Best Star Wars Games

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.

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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 thanks to their gameplay, storytelling, and visual elements to create a memorable experience for new and longtime fans.

Updated on February 26, 2025, by Melody MacReady: Almost fifty years later, Star Wars continues to be an important universe for many generations, whether they grew up with the originals, the prequels, the sequels, or even the shows. As technology has advanced, more video game developers have taken on the task of immersing players into the world of Star Wars with dozens of games out there, ranging from cheap plug-and-play games to AAA titles. UbiSoft has recently delivered Star Wars Outlaws to fans and more games are coming in the future, including Quantic Dream’s Star Wars Eclipse and the third Star Wars Jedi game from Respawn Entertainment. The games continue to expand on the lore while giving fans different ways of playing as a Jedi, trooper, stormtrooper, smuggler, and any other role in the universe.

19

Star Wars: Dark Forces

The Doom Clone Saw The Debut Of Kyle Katarn

Systems

Released

March 8, 1995

ESRB

t

In the 90s, many first-person shooters were made to capitalize on the hype of Doom, and Star Wars: Dark Forces is no different, with the player running around blasting any stormtrooper or other enemies in sight to get to the end of the level. However, Dark Forces had one improvement over Doom, as it was one of the first games to feature free-aiming with the mouse for more accuracy.

The story focuses on an ex-imperial named Kyle Katarn in a non-canon story as he and his partner Jan work together to retrieve the Death Star plans, thus setting up the plot for Star Wars: A New Hope. Dark Forces proved to be a major success, with many surprised by how much of a challenge it was to complete; it would lead to a trilogy of games, two spin-offs, and a deserved remaster.

18

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter

How Jango Fett Became The Clone Template

Released

November 22, 2002

ESRB

T For Teen: Mild Blood, Violence

Set ten years before the events of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter follows former Mandalorian Jango Fett as he locks horns with a variety of Force-related threats. Getting tangled up in a web of the villainous Count Dooku, Fett is set on an inevitable collision course with the deadly Dark Jedi, Komari Vosa.

Not only do players learn a great deal more about both bounty hunting and organized crime in the Star Wars universe, but they also get to discover how Jango Fett acquired his famed ship and why he became the basis of the Clone Army. Additionally, it provides fans with a bit more development of Jango Fett, one of the more underrated villains of the franchise.

17

Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire

The Daring Adventures Of A Dashing Smuggler

Systems

Released

December 2, 1996

Players take the role of a gutsy smuggler in the same vein as Han Solo named Dash Rendar in Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire, during the original trilogy, meeting some of the classic characters along the way. Across four chapters, Rendar gives players a look into additional, world-building non-canon events that went on off-screen during the original films.

The narrative neatly blends in with familiar events from the films whilst also providing its distinct adventures. Despite the outdated controls and an awkward camera, Shadows Of The Empire is praised for delivering something unique for its time, ranging from thrilling aerial warfare to ground-based shootouts, ensuring players remain engaged across a variety of dangerous action setpieces.

16

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2

Starkiller Returned In A Mixed Bag Of A Sequel

Released

October 26, 2010

ESRB

T For Teen // Violence

On the one hand, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 delivered better gameplay than the first one thanks to its twin lightsaber combat that made Starkiller feel even more like Kratos from God Of War. The lightsaber combat combined with visuals ahead of their time and even more powerful force abilities leads to some of the most fun in a Star Wars game, especially with the different lightsaber colors providing different perks.

Unfortunately, on the other hand, the rushed development cycle results in so much cut content that The Force Unleashed 2 can be beaten in less than two hours, ending when the story feels like it’s only reached the halfway point. This led to the game being a disappointment to many fans. Even the challenge mode and DLC weren’t enough to extend the playthrough of the game that much.

15

Star Wars Episode 1: Racer

Now This Is Pod-Racing And It Is A Hard Sport

Released

May 18, 1999

ESRB

E For Everyone: Mild Fantasy Violence

Of the games released in tandem with 1999’s The Phantom Menace, it’s safe to say Star Wars Episode 1: Racer proved more seminal than the direct film adaptation. Inspired by the popular Tatooine pod-racing scene from the film, the game provides players with a thrilling, difficult, and fast-paced experience.

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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 racing experience at the time.

