What are the best Star Wars games to play right now? You may be asking yourself that question since there are over 1000 video games to keep track of, dating all the way back to the release of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in 1982 for the Atari 2600. And then there are all the new releases to consider, the most recent being 2024's Star Wars Outlaws.
The Star Wars timeline is a complicated beast that has spawned some of the best games ever made. It’s also growing, with tons of upcoming Star Wars games on the horizon. Still, don't let the vast universe of content intimidate you. To help you navigate the gaming cosmos we've run the best Star Wars games through their paces and have discovered the ones you should absolutely go back and play today.
From retro classics like Knights of the Old Republic to some of the best strategy games like Empire at War, we've got something for every type of sci-fi fan here. So, keep reading to find our ranking of the best Star Wars games you should play right now.
10. Star Wars Outlaws
Developer: Massive Entertainment
Released: 2024
Massive Entertainment may be best known for its work with The Division series, but the studio set out to deliver its most ambitious project to date in Star Wars Outlaws – the first open world adventure set in a galaxy far, far away. Outlaws puts you into the role of Kay Vess, a wannabe scoundrel who is dreaming of a better life beyond the Outer Rim territories.
To achieve this you'll need to guide Vess through the underworld, meeting experts to organically improve her abilities and brokering uneasy alliances with Syndicates to build up her reputation. Outlaws is at its best when you're whipping across worlds like Kijimi and Tatooine on your speeder or immersing yourself in the atmosphere of Akiva – living your best life in an incredibly faithful portrayal of the Star Wars universe set within the boundaries of the original trilogy.
RELATED: Star Wars Outlaws review: "An exceedingly fun Star Wars game that's hindered by poor stealth systems"
9. Star Wars: Empire at War
Developer: Petroglyph Games
Released: 2006
Star Wars: Empire at War is special. There was this little window of time where legendary film franchises were investing heavily in the real-time strategy genre, and thank the Force that they did because it gave us Empire at War. Set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, you're charged with leading vast armies into massive-scale battles – sitting above the action to dictate the movements of your favorite Star Wars factions.
The ground wars were certainly fun and full of spectacle, but it was the awe-inspiring space battles that helped establish Empire at War as one of the best RTS games of its time. The genre has come a long way since 2005, but there's still plenty of fun to be had with this classic.
8. Star Wars: The Old Republic
Developer: BioWare
Released: 2011
Star Wars: The Old Republic is a true achievement. BioWare may have left Knights of the Old Republic behind to turn its attention to original IPs like Dragon Age, Jade Empire, and Mass Effect, but it never walked away from Star Wars entirely.
In fact, this studio has been telling Star Wars stories for over a decade now, slowly expanding its own little corner of the universe with one of the best MMORPGs that you can play today. Sure, The Old Republic will always be fighting against the ghost of Star Wars Galaxies (you know, the original version) for some players out there, but the truth is that The Old Republic is one of the finest Star Wars roleplaying opportunities out there.
RELATED: Star Wars: The Old Republic review: "BioWare's MMO is a triumph"
7. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Developer: Respawn Entertainment
Released: 2019
When Respawn was founded in 2010, by much of the team responsible for making Call of Duty the behemoth that it is, the studio set its sights on redefining the FPS genre. That's why we were surprised to learn that Respawn was wading into a galaxy far, far away for a third-person action game that drew inspiration from action RPGs and Metroidvanias.
We were even more surprised to discover just how fantastic Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was. This confident and capable action game introduced the world to a new Star Wars hero, gave us plenty of space to explore lush alien worlds, and delivered the sort of tight lightsaber combat we had only ever dreamed of one day experiencing.
RELATED: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order review: "Gets what makes the series special"
6. Star Wars Jedi Knight 2 – Jedi Outcast
Developer: Raven Software
Released: 2002
Long before Respawn's Star Wars Jedi games set a new standard for third-person action games in the Star Wars universe, it was Star Wars Jedi Knight 2 – Jedi Outcast, which was considered the gold standard. Raven Software brought about the return of Kyle Katarn – the protagonist of Star Wars: Dark Forces (aka one of the best FPS games of all time) – and gave the former Jedi the opportunity to regain his connection with the Force.
