Racer takes the #10 spot on our list for taking one of the only good things about The Phantom Menace and turning it into a widely popular, super engaging gaming title that was actually much better then the sequel that came after it.
#9 - Star Wars: Masters of Teras Kasi(PSX - 1997) - Another unique approach to a Star Wars title, Masters of Teras Kasi is basically a fighting game akin to Soul Edge and Tekken. Taking place between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, the game sees the Emperor seeking out assassin Arden Lyn to aid in destroying key figures within the ranks of the Rebel Alliance. The game includes a wide roster of playable characters from Boba Fett and Han Solo to Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, each equipped with their own special moves and powers. There are also a wide range of battle arenas that can be selected from, based off popular locations in the original Star Wars universe. Overall, this game was not all that well received. Fans were mad lightsabers acted more like baseball bats and that characters using blasters had to charge up the weapons before they could be fired. The engine used within the game was also seen as inferior to other fighters of the day. In the end, GMR and Screw Attack both rated the game as one of the worst Star Wars, and fighting games, ever made! We here at Infinite Earth though appreciate a unique approach to games based off blockbuster movies and, to us, Masters of Teras Kasi does this in a big way. Say what you want, but remember, we also liked Warpath when we did our Jurassic Park video game countdown last summer...
#8 - Star Wars: Jedi Outcast (Game Cube/XBox - 2002) - Set in the Expanded Universe, Jedi Outcast sees players taking control of Rebel Agent turned Jedi Knight Kyle Katarn. Set two years after 1998's Mysteries of the Sith, Outcast has Kyle cutting his link with the force after almost falling to the Dark Side in the previous game. Now working as a mercenary for the New Republic, Katarn squares off against Desann, a fallen Jedi who left the Order after killing a student. Kyle wants Desann dead after he orders Kyle's partner, and love interest, Jan Ors killed. He later arrives in the Valley of the Jedi to regain his powers, then heads to the Jedi Academy to get his lightsaber back from Luke Skywalker, who warns Kyle of the darkness in his path, but sets him on the trail of the fallen Jedi Desann. Outcast belongs on this list for taking everything fans love about the Jedi Knight series and making it that much better! From a better array of weapons and force powers, to an emotionally charged story and top notch graphics, this is one of the most engaging chapters in the Jedi Knight series that fans can't help but love! Made famous for also having single and multi-player options, the game also increased playability over previous Jedi Knight games. On top of that, Outcast marked the last time players would take control of Kyle Katarn as the next chapter in the series, Jedi Academy, would have players creating, and playing as, a padawan of Master Katarn's instead. For being his final, and best playable adventure, Outcast takes the #8 spot on our list of the Top Star Wars video games of all time!
#7 - Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (PS3, XBox/Wii - 2010) - Another story set in the Expanded Universe, this sequel to The Force Unleashed sees players taking control of a clone of the previous games hero Galen Marek. Setting out to find his true identity, as well as Marek's love interest, Juno Eclipse, this third person Star Wars title features many similarities with the first game in the multimedia project, but with better refinements in sound, graphics, player control, power-ups and story. This sequel also added the element of puzzle-solving, thus engaging player's in a more mental capacity then the first game did. Several of the original cast, including Clone Wars actor Sam Witwer, returned for the second outing in the Force Unleashed series, in a story that had to find the approval of George Lucas himself before it could be greenlit. Thus, for improving on the original, something that can't be said of every Star Wars game, and being good enough for the creator of our favorite far away galaxy, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II takes the #7 spot on our list!
#6 - Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (N64 - 1998) - The one that started it all! In our hearts and minds, the first Rogue Squadron Star Wars game will always be the best! Again, this was a unique take on the Star Wars license as players flew missions in X-Wing fighters. Capitalizing on the popularity of other games at the time, like Flight Simulator and Fighter Ace, Rogue Squadron is based off the Star Wars comics of the same name and sees players taking control of Luke Skywalker as he leads the Rebel Alliance's best pilots against the Galactic Empire in 16 stages of action. It was one of the first games to take advantage of the Nintendo 64's Expansion Pak, which would allow gameplay to take place at 640 x 480 resolution and was praised for its overall technical achievements and flight controls. The title was so popular with gamers and fans alike that, by the summer of 1999, over 1-million copies of Rogue Squadron had been sold worldwide. It spawned two equally successful sequels on the Nintendo Game Cube, and an unofficial successor, Battle of Naboo. For kicking off the Rogue Squadron craze Star Wars fans lived through for the rest of the 90's and early into the new millennium, the one that started it all, Rogue Squadronon the Nintendo 64 takes the #6 spot on our list of the Best Star Wars Games of All Time...
