The Star Wars franchise has been a staple in the world of entertainment for decades, captivating audiences with its epic space battles, compelling characters, and unique storytelling. For gamers, the Star Wars universe has offered a wealth of opportunities to immerse themselves in the galaxy far, far away, and the PlayStation 2 (PS2) was home to many of these experiences. From classic multiplayer shooters to single-player action-adventures, the Star Wars PS2 games offered a diverse range of gameplay options for fans of the franchise. In this article, we’ll take a look back at some of the most memorable Star Wars games released for the PS2 and examine what made each of them so special and rank them from worst to best.
12. Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes (2009)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes is an action-adventure game based on the animated series of the same name and takes players on a journey through the Star Wars galaxy as they control both Jedi Knights and clone troopers in their battle against the evil Separatist forces.
The gameplay of Republic Heroes is a mix of combat, puzzle-solving, and platforming elements, making it a well-rounded experience for fans of all kinds of action games. The game’s multiplayer mode, which allows players to team up with friends to tackle missions and battles together, is a particular highlight. The game also includes a variety of unlockable bonus content, including concept art and behind-the-scenes footage, which makes it a must-play for fans of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series.
Republic Heroes is not without its flaws. Some players may find the missions to be repetitive, and the game’s technical issues can be a nuisance at times. The graphics and audio are also underwhelming compared to other games available on the PlayStation 2. Unless your a die-hard fan of the early seasons of the animated series, this game is a hard pass.
11. Star Wars: Starfighter (2001)
Star Wars: Starfighter is a space combat simulation game that takes place in the Star Wars universe and puts players in control of a variety of different starfighters as they engage in intense space battles.
The game’s controls are smooth and responsive, and the variety of different starfighters, each with its own unique weapons and abilities, provides plenty of options for players looking for a challenge. The game’s missions are well-designed, offering a good mix of action, strategy, and exploration. The graphics and audio are also top-notch, capturing the feel of the Star Wars universe perfectly.
Some players may find the game’s difficulty level to be a bit steep, especially for those who are new to the genre. The game’s story is also rather generic, lacking the depth and character development of other Star Wars games.
10. Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing (2001)
Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing is a kart racing game that takes place in the Star Wars universe and features a cast of memorable characters from the franchise, each with their own unique vehicles and abilities.
The game’s tracks are well-designed and offer plenty of variety, ranging from tight, twisting circuits to sprawling, multi-level arenas. The game’s weapons and power-ups are also a highlight, providing plenty of options for players looking to gain an edge on the competition. The game’s multiplayer mode is also a lot of fun, allowing players to race against each other in split-screen or online.
Some players may find the game’s graphics and audio to be a bit underwhelming compared to other racing games available on the PlayStation 2. The game’s controls can also be a bit tricky to master, especially for those who are new to kart racing games.
9. Star Wars: Racer Revenge (2002)
This game is a sequel to the popular Star Wars: Episode I Racer and takes place in the Star Wars universe, featuring a variety of different racers and tracks inspired by the franchise.
The game’s tracks are well-designed and offer plenty of variety, ranging from tight, twisting circuits to sprawling, multi-level arenas. The game’s vehicles are also a highlight, each with their own unique speed, handling, and weapons. The game’s multiplayer mode is also a lot of fun, allowing players to race against each other in split-screen or online.
The game’s gameplay is a bit repetitive, with not enough variety in the tracks, vehicles, or weapons. Also the graphics are underwhelming and it doesn’t offer a whole lot more than it’s predecessor on N64 and Dreamcast.
8. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2002)
7. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter (2002)
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is a third-person action-adventure game released for the PlayStation 2 in 2002. In the game, players control Jango Fett, a notorious bounty hunter, as he travels across the Star Wars universe to capture and deliver bounties.
The gameplay in Star Wars: Bounty Hunter primarily focuses on combat and exploration. Jango has a variety of weapons at his disposal, including blasters, missiles, and wrist-mounted weapons. Players must use these weapons to take down enemies and navigate through levels filled with obstacles, traps, and puzzles.
6. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is an action-adventure game released for the PlayStation 2 in 2005. The game is based on the movie of the same name and follows the events of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. One of the strengths of the game is its faithful representation of the Star Wars universe. The game’s graphics and audio are impressive, with detailed environments, character models, and sound effects that bring the Star Wars universe to life. The game also features iconic characters such as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Yoda, each with their own unique abilities and playstyle.
