Since the 1980s, Star Wars has had a prominent presence in the video game landscape. For the first decade or so of Star Wars' existence, fans only really had two big villains to love to hate: The Emperor, and Darth Vader. While the pantheon of Star Wars villainy would be expanded upon in the years following Return of the Jedi's release, with expanded universe characters like Thrawn being added to the mix, Darth Vader still remained an iconic and beloved villain. Despite six more mainline movies, spin-offs, and TV shows, not much has changed.
One of the most iconic silhouettes in cinematic history, Darth Vader is a top contender for the most adored Star Wars villain, and his recent appearance in Obi-Wan Kenobi only cemented this further. While Vader has always been shown to be a powerful Force user in the canon, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Rogue One showed just how terrifying and capable the Sith lord really is. However, he's not invincible, and there are a few Star Wars video game characters that could certainly give Vader a run for his money.
Star Wars Video Game Force Users Who Could Take Darth Vader
Knights of the Old Republic's Darth Revan is one of the most popular Star Wars Legends characters, and for good reason. Originally trained by the Jedi, Revan was banished from the Order when he, along with his friend Malak, decided to aid the Republic in their war against the Mandalorians. After the Mandalorian Wars came to an end, Revan and Malak explored the Unknown Regions of space, and stumbled upon the ancient Sith Emperor, who turned the duo to the Dark Side. Tasked with conquering the galaxy for the Sith, Revan started his own Sith Empire, and in just a few years' time, he had amassed a fleet large enough to take on both the Republic and the Jedi.
In terms of personal abilities, Revan is one of the most powerful Force users in the Star Wars Legends universe, having total mastery of both the Light Side and the Dark Side, and being able to combine the two to form devastating offensive attacks, and rejuvenating defensive abilities. Revan is also highly skilled with a lightsaber, being able to best the entire Jedi council, as well as Darth Malak. Though Darth Vader is incredibly strong in the Force, and is capable of dishing out some powerful lightsaber strikes, Darth Revan's experience and inherent prowess with the Force would give him a shot at victory.
Though he enters the Star Wars universe as just a lowly mercenary, Kyle Katarn becomes one of the most powerful Jedi in the Imperial Remnant era, teaching right alongside Luke Skywalker at his Jedi academy on Yavin 4. After helpinhg the Rebellion defeat the Empire, Kyle Katarn learns that his father was a Jedi, and in the face of a new wave of Dark Jedi, Katarn takes on his father's mantle and learns the ways of the Force.
Over the next few years, Kyle Katarn falls to the Dark Side briefly, before being rescued by his apprentice Mara Jade, and then renounces his teachings. When his pilot friend Jan Ors is kidnaped by the Imperial Remnant, Katarn reconnects with the Force and becomes more powerful than ever. With a plethora of dead Dark Jedi on his record, Kyle Katarn could certainly give Darth Vader a run for his money, especially if he was equipped with all of his usual gear, which ranges from blasters to explosives.
One Force user that could definitely take on Darth Vader successfully, because he already has, is Star Wars: The Force Unleashed's Galen Marek, better known as Starkiller. Though he begins his journey as Vader's Apprentice, Starkiller is shown to have even more raw Force power than the Dark Lord himself, and quickly develops his lightsaber and Force skills. While Obi-Wan Kenobi showed Darth Vader bring down a Rebel transport single-handedly with the Force, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed shows Starkiller bring down an entire Star Destroyer. At the end of the game, Starkiller defeats Vader, and in the Dark Side ending, kills him and replaces him as The Emperor's apprentice.
Other Star Wars Video Game Characters That Could Fight Darth Vader
Admittedly, there aren't too many Star Wars video game characters who are non-Force users that would really stand a chance against Darth Vader, but that doesn't mean there aren't any. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, one of the very first 3D Star Wars games was incredibly impressive for the time, and although its gameplay and visuals are very dated now, its protagonist Dash Rendar is still beloved by fans.
A notable Star Wars anti-hero, Dash Rendar is a bounty hunter and smuggler, and often uses those talents to aid the Rebel Alliance is their fight against the Empire. After Han Solo is trapped in Carbonite and sent to Jabba the Hutt, the Rebels need a new scoundrel to fill his position, and for a brief time, Dash fits that role. Equipped with blasters, a jetpack, and his YT-2400 freighter Outrider, Dash Rendar is a capable mercenary, and takes on both Boba Fett and IG-88 with ease. Obviously, Darth Vader is much more powerful than those bounty hunters, but in the right situation, with enough prep time, Dash Rendar could put up a solid fight against the Sith Lord.
Revisiting Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, there's one non-Force user who could take on Vader in a straight fight. Canderous Ordo, adopted by the Mandalorians at a very young age, quickly became one of the most skilled warriors in his tribe, earning countless commendations during the Mandalorian Wars. With the defeat of the Mandalorians at Malachor V, Canderous was forced to leave his people, and wound up as a mercenary on Taris.
Eventually, Revan, suffering from amnesia, met Canderous, and convinced him to join his quest across the galaxy. After Canderous and the rest of Revan's party defeat Malak and destroy the Star Forge, he returns to Dxun, and becomes the leader of the Mandalorians, and adopts the mantle of Mandalore. With some proficiency in hand-to-hand combat, a suit of Beskar armor, and a plethora of weapons at his disposal, Canderous could take on Darth Vader, and might just win.