Like any video game series, the quality of Star Wars games can vary widely—but when they’re good, they’re really good. Whether you’re looking to save the galaxy as a rebel or rule it yourself with an iron fist, here are the best Star Wars games ever made and what they did right when others failed.
6. Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Thoughout history, video games based on movies haven’t fared too well—and that was especially true on early consoles, back when games featured only the barest elements of their respective movies and couldn’t quite capture the spirit of their sources. But the Super Star Wars series was an exception. Utilizing the fantastic sound card and (surprisingly effective) rotoscoped graphics of the Super Nintendo, Super Star Wars came out as one of the best in its generation. Mixing combat as Luke, Han, and Chewie—along with the film’s signature space battles—Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi did a great job of recreating the feeling of Star Wars on relatively limited hardware. To this day, this game remains one of the most faithful gaming adaptations of the original trilogy. Ever.
5. Star Wars Battlefront II
The first Star Wars Battlefront was good, but the sequel improved on it in nearly every way, most notably with its solid single-player campaign. In Star Wars Battlefront II, players control a clone trooper in various battle modes, going on to face down famous characters like Darth Vader and Obi-Wan. The action is frantic and the game comes together in a way that’s more than the sum of its parts. Add in the fact that the player’s clone trooper is voiced by Temura Morrison (who played Jango Fett in Episode II) and the game feels like it truly fits seamlessly into the Star Wars universe. When we play it, we feel like we’re playing through a side story of the franchise rather than a tacked-on video game.
4. Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
Whereas the first Star Wars: Jedi Knight saw Kyle Katarn embrace his Force powers, Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast gave him the freedom to use those powers to their fullest extent. There are numerous weapons to wield, but the real fun of this game comes from chaining together the Force powers that players can unlock as they fight wave after wave of Stormtroopers. What makes this game stand out is how well it implements lightsaber combat. Fighting feels intricate and well-balanced, with plenty of cinematic action mixed in. Watching the camera pan around in slow motion as you cut through an enemy’s arm is immensely satisfying. From start to finish, you feel like an all-powerful Jedi on a quest for survival.
3. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
The challenging combat of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order might not be to everyone’s taste, but this game is unique in how it offers a completely different experience than other Star Wars video games. Set a few years after the events of Revenge of the Sith, Cal Kestis sets out to rebuild the Jedi Order while avoiding detection from the Empire. Throughout the playthrough, there are a wide range of Force powers to unlock and an engaging story to uncover. The story has lots of darkness in it, but it also has enough moments of light and joy that you won’t feel overwhelmed. If you’ve ever wanted Soulslike combat in the Star Wars universe, this is one of your best options. It’s one of the most unique Star Wars games ever made and a real treat for fans who want a challenge.
2. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
The LEGO Star Wars games have always been charming and fun, bringing an element of whimsy to an otherwise serious franchise. The Skywalker Saga covers Episodes I through IX, bringing the entire series into focus in a way that no other game has. The combat is fun and innovative, the voice acting is solid, and it even bridges the gaps between some of the movies. Not only is this a close contender for best Star Wars game of all time, but it’s one of the best LEGO video games as well. It’s simply exceptional in how it captures the attentions of fans old and young.
1. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
From the earliest days of the franchise, fans have always wanted to experience life as a Jedi—and no game has ever delivered that experience quite as well as Knights of the Old Republic. Built on the d20 tabletop system, this game offered players an immersive world that felt alive and vibrant from start to finish. Taking control of their own Jedi student, players get to control how the story plays out. There is no right path, as players are even allowed to choose if they want to follow the Light or Dark Side of the Force. With branching dialogue and a plot that feels right at home in the Star Wars universe, this is one of the greatest RPGs in gaming history and it’s way too easy to spend dozens of hours on it. Read next: The Greatest Video Game Villains of All Time, Ranked
