There are a ton of different kinds of Star Wars games that have come out in the many years since the series first debuted. The Star Wars universe itself is so massive that game developers have no shortage of opportunity and choice when it comes to creating something within it. This has led to a ton of different and interesting games that spread out across various genres.
This applies to shooters, RPG’s, adventure games and so on. But one thing that fans absolutely love is having the ability to use a lightsaber in combat. It makes sense, seeing as it’s the most iconic weapon in the series. While plenty of titles over the years have allowed gamers to wield the legendary weapon, only a select few of them are considered truly great.
10 10. Lego Star Wars - The Complete Saga
To those who’ve never tried out a Lego game, this may seem like an odd choice. But in all honesty, they’re some of the best fun you can have. The Star Wars Lego titles are great for both fans of the franchise and newcomers as well.
The lightsaber combat in these games is pretty rudimentary, but that’s not all that bad. The games mechanics aren’t meant to be incredibly difficult to pick up. They’re supposed to be dumbed down and fun.
9 9. Star Wars: The Old Republic
The Star Wars universe is perfect for an MMORPG setting, as there’s no shortage of planets to explore, NPC’s to interact with and lore to immerse yourself within. While it didn’t have the most stellar launch out there, The Old Republic ended up being a great Star Wars game.
Again, lightsaber combat isn’t the most intricate in this title. It isn’t even the only means of combat. But it’s good enough, and really the game is more about exploration, choice, and discovery than anything else.
8 8. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Tie-in games aren’t always the best products out there, and no one would blame you if you completely dismissed this 2005 title. While the reviews for Revenge of the Sith were less than stellar, one thing the game did get right was the lightsaber combat.
Paired up with the game’s various force abilities, combat in Revenge of the Sith was tons of fun and was most satisfying when dueling another lightsaber combatant. While not perfect, it was some of the most stellar Jedi gameplay offered at the time.
7 7. Star Wars: Battlefront II
No, not that Battlefront II. The original 2005 Battlefront II may not have featured all that much lightsaber combat, but was a blast when it did. The game is primarily a shooter, but does allow you to take control of certain “heroes” for a limited amount of time.
The majority of heroes in the game are lightsaber users, with Darth Vader, Mace Windu, and Yoda being just a few of the playable characters you can run rampant as. Each hero had their own style, and that really did wonders in terms of not making heroes feel too similar to one another.
6 6. Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II
One of the older games on this list, Dark Forces II was received very well by both critics and fans when it released in 1997. The game became an instant favorite to many, and while looking back on it now does reveal some flaws, the game is still fun to playthrough – especially once you get your hands on a lightsaber.
The game is – for the most part – a first-person shooter, though a lightsaber and force abilities are usable as you progress through the game. It’s this variation in combat that makes the game so darn fun.
5 5. Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
Yet another game in the Jedi Knight series, Jedi Outcast shares a lot of similarities with Dark Forces. The game has a solid plot as it follows series protagonist Kyle Katarn facing off against a Dark Jedi, and features some much improved combat.
The focus on lightsaber combat in this entry really made for some unique and interesting gameplay. Though not the most intricate combat system a Star Wars game has to offer, Jedi Outcast still managed to be an engaging title that at the time, did a lot of things right.
4 4. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II
The follow-up to BioWare’s Knights of the Old Republic, Obsidian’s take on the series was well received by most fans and critics. Though the game isn’t considered as good as its predecessor, everything that made the original great is there.
The game offers players a ton of different customization options. There’s an extensive fore ability tree to go through and all kinds of different lightsaber customization as well. While the combat is somewhat simple, the real satisfaction comes from seeing your character get stronger throughout the game.
3 3. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
The Force Unleashed is a game that many Star Wars fans had always dreamed of getting. With its vicious hack and slash lightsaber combat as well as the ridiculously powerful and versatile force abilities offered, the game really made you feel like a genuine Sith/Jedi.
Though the gameplay was a little more focused on force abilities, the lightsaber combat is solid. It doesn’t get all that dull and repetitive, which is great for how long of a game it is.
2 2. Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
Of all the lightsaber heavy Star Wars games out there, Jedi Academy is thought by many to have the best and most fluid lightsaber combat. Playing this game on PC is a dream, as you’re so busy moving your mouse around you feel like an actual Jedi.
The force abilities in this game aren’t as in-depth as future Star Wars entries would go on to be, but that all works out. The primary focus is on the lightsaber combat. The force abilities feel like a nice complementary mechanic and combined, the two make for hours of fun.
1 1. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
It may not be the very best in terms of lightsaber combat, but it seems ludicrous to have BioWare’s Knights of the Old Republic anywhere but the number 1 spot. Solid gameplay, tons of customization, a memorable and impactful narrative; you name it and this game has it.
Fans have been waiting for a new entry in the series for years. Though that seems like a pipedream at this point, the original still holds up despite various technical issues. It’s not only one of the best ever Star Wars games to feature lightsaber combat, but one of the best Star Wars games ever made. Period.