Producer: JVC, Capcom
System: NES, GameBoy
Year: 1987
Overview: One of the earliest games released based on one of the most popular movie sagas of all time.
Story: This game is loosely based on Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope. You play as Luke Skywalker, as you make your way through many of the movie’s major areas in your quest to defeat the Empire. Numerous other characters can be recruited as well, some are playable, some aren’t, but still provide useful benefits.
Graphics: Not too shabby. Maybe not the most detailed graphics, but it’s hard to judge, since it’s an 8-bit game.
Sound: Some music I recognize from the movies, so that certainly deserves some kudos. Most notable are Han’s and Leia’s themes.
Gameplay: The game is very non-linear at the start, with Luke and C-3PO riding around the deserts of Tattoine, finding and exploring caves in search of valuable shields for the Millenium Falcon which will be lifesavers later on, as well as recruiting R2-D2 and Obi Wan Kenobi, who also have valuable functions, even though they aren’t playable. After reaching Mos Eisley, however, the game becomes much more liner, recruiting Han Solo at the Cantina, fighting your way through the streets to the Falcon’s hangar, and flying through the asteroid remains of Alderaan. Then a big battle through the Death Star, rescuing Princess Leia, killing the monster in the trash compacter, destroying the tractor beam generator, and escaping. Finally, you’ll pilot an X-wing through the Death Star’s trench and “blow this thing and go home!” In summery, a decent mix of platformer action and piloting areas. The NES and GameBoy versions are identical, BTW.
Challenge: The challenge level is pretty intense. With the tricky, and sometimes cheap stage layouts, powerful enemies, and an extremely hard flight through the asteroid field, you’ll need a lot more than just the Force to get you through in one piece. There are a limited number of continues, and no save option. I did manage to complete the game, but only after numerous attempts and a whole lot of bad language.
Final Rating: 7/10 The ridiculous difficulty level is the main thing that drives down my score. If you’re a Star Wars fan, though, and you crave a good tough game, this one’s for you. The NES version is defunct, but the GameBoy version may still be floating around some used game stores and is GBC or GBA compatible.
