Discover the Top Disney-Era Star Wars Games You Can’t Miss!

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Summary

  • Star Wars video games continue to deliver innovative, high-quality experiences rooted in George Lucas’ original vision.
  • The Star Wars Heritage Pack compiles classic games, offering fans a variety of iconic experiences across different platforms.
  • Titles like Fallen Order, Lego Star Wars, and Vader Immortal showcase the diverse, immersive storytelling in the Star Wars video game universe.

Following The Walt Disney Company’s groundbreaking acquisition of the Star Wars franchise from its creator George Lucas for a massive $4.05 billion, it was essential for Disney (the House of Mouse) to preserve the space opera’s bond with video games. Since the 1970s and 80s, Star Wars and gaming have developed together, both leveraging advancements in technology and hardware to produce movies and interactive experiences that enthralled countless generations of fans.

Over a decade now since Disney acquired the franchise, I’ve found myself immersed in the continued exploration and expansion of George Lucas’ original Star Wars vision through video games. These digital adventures delve deep into the rich tapestry of the franchise’s vast mythology while also crafting unique, fresh experiences within this galaxy far, far away. From first-person shooters to virtual reality games, Disney’s extensive Star Wars game library offers a diverse range of gaming experiences. Moreover, they take great care in preserving and expanding upon the legacy titles that have captivated us for decades. I’ve ranked these games based on their quality, design, and impact on the broader Star Wars universe.

7. Star Wars Heritage Pack

A Compilation Of Star Wars’ Greatest Hits

  • Developer: Various
  • Release Date: April 27, 2023
  • Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation
  • Games Featured: Jedi Outcast, Jedi Academy, Episode 1 Racer, Republic Commando, The Force Unleashed, and Knights of the Old Republic 1-2 (Nintendo Switch only)

Star Wars and video games have shared a close bond for many years, and prior to Disney’s acquisition, the sheer volume of games based on this franchise was truly impressive. Ranging from titles that let you wield a lightsaber wildly to shooters, as well as pulse-pounding podracing games and RPGs, the franchise had no shortage of new video game offerings. To ensure these experiences are passed down to future generations, Disney collaborated with Aspyr to develop the Star Wars Heritage Pack, an outstanding collection of seven timeless Star Wars games.

The Star Wars Heritage Pack offers a fantastic way to delve into some top-tier games tied to the franchise, boasting an impressive range of titles. It serves as a captivating snapshot of a fascinating era in Star Wars history, even though the PlayStation version misses out on “Knights of the Old Republic 1” and “2”. Regardless, both versions are outstanding for the sheer volume of timeless content they provide. Before Disney redefined the Expanded Universe as Legends, this collection represented the pinnacle of Star Wars video gaming, making it a worthwhile investment of your time.

6. Star Wars: Squadrons

Here’s Where The Fun Begins

In the Star Wars series, the space battles have always been the most thrilling scenes, and numerous video games have attempted to replicate these magnificent conflicts. Despite several successful attempts, the standout game from Disney’s era that delivered an exceptional space combat experience was none other than Star Wars: Squadrons, an exceptionally brilliant game developed by EA Motive, set shortly following the events of Return of the Jedi.

The thrill of soaring through these vessels remains utterly exhilarating, as Motive has done an exceptional job portraying the heavyweight and forceful presence these ships exude. With an abundance of vehicles from both the Galactic Empire and New Republic, Star Wars: Squadrons has solidified its position as a worthy continuation of the Rogue Squadron series. It emphasizes the intense space combat that has been a cornerstone of the franchise for years. Additionally, it can be played in VR mode on PC and PSVR, offering an entirely immersive experience that any Star Wars enthusiast would relish.

5. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

The Playful Side Of Star Wars Brought To Life

Since its first video game based on educational building blocks was launched in 1995, the Lego Group has been a well-known name in the gaming world. However, it wasn’t until it started working with licensed properties that its true potential in an interactive medium really shone through. This led to the creation of “Lego Star Wars: The Video Game” in 2005. Following this trend, they produced games based on the prequel trilogy and the subsequent Disney-led sequels. In 2022, developer Traveller’s Tales released what many consider one of the year’s best games – “Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga“, a compilation of all that had come before.

