May 4th is always a big deal in the world of Star Wars' fanbase. There are many who are celebrating May The 4th Be With You, a day dedicated to a galaxy far far away. The NPD also is chiming in with a list of the top ten selling Star Wars games since 1995.
The National Purchase Diary (NPD) provides purchasing and researching data across many industries. In the case of video games, the NPD often provides information on a monthly or yearly basis. In this case, the NPD has shared some interesting information about the top ten selling Star Wars games in the US from 1995 through March of 2021.
The best-selling Star Wars game since 1995 is 2015's Star Wars: Battlefront. Its sequel Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is number three on the list. This should not be too much of a surprise, as the games were very hyped, released on multiple platforms, and had multiplayer components that allowed players to come back for ongoing action. It's no wonder that there are plenty of rumors that Star Wars: Battlefront 3 may be in development.
Respawn Entertainment's well-reviewed Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order took the second best-selling spot. The exploration and puzzle-solving take on the IP is the highest single-player focused game on the list, which is exciting considering Respawn's other big hit (Apex Legends) is a multiplayer-focused battle royale.
Some other notable games in the top ten would be multiple LEGO Star Wars games--three in total. Additionally, the original Star Wars: Battlefront titles from 2004 and 2005 (the sequel) also make the list at nine and six respectively.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed from 2008 is number five on the list, and the oldest title is from 1996; Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire for Nintendo 64 and PC. Developer and publisher Aspyr has brought back classic games like Star Wars: Republic Commando, Star Wars Episode I: Racer, and Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy recently. Perhaps based on the idea that Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire is a game from an older era that is still in the top ten, Aspyr should bring that back as well.
Star Wars is in a very interesting place right now. Thanks to the idea that EA looks to have lost its exclusivity license, soon any developer will have the ability to work a deal with Disney and Lucasfilm Games to make a new title within the IP. It is clear that there is a yearning for great video games within this franchise. The top ten Star Wars games since 1995 shows that fans have come in droves to purchase multiplayer-focused action, single-player adventures, family-friendly fun, and anything in-between.