Being someone who likes both Star Wars and playing video games makes me somewhat biased when it comes to Star Wars Video Games. Over the years, Lucasarts have had some outstanding Star Wars games, but have also had some stinkers as well.
However, given the poor track record of video games adapted from movies, the Star Wars saga seems to be the exception to the rule on movie video games. There's something about the movies and the expanded universe that just gels well with some of the games they've put out over the years.
I was reading some information today on the next Star Wars multimedia project (video game, novel, action figures, etc.), The Force Unleashed, and couldn't help but start thinking about some of my favorite Star Wars games in years gone by.
So, on Universal Day of the Jedi, if you'd rather play some games than watch the films, check some of these ones out. Here is my list of the 10 best Star Wars video games:
10. Lego Star Wars II:
Say what you want about the two Lego Star Wars games - they may not be "action-packed" as some of the past releases, but there is just something ridiculously fun about these games, especially the second one. I enjoyed playing it, but my teenage kids were engrossed with this game for hours on end. It may not be designed for the hardcore gamer, but it was enjoyable.
Disco Easter Egg:
There's a disco scene in the game similar to that of the one featured in the first one - this time with Stormtroopers. The scene is in the Great Pit of Carkoon level, and details on how to get your Gamorrean groove on can be found at this link.
9. Knights of the Old Republic II:
The KOTOR series has been so successful over the years that it has developed its own cult following. The second installment in the series added some extra features to the game, but stayed true to the design and feel of the original.
Ego Stroking Easter Egg:
If you establish your character as a very evil Sith Lord, there's a chance you might see your character as one of the Sith Lords in the start screen.
1PS Cheat Code:
Y-left-A-Y will unlock the first person camera.
8. Rogue Squadron:
The original Rogue Squadron, released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64, not only was a great success, but a fun game with reasonable replay value. The storyline, set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, was rich and closely followed continuity. For its age, its graphics were great back when it was released.
Prequel Preview Easter Egg:
When this game was released on N64, it featured the Naboo Starfighter as a playable easter egg.
Fastest Hunk of Junk Cheat Code:
On N64, entering FARMBOY in the passcodes will unlock the Millennium Falcon. IGIVEUP gives you infinite lives.
7. TIE-Fighter:
While the first game was X-Wing, its sequel, TIE-Fighter was the release that propelled this series into legendary status. TIE-Fighter turned the tables on the original fans of the original game; providing the challenge of learning the flight skills of piloting the ships used by your enemies in the previous game. Although graphically outdated, the series is still a classic, still played by many, and remembered fondly by even more.
Anagram Easter Egg:
The names of the first two systems in the Enemies of the Empire campaign, Semag and Yllotat, when combined are an anagram for Totally Games, the name of the game developers.
Invulnerable Cheat Code:
Pressing the ESC key will reveal the damage switch, which you can use to protect your fighter from all damage.
6. Knights of the Old Republic:
The KOTOR series is the only one that features both of its games in this list. The first release was ground-breaking, using the mechanics of RPG playing to propel the player into the ancient eras of the Star Wars universe. Set thousands of years before the time of the Skywalkers, KOTOR gives you a unique perspective of the Old Republic. What works in the favor in this series is the excellent cut-scene graphics, which seem to follow the pattern of actually watching a Star Wars film. According to online speculation and rumor, KOTOR III is in the works, but no official announcements have been made about its status or release just yet; either way, KOTOR I and II are still classic games, and worth playing. Although if you want to start playing them now, you might be better off getting your hands on the PC editions; as Microsoft seems to be having glitchy reverse compatibility issues for the Xbox versions when played on an Xbox 360.
Hidden Ending Easter Egg:
With two controllers plugged into your Xbox, get to the doors to the final battle with Darth Malak, but do not go in. Get a friend to help - but press both triggers AND the Y button on BOTH controllers...
Voice Alteration Cheat Code:
Not really a cheat, but more of a weird customization addition, plug a second controller into the forth socket. Hold down the black button to lower the pitch of the voices in the game, or the white button to make them higher.
5. Dark Forces:
This game is 12 years old, and one of the oldest in the list (TIE-Fighter beats it by a year). While its graphics do not even touch modern standards, and are almost a joke when looking back at them, this game brought two things to the table. First, the realization that the first-person shooter scenario made popular by DOOM worked extremely well in a Star Wars context. Second, Kyle Katarn is just an awesome character. Spawning numerous sequels under the Jedi Knight series, Dark Forces was the game that proved to the gaming world that the X-Wing series was no fluke, and that Lucasarts had some significant contributions to make to the world of video games in coming years. Part of me misses the game, and I have often wondered what Dark Forces would look like in this day and age if they remade the game for the 360.
Furry Easter Egg:
Accessible using some known cheats, there is a secret room in level 4 that has a weird-acting ewok. Bonus points for shooting it.
All Weapons Cheat Code:
In the PC version, type in LAPOSTAL. In the Playstation version enter X7P!45QX38 in the Passcode screen.
