Ever since the firstStar Warsvideo games reached arcades and home consoles in the 1980s, gamers have been having a blast in a galaxy far, far away. The sheer diversity of virtualStar Warscontent, from flight sims to strategy games, means that players are sure to find something to like within the annals of history.
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Yet history is precisely what some of these games are. Whether due to dated graphics, clunky controls, or simply the difficulty of obtaining a copy, many of these titles are out of reach of modern audiences. While this is somewhat being remedied byNightdive Studio’sDark Forcesremaster, other games are in need of a polish.
8Star Wars: X-Wing Vs. TIE Fighter (1997)
While someStar Warsvideo games flop because they are more cash-in than tie-in, the relative failure ofX-Wing Vs. TIE Fightercan be attributed to the fact that the game was well ahead of its time. In contrast to the precedingX-WingandTIE Fighterinstallments in this flight sim trilogy,X-Wing Vs. TIE Fightereschewed a single-player campaign and focused on online bouts between players.
While this may seem like business as usual to modern developers and players, the infrastructure was simply not present in the late 1990s to support a game of this type. The widespread adoption of high-speed Internet in recent years has paved the way for games like this—although improved graphics and a higher resolution would not go amiss.
7Star Wars: Rebellion (1998)
The late 1990s were no stranger to divisiveStar Warscontent, most notablyThe Phantom Menace. This trend could be seen in gaming, too, with the release of the logistics-heavyStar Wars: Rebellion. Rather than putting a lightsaber in the hands of gamers or sitting them in a starfighter’s cockpit,Rebelliontasked players with conquering the galaxy through careful strategizing.
Despite initially mixed reviews, the gamedeveloped a cult following, and the Steam release currently possesses a “Very Positive” rating. However, while the game’s graphics have a certain retro charm, they may put newcomers off. Some reviewers also cite bugs with the version hosted on Steam—a proper remaster should work to stamp these out.
6Rebel Assault 2: The Hidden Empire (1995)
While FMV games no longer hold the significance that they once did (despite reissues of titles likeNight Trap 25th Anniversary Editionornew concepts likeNot For Broadcast), they represent an important chapter in gaming history. As such, it’s unsurprising that theStar Warsfranchise would turn to FMV to flesh out the fight between the Rebels and the Empire.
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Rebel Assault 2: The Hidden Empiresees the Rebel Alliance uncover a dastardly Imperial plot to develop a new starfighter, the TIE Phantom. Players take part in rail-shooting action in order to counter this dangerous vessel.Rebel Assault 2’s rail-shooting nature could be shifted to a regular shooter in any potential remaster, modernizing this hidden part of theStar Warsuniverse.
5Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2005)
More than 10 years before EA caused a major scandal with 2017’s loot box-infusedStar Wars:Battlefront 2, Pandemic Games released the identically named and infectiously addictiveStar Wars: Battlefront 2. This fast-paced shooter built upon the foundations established in the previous year’sStar Wars: Battlefront, giving gamers a look atStar Warscanon through the eyes of a clone veteran.
Battlefront 2’s gameplay, which ranges from intense shooting on the ground to space combat between zooming starfighters, still holds up today, as evidenced by the fact that it remains fairly easy to find an online battle to fight in. The key ingredients of a timeless classic are here, but a new paint job could elevate this game.
4Star Wars: Masters of Teras Kasi (1997)
Masters of Teras Kasimay be an inherently silly premise for aStar Warsvideo game, but it is worth bearing in mind that the concept of mixing LEGO andStar Warsalso sounds pretty bizarre. Yes, it makes little sense for characters best known for fighting with blasters and lightsabers to settle their differences through sci-fi kickboxing, but even established fighting games likeMortal Kombatdon’t let common sense get in the way of a good punch-up.
Nintendo’sSuper Smash Bros.series and its army ofIP-heavy imitatorsshow that there is a demand for well-known figures engaging in comical fisticuffs. Perhaps a remaster ofMasters of Teras Kasicould lean into the game’s intrinsic silliness with madcap results. At the very least, it should improve the controls, which were heavily criticized on the game’s release.
3Star Wars: Empire At War (2006)
While manyStar Warsgames set players down in the thick of the action, some take a more measured tone.Empire at Waradopted the latter approach, allowing gamers to coordinate tense battles between the forces of good and evil. The game was particularly notable for adding space battles into gameplay, a feature lacking from previousStar Warsstrategy games.
Indeed, while prior games likeStar Wars: Galactic Battlegroundshad simply added a sci-fi coat of paint to existing games,Empire at Warbuilt the fight between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance from the ground up by implementing a new engine. The game still enjoys a solid player base thanks to a Steam release, although reviewers commonly state that mods are an important part of the game’s continuing appeal. A remaster that includes the best of the fanbase’s own improvements would enhance accessibility for a whole new generation ofaspiring Grand Admiral Thrawns.
2Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (1998)
Industrial Light and Magic’s work onStar Warsrevolutionized science fiction cinema and altered audience expectations forever. These effects are at their best during the space battle scenes of the original trilogy, so it makes sense that manyStar Warsgames have drawn upon these sequences.
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Star Wars: Rogue Squadronis regarded by many fans as the very best of these space combat extravaganzas. 2020’sStar Wars: Squadronsshowed that fans are still hungry forstarfighter-focused gameplay, although that game’s VR nature limits its accessibility. For fans unwilling to purchase expensive VR technology, a remaster ofRogue Squadronwould provide a similar adrenaline rush, combining updated graphics and textures with classic gameplay.
1Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2 (1997)
Assuming that Nightdive’s take onDark Forcesis a critical and commercial success, it would make sense for them to offer a similar treatment to the future adventures of Kyle Katarn, starting withStar Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2. The sequel is notable for addinga vital aspect ofStar Warscanoninto gameplay: the lightsaber.
Although its origami-like graphics mark it out as a part of gaming’s early transition into 3D,Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2actually reviewed better than its predecessor and holds a 91% average on Metacritic. A remaster certainly has the potential of not only introducing new gamers to a more obscure corner of theStar Warssaga but also of letting them play one of sci-fi’s gaming highlights.
Star Wars: Dark Forceswill be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
