As a devoted Star Wars enthusiast since the late 1990s, I have been fortunate to experience the launch of numerous Star Wars games that received both acclaim and enthusiastic fanfare. Iconic titles like Star Wars: Dark Forces, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and more contemporary releases such as Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order have not only been recognized as exceptional Star Wars titles but celebrated as remarkable video games in their own right.
Yet, amid these renowned titles, several underrated Star Wars games have struggled to achieve recognition, often launching with little hype, facing heavy criticism, or failing commercially. These hidden gems deserve an opportunity for a second look and acknowledgment in the gaming spotlight.
While not every facet of these games is flawless, they possess qualities that make them worthy of revisiting.
10 Star Wars Battlefront (2015)
The Return of Star Wars Battlefront
The Star Wars Battlefront franchise houses some of the most exhilarating titles within the Star Wars gaming universe, enabling players to engage in iconic, action-filled battles across the galaxy. After the unfortunate halting of Star Wars Battlefront III, the series languished for some time until EA, through DICE, resurrected it with Star Wars Battlefront in 2015.
Despite its absence of certain beloved features from the earlier Pandemic-developed titles—like ship-to-ship combat and a dedicated single-player campaign—2015’s release became a beloved multiplayer experience for many gamers on the Eighth Generation of consoles. Personally, I have cherished memories of reveling in the visually stunning multiplayer battles and wielding the overpowered DL-44 blaster pistol.
9 Star Wars: Hunters
Overwatch with a Star Wars Twist
The hero shooter genre poses significant challenges for developers seeking a robust player base, and unfortunately, Star Wars: Hunters, launched by Zynga in 2024, failed to achieve the success of comparable titles like Overwatch and Marvel Rivals.
The game experienced development hurdles involving soft launches and unreasonable platform restrictions, limiting its release to Nintendo Switch and mobile devices. Nonetheless, Hunters retained a unique charm, allowing players to control characters like an Ewok piloting a custom AT-ST or a droid convinced of its Force sensitivity.
With its distinctive character designs and gameplay mechanics, Star Wars: Hunters has untapped potential that Disney and Lucasfilm could explore in future projects.
8 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
The Controversial End of Starkiller
Developed by LucasArts prior to Disney’s acquisition of the franchise, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II suffered a lukewarm reception compared to its predecessor, the 2008 installment. This sequel disappointingly scaled down gameplay elements, featuring a reduced campaign length and fewer enemy types.
Nevertheless, it continues the compelling narrative of Galen Marek, exploring the dark complexities of Force-sensitive clones while introducing iconic locations like Imperial-controlled Kamino. Fans of Marek’s journey, including myself, hope for a fitting conclusion to his saga someday, ideally in a Force Unleashed III game.
7 Star Wars Outlaws
An Underrated Far, Far Away Open World
As the latest addition to the Star Wars video game roster, Star Wars Outlaws has unfortunately received mixed critical responses and was labeled a commercial failure, raking in only $1 million in its opening month, as reported by Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot.
While insider sources suggest cancellation of a sequel, the game is still set for a release on Nintendo Switch 2. New Switch sales may not inspire Ubisoft to reconsider a sequel, but both newcomers and seasoned players should experience the visually stunning open-world narrative centering on the galaxy’s criminal underbelly, devoid of Jedi or Sith focus.
6 Star Wars: Squadrons
The Best Starfighter Simulator
Starfighter combat has long captivated players, and Star Wars: Squadrons delivers a thrilling experience unlike any other. Set in the post-Endor timeline, it allows players to fly custom pilots within the New Republic and Imperial forces.
While its narrative campaign may be brief, the immersive first-person and VR starfighter gameplay excels, enabling teamwork in taking down enemy vessels and supporting fellow pilots. It was my debut game review, and its realistic combat mechanics merit a sequel that includes timeless starfighters from across the Star Wars film trilogies.
5 Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron
A Vision of Star Wars Battlefront III
Among the less popular titles on this list, Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron, developed by Rebellion Developments in 2009, was exclusive to the PSP and Nintendo DS. This subtitle marked the final installment of the franchise prior to the 2015 reboot.
What makes Elite Squadron noteworthy is its narrative, which draws from Free Radical Design’s abandoned Battlefront III, following the arc of Force-sensitive Clone Troopers X1 and X2 from the Clone Wars to a timeline post-Endor. It also introduced gameplay mechanics enabling transitions between ground and space battles, foreshadowing elements that enthusiasts hoped to see in Battlefront III.
4 Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
Jango Fett’s Pre-Clone Journey
The early 2000s marked a golden era for Star Wars games, and Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, a thrilling third-person shooter from 2002, showcased this trend. Released on platforms like the GameCube and PlayStation 2, it follows bounty hunter Jango Fett as he completes contracts and forges relationships within the galaxy.
Although its story may no longer be considered canon, the journey of Jango, voiced by Temuera Morrison, as he navigates his legacy remains compelling. The gameplay, captivating with mechanics like his flamethrower and dual blaster pistols, provided me with cherished childhood memories.
3 LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
The Outstanding Conclusion to LEGO Star Wars’ Original Trilogy
LEGO Star Wars games crafted by Traveller’s Tales have garnered widespread acclaim, yet LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars remains an underrated entry. Distinct from its film counterparts, this game centers around the animated movie and the first two seasons of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
It introduces innovative real-time strategy levels where players command armies, and while it mirrors the fun of its predecessors, it’s especially significant for being the last LEGO Star Wars game featuring the trademark comedic grunt dialogue style. Subsequent titles adopted less engaging voiced dialogue, diminishing the charm once present.
2 Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
The Best Game Based on a Feature Film
During the early 2000s, game adaptations of films were commonplace. Among them, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, developed by The Collective and released shortly before the film, stands out as a premier action game. Players navigate the story of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi through the transition from the Clone Wars to the rise of the Empire.
This action-packed title adeptly parallels classic fighting games while including intricate exploratory gameplay, featuring some of the most refined lightsaber combat mechanics, thanks largely to the insights of the film’s stunt coordinator. My experience playing it was thorough and engrossing, enhanced by diverse enemies and sequences that allowed players to experience pivotal moments, such as Order 66.
1 Star Wars: Republic Commando
A Truly Special Star Wars Game
Leading up to the release of Revenge of the Sith, LucasArts launched multiple tie-in games, among which Star Wars: Republic Commando remains a standout. This squad-based, first-person shooter puts players in the role of RC-1138, or Boss, guiding a squad of elite Clone Commandos through the most intense battles of the Clone Wars.
The title sets itself apart by channeling a focus on Clone Troopers, capturing the harsh realities of the war. Despite the development of fan-favorite tales in subsequent media, such as Star Wars: The Bad Batch, the community continues to yearn for a sequel, Imperial Commando, to explore the expansive story of Delta Squad.
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