Star Wars is among the greatest media franchises on the planet, with that unique 1977 scrappy sci-fi movie inspiring a string of blockbuster films, formidable TV exhibits and sprawling books alongside comics and toys that span hundreds of years of intergalactic historical past.
Every new addition to Star Wars lore is all the time fiercely debated, however it’s virtually universally accepted that the perfect movies are a part of the unique trilogy, whereas the perfect Star Wars TV exhibits are both early seasons of The Mandalorian, the animated The Clone Wars or latest Disney+ hit Andor.
In the case of video video games although, Star Wars followers are really spoilt for alternative. From intricate technique video games, lightsaber-wielding fighters and high-octane first-person shooters to intense sci-fi racers, there are what looks as if an countless vary of video games to select from. Worry not, younger Padawan. We’ve lower by means of the noise to create a listing of 16 important video games that mirror the perfect of a galaxy far, far-off.
16. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith
One of many final video video games from the period of fixed film tie-ins, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith put gamers on the very centre of Anakin Skywalker’s downfall from plucky Jedi hero to brooding Sith mass-murderer. Sticking intently to the narrative of the film, gamers might even slash their approach by means of younglings on the Jedi Temple however, if enjoying as Anakin, they may additionally take out Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu to say the galaxy as their very own.
Launch 12 months: 2003
Our favorite bit: Multiplayer duel mode, the place you can also make Darth Vader and Ben Kenobi do battle
Play it immediately: Xbox Collection X/S and Xbox One by way of the digital retailer
15. Star Wars: Galaxies
This Star Wars-themed massively multiplayer on-line role-playing sport actually made gamers really feel like they had been a part of the Star Wars universe. When it initially launched, gamers might select from a variety of completely different species and professions to scratch out an existence within the galaxy, with ten completely different planets to discover and name house. With success reliant on a good division of labour, the sport constructed up a fierce neighborhood earlier than two main reworks in 2005 disrupted that comfortable steadiness. The servers had been finally shut down by Sony in 2011, a couple of days earlier than their new sport The Outdated Republic was launched.
Launch 12 months: 2003
Our favorite bit: The preliminary thrill of lastly seeing a Jedi after months of labor as a Wookie dealer, specialising in droid and car crafting
Play it immediately: Afraid not – servers had been shut down in 2011
14. Star Wars Episode I: Energy Battles
It’s straightforward to get caught up within the complexities of the Stars Wars universe, however generally you simply need to leap about and kill droids together with your lightsaber. Enter Episode 1: Energy Battles. With 5 Prequels-era Jedi to select from, gamers might bounce and slash their approach by means of 10 completely different ranges on this vibrant beat-‘em-up platformer that ignored all that boring speak of commerce offers. It took actual ability (or a pocket book with all of the button combos written down) to grasp the numerous lightsaber assaults.
Launch 12 months: 2000
Our favorite bit: Lastly nailing the lightsaber combo assault of your desires
Play it immediately: Not formally
13. Star Wars: Battlefront II
A sequel to the 2015 reboot, Stars Wars: Battlefront II explores the interval between Return Of The Jedi and The Drive Awakens, with gamers taking cost of a former Imperial particular ops commander who’s now preventing for the liberty of the galaxy. Fairly cool, proper? The preliminary launch was criticised for the sheer quantity of loot containers on provide however as soon as EA eliminated all microtransactions, gamers had been left with an intense shooter that had actual moments of brilliance.
Launch 12 months: 2017
Our favorite bit: Seeing a assured Luke Skywalker on the peak of his energy
Play it immediately: It’s accessible to obtain for Xbox and PlayStation in addition to PC by way of Steam
12. Star Wars: Knights Of The Outdated Republic II
The follow-up to the critically acclaimed, beloved Knights Of The Outdated Republic had an terrible lot to stay as much as. Set hundreds of years earlier than Episode I, builders needed to create a variety of unique characters to flesh out the universe together with Kreia, who stays one of the well-rounded, plausible online game characters ever. KOTOR II echoed the perfect moments of the unique, however a rushed launch meant a sequence of expansions needed to be launched to get near the brilliance of what had come earlier than.