4. Republic Commando:
To the hardcore gamer, this may seem like a bold inclusion to the list; but the aspect that makes this game deserving of its inclusion is its integration with the novels of the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Karen Traviss has written two Republic Commando books that expand upon the nature of the clone commandos (both new characters and the ones in the game) and explore their Mandalorian roots. Traviss is also part of the team writing the current Legacy of the Force novel series - and her contributions seem to also focus on giving some clues as to what may come to pass in the third Republic Commando book, True Colors, coming out in August this year. The video game is further testament to how well these Star Wars concepts work as multimedia projects, rather than just sole video games.
Lightsaber Easter Egg:
There is ONE lightsaber in the game, and can be found in the RAS Prosecutor campaign.
Invincible Commando Cheat Code:
Enter Y-Y-Left Trigger-Up-X-Black-X-Y at the beginning of a new area for invincibility.
3. Revenge of the Sith:
For the most part, the Star Wars games based directly from the films have been of reasonable quality - but the one that takes the cake is Episode III. Though there are some interesting diversions and extensions to the plot, the story stays relatively close to that of the film - though mostly adapted to work well for game play. The graphics are very good, though when I first played the game I couldn't help but wonder what it would have looked like in current-gen graphics capabilities. The interesting twist in the game is the alternative (non-canon) ending.
Infinities Easter Egg:
The game has a non-canon alternative ending, should you, playing as Anakin, win the final duel...
Viagra Cheat Code:
The SUPERSABERS code will give some characters enlarged lightsabers.
2. Shadows of the Empire:
Shadows of the Empire is a classic, and will always be my personal favorite. Yes, it's an older game, and the graphics are nowhere near today's standards, but it's just so much fun. This game was part of the first main multimedia project conducted for Star Wars by Lucasfilm, and included action figures, a comic series, a soundtrack, and a novel. The game itself begins during the Battle of Hoth and follows the adventures of smuggler and mercenary Dash Rendar from this point up until just before the beginning of Return of the Jedi. The next multimedia project from Lucasfilm is Force Unleashed, and looks to be just as much fun as Shadows - though much more exciting.
Fate Easter Egg:
Completing the game on MEDIUM will show you a short "clip" at the end detailing Dash Rendar's final fate.
The Ultimate Cheat Code:
Select a user slot and name it -Wampa--Stompa where the "-" are spaces (the name is case sensitive). Start the game, and then pause. Hold down all C buttons, Z, L, R and control pad left at the same time. While holding them down all at once, gently push the analog stick to the left for about 5 seconds until you hear the 'donk' sound. Do this again, but gently push the analog stick to the right - again, you'll hear the donk noise once successful. Repeat this technique to the left, then to the right, and finally to the left. Success will show a new pink text menu - where you can select options such as "Get all stuff", "Walk through walls", and "Teleport". Best cheat code ever.
1. Battlefront II:
While the first Battlefront was a great game, it was the second game that was far more addictive and featured two fabulous additions: being able to play as a Jedi, Sith, hero, or villain in the land battles; and also being to fight space battles. Some may disagree with its inclusion in this list, let alone hitting number 1 - but the game was very versatile in terms of your choice of gaming style; and was extremely addictive that the replay value of Battlefront II surpassed that of any previous Star Wars game release. The downloadable Xbox bonuses were nice additions - especially getting to play as Asajj Ventress. There's been some online unofficial confirmation that Battlefront III is definitely in the works, and will be definitely a game to look forward to.
Young Vader Easter Egg:
The Knightfall level on story/campaign mode features Darth Vader as the hero character, before his transformation into the suit. Anakin, for the only time in the game, is playable as his dark-side self, hooded in dark Jedi robes as he is in the film.
Infinite Ammo Cheat Code:
Pause game and input Up - Down - Left - Down - Down - Left - Down - Down - Left - Down - Down - Down - Left - Right.
Say what you want about the two Lego Star Wars games - they may not be "action-packed" as some of the past releases, but there is just something ridiculously fun about these games, especially the second one. I enjoyed playing it, but my teenage kids were engrossed with this game for hours on end. It may not be designed for the 
The KOTOR series has been so successful over the years that it has developed its own cult following. The second installment in the series added some extra features to the game, but stayed true to the design and feel of the original.
The original Rogue Squadron, released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64, not only was a great success, but a fun game with reasonable replay value. The storyline, set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, was rich and closely followed continuity. For its age, its graphics were great back when it was released.
While the first game was X-Wing, its sequel, TIE-Fighter was the release that propelled this series into legendary status. TIE-Fighter turned the tables on the original fans of the original game; providing the challenge of learning the flight skills of piloting the ships used by your enemies in the previous game. Although graphically outdated, the series is still a classic, still played by many, and remembered fondly by even more.
The KOTOR series is the only one that features both of its games in this list. The first release was ground-breaking, using the mechanics of 
This game is 12 years old, and one of the oldest in the list (
To the hardcore gamer, this may seem like a bold inclusion to the list; but the aspect that makes this game deserving of its inclusion is its integration with the novels of the 
For the most part, the Star Wars games based directly from the films have been of reasonable quality - but the one that takes the cake is 
Shadows of the Empire is a classic, and will always be my personal favorite. Yes, it's an older game, and the graphics are nowhere near today's standards, but it's just so much fun. This game was part of the first main multimedia project conducted for Star Wars by Lucasfilm, and included action figures, a comic series, a 
While the first 
