Summary
- Star Wars video games continue to deliver innovative, high-quality experiences rooted in George Lucas' original vision.
- The Star Wars Heritage Pack compiles classic games, offering fans a variety of iconic experiences across different platforms.
- Titles like Fallen Order, Lego Star Wars, and Vader Immortal showcase the diverse, immersive storytelling in the Star Wars video game universe.
After The Walt Disney Company's historic purchase of the Star Wars franchise from creator George Lucas for a staggering 4.05 billion dollars, the House of Mouse was determined to keep the space opera's relationship with video games intact. Star Wars and video games grew up alongside each other during the 1970s and 80s, both utilizing burgeoning technology and rapidly improving hardware to create movies and interactive experiences that captivated multiple generations of fans.
8 Best Star Wars Games That Are Canon, Ranked
Games like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Republic Commando are not only enjoyable for fans and gamers, but also part of the series canon.
Now, over a decade since Disney bought the franchise, Star Wars video games have continued to showcase the wonder and innovation of George Lucas' original vision. Tapping into the franchise's large, expansive mythology and also crafting new, original experiences set within the world, Disney's catalog of Star Wars video games ranges from shooters to VR games, as well as keeping the flame of the legacy titles alive with great care. These games have been ranked based on their overall quality, design, and contributions to the Star Wars franchise.
7 Star Wars Heritage Pack
A Compilation Of Star Wars' Greatest Hits
- Developer: Various
- Release Date: April 27, 2023
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation
- Games Featured: Jedi Outcast, Jedi Academy, Episode 1 Racer, Republic Commando, The Force Unleashed, and Knights of the Old Republic 1-2 (Nintendo Switch only)
Star Wars and video games have been best friends for decades, and before the Disney acquisition, the vast number of games based on the franchise was remarkable. From games that allowed one to swing a lightsaber with reckless abandon to shooters, all the way to thrilling podracing games and RPGs, the franchise was not hurting for new video games. And to preserve these experiences for future generations, Disney and Aspyr teamed up to create the Star Wars Heritage Pack, an incredible compilation of seven classic Star Wars games.
The Star Wars Heritage Pack is the best way for one to experience some of the best games based on the franchise, as the variety is truly remarkable. It preserves a very fascinating time in Star Wars history, and while the PlayStation version doesn't contain Knights of the Old Republic 1 and 2, both versions are excellent for the amount of classic content that is on offer. Before Disney made the Expanded Universe non-canonical and transformed it into Legends, this was the peak of Star Wars video games, and it is worth investing time in.
6 Star Wars: Squadrons
Here's Where The Fun Begins
Star Wars: Squadrons
- Released
- October 2, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- EA Motive
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Frostbite
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Star Wars
- Genre(s)
- Action, Flight Simulator
- Platform(s)
- PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- How Long To Beat
- 10 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 24 GB (November 2023)
The space battles in the Star Wars films and television shows have consistently been the most exciting sequences in the franchise, and countless video games have tried to recreate these epic encounters. And while many have done it well, the best game of the Disney-era to do it was Star Wars: Squadrons, an absolutely incredible space combat game by EA Motive that takes place shortly after the events of Return of the Jedi.
5 Star Wars Video Games With The Best Ship Combat
Spaceship combat is an iconic element of the Star Wars franchise, and not every Star Wars video game handles ship combat as well as these titles do.
The feeling of flying around in these ships is still absolutely fantastic, as Motive did a spectacular job conveying the sense of weight and power that these ships have. Featuring a huge number of vehicles from the Galactic Empire and New Republic, Star Wars: Squadrons has proven itself a worthy successor to the Rogue Squadron series, focusing on the high-stakes ship combat that has defined the franchise for decades. Squadrons is also playable in VR mode on PC and PSVR, allowing for a fully immersive experience that is a Star Wars fan's dream come true.
5 LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
The Playful Side Of Star Wars Brought To Life
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
- Released
- April 5, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief
- Developer(s)
- Traveller's Tales
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Bros. Games
- Engine
- NTT Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Star Wars
- Number of Players
- 1-2
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical Only
- Platform(s)
- Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- How Long To Beat
- 19 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 45 GB (November 2023)
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
The Lego Group has been a staple of video games ever since the first title based on the educational construction blocks was released in 1995, but it truly began to show how much potential it had in an interactive medium when it started dabbling in licensed properties, resulting in the creation of Lego Star Wars: The Video Game in 2005. After continuing the trend with titles based on the prequel trilogy and the Disney-led sequels, developer Traveller's Tales delivered what became one of 2022's best games with Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, a culmination of everything that came before.
Best Open-World Lego Games, Ranked
There are so many Lego games to choose from - so we've done the homework for you, and these are the absolute best.