Launch 12 months: 2004
Our favorite bit: The massive ol’ twist on the finish of the principle story
Play it immediately: Steam
11. Star Wars: Battlefront
The unique Star Wars: Battlefront was a wickedly addictive conquest sport, that allowed gamers to stay out their desires of both enslaving or liberating the galaxy as commander of one in every of 4 completely different factions. With quite a lot of completely different troopers, heroes, autos and indigenous forces to take care of, the unique Battlefront was a fast-paced epic, with a 2005 sequel including extra parts of technique to the franchise.
Launch 12 months: 2004
Our favorite bit: The Battle Of Hoth in all its icy glory
Play it immediately: A remastered model was just lately launched for PC and PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo consoles alongside the sequel
10. Tremendous Star Wars trilogy
A trilogy of side-scrolling Star Wars video games developed for the shiny new Tremendous Nintendo Leisure System within the early Nineteen Nineties, every Tremendous Star Wars sport noticed gamers observe the identical narrative beats of the unique films. Regardless of the restrictions of the console, the world of Tremendous Star Wars appeared surprisingly vibrant whereas the sheer issue made defeating The Empire really feel like a noble trigger. Add in some technically superior car ranges that included the giddy destruction of the Dying Star, and it’s straightforward to see why a whole technology fell in love with the sequence.
Launch 12 months: 1992-1994
Our favorite bit: John Williams epic rating, lovingly recreated in 16-bit kind
Play it immediately: You’ll have to get on eBay, sorry
9. Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
The Jedi Knight franchise is among the longest operating within the Star Wars universe. Starting with 1995’s Darkish Forces and concluding with 2003’s Jedi Academy, the sequence follows former Imperial officer Kyle Katarn as he learns the methods of the power and the struggles that come alongside that. Every instalment has its perks, however Jedi Outcast actually nails each the hack-and-slash fight and the vicious effectiveness of utilizing the Drive, whereas the storyline takes gamers on an actual emotional rollercoaster.
Launch 12 months: 2002
Our favorite bit: No different video games makes lightsaber duels really feel this epic
Play it immediately: Steam and each the PlayStation and Xbox digital shops have this one
8. Star Wars: Empire At Struggle
Empire At Struggle began out as an epic, real-time technique sport that occurred within the comparatively unexplored time between the rise of the Empire and Luke Skywalker’s exploits in A New Hope. It was already an amazing sport, however a sequence of updates from unique developer Petroglyph Video games has stored the title alive – whereas the lively, artistic and passionate modding neighborhood has continued to take Empire At Struggle to new heights, turning this sport into one thing very particular certainly.
Launch 12 months: 2006
Our favorite bit: Virtually 20 years after it was first launched, modders proceed to tug Empire At Struggle in good new instructions
Play it immediately: Steam
7. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Initially, Fallen Order was going to be fully faraway from the established Star Wars universe, however EA noticed the potential of the action-adventure sport and inspired Respawn to vary path. The result’s maybe one of the compelling tales in the complete canon. Gamers take management of Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis after the occasions of Revenge Of The Sith as he tries to rebuild the Jedi Order and keep away from assassination makes an attempt from The Empire. Good luck, babe.
Launch 12 months: 2019
Our favorite bit: The beautiful world of Fallen Order, or the lovable BD-1 droid
Play it immediately: Obtainable in all places you’d anticipate
6. Star Wars Rogue Squadron 2: Rogue Chief
A few of the finest moments in Star Wars contain daring aerial battles or intense spaceship chases. Leaning into that, the Rogue Squadron trilogy places the participant within the pilot’s seat, as they tackle enemy pilots or defend valuable cargo by means of the depths of house. The unique arcade-style sport was launched in 1998 however sequel Rogue Chief took the franchise to lofty new heights, because of epic graphics and fast-paced fight.
