The Best Star Wars Games

The Best Star Wars Games

From the latest games to old classics, there is something for everyone in these games!

Star Wars is more than just a movie series - it's a multimedia cultural phenomenon, one that's stretched from film to books, comics, radio plays, and even theater.

Some of the best iterations of Star Wars, though, have been in the world of gaming. While there have been plenty of bad Star Wars games, the best of them have been some of the most memorable games of all time.

Taking a look at some of the better entries can show you just how many stories you can play in the same universe.

TIE Fighter

TIE Fighter was the second flight sim in the well-regarded series, one that put players in the shoes of an Imperial pilot for the first time. Though the game itself had a surprisingly excellent plot, the real strength of this game was in the flight mechanics. Players could strap themselves into one of several different Imperial fighters ranging from the fragile TIE Fighter to burly Imperial Gunboats, allowing them to attempt some fairly challenging scenarios that felt lifted straight from the films.

Dark Forces

If there's one thing that Star Wars loves, it's stories about how the Rebels got the plans for the first Death Star. Long before Rogue One, players found themselves in the shoes of mercenary Kyle Katarn as he lifted those plans and fought against an Imperial warlord. A fairly straightforward DOOM or Quake clone, Dark Forces nonetheless worked in a way that many other Star Wars games had not. It really felt like part of the larger universe, with tons of nods to the minutiae that makes being a Star Wars fan so much fun.

Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast

While the first sequel to Dark Forces was an enjoyable romp that let players experiment with various Force powers, Jedi Knight II really nailed the formula. With a fantastic story, a wide range of Jedi abilities and some excellent dueling, Jedi Knight was one of the earliest games to really let players feel like they were playing Jedi. It didn't hurt that by this point Kyle Katarn had become such a familiar character to players, nor that computers had advanced to the point where some of the more famous Star Wars locales could be rendered in something much closer to lifelike detail.

Galaxies

Star Wars Galaxies was definitely game ahead of its time, at least early on. An MMORPG with a huge focus on player agency, it set players up in the world of the original Star Wars trilogy and let them go. Players could build their own houses, interact with famous characters, and choose a variety of different career paths to live out the ultimate Star Wars fantasy. Though there were definitely low points later in the game's life cycle, this is still considered to be one of the most authentic Star Wars experiences in gaming.

Bounty Hunter

Released around the same time as Star Wars: Episode II, Bounty Hunter put players in the shoes of Jango Fett as he tracked down a number of bounties and dealt with some threats from his past. One of the first games to allow players to take on the role of a bounty hunter and to take a look at the universe's criminal underworld, it was also incredibly well-written and had some very unique mechanics. Players long hoped for a true sequel to the game, but Bounty Hunter itself remains a favorite among those who managed to play it when it was released.

Battlefront II

If you ever want to start an argument in Star Wars fandom, bring up Battlefront II. Note that there have been two games with that title, but only the first one has inspired the kind of incredible loyalty that has led to game boycotts and dedication to a game that's a few console generations old. This shooter gave players the chance to participate in massive battles in space and on land, experimenting with a number of different weapons and ships while never having to worry about loot crates or drops. Definitely a fantastic experience that put the 'war' back in Star Wars.

Knights of the Old Republic

Perhaps the most critically acclaimed of all the Star Wars games, Knights of the Old Republic is the role-playing game that most Star Wars fans always wanted. Not only did it have a fantastic story with a legitimately shocking twist, but it featured an amazing cast and some awesome RPG mechanics. This isn't just one of the best Star Wars games ever made - it's a solid contender for one of the best pure RPGs as well. The sequel didn't quite live up to the original's glory, but both games are still widely pointed to as examples of Star Wars done right.

The Force Unleashed

The Force Unleashed is about as far away from Knights of the Old Republic as you can get, but it's still a fantastic game in its own right. An action-brawler at its finest, The Force Unleashed amps the action up to eleven at all times. This is a game where you can mow through hordes of Stormtroopers without pausing for breath and you can literally pull a Star Destroyer out of the sky with the Force - it's not subtle, but it is an awful lot of fun.

LEGO Star Wars

Not every Star Wars game needs to be serious. While LEGO Star Wars is definitely a silly game that's meant for kids, the various iterations of the series have managed to capture the spirit of the movies and cartoons in ways that no other games have matched. Both the original game and the sequel helped to create the LEGO series of games in their current form, and both were full of enough inside jokes and genuine charm that they've kept players coming back again and again.

The Old Republic

If Galaxies was the Star Wars MMO that was all about player freedom, TOR is the MMO that was all about making players part of the story. Set generations after Knights of the Old Republic, TOR is a unique MMO that allowed players to experience not only an overarching plotline but a unique story for each of the game's classes. With years of expansions and development behind it, TOR is perhaps the deepest Star Wars experience on the market to date.

Fallen Order

The most recent Star Wars game is also undoubtedly one of the best. An uncommonly difficult dive into the time between the third and fourth films, Fallen Order features tight combat, interesting Force powers, and a cast of memorable characters. Though it clearly feels like the first entry in a longer series, the high level of polish coupled with the legitimately fun gameplay makes it one of the most entertaining Star Wars releases in recent memory.

The Best is Yet to Come

One thing's for certain about Star Wars - there are always more games just around the corner. While there have definitely been great games in the past, it's almost certain that the best is still yet to come. With the Skywalker Saga finally reaching an end, the future of Star Wars gaming is sure to give players more reasons to come back to the galaxy far, far away.