One of the Best Star Wars Prequel Games Released 25 Years Ago

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As a huge Star Wars fan, it’s amazing to see how much the story has grown since the original movie in 1977! There have been so many sequels, spin-offs, and other additions that have taken the galaxy in directions I never expected. But honestly, it’s the video games that have really expanded things. They’ve introduced all sorts of cool new characters and really played around with the Star Wars formula in ways the movies haven’t, and I’m here for it!

Over the past 25 years, some Star Wars projects have really expanded the universe in creative ways. One early example was a flight simulator game that took a small, almost unnoticed element from the movies and gave it a compelling story. This showed a shift in the franchise, moving beyond the original characters to explore new corners of the galaxy – a trend that would later lead to popular series like The Mandalorian and the Star Wars Jedi games. For games set during the prequel era and designed to enrich the Star Wars world, this PlayStation 2 game was a clear indication of the franchise’s future direction.

Star Wars: Starfighter Placed Players Into The Background Of The Phantom Menace

Released on February 21, 2001, Star Wars: Starfighter brought the fast-paced, action-packed flight gameplay of LucasArts to the PlayStation 2. It was later released on Xbox and PC, and followed by a sequel, Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter, in 2002. Starfighter was a well-made game and showed how the Star Wars universe was starting to grow beyond the films into video games and TV. Rather than retell the movie’s story, Star Wars: Starfighter offered a compelling new side story that took place during the events of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, focusing on characters and events on the periphery of the main plot.

The game tells a story that brings together a diverse group of characters from across the galaxy, all with their own reasons to oppose the Trade Federation. Players take on unique missions as a determined Naboo pilot and a few resourceful criminals, working together to dismantle the Federation, but ultimately playing small parts in the larger Star Wars story. Like the Rogue Squadron games set during the original trilogy, Star Wars: Starfighter is a fast-paced, action-packed flight simulator focused on exciting gameplay.

Okay, so the campaign wasn’t super long, but honestly, the gameplay itself was really solid and the controls felt great. What really stuck with me though was how the game built on the world of The Phantom Menace. It showed us those big moments from a fresh angle, and it actually gave names and stories to the pilots we usually just see in the background! It felt like a turning point for Star Wars games – instead of just retelling the movies, it was actually adding to the story and expanding the universe, which was awesome.

Star Wars: Starfighter Helped Predict The Future Of The Franchise

The Star Wars prequels are still a topic of debate among fans. While some older fans were disappointed with them, newer generations have embraced the prequels, particularly the tragic story of Anakin Skywalker. Regardless of your opinion, the prequel era has proven to be a rich setting for video games. Star Wars, in general, has always been a popular franchise for gaming, from classic shooters to larger, story-driven adventures like the one featuring Cal Kestis. The time period surrounding the original trilogy, in particular, inspired many creative games that built upon the movies’ established universe.

Early Star Wars games like Starfighter stood out by telling original stories that still felt connected to the main saga. Games such as Bounty Hunter, Battlefront, and Republic Commando followed suit, using the established Star Wars universe to create compelling new narratives and expand the lore. This period also saw Knights of the Old Republic, which built upon the ideas of the prequel films and broadened the galaxy in ways that continue to inspire creators in various forms of media today.

After Disney acquired Star Wars, official content like the Clone Wars animated series expanded on the existing stories. However, games such as Star Wars: Starfighter demonstrated the potential of this approach much earlier, introducing new characters and plot twists. Star Wars: Starfighter stands out as a prime example – a concise but thrilling flight simulator that put players directly into the action as the hero. While the movies and TV shows continued this trend, it’s worth remembering that these games helped pave the way for those developments.

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2026-02-19 21:11