Launch 12 months: 2001
Our favorite bit: Taking cost of the Millennium Falcon in scrappy canine fights
Play it immediately: No – the unique is on the market on Steam nonetheless
5. Star Wars Episode I: Racer
Say what you need about Darth Maul and Qui-Gon Jinn, the very best factor launched with Episode I was podracing. Barrelling by means of the desert in a racer product of spare components was made to appear to be probably the most enjoyable within the Galaxy, and LucasArts had the nice sense to show that one jaw-dropping sequence into a whole online game. With each Jake Lloyd and Lewis MacLeod reprising their roles as Anakin Skywalker and Sebulba, and a lovingly-recreated Tatooine panorama to tear by means of, it’s little shock that Episode I: Racer went on to turn out to be the largest promoting sci-fi racing sport of all time.
Launch 12 months: 1999
Our favorite bit: Any excuse to say: “Now this… is podracing!”
Play it immediately: It’s accessible on Steam, GOG and the Xbox retailer
4. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
It’s not the type of factor you need to say too loudly however Star Wars is kinda foolish. Positive, the movies showcase a sprawling, interconnected universe and share messages of affection, friendship and standing up for what you consider in, even within the face of planet-destroying house lasers, however Star Wars by no means takes itself too significantly. Lego Star Wars amplifies that, permitting gamers to observe the 9 epic films and poking enjoyable in any respect the horrible choices alongside the way in which.
Launch 12 months: 2022
Our favorite bit: Vader doing push-ups
Play it immediately: Take your choose of locations to seize it from
3. Star Wars Outlaws
The latest Star Wars sport can also be one of many biggest. Breaking away from the ties of The Skywalker Saga however nonetheless very a lot set on the planet of Star Wars, the Ubisoft-published RPG takes heavy affect from journey titles like Uncharted, Tomb Raider, The Witcher and Murderer’s Creed to create one thing cohesive, thrilling and distinctive. Set between the occasions of A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Again, Outlaws digs into the murky underbelly beneath the riot to uncover the grit behind these early, iconic movies.
Launch 12 months: 2024
Our favorite bit: Cutesy new companion Nix
Play it immediately: PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Collection X/S
2. Star Wars: Knights Of The Outdated Republic
Based mostly on Wizards Of The Coast’s Dungeons & Dragons-inspired Star Wars role-playing sport (say that 5 occasions quick, why don’t you), Knights Of The Outdated Republic is an epic house western. Set 4000 years earlier than Episode I, the sport launched numerous followers to a completely new period of Star Wars, and gave builders Bioware the liberty to craft the galaxy in their very own imaginative and prescient. The result’s an intense, menacing story that isn’t afraid of taking massive swings. The turn-based gameplay additionally means each resolution is a vital one.
Launch 12 months: 2003
Our favorite bit: Lastly changing into a Jedi in any case these coaching ranges
Play it today: GOG, Steam and the Xbox retailer have this basic
1. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
The sequel to a different nice Star Wars sport (Jedi: Fallen Order), Survivor had quite a bit to stay as much as when it was launched in 2023 however it smashed every expectation. Following the story of younger Jedi Cal Kestis and his resistance to Empire rule, Survivor takes all the pieces that was good in regards to the unique action-adventure sport and amplifies it. The worlds are larger, and extra populated. Assaults are extra vicious, with blaster and lightsaber combos now a part of a participant’s arsenal, whereas Cal’s use of the power is much more spectacular. The compelling narrative additionally makes Survivor inconceivable to place down. It’s the important Star Wars sport.
Launch 12 months: 2023
Our favorite bit: The well-crafted central father-daughter storyline is surprisingly transferring
Play it immediately: It’s accessible in all places you’d need it to be
