The Star Wars franchise spans so many types of media, it's almost overwhelming. For the most die-hard fans, there are a ton of books, TV shows, comics, and, of course, video games. Interestingly enough, some of the most beloved Star Wars experiences come from that last group. The now-defunct Lucas Arts made some fantastic titles throughout the years, to varying degrees of success. Like any developer, there were some titles that got overshadowed, and that's unfortunate, as there are some great Star Wars games out there.
That's what we want to highlight with this list. Whether it's a sequel to a popular title or a one-off game, we're going to show you. Keep in mind, however, by nature of the list title, Star Wars Galaxies cannot count since it's official servers have been shut down.
11 Star Wars: Dark Forces
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When it comes to mid-to-late 1990s Star Wars games, most fans romanticize Shadows of The Empire but seem to forget the equally as good Dark Forces. Taking place during the Galactic Civil War, players take control of a mercenary for the Rebel alliance who stumbles upon a dangerous new Empirical project.
With a strong story and forward-thinking game design choices, this title holds up better than most from this era, especially on PC.
9 Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
Jango Fett is one of the coolest characters to come out of the Prequel Trilogy, and Lucas Arts made sure to capitalize on it by letting players live out their Mandalorian dreams in Bounty Hunter. Putting players in the shoes of the aforementioned Jango Fett, players can jetpack across levels and use all of his Jedi-capturing toys as they battle across varying worlds as they treck the galaxy in an attempt to capture the dark Jedi, Komari Vosa.
This game is all-out action. As a third-person shooter, Bounty Hunter puts a lot of emphasis on Fett's jetpack, which is always a good game design choice, and there's a lot of acrobatics allowed in this classic GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox title. Unfortunately, the game hasn't aged as well as other titles on the list, and, for players unaccustomed to that era's character control, it could be detrimental to the experience.
8 Star Wars Demolition
Imagine Twisted Metal, but with Star Wars characters. That's Star Wars Demolition. Released way back in 2000, the game boasts a 13-character roster featuring both well-known faces like Darth Maul and Boba Fett, as well as lesser-known names, each of which plays completely different from the next. Outside of the character selection, however, there are four game types on offer, including the interesting "High Stakes" mode, which has players wager credits as they win more and more.
The real bread and butter in Star Wars Demolition, however, is its local multiplayer mode. While it only allows for two-player split-screen, the battles get pretty intense, along with a team-based co-op mode as well. For a quick jump-in style game, Star Wars Demolition is great.
7 Star Wars: Empire At War
Taking control of a galactic army during the Civil War, players can live out their dreams as a Rebel commander or unleash their sinister side by controlling the vast armies of the Empire. With varying battle types in both outer space and on land, players can gather resources and jump straight into fighting—even changing the outcome of iconic battles along the way.
While the premise of the game is cool, the amount of fan service is insane, too. With the ability to bring memorable characters into the fold, the game also features planets and locations straight out of the movies. For anyone who enjoys titles like StarCraft or Command & Conquer, this needs to be on your radar.
6 Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
When Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader launched on the GameCube in 2001, it was a big deal. Using all the power inside Nintendo's lunchbox, players take part in actual battles during the Star Wars movies, playing as characters like Luke Skywalker. As an action-packed ace combat style gameplay.
This game is really a fan's dream, with gorgeous visuals for its time, an entire premise built on fanservice, and some great game design, Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader is not only one of the most overlooked Star Wars games, but it's also one of the most underrated GameCube titles.
5 Star Wars Episode 1: Racer
Alright, maybe Star Wars Episode I: Racer has aged as poorly, as has almost every game from the Nintendo 64 era, but that doesn't mean this gem wasn't a huge deal when it released, and, in the time since, it's been overlooked because of the restrictions of its time. Still, the title, which launched on the Nintendo 64 and PC in 1999, then on the Dreamcast in 2000, is a fast-paced F-Zero-inspired racer based around the cool "pod racing" concept introduced in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.
With multiple game modes, there's a lot for players to do, and, with a pretty strong multiplayer mode, it's great to play with friends. It's hard to consider one of the best selling games of its genre "forgotten," but it's definitely a gem worthy of another playthrough.
4 Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy II made a surprise re-release announcement recently, but let's not forget where the series began. Developed by Raven Software and published by Lucas Arts and Activision, players get to create their own Jedi as they take orders from none other than Luke Skywalker himself. As a third-person action title, players can shift between their lightsabre, blaster, and force power, allowing for a variety of play styles as they mow down baddies in a more action-oriented style game.
Powered by the Quake 3 engine, the game's visuals look great for its time and is designed with multiplayer in mind. While it will be near-impossible to play online these days, there are still options for local multiplayer where matches can get pretty hectic, pretty quick.
3 Star Wars: Republic Commando
Set right in the middle of the Clone Wars, players are put in the shoes of the leader of the Delta Squad in a Rainbow Six-like first-person shooter with a heavy emphasis on squad-based combat. The story follows the squad as they take up missions across the galaxy—with locations like Geonosis and Kashyyyk—in the events before Revenge of The Sith.
With a memorable cast of characters, each member of the team is unique and brings something special to the team. Yet, there's a little more to this title than gameplay and character development; it's just a well-made game. The sound design is second-to-none with the weaponry feeling and sounding straight from the movies. The character models and environment are top-notch as well.
2 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Everyone wants to be Darth Vader's secret apprentice, and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed lets fans do just that. Taking control of the insanely overpowered Starkiller, players get a glimpse into the events between the Prequel Trilogy and the Civil War as they mow through hoards of enemies while they hunt down some of the few living Jedi.
The game sort of plays like a Dynasty Warriors title, but in a good way, giving players a feeling of power that we've never gotten in a Star Wars game before. Yet, with a more clear direction and varied combat system, players will never feel bored.
1 Knights of The Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
The original Knights Of The Old Republic is one of the best RPGs ever made, and one of the greatest Star Wars stories ever told. However, when it came time for a sequel, developer BioWare passed the torch to the equally as talented Obsidian Entertainment. Mostly retreading old ground from the original game, this strong sequel is overlooked compared to the first.
Taking place five years after the events of the previous game, the Sith have overrun the Old Republic. As a force-sensitive individual, players can choose how they respond to anyone they interact with, leading them down "light" or "dark" paths. Along the way, they will build their party and build relationships with each person based on their decisions and interact with the most interesting Sith in the franchise.