8 Essential Star Wars Video Games, Ranked

Back in 1977, there’s no way that George Lucas and his team could have possibly guessed that when they released Star Wars, they were sparking a proverbial flame that would soon become the single biggest multimedia franchise in the history of entertainment. Today, across cinema, television, books, comics, and—of course—video games, Star Wars has only further kept enshrining itself as a paragon of contemporary pop culture.

But though there are countless Star Wars video games that are absolutely exceptional, there are eight in particular that are nothing short of essential. These games aren’t necessarily the best in the history of Star Wars, but rather the ones that have had the biggest impact on the franchise and their respective genres, the ones that have gone down in history even among gamers who aren’t Star Wars fans. Anyone who loves video games or Star Wars should play them at least once in their lives.

8

‘Star Wars Battlefront II’ (2017)

Image via Electronic Arts

At launch, DICE’s Star Wars Battlefront II was arguably one of the most derided Star Wars games in history, and for good reason. Loot boxes and microtransactions were so intricately tied to progression that the game went so far as to come under legal fire for concerns over its being a form of gambling. After that, however, DICE and EA spent month after month delivering improvements so vast that this could be argued to be one of the biggest comebacks in the history of live service gaming.

Today, Battlefront II is one of the best Star Wars games of all time, even in spite of a somewhat underwhelming (though awfully overhated) single-player campaign. There’s still a dedicated player base keeping servers alive even for newcomers, and what’s awaiting on the other side is some of the most polished multiplayer action of any game of the 2010s.

7

‘Star Wars: Republic Commando’ (2005)

Image via LucasArts

When they originally released, George Lucas‘ prequel films weren’t exactly widely praised or beloved. In the years since, however, nostalgia and a process of cultural re-appraisal has arguably made the Star Wars franchise’s Clone Wars era the most beloved of all. From this era come a bunch of exceptional games, the best of the bunch easily being Star Wars: Republic Commando, one of the best military sci-fi video games of the 2000s.

It’s a tactical first-person shooter unlike any other, and even though it’s quite short, it’s also endlessly replayable. All in all, it’s one of the best war video game masterpieces of all time, with a cult following far bigger and more dedicated than that of most other Star Wars video games. Gritty, well-written, and a masterpiece in tactical game design, it’s a must-play for anyone who loves military sci-fi games, regardless of whether they’re Star Wars fans or not.

6

‘Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga’ (2007)

Image via LucasArts

Pretty much everyone and everyone who has ever picked up a video game console controller has had at least a taste of a Lego game, and those who haven’t ought to do so before they kick the bucket. And for veterans and novices of the traditional Lego video game design philosophy alike, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is arguably the biggest must-play of all, a game that perfectly illustrates what has kept Lego games so charming and timeless for so long.

If only for its cultural impact and meme potential alone, The Complete Saga is a must-play. But even aside from that, it’s a genuinely phenomenal family game that gamers of all ages should be able to enjoy. Irresistible slapstick humor, faultless level design, fun characters, and perfectly straightforward mechanics all make this the sort of game that no true Star Wars fan could ever possibly pass up.

5

‘Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order’ (2019)

Image via Electronic Arts

Back in 2019, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order took the world by storm. After all, it had been years since a AAA Star Wars title had shattered expectations in quite this way, becoming one of the best games of its respective year and completely revitalizing gaming in the galaxy far, far away. Seven years and a sequel later, Fallen Order is still an absolute masterpiece of a groundbreaking game, easily one of the best Metroidvania video games of all time.

The game quickly blew past EA’s initial financial projections thanks to having one of the best-written and best-performed protagonists the franchise had seen in a while (Cal Kestis, played by Cameron Monaghan), a marvelously-written story, and gameplay that masterfully blends elements from multiple genres to deliver an unforgettable experience. Incredibly deep in terms of story, level design, and boss design, it’s essential even for people who just love highly tactical Soulslike combat.

4

‘Star Wars Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron II’ (2001)

Image via LucasArts

In a franchise like Star Wars, where spaceship dogfights have been such a crucial part of the world-building and story from the very start of the series, it’s no surprise that the flight action genre has delivered several of the best games the galaxy far, far away has ever seen. One such game was the incredible Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, a Nintendo 64 release that’s among the console’s most timeless classics. Its sequel, however, is even better. Indeed, Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron II for the GameCube is one of the best flight action games of all time.

The lack of multiplayer definitely hurts Rogue Leader‘s replayability, but the level design is so perfect, the graphics still look so great, and the gameplay still feels so polished and modern that it’s easy to ignore the fact that only one person at a time can play the title. It’s a groundbreaking GameCube classic that really does make you feel like you’re piloting a Star Wars starfighter, with a highly cinematic atmosphere and airtight controls.

3

‘Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast’ (2002)

Image via LucasArts

Kyle Katarn was introduced as the player character in the beloved 1995 FPS Star Wars: Dark Forces, and over the course of the next several years, he would continue to establish himself as one of the most beloved Star Wars characters in gaming history. Today, he’s no longer part of the canon of the galaxy far, far away, but he’s still one of Legends’ most beloved heroes, seen at his best in the first- and third-person shooter Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast.

Anyone who wants to understand why Katarn is one of those Star Wars characters who deserve solo movies only ought to check out Jedi Outcast, one of the most complex, timeless, and replayable games that this franchise has ever produced. A deeply compelling arc for Kyle Katarn, some of the best lightsaber combat the franchise has thus far seen, and a delightful blend of tactical shooter mechanics and Force powers all make this a one-of-a-kind FPS and TPS that all fans of both genres should play at least once.

2

‘Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’ (2023)

Image via Respawn Entertainment

As great as Jedi: Fallen Order was and still is all these many years later, Respawn Entertainment really succeeded at making its sequel not only live up to expectations, but greatly surpass them. Jedi: Survivor is perhaps the deepest and most layered Star Wars gaming experience to date, an acture-adventure masterpiece that continues expanding on the Metroidvania, Soulslike, and platforming influences that made its predecessor such a gem to begin with.

It’s arguably even one of the best Soulslike video games of all time, the sort of game that has something in it for everyone. A mature, complex narrative that further evolves Cal Kestis as a beloved hero; five lightsaber stances that make combat feel hugely dynamic and endlessly fresh; and expansive exploration that keeps difficulty rising at a reasonable yet fast pace. Though the game had plenty of technical issues at launch, it’s now in a state where it’s undeniably one of the best AAA titles of this generation of consoles.

1

‘Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’ (2003)

Image via LucasArts

There’s a solid reason why fans still widely refer to as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic as the best Star Wars video game to date, and it’s definitely not just nostalgia. Whereas some games set in the galaxy far, far away pretty much demand some level of love for the franchise as the basis to properly enjoy them, KotOR transcends any sort of franchise limitations. It’s not only one of the greatest sci-fi video games of all time, but also one of the greatest RPGs in video game history.

For one, the story is perfectly-written, richly detailed, and full of fascinating lore that even those unfamiliar with the franchise should find riveting. Add to that the sheer depth of the game’s RPG mechanics, some exceptional world-building, and one of the most legendary plot twists in the history of video gaming, and it should come as no surprise that this BioWare masterpiece has aged like fine wine since its launch.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Released

July 15, 2003

ESRB

T

Developer(s)

BioWare, Obsidian Entertainment, Saber Interactive

Publisher(s)

LucasArts, Electronic Arts, Disney Interactive, Sony Interactive Entertainment

Franchise

Star Wars