With that, we got the opportunity to experience what it would be like to singlehandedly take on the Empire. With its excellent single-player campaign and surprisingly tight multiplayer arenas, Jedi Outcast remains a truly wonderful adventure through the Star Wars universe.
5. Star Wars: Republic Commando
Developer: LucasArts
Released: 2005
Star Wars: Republic Commando arrived at the height of Rainbow Six's popularity and quickly proved that Tom Clancy didn't have total command over the tactical-FPS space. Republic Commando put aside the eternal battle between Jedi and the Sith, instead putting you in control of an elite group of Clone Troopers who were charged with working behind enemy lines during the Clone Wars.
With its awesome setpieces, flexible order system, and weighty gunplay, Republic Commando stands alone as one of the most unique Star Wars games ever made. An enhanced port of the game was released for PS4 and Switch in 2021 which makes it easier than ever to experience one of the best original Xbox games.
RELATED: Star Wars: Republic Commando review: "Gorgeous prequel visuals"
4. Star Wars Battlefront 2
Developer: Pandemic Studios
Released: 2005
While we have a lot of love around here for DICE's modern revival of the Battlefront series, there's no beating the original games for the outrageous scale and pure carnage they were able to deliver.
2005's Star Wars Battlefront 2 works as well as it did, not only because it made you feel like a small cog in the much larger war machine, as you joined with either Resistance or Empire forces on some of Star Wars' most iconic battlegrounds, but because you always had the agency to turn the tide of a battle. With its massive-scale multiplayer skirmishes, beautiful visual design, and arcade action, Star Wars Battlefront 2 is iconic.
RELATED: Star Wars Battlefront 2 review: "Exceptionally polished and entertaining multiplayer"
3. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Developer: TT Games
Released: 2022
To put it simply enough, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is one of the best Lego games ever made. Traveller's Tales has spent almost two decades creating Lego games, and The Skywalker Saga was an opportunity for the studio to return to the film franchise that started it all. TT Games took that opportunity to build an incredible package, one that covers all nine films that make up The Skywalker Saga.
There's plenty of the heart and humor that this series has become renowned for delivering, of course, and an expanded set of combat and movement mechanics that transforms this experience into something that's as deep as it is open and entertaining for kids of all ages.
RELATED: Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga review: "At last, this is the droid you are looking for"
2. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Developer: Respawn Entertainment
Released: 2023
Respawn put down strong foundations with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and built something truly magnificent atop them with this sequel. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor picks up five years after Cal Kestis' ascent to Jedi Knight, tracking his attempts to deepen his understanding of the Force and circumvent the forces of the Empire.
With its twisting Metroidvania design, stunning art direction and environmental design, excellent lightsaber combat, and surprisingly heartfelt narrative, Jedi: Survivor is proof that video games can have just as much impact on the Star Wars timeline as the movies and TV shows that have defined the shape of the franchise. Do yourself a favor and take your time exploring what is undoubtedly one of the best games of 2023.
RELATED: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor review: "More ambitious, confident, and heartfelt than Fallen Order"
1. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Developer: BioWare
Released: 2003
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic may be 20 years old, but it's still heralded as the Best Star Wars game to this day for good reason. Developer BioWare crafted an intricate RPG here, one where you are charged with defining your own path (and alignment with the Force) thousands of years before the formation of the Galactic Empire.
Boasting one of the best video game stories, fantastic character building, and an expansive series of planets to explore, KOTOR is a definitive experience that is a must play for anyone who has dreamed of one day becoming a Jedi. A remake is reportedly in development, but the original is still an absolute must-play experience.
RELATED: Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic review: "One of the best Star Wars games - and RPG's - ever made"
If you love this universe, check out our guide on how to watch all the Star Wars movies in order. Or, for more fresh sci-fi titles, head to our list of all the new games heading our way.