14

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Delivers A Silly And Over-The-Top Jedi Power Fantasy

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Released

September 16, 2008

ESRB

T For Teen // Violence

The absurdly overpowered Starkiller makes for one of Star Wars gaming’s most exciting action heroes in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Introduced as the secret apprentice of Darth Vader in the years between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, Garen Malek can bring down starships with the Force and crush Rancors with Force lightning.

The storyline follows his gradual path away from the Galactic Empire, as he finds a new purpose in helping form the early days of the Rebel Alliance. With colorful characters, memorable takes on both Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, and two completely different endings to choose from, The Force Unleashed is a fun, often thrilling gaming experience for Star Wars fans.

13

Star Wars: Empire At War

Classic RTS In The Realm Of Star Wars

Systems

Released

February 16, 2006

ESRB

t

This rewarding epic blends real-time strategy thrills with classic Star Wars action and storytelling. Players are thrust into a high-stakes war in Star Wars: Empire At War, with the game taking place in the period between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Empire At War allows players to take control of armies on both sides of the conflict in grand-scale, epic conflicts throughout the galaxy.

The explosive tactical game succeeds in immersing players further in the wonders of the Star Wars universe. There’s also considerable replay value thanks to three different game modes to discover: Skirmish, Campaign, and Galactic Conquest. With its epic battles and commitment to the spirit of the source material, Empire At War was a hit with fans and critics alike at the time of its release.

12

Star Wars: Battlefront

Multiplayer Shooter That Spawned A Franchise

Released

September 24, 2004

ESRB

T for Teen: Violence

The original entry in the Star Wars: Battlefront series opened the door to a whole new world of Star Wars gaming. Throwing players right into the thick of a variety of conflicts from both the original and prequel trilogies, the game zeroes in on the soldiers on the ground. The result is a blend between the fantastical thrills of Star Wars and the tactical intensity of more conventional shooter games.

With four major armies to serve in multiplayer mode, Battlefront quickly proved to be a hit with players, spawning a sequel and a reboot series in the years after its release. While the more iconic characters are not the focus, the game’s emphasis on infantry and warfare sets it apart as the rare occasion on which Star Wars fans get to appreciate the true stress of having to serve as a stormtrooper.

11

Star Wars: Republic Commando

Delta Squad Paved The Way For The Bad Batch

Released

February 28, 2005

ESRB

T For Teen due to Blood and Gore, Violence

Before The Bad Batch gave fans a ragtag team of unique clones, Star Wars: Republic Commando did it first. It tells the story of Delta Squad and their exploits during the Clone Wars up to the events of Revenge Of The Sith. The concept of the Commandos became so beloved by fans that they would eventually be introduced in canon, even sporting the designs from the game.

Additionally, Star Wars: Republic Commando provides gamers with a unique squad-based first-person shooter, where the player not only has to monitor their own character but the status of the other commandos on the team as well. This includes telling them to focus on defense, sniping, charging, and other tactics needed to complete all levels in the short but sweet campaign.

10

Star Wars Battlefront 2 (2005)

Fans Are Still Playing The Sequel Decades Later

Action

Third-Person Shooter

FPS

Released

October 28, 2005

ESRB

T For Teen: Violence, Mild Language

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is often considered an improvement in nearly every way, from the inclusion of more iconic heroes and villains as playable characters to having even better maps from across the original and prequel movies. It also included an original story, focusing on the exploits of the 501st Legion during the Clone Wars and when the Republic became the Empire.

Even when the rebooted Battlefront games came out, there were still dedicated fans keeping the online community for Star Wars: Battlefront 2 thriving. It’s a testament to what Pandemic Studios delivered, taking everything that made the first game so beloved and simply improving on it while refining it to create a sequel that is still played two decades later.

9

Star Wars: Jedi Knight 2 – Jedi Outcast

Kyle Katarn Came Back Better Than Ever

Systems

Released

March 26, 2002

ESRB

t

Kyle Katarn mixes first-person shooter with lightsaber combat to create an atypical but thrilling Jedi in Star Wars: Jedi Knight 2 – Jedi Outcast. The first two games are akin to Doom or Wolfenstein, but the third game took inspiration from Half-Life, which had revolutionized shooters at the time. Jedi Outcast also gives an upgrade to the Force abilities that Kyle wields, including healing, speed, jumping, lightning, and more.

