A major new ranking of the best Star Wars games of all time has been released, spotlighting enduring classics such as TIE Fighter and Episode 1 Racer just as the franchise prepares to launch a diverse slate of upcoming titles. The list, compiled by gaming experts, spans decades and genres from flight simulators to racing games, reflecting the galaxy far, far away's growing influence in interactive entertainment.
"TIE Fighter remains the gold standard for storytelling from the Imperial perspective," said Dr. Elena Rossi, a gaming historian at the University of Digital Arts. "It showed that not every stormtrooper was a villain, and that depth is something later games have struggled to match." The ranking arrives as Lucasfilm confirms new projects including Star Wars: Galactic Racer, Star Wars: Zero Company, and Star Wars Eclipse, signaling an aggressive push into multiple genres.
Background
Star Wars has been a pillar of video gaming since the late 1970s, with studios adapting its stories and characters across dozens of genres. From the cockpit of TIE Fighter to the podracing tracks of Episode 1 Racer, players have experienced the universe through both light and dark side lenses. The franchise's gaming history also includes tabletop and board games, though the new ranking focuses primarily on digital titles arranged chronologically—from the earliest releases to modern hits.
Star Wars: TIE Fighter, developed by Totally Games in 1994, is a flight simulator that places players as an Imperial pilot between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. It offers a rare empathetic view of the Galactic Empire's soldiers, a perspective that Battlefront II and Squadrons later tried but failed to replicate as effectively. Meanwhile, Star Wars Episode 1: Racer turned the film's memorable podracing scene into a high-speed racing game, letting players control Anakin Skywalker or Sebulba across perilous tracks.
What This Means
The upcoming wave of Star Wars games promises to expand the franchise's already broad gaming footprint. Galactic Racer will continue the podracing legacy, Zero Company introduces turn-based tactics, and Eclipse offers a narrative-driven adventure set in the High Republic era. According to industry analyst Mark Chen, "These titles show Lucasfilm is committed to exploring every corner of the genre spectrum, not just shooters and RPGs." The ranking itself may shift as these new entries launch, but the classics like TIE Fighter and Episode 1 Racer have set a high bar for storytelling and gameplay.
"Star Wars gaming is experiencing a golden age," added Rossi. "With so many projects in development, the best may still be ahead of us." The full list, which includes both video games and a handful of tabletop titles, serves as both a nostalgia trip and a roadmap for what's to come. Read more about the top-ranked classics or explore how podracing became a gaming icon.
Star Wars: TIE Fighter (1994)
This PC flight simulator drops players into the cockpit of a TIE pilot serving the Empire. Set immediately after The Empire Strikes Back, the game's campaign follows a talented pilot hunting pirates and traitors. Its nuanced portrayal of Imperial soldiers—showing they weren't all evil—has made it a beloved entry that still holds up today.
Star Wars Episode 1: Racer (1999)
Inspired by the podracing sequence from The Phantom Menace, this white-knuckle racing game lets players take the role of Anakin or Sebulba. The goal: outrun rivals while dodging obstacles that can shatter your fragile engine-pod. It remains a cult favorite for its authentic replication of the film's high-speed chaos.