Pop culture behemoth Star Wars is over 30 years old, butLucasArts continues to churn out games based on a galaxy far, far away.
Two new Star Wars games are about to be released - The ForceUnleashed, a new chapter in the saga set between Episodes III and IV, and TheClone Wars, based on the new children's animated flick and television show.
There can be little doubt that no films have had more impacton gaming than Lucas' space opera, so Gamesmaster today has assembled a list ofthe 10 best Star Wars games ever made.
I also couldn't help but add some dishonorable mentions,seeing there have been many that have stunk almost as much as 1978s infamousStar Wars Holiday Special.
Feel free to nominate your own favourites, Star Warsstinkers, or your most memorable moments from Star Wars games over the last threedecades.
1. TIE Fighter: Near-perfect space combat game withspectacular battles and terrific missions. It's good to be bad.
2. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: Astonishingly deep and captivating role playing gem with fantastic freedom ofchoice that
dramatically affects boththe journey and the outcome of the adventure.
3. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga: A charming, hilariousand hugely entertaining romp that anyone can enjoy with a friend.
4. Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II: Added lightsaberand multi-player action to its popular predecessor, and featured lengthy andchallenging levels to explore with perfect Star Wars atmosphere.
5. Star Wars: Atari's 1983 arcade classic was a memorableexperience, from the sit-down cockpit cabinet to the sampled speech and famoustrench run finale.
6. Star Wars Battlefront II: Adding popular heroes andvillains plus robust spaceship combat, this terrific sequel
let Skywalker devotees enjoy fluctuatingtug-of-war battles featuring hundreds of adversaries.
7. Star Wars Rogue Squadron III:Rebel Strike: Entertaining space dogfights, plus the chance to pilot vehicleslike snowspeeders, ride animals, fight on foot and play excellent predecessorRogue Leader in two-player mode.
8. Star Wars: Empire At War: Can be fiddly and tacticallylimited, but offers epic space and land-based battles that perfectly capturethe Star Wars spirit.
9. Super Star Wars: Fun SNES side-scrolling,platform-leaping, blaster firing action.
10. Star Wars: Republic Commando: - Underrated and fast-pacedsquad-based tactical shooter.
Dishonorable mentions:
- Masters of Teras Kasi - The first and last Star Warsfighting game.
- Force Commander - About as slow and unwieldy as pilotingan AT-ST.
- Episode III Revenge of the Sith - Repetitive
lightsaber fighting action that, like manyother Star Wars games, leant too heavily on the film.
- Rebel Assault II - Released at the height of thefull-motion video craze, this duck shoot rollercoaster was cheesier than the EurovisionSong Contest
- Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing - It actually wasn't aterrible kart racer, but making super-deformed Star Wars characters washeresy.