The Skywalker Saga pulls the entire story of Episodes 1-9 together into one cohesive package, allowing players to control original trilogy heroes like Luke and Leia, prequel stars like Padme, and figures from the sequel trilogy like Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren. It is built on the excellent foundation created by the original Lego Star Wars games, where the focus is on having fun and playing around in this crazy space opera world. It taps into the lighter, more off-beat side of Star Wars, and is a terrific way for young children to experience the franchise, appropriate for fans of all ages to have fun together.
4 Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series
One Of The Best VR Games Ever Made
Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series
- Released
- April 29, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Zen Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Zen Studios
- Genre(s)
- Arcade
- Platform(s)
- Meta Quest, Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 3S, Meta Quest Pro, PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Despite how fast the technology is advancing, the prospect of high-end VR video games is still rather new, as the budget to create something truly compelling beyond just a gimmick is still rather high. But with Disney at the helm, money didn't seem to be an object when they created Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series, which casts players alongside the iconic dark lord as he tasks a force-sensitive smuggler with obtaining a mythical item.
Immortal puts the focus squarely on the fear and tension that Darth Vader is capable of, as staring him down in VR is still an absolutely breathtaking experience. And when the player isn't being intimidated by him into doing what he desires, Vader Immortal also features some of the best writing, dialogue, and charm that one can find in a VR title. Welding a lightsaber or blasting away at Stormtroopers in VR feels excellent and is one of Disney's best uses of the Star Wars property since they acquired it. Vader Immortal is currently available on Oculus and PSVR.
3 Star Wars Outlaws
Exploring The Seedy Underbelly Of Star Wars
Star Wars Outlaws
- Released
- August 30, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence, Simulated Gambling, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Massive Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft, Lucasfilm Games
- Engine
- Snowdrop
- Franchise
- Star Wars
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
Star Wars video games have often visited some of the more seedy, underground worlds of the franchise, as titles like Bounty Hunter and the canceled Star Wars 1313 have proven that there's an audience for this type of experience. And to cover as much of the universe as possible, Disney teamed up with Ubisoft Massive to create 2024's Star Wars Outlaws, the franchise's first open-world game that casts the player as a young smuggler named Kay Vess, as she finds herself plotting one of the galaxy's most ambitious heists.
Star Wars Outlaws: Every Planet In The Game, Ranked
There aren’t many planets in the game, but quality over quantity is not a bad thing.
Making excellent use of the wide range of different planets, species, and factions that exist within the Star Wars universe, Outlaws portrays a harsh, unforgiving world where alliances and betrayal become second nature. It is a game that truly feels like the Star Wars universe sprung to life, as each planet has a wonderfully unique feel and vibe. Kay is an incredibly charming protagonist, and Star Wars Outlaws is a winning combination of sharp writing, fun mission design, and technical mastery.
2 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
The Debut Of The Star Wars Jedi Series
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
- Released
- November 11, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Respawn Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Respawn Entertainment
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Star Wars Jedi
- Genre(s)
- Action
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Despite their pedigree, Respawn had to do a lot of convincing to allow Disney and LucasArts to let them make a Jedi game, as they believed the protectors of the galaxy were sacred and encouraged them to make something else. Armed with a concrete vision and respect for what makes the Jedi so endearing to fans, Respawn set out to do something special, and they did just that with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, a fabulous third-person soulslike game that sees a young warrior named Cal Kestis on the run from the Empire in the aftermath of Order 66.
Alongside his faithful companion, an adorable little droid named BD-1, Cal embarks on an epic journey across both familiar Star Wars planets and some new ones. The combat feels sharp and intuitive, as Cal's skills with a lightsaber allow the player to fully embrace the fantasy of becoming a Jedi. Enemy escalation is also perfect, as players will go from slicing up Stormtroopers like butter to taking on huge monsters and other lightsaber users, culminating in some outstanding boss fights against Jedi Inquisitors.
1 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
The Continuing Journey Of Cal Kestis
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- Released
- April 28, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Respawn Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Star Wars
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Soulslike, Sci-Fi
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- How Long To Beat
- 20 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 134 GB (May 2024)
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
After the success of Fallen Order, the developers at Respawn immediately went to work on the sequel, sending Cal Kestis back into action with a story that picks up five years later. The end result was Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, which sees Cal attempting to find a hidden planet from the past that could help people trying to hide from the Empire, as well as grappling with the continuing emergence of the Inquisitors and even Darth Vader himself.
12 Hardest Bosses In Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Ranked
These villains will test the mettle of any would-be Jedi.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor takes everything about Fallen Order that worked and improves on it, as the combat feels much tighter, exploration is more rewarding, and movement is nearly flawless. Everything about Survivor makes it feel like the ultimate Star Wars game, feeling connected enough to the main saga while forging its own path, as Cal comes fully into his own and helps anchor this compelling slice of the universe. It is easily the best game of the Disney-era Star Wars, an engaging journey from beginning to end.
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Thanks to Star Wars Outlaws, Kay Vess has joined the ranks of stellar women, both hero and villain alike, in a galaxy far, far, away...