Summary
- Star Wars games have a rich history spanning various genres and storylines, with some games focusing on expanding the lore beyond the films.
- Notable titles like Star Wars: Dark Forces, Star Wars Outlaws, and Republic Commando explore different aspects of the universe beyond traditional Jedi stories.
- Games like Knights Of The Old Republic and Fallen Order have had a significant impact on storytelling and gameplay mechanics in Star Wars gaming.
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.
Every Star Wars Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best
With 12 Star Wars movies, and more well on their way, it's time to definitively rank the spin-offs, prequels, originals, and sequels.
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
Star Wars: Dark Forces
- Released
- March 8, 1995
- ESRB
- t
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- FPS
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
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
- Released
- November 22, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
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
Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
- Released
- December 2, 1996
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
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
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
- Released
- October 26, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
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
STAR WARS Episode I Racer
- Released
- May 18, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone: Mild Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action, Racing
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.
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
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence
- Genre(s)
- Hack and Slash
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
Star Wars: Empire at War
- Released
- February 16, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
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
Star Wars Battlefront
- Released
- September 24, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, FPS
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
Star Wars Republic Commando
- Released
- February 28, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
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
Star Wars Battlefront II
- Released
- October 28, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
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.