Lightsaber combat has also seen improvement, but there is still the option to blast through the game using the classic E-11 blaster rifle, Wookiee Bowcaster, and the Tenloss Disruptor Rifle, just to name a few. Combined with massive levels across various Star Wars planets, Jedi Outcast became an instant classic that is fondly remembered and remains an influence on official canon material to this day.

8

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Decades Of Star Wars History In One Game

Released

April 5, 2022

ESRB

E10+ for Everyone 10+: Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief

Not only is LEGO Star Wars: 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 to The Rise Of Skywalker, plus content from various spin-offs. The game also 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 expectations.

7

Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic 2

The Ambitious Sequel Is Best Played With Mods

Released

December 6, 2004

ESRB

T For Teen due to Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence

With a tough act to follow, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 featured a noticeably darker narrative that emphasizes Sith dominance. The game quickly garnered attention for unveiling one of the franchise’s scariest and most powerful rogues: Darth Nihilus. Unfortunately, the game was plagued with many bugs, glitches, and incomplete content on release due to a rushed development cycle.

However, those on PC are in luck because fans kept the game alive through mods, fixing the issues, and restoring lost content to create a superior version of the game. On top of the devastating lead antagonist, Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic 2 provides players with a litany of morally ambiguous choices to make as they take control of an exiled Jedi Knight that can majorly impact the game’s overall outcome.

6

Star Wars Rogue Squadron 2: Rogue Leader

Flying An X-Wing Has Never Been More Fun

Systems

Released

November 9, 2001

ESRB

t

Platform(s)

Nintendo GameCube, Wii

Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 2 – Rogue Leader offers gameplay that was so top-notch at the time that it was even used for the Nintendo GameCube’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

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2017)

From A Disastrous Launch To A Beloved Sequel

Released

November 17, 2017

ESRB

T for Teen: Violence

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Engine

Frostbite

Expand

Fans were disappointed when EA and DICE rebooted Star Wars: Battlefront in 2015, which led to a sequel that was controversial at launch due to its pay-to-win mechanics. However, the developers listened, removed pay-to-win microtransactions, and continued to update Star Wars: Battlefront 2 for several years with free content to create arguably the most immersive war game set in the Star Wars universe.

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The realistic visuals and sounds combined with lore-accurate weapons, locations, and characters resulted in a multiplayer shooter that fans have grown to love. Even the story focusing on Iden Versio and her defection from the Empire to the Rebellion has become a cherished piece of canon that connects the original trilogy and the sequels.

4

Star Wars Outlaws

Crime Does Pay In A Galaxy At War

Open-World

Action-Adventure

Released

August 30, 2024

ESRB

T For Teen // Violence, Simulated Gambling, Mild Language

Rather than the military or the Jedi aspects, Star Wars Outlaws plants fans in the criminal underworld with the franchise’s first open-world experience. Kay Vess is a thief who gets wrapped up in a massive heist that goes wrong, turning her into a wanted criminal who must assemble a new team to pull off the next job.

Star Wars Outlaws is UbiSoft and Massive Entertainment’s first outing with Star Wars and the result is a surprisingly enjoyable open-world game that can be compared to Red Dead Redemption. The player can be as ruthless or merciful as they choose, managing their reputation with various criminal clans. This can lead to replay value, as the right choices during jobs can lead to different outcomes.

3

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Cal Kestis Won The Hearts Of Gamers Everywhere

9/10

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Released

November 11, 2019

ESRB

t

This much-loved 2019 game, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, delivered the high-level lightsaber action fans had been waiting decades for. 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, with Fallen Order focusing 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.

2

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

A Darker Sequel That Turned Cal Kestis Into A Legend

Action-Adventure

Soulslike

Sci-Fi

Released

April 28, 2023

ESRB

T For Teen due to Mild Language, Violence

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Expand

The adventures of Cal Kestis have kicked up a notch with the release of the highly-anticipated Star Wars Jedi: 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 dials them to the max, offering an immersive thrill ride for players.

With one of the most original Jedi-focused stories of the series, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has plenty to offer Star Wars fans, including new Jedi lore, even better customization options, glimpses into the High Republic era, memorable villains, and the continuing growth and development of Cal as a Jedi. On a visual level, Survivor may just be the greatest, most well-textured Star Wars game ever released.

1

Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

BioWare Changed Storytelling In Star Wars Games Forever

Released

July 15, 2003

ESRB

T for Teen: Violence

Expand

Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic established an entirely new era, 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, 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, featuring vital story and dialogue choices that have become the norm of BioWare games.

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