Star Wars games have a long and storied history – from groundbreaking, generation-defining titles like Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR), to quickfire arcade classics like Episode 1: Racer, the franchise has something to suit your fancy. Many of these classics have since been brought into the palms of our hands, as numerous titles continue to debut as ports on the Nintendo Switch.
The Switch may not be the most powerful console, but many of these titles make an impressive jump to the new generation, some exceeding their previous graphical and performance limitations, while others experience a few hiccups on handheld. Nonetheless, these classic games still offer some of the best Star Wars entertainment around, along with some new kids on the block, looking to make their names among the series’ elite titles.
9 Star Wars Pinball (2019)
Star Wars pinball offers exactly what you’d expect from the popular arcade game – with a cleverly branded twist, of course. The levels are set up as missions with each pinball arena inspired by iconic locations, like the Death Star, which brings nuance and satisfying sound design to each stage.
Areas like Tatooine seem somewhat bare and static upon first glance, but as you rack up points, the level will react and change. It will introduce ships, creatures, and more Star Wars flavor as you ping the metal ball through loops, as you carefully time your flippers to send in reinforcements that multiply your score and initiate intricate background action sequences.
8 Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (2020)
PC gamers from the early 2000s are likely diving into the nostalgia pit as the popular Jedi Knight series makes the Force Jump from our PC towers, into our hands.
The fifth entry in the Jedi Knight series, Jedi Academy drops players into the shoes of Jaden Korr, an apprentice of series regular, Kyle Katarn. While the third and first-person switching may be slightly disorienting at first, the series executes it well, even on the Switch, which isn’t known as a first-person shooter console.
7 Episode 1: Racer (2020)
Gamers who are old enough to remember early-2000s arcades can finally bring the speed and excitement of Podracing with them on the go. While Episode 1: Racer was also available on the Nintendo 64 and PC, having a steering-wheel vibe provides an extra layer of immersion: something the handheld Switch accomplishes well.
Whether you’re dying to give Anakin the illustrious Podracing career he never had, or you prefer to troll your competition using Sebulba’s vent attack, there are plenty of Pods to choose from. Some track textures look a bit rough on the Switch, but the game handles well enough that it won’t detract from your fast-paced fun.
6 Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast (2019)
If you were looking for Kyle Katarn, look no further, as he’s back to slay stormtroopers and Sith on his journey across the galaxy. Jedi Outcast remains many fans’ favorite entry in the series and with good reason, as Kyle gave players a taste of the Force’s true power.
Simply put, Jedi Outcast is a lightsaber-swinging, Force power flinging good time, putting an incredible amount of power in the palm of your hands. The game’s philosophy focuses on taking unique approaches to situations we’ve seen before: a room full of stormtroopers, or base crawling with Sith, and gives you the powers to deal with them however you see fit.
5 Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (2022)
The newest Switch Star Wars entry definitely turned heads as one of the most in-depth and engaging Lego games to date. Iconic locations and rarely used planets get equal amounts of love in this brick-based recreation of the movies.
Whether you’re a fan of the Disney movies or prefer to kick it old school with the original trilogy, there will be plenty of characters to unlock, secrets to discover, and levels to 100 percent. This return to the tried-and-true Lego methodology has immense appeal for Switch owners who want a pick-up-and-play a title that will have you coming back for more.
4 The Force Unleashed (2022)
Fans of the Jedi Knight series will see a lot of inspiration drawn from the PC classic in this no-holds-barred Force Power festival. Starkiller’s command of the Dark Side extends beyond pulling ships out of the sky as his prowess with Force Lightning is enough to electrocute any enemy with extreme prejudice.
For those familiar with the console release, adjusting to the Switch controls will be a bit awkward, but once you’re acclimated, you’ll feel the Force flowing through your fingers just as you first felt it in 2008. Being Darth Vader’s apprentice is still as big of a power trip as you might imagine, and tossing stormtroopers around like ragdolls rarely loses its appeal.
3 Knights Of The Old Republic 2 (2022)
The famously unfinished Obsidian classic returns with a lot of the same charm and quirks that fans have come to expect over the years. KOTOR 2 was never a perfectly polished example of top-notch, airtight game design, but it is still a magnificent example of nuance in a usually diametric world of Light vs. Dark.
Unfortunately, players endured several glitches and game-breaking bugs that can put a damper on your experience, but many of them have since been fixed. KOTOR 2 builds off the sequel in its loot and exploration of the gray areas in the Force, that will take you on a journey that will have you questioning everything you’ve ever known about good and evil in Star Wars.
2 Republic Commando (2021)
Republic Commando stands as one of the most underappreciated games in the Star Wars franchise, as you take control of an elite clone trooper and his squad of quirky misfits. The game takes a Tom Clancy-esque approach, focusing on teamwork, strategy, and careful positioning rather than the run-and-gun style of games like Jedi Outcast or The Force Unleashed.
The events of the game transpire around the time of The Clone Wars and Revenge Of The Sith, taking you through several covert operations that have massive repercussions on the war effort. This dark take on Star Wars fluctuates from tactical shooter to horror game, giving players a unique, hyperrealistic perspective of the series, highlighting the ‘War’ in Star Wars.
1 Knights Of The Old Republic (2021)
The crown jewel of Star Wars games stands the test of time, remaining as a shining example of the impact an RPG Star Wars game can have, even outside the context of the movies. From speedruns to community-created challenge runs, players continue to find unconventional approaches to enjoy this masterpiece in new and refreshing ways.
The game’s main draw is the story of Revan, a Jedi Knight who turned to the Dark Side, decimating the Jedi Order, before eventually being redeemed and heralded as the quintessential example of a Gray Jedi. Revan’s story emphasizes how terribly thin the line between Light and Dark is, giving you the power to toe that line, fully embrace the Light, or fall into the allure of darkness. The Switch doesn’t do much to improve the dated combat, but perhaps this will be improved in a remake far, far away.
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