#5 - Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (N64/PC - 1996) - One of the first games made available for the Nintendo 64, Shadows was part of a massive multimedia project undertaken by LucasArts that also included a novel, comic series, soundtrack and action figure line. Taking place between the events seen in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, players take control of smuggler Dash Rendar shortly before the Battle of Hoth. Taking place over 10 levels of play, the excitement builds to a final showdown with Prince Xizor and Rendar's supposed death. If the game is beaten on Medium, Hard or Jedi difficulty levels however, a post-credit scene is played that shows Dash, having survived the destruction of Xizor's skyhook, and discussing with his droid Leebo how they'll hide from their enemies. The game was received well, praised for its orchestral soundtrack, and excellent graphics. Star Wars fans ate it up! So much so that Shadows of the Empire became the #3 hottest selling video game of 1997! Shadows takes the #5 spot on our list for ushering Star Wars games into the 21st Century, thanks to the massive multimedia support from LucasArts, Kenner, Dark Horse and several others. It also filled in the gapes between Episodes V and VI and gave players and fans a glimpse into what was going on between, and following, the films. Sure, by today's standards, Shadows is somewhat dated in appearance, and overall it is short, but, all that aside, it's still fun, has an engaging story, and an emotionally charged soundtrack that really immerses you into the world of Star Wars like no prior gaming title ever had...
#4 - Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (SNES - 1993) - Where the original Super Star Wars on the SNES was one of the most frustrating Star Wars games ever made, thanks to a total lack of a saving feature and somewhat wonky controls, Super Empire Strikes Back, like the film it was based upon, is easily the best of the 3 games in this classic side-scrolling series. Featuring multiple playable characters, some nice quasi-3D vehicle sequences, and a double-jump move for each of the playable characters, Super Empire basically took everything good about the first Star Wars game, and made it better! Characters got the use of primary and secondary weapons, Luke had access to force powers, Han could throw grenades and Chewbacca gained a spinning attack. The game is still quite difficult, something, as mentioned above, that the first Super Star Wars game became known for. However, this time around, a password system was implemented, allowing players to proceed from the level where their previous game ended without having to start all over again. Super Empire Strikes Back is easily one of the very best classic Star Wars games to ever be released. Thus, for this reason alone, and enhanced Mode 7 graphics, Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back takes the #4 spot on our list!
#3 - Star Wars: Republic Commando (XBox/PC - 2005) - You'll no doubt notice that the majority of the games listed here come from the Original Trilogy. That's nothing personal, we just feel the majority of good Star Wars games came from the pre-prequel Star Wars universe. Now, that doesn't mean there are no good games set in the prequel Star Wars universe, take Republic Commando for instance. Using Epic Games' Unreal Engine, Republic Commando saw players taking control of an elite squad of Clone Troopers known as Republic Commandos. Fans of the Star Wars universe will no doubt remember, thanks to the amazing series of books published by Karen Traviss, Republic Commandos are sent on top secret missions deemed too dangerous for regular Clone Troopers. Kicking off at the Battle of Geonosis, Commando features elements seen in many first-person shooters like Halo or Metroid Prime. Players see everything through a visor and makes use of a squadmate order system that allows you to take control of the three NPC Clone Troopers that round out your four-man squad, similar to the system seen in Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear. As the game progresses, the missions become more difficult and, in the end, one squadmate is lost. The game sported interesting features, including an energy-based windshield wiper that would clean blood and oil off your visor, and even the first appearance of General Grievous prior to the theatrical release of Revenge of the Sith two months later in May 2005. Fans of Attack of the Clones, and Karen Traviss' five-book Republic Commando series are sure to eat this title up! It features a very cool story that gives fans a look into the sort of Black Ops. the Republic was involved in during the Clone Wars and even features the voice work of Temuera Morrison, who played Jango Fett, and numerous clones in Episodes II and III. Honestly, we really have nothing negative to say about this game other then we wish it had featured four-person co-op, but we digress. Other then that, this is an awesome title that is a must for any gamer or Star Wars fan!
