Star Wars Series

Star Wars series – what is it about?

The Star Wars series is one of the most iconic and expansive video game franchises of all time. Developed by various studios over the years, most notably LucasArts, EA, BioWare, and Respawn Entertainment, the Star Wars game franchise includes action-adventure titles, space simulators, RPGs, strategy games, and shooters.

These games explore different corners of the Star Wars universe, from the Jedi Order and the Clone Wars to the Rebellion, the Galactic Empire, and even the Old Republic thousands of years before the films. Each entry expands the lore while offering exciting gameplay rooted in the Force, blasters, and galactic conflict.

When did SW games come out?

The first Star Wars game dates back to 1982 on the Atari 2600. Since then, the franchise has evolved with hundreds of titles across multiple platforms and genres. From early 2D arcade games to cinematic AAA experiences like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, the game series has grown alongside the movies and expanded universe.

Star Wars game series in order of release

There are well over 100 Star Wars games if you include spin-offs, mobile titles, and older arcade/handheld releases. However, here’s a list of the major and most influential entries:

1. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1982)
2. Star Wars: Dark Forces (1995)
3. Star Wars: TIE Fighter / X-Wing series (1993–1999)
4. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (1996)
5. Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II (1997)
6. Star Wars Rebellion (1998)
7. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (1998)
8. Star Wars Episode I: Racer (1999)
9. Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds Saga (2001)
10. Star Wars: Starfighter (2002)
11. Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast (2002)
12. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2003)
13. Star Wars Galaxies: The Complete Online Adventures (2003)
14. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003)
15. Star Wars Jedi Knight Academy (2003)
16. Star Wars Battlefront (Classic) (2004)
17. Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords
18. Star Wars: Republic Commando (2005)
19. Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith (2005)
20. Star Wars Battlefront II (Classic) (2005)
21. Star Wars Empire at War (2006)
22. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008)
23. LEGO Star Wars - The Complete Saga (2009)
24. Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Republic Heroes (2009)
25. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (2010)
26. Star Wars: The Old Republic (2011) – MMO
27. Star Wars Battlefront (EA) (2015)
28. LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2016)
29. Star Wars Battlefront II (EA) (2017)
30. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019)
31. Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series (2020)
32. Star Wars: Squadrons (2020)
33. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (2022)
34. Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge ( 2023)
35. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023)
36. Star Wars Outlaws (2024)
37. STAR WARS: Episode I: Jedi Power Battles

What is the best order to play SW games in?

With so many games across different periods and gameplay styles, there’s no single “correct” way to play. However, if you’re interested in exploring the Star Wars timeline chronologically, here’s a recommended order based on in-universe events:

1. Star Wars: The Old Republic (takes place ~3,600 years before the films)
2. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic I & II
3. Star Wars: Jedi – Survivor / Fallen Order (Prequel Era)
4. Star Wars: Republic Commando (Clone Wars era)
5. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed I & II (between Episodes III and IV)
6. Star Wars: Outlaws (between Episode V and VI)
7. Star Wars: Dark Forces / Jedi Knight series (Original Trilogy and post-Episode VI)
8. Star Wars Battlefront I & II (Classic and EA versions) – span multiple eras
9. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron / Episode I: Racer / Shadows of the Empire
10. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga – retells Episodes I–IX with humor
11. Star Wars: TIE Fighter / X-Wing – classic flight sim series set during the Rebellion

Each title focuses on a different era of Star Wars, but many stand well on their own. If you're more story-focused, Jedi: Fallen Order, KOTOR, and The Force Unleashed offer rich single-player narratives.

The best Star Wars games

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003) is considered a masterpiece of RPG storytelling, with deep moral choices and unforgettable characters. Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor are praised for blending Souls-like combat with Star Wars lore and cinematic flair.

The original Battlefront II (2005) is a fan-favorite for its large-scale battles and space combat, while The Force Unleashed gave players an over-the-top look at what it means to wield the Force with no limits. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a great all-ages retelling of the movies with plenty of charm and collectibles.

Who are the most iconic Star Wars game characters?

While many Star Wars games feature familiar faces like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Yoda, the game franchise has also introduced original characters who’ve become fan favorites:

• Kyle Katarn – Jedi Knight protagonist and former Imperial officer
• Revan – The legendary Jedi/Sith from KOTOR
• Galen Marek (Starkiller) – Darth Vader’s secret apprentice in The Force Unleashed
• Cal Kestis – Survivor of Order 66 in the Jedi series
• HK-47 – A sarcastic assassination droid from KOTOR
• Iden Versio – The Imperial protagonist of Battlefront II (EA)
• Kay Vess - Bounty hunter protagonist of SW Outlaws

These characters add depth to the Star Wars universe and often appear in fan discussions alongside canon characters from the films.

What are the upcoming Star Wars games?

The Star Wars game franchise is far from slowing down. Several new titles are currently in development as of March 2025.

• Knights of the Old Republic Remake – (status uncertain)
• Star Wars Eclipse by Quantic Dream – a narrative-driven game set during the High Republic era
• New titles from Respawn Entertainment – including a possible third game in the Jedi series

With Lucasfilm Games collaborating across multiple studios, we can be sure that we will see many new games in the future. If you want to stay up to date about every announcement, check out our gaming news section and get all the latest information.