The Skywalker Saga” Compiles All Stories from Episodes 1-9 into a Single, Cohesive Experience

In this game, players can assume control over heroes from the original trilogy such as Luke and Leia, as well as characters from the prequels like Padme, and figures hailing from the sequel trilogy like Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren. The foundation for this game was laid by the highly successful “Lego Star Wars” series, which emphasizes enjoyment and exploration in the fantastical Star Wars universe. It showcases the humorous and quirky aspects of Star Wars, making it an entertaining way for young kids to engage with the franchise, while also being suitable fun for fans of all ages.

4. Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series

One Of The Best VR Games Ever Made

Although technology progresses rapidly, the concept of top-tier virtual reality video games remains relatively novel due to the substantial costs associated with creating something more than just a novelty. However, when Disney was involved in producing Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series, money appeared to be less of a concern as they immersed players alongside the legendary dark lord, who assigns a force-wielding smuggler with the quest to acquire a legendary artifact.

The core emphasis lies on the palpable dread and tension that Darth Vader exudes, making every virtual encounter with him a nerve-wracking yet exhilarating experience. However, when players manage to defy his commands, the game Vader Immortal showcases exceptional writing, dialogue, and charisma, which are hard to find in many VR titles. Wielding a lightsaber or firing at Stormtroopers in VR is an enjoyable experience, and one of Disney’s finest applications of the Star Wars franchise since they took ownership of it. The game Vader Immortal can be played on Oculus and PSVR platforms at present.

3. Star Wars Outlaws

Exploring The Seedy Underbelly Of Star Wars

Star Wars games have frequently delved into the darker, hidden corners of the universe, as demonstrated by titles like “Bounty Hunter” and the canceled “Star Wars 1313.” To explore as much of the universe as we can, Disney collaborated with Ubisoft Massive to create “Star Wars Outlaws,” a groundbreaking open-world game set in the Star Wars universe. In this game, you play as a young smuggler named Kay Vess who is planning one of the galaxy’s most daring heists in 2024.

In the sprawling galaxy of Star Wars , Outlaws immerses players in a brutal, treacherous landscape where loyalty and deceit are commonplace. This game brings the Star Wars universe to vivid life, with every planet boasting its own distinct atmosphere and character. The lead character, Kay, is captivating, and Star Wars Outlaws offers a thrilling blend of clever storytelling, engaging missions, and outstanding technical execution.

2. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

The Debut Of The Star Wars Jedi Series

Despite their distinguished background, Respawn faced challenges in persuading Disney and LucasArts to let them create a Jedi game, as these entities held the protectors of the galaxy in high esteem and suggested they work on something different instead. Equipped with a clear vision and admiration for what makes the Jedi appealing to fans, Respawn embarked on an ambitious project. They successfully achieved their goal with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, an exceptional third-person action game that follows a young character named Cal Kestis as he evades the Empire in the aftermath of Order 66.

Accompanied by my loyal sidekick, a charming little droid named BD-1, I set off on an epic adventure traversing both old and brand-new galaxies within the Star Wars universe. The combat is incredibly responsive, making me feel like a true Jedi as I wield a lightsaber with precision and finesse. The difficulty level progresses seamlessly, starting with effortless Stormtrooper dispatches to battling massive beasts and other saber-wielding adversaries. The epic boss fights against the formidable Jedi Inquisitors are particularly noteworthy.

1. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

The Continuing Journey Of Cal Kestis

Following the triumph of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the creative minds at Respawn swiftly moved on to crafting its successor. This brings Cal Kestis back into the fray, with a narrative set five years onward. The final product is none other than Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, where Cal embarks on a quest to discover an ancient, concealed planet that may offer refuge for those evading the Empire. Throughout his journey, he also confronts the escalating presence of Inquisitors and even encounters Darth Vader himself.

In “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor,” they’ve refined everything that was great in “Fallen Order” and taken it a step further. The combat feels more responsive, exploration is richer and more rewarding, and the movement is almost perfect. “Survivor” really embodies the essence of what a Star Wars game should be, while still maintaining a connection to the main saga yet carving its own unique path. Cal’s character development helps ground this captivating piece of the universe firmly. Without a doubt, it’s the finest Disney-era Star Wars game, offering an immersive experience from start to finish.

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2025-05-24 03:37