#2 - Star Wars: Bounty Hunter (PS2/Game Cube - 2002) - Another awesome prequel title, once again featuring the voice talents of Temuera Morrison, is Star Wars: Bounty Hunter. Taking place before the events seen in Attack of the Clones, Bounty Hunter has players taking control of Jango Fett as he participates in a special hunt put together by Count Dooku in an effort to take out Komari Vosa, the deranged leader of the Bando Gora cult. Seen as a major threat to Darth Sidious' plans, Vosa has a bounty placed on her head in the amount of five-million credits. This is essentially a Star Wars game featuring bounty hunting at its core, something that was, once again, an original concept not seen before in a previous Star Wars gaming title. Bounty Hunter has been praised for this originality as well as its graphics, sound, length and level designs and is seen as one of the better overall Star Wars tie-in games. While it may be somewhat different, lacking the dog-fights of Rogue Squadron, or the force powers of the Jedi Knight series, this is one fans of the whole Fringe faction of the Star Wars universe won't be able to get enough of! Also featuring the voice talents of Clancy Brown (Superman: The Animated Series), Leeanna Walsman (Attack of the Clones), Corey Burton (Arkham City) and Kevin Michael Richardson (Transformers Prime), this is not only an awesome gaming experience, but also an awesome entertainment experience akin to what fans would witness eight years later when The Clone Wars movie, and eventual television show, landed. Don't overlook this one, you'll be sorry if you do!
#1 - Star Wars Battlefront II (PS2/PSP/PC/XBox - 2005) - And so, we come to the top of our list, to a game most will not be all that surprised to see! Branded as the sequel to the #1 Best-Selling Star Wars Game of All Time, Battlefront drops players behind the lines of the four main battling factions in the Star Wars universe (Rebel Alliance, Galactic Empire, Republic and Separatists). Each army has different playable characters, including newly added Hero characters that are unlocked during game play. Other features over the first Battlefront game include the addition of Space Battles and a more narrative-based campaign that sees different parts of the Star Wars story retold through the eyes of a veteran Stormtrooper who served with both the Grand Army of the Republic and Galactic Empire. This is a straight-up first and third-person shooter that allows players to control different units in some of the most popular battles seen in the Star Wars movies. Of course, it features enhanced gaming mechanics, sound, music, player control and voice over acting then its predecessor. All of this adds up to one of the best all-around packages seen in a Star Wars game! While the home console versions were met with fanfare, we'll the same cannot be said for the PSP version. It just doesn't measure up to the other Battlefront offerings and should, in all honesty, be skipped. The home console based versions of the game is where the title really shines! The environments are beautiful, the characters cleanly rendered and presented and there are no real issues with load time to speak of. This is truly the ultimate Star Wars gaming experience! We eagerly look forward to the upcoming follow-up that has been talked about since the Disney takeover of Lucas Arts. So long as it doesn't turn out like Star Wars: Racer Revenge, it can't be anything but good!
And so, we reach the end of another Top 10 Gaming List! We hope at least some of your favorite Star Wars titles made the countdown, since we did our best to include a little bit of everything this time around! We know not everyone is going to agree with each entry on this list, but that is one of the great things about Star Wars fandom - so many different tastes and preferences that make our group one of the most varied, yet united, in the pop culture world! We honestly don't feel this list could have gotten any better, however. We feel it represents all the major types of games that encompass the Star Wars name. However, if you feel we should have included other titles, please let us know, there will very well be an Honorable Mention countdown in the near future! In any case, hope you all enjoyed this look into Star Wars gaming and May the Force be with You!
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Article Published:
2014-02-06 10:12:01