In this edition of the history of Star Wars video games, we are covering the years 1995-1999 Part 2.
In 1997, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2 came out for the PC. This game is a first/third person shooter that allows you to use a Lightsaber and Force powers and gives the player the option to make light/dark side decisions. As with the original game, you take control of Kyle Katarn, who is now hunting down a dark Jedi named Jerec, who is responsible for killing his father. Receiving his father’s old Lightsaber, Kyle starts to discover that he also has Force abilities. The live action cut-scenes might seem a little bit cheesy by today’s standards, but at the time they were a huge upgrade over animated ones. This game also features a multiplayer with five different modes. It was a hit at the time and led to the Jedi Knight game series which influenced some game mechanics for the Knights of the Old Republic games.
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith was the expansion pack put out in 1998 for Dark Forces 2. This game offers a new single player story mode with fourteen new levels. Set five years after the events of the core game, you once again take control of now Jedi Knight Kyle Katarn and EU fan favorite character Mara Jade. The New multi-player mode for this game offers fifteen new maps.
Star Wars: Behind the Magic is an interactive CD-ROM that was released in 1998. This is not an actual video game, but was only playable on a PC. It offered an in-depth look at the Star Wars trilogy and a preview for The Phantom Menace. This also featured a few deleted scenes from Star Wars: A New Hope including the Biggs and Luke Tatooine scene.
In 1998 Star Wars: Rebellion or Star Wars: Supremacy in the UK came out. This is a real- time strategy game where you can control the Empire or the Rebellion. This is the first real-time strategy game for Star Wars. You would build ground forces, droid assistants, starships, facilities and different types of characters. All of your favorite ships and characters from the movies and the expanded universe are featured in this game. The goal was to defend your base and attack and destroy the enemies’ base while capturing two of their leaders. This game did not receive good reviews from the critics and most fans. Some said the game was too confusing to get into, while others said the lack of action was a letdown.
Also in 1998, Star Wars Trilogy Arcade came out and was an arcade game based off of the original trilogy. Both stand up and sit down versions were made for this rail shooter game. The game features events from all three movies including the Battle of Yavin, the Battle of Hoth, speeder bikes on Endor and the attack on the second Death Star. Bonus missions are a bit different as you use a Lightsaber to fight off blaster bolts from Boba Fett or a dueling Darth Vader.
Star Wars: Rouge Squadron came out in 1998 for the PC and Nintendo 64. This game is based off the success and reviews of the Battle of Hoth level from Shadows of the Empire. The game takes place between the movies Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back. Both Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles are the main characters of this story and command the squadron. Classic ships like the X-wing, Y-wing, A-wing, the Millennium Falcon and even though it was before the movie was released, the Nabboo Starfigher was included. This game was a huge success and even won an award for “Best Action Computer Game of 1998” from Origins Awards and also produced two sequels.
The last game in 1998 was the most interesting Star Wars game I have seen so far, Star Wars Millennium Falcon CD-ROM Playset for the PC. This game comes with a playset of the Millennium Falcon cockpit that you place over your keyboard. Placing the action figures in their seats, you get to control different actions through the game. With the action figures sold separate, this is a fun and unique video game, something I wish we would see again.
X-Wing: Alliance came out in 1999 for the PC and is the fourth game of the X-Wing series. In this game you are Ace Azzameen helping the Republic take on the Galactic Empire. Graphics and controls have been upgraded from the previous games. The game starts after the battle of Hoth, and ends with the Battle of Endor. During the game you also experience the events of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, with a mission where you are helping out hero Dash Render capture the plans to the second Death Star. Besides the seven historic missions, there was also a fan loved multiplayer mode.
Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace was released in 1999 for the computer and Sony PlayStation. The exact date for the PC was April 30, 1999. This is twenty days before the release of its movie counterpart. This is a third-person over the shoulder action adventure game. You take control of different characters from the game, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Queen Amidala and Captain Panaka. The game follows the events of the movie as well as events of the characters off screen. The only three characters to be voiced by the same actor from the movie are Anakin Skywalker, Watto and Jar Jar Binks.
Star Wars: Episode 1 Racer came out in 1999 for the Nintendo 64 and later for the PC, Game Boy Color and SEGA Dreamcast. Of course this game featured one of the best scenes from Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, the pod race. This is the first racing/sports game for the Star Wars franchise. The formula for this game is very simple: race, win, upgrade, repeat – but works so well. With 25 tracks on eight different planets and eighteen different pod upgrades, this game became a fan favorite. While the races themselves were not too difficult, earning the upgrades for different racers expanded the game’s lasting appeal. Many actors reprised their role from the movie to voice their characters in the game. Some of these characters were Anakin, Watto, Sebulba and the two headed announcer Fode and Beed. I have to say fifteen years later, I still love to play this game and it still holds up today.
Well, that wraps up the 1990s; now moving on to the early 2000s. Games from The Phantom Menace, The Clone Wars, and Knights of the Old Republic were huge hits and will be discussed soon. As always, turn off your targeting computers and let the Force guide you.
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