The massive fictional space within the Star Wars universe has no shortage of heroes and villains the use as a basis for material in video game adaptions. Considering the variety of themes and elements in the franchise, from lightsaber duels to pod racing, there is so much that seems ready to be easily categorized into different genres of gaming. One character in particular is quite versatile and skilled a multitude of areas, making him a flexible character to fit into any style of gameplay experience.
The character in question is the primary protagonist of the original Star Wars film trilogy, Luke Skywalker. Proven to be both a talented pilot and extremely strong with the force, Luke Skywalker remains one of the most beloved and powerful characters in the Star Wars mythos. Due to this popularity and range of abilities, Luke has been the featured in several Star Wars video games over the years, ranging from flight sims to those that prominently feature his skill as a Jedi knight. For any fans of the one of the main characters in the sprawling saga set in a galaxy far, far away, these games are not to be missed.
Super Star Wars Trilogy
For retro enthusiasts, this classic side scrolling action trilogy on the Super Nintendo was incredibly impressive for the time while also staying true to the events of each respective film. Although players are given control of other characters in the Star Wars universe, much of the action revolves around Luke, from the intense Battle of Hoth all the way to the climactic showdown with Emperor Palpatine in Return of the Jedi.
As is true with many titles from the SNES era of gaming, the Super Star Wars trilogy can be extremely difficult, even for seasoned players of the game. Combining a hefty challenge as one of the hardest Super Nintendo games, dazzling 16-bit graphics and all the charm one can expect from the Star Wars universe, these old school action games are sure to delight longtime fans of the franchise.
Star Wars Battlefront Series
Although technically not following any particular Star Wars character or event and serving as more a representation of the series as a whole, Star Wars Battlefront is still an exciting video game adaption of the franchise. Visually stunning recreations of iconic Star Wars landmarks are everywhere and the heroes and villains are furthermore handled with care and careful attention to the source material.
Luke Skywalker himself is depicted in his prime, as a Jedi Master, donning his now iconic uniform from Return of the Jedi. The games make great use of Luke’s force powers and experience with lightsaber combat, capable of mowing down dozens of Stormtroopers before they can even reach a blaster. In terms of delivering on the promise of a Star Wars power fantasy and letting the player feel like a true force user, the Star Wars Battlefront games are exceptionally well made in that regard.
Lego Star Wars Series
The Lego video games are widely beloved by children and adults alike for the faithful yet hilarious depictions of iconic pop culture franchises. Among the most popular of these efforts have been the Lego Star Wars games, which translate the epic sci fi story into a charming, hilarious blocky form. Drawing from all of the films in the franchise, Luke Skywalker naturally features prominently in the games adapting the original trilogy, with fantastically witty results.
Many of the most memorable sequences involving Luke Skywalker have been altered to suit the oddball wackiness of the Lego universe, but still manage to retain the essence of what makes these moments so endearing and iconic to begin with. From Luke showdown with Vader in Cloud City to the Death Star Assault, several of the greatest Star Wars moments featuring Skywalker’s journey from a young boy on Tatooine to Jedi Master are featured here. For players who have missed out on the series thus far, the upcoming Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will chronicle all nine films in the series in one colossal package.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
The Nintendo 64 was an impressive technological feat for its time, delivering some standout titles that helped break the mold in the transition from 2D to 3D gaming. LucasArts featured heavily on the console, creating many memorable Star Wars games, with the most standout offering arguably being the flight sim action game Star Wars: Rogue Squadron. Boasting some of the most dazzling graphics on the Nintendo 64 and aggressive dog fighting gameplay that holds up well today, the series holds a strong place in the hearts of many Star Wars fans.
Many of the missions in both the first game and its two Rogue Squadron sequels on the GameCube feature events and stories that take place in between episodes of the original trilogy. With this in mind, its not only a blistering flight combat experience, but also provides a fun glimpse into Luke’s growth in the overarching storyline of the franchise. Luke is just as good of a fighter pilot as he was a Jedi, and these games demonstrate that incredibly well.