5. LEGO Star Wars & LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
These games combine the classic Lego building blocks with the beloved Star Wars universe, creating a unique and fun experience for players of all ages. One of the standout features of these games is its humorous take on the Star Wars franchise. The cutscenes and dialogue are filled with comedic moments and lighthearted gags, making it a great choice for families and younger players. The game’s visuals are also bright and colorful, with vibrant environments and characters that bring the Lego Star Wars world to life.
4. Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter
The game takes place in the Star Wars universe, set between the events of Star Wars: Episode I and Episode II, and features players taking control of Jedi characters as they battle against the Trade Federation. Players control a variety of Jedi starfighters and must use their skills to defeat enemy ships, protect allies, and complete missions.
The game also features a variety of different game modes, including a single-player campaign, multiplayer deathmatch, and cooperative play. The game’s camera system can be problematic, with some players finding it difficult to keep track of their ship and the action on screen.
3. Star Wars: Battlefront (2004)
Star Wars: Battlefront is a first-and-third-person shooter released for the PlayStation 2 in 2004. The game takes place in the Star Wars universe and allows players to participate in large-scale battles as soldiers of either the Galactic Republic or the Separatist Droid Army.
One of the standout features of Battlefront is its massive scale. The game features large, open battlefields with a variety of vehicles and weapons for players to use. The game’s multiplayer mode, in particular, is a standout feature, allowing players to engage in massive online battles with friends and other players. Players were also able to hop into a variety of vehicles, including X-Wings, TIE Fighters, speeders, and AT-STs, and engage in aerial and ground-based combat.
The game was praised for it’s large variety of maps set in different locations from the Star Wars universe, including the swamps of Dagobah, the deserts of Tatooine, and the forests of Endor. The game also featured voice acting from some of the original Star Wars movie cast, including Temuera Morrison as Jango Fett and Jimmy Smits as Bail Organa.
2. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008)
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for the PlayStation 2 is a single-player action-adventure game that was released in 2008. The game takes place between the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope and follows the journey of Darth Vader’s secret apprentice, Starkiller.
Starkiller, who is trained in the ways of the Force by Darth Vader, is sent on a mission to eliminate Jedi who have survived the Jedi Purge. As he travels across the galaxy, Starkiller encounters a variety of iconic Star Wars characters and battles his way through countless enemies using the Force and a lightsaber. Throughout the game, Starkiller must navigate through a series of challenges, using his mastery of the Force to defeat powerful enemies and overcome obstacles. The game features fast-paced action and intense lightsaber combat, as well as a deep and engaging story that explores the complex relationship between Starkiller and Darth Vader.
In addition to the main campaign, the game also features several bonus levels that let players experience additional stories and play as different characters from the Star Wars universe. Overall, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for the PlayStation 2 was a well-received game that offered fans an exciting and immersive experience within the Star Wars universe.
1. Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005)
Star Wars: Battlefront II for the PlayStation 2 was released in 2005 as the sequel to the popular Star Wars: Battlefront. The game was highly anticipated and received positive reviews for its improvements over the first game, particularly in terms of graphics and gameplay.
One of the standout features of Battlefront II was its expanded single-player campaign, which allowed players to participate in battles from all six of the main Star Wars films. This added a greater level of variety and replayability to the game, and provided players with the opportunity to experience some of the franchise’s most iconic moments. The game also featured a new single-player campaign, where players could play as multiple characters from the Star Wars universe, including Darth Vader and Boba Fett.
The multiplayer mode in Battlefront II was expanded to include new game modes, such as Conquest and Capture the Flag, which added more depth and variety to the multiplayer experience. One of the new classes introduced in Battlefront II was the hero class, which allowed players to take control of powerful Star Wars characters, such as Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader, and use their unique abilities to turn the tide of battle. In fact, Battlefront II was one of the first Star Wars games to feature playable Jedi characters, which was a major selling point for fans of the franchise.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, the Star Wars franchise has produced a wealth of games for the PlayStation 2, many of which are considered to be some of the best Star Wars games ever made. From fast-paced action games like Star Wars: Racer Revenge, to immersive strategy games like Star Wars: Battlefront II, there is a Star Wars game for every type of player on the PS2. Whether you’re a fan of the movies, the books, or just a fan of action-packed sci-fi adventures, you’re sure to find something to love in the Star Wars PS2 games library. So grab your PS2 controller, strap on your lightsaber, and prepare to jump into the Star Wars universe like never before.
