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Star Wars [1] is a 1993 arcade game developed by Sega and based on the original Star Wars trilogy. Combining elements of A New Hope and Return of the Jedi, the game has players pilot a Rebel starship and battle against the forces of the Empire. Sega developed Star Wars for their Model 1 system, the same arcade hardware that powered Virtua Fighter and Virtua Racing. Like those two titles, the graphics in Star Wars are rendered entirely using polygons. The game was given a home port under the name Star Wars Arcade, as an exclusive for the Sega 32X's launch in 1994.
| Star Wars Arcade | |
|---|---|
 North American 32X cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Sega AM3 R&D (Arcade) Sega InterActive (32X) |
| Publisher(s) | Sega LucasArts |
| Composer(s) | Hiroshi Kawaguchi Kazuhiko Nagai Youichi Ueda |
| Platform(s) | Arcade, Sega 32X |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Action, space simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Arcade system | Sega Model 1 |
Sega followed up the release of Star Wars Arcade with Star Wars Trilogy Arcade and Star Wars: Racer Arcade, as well as a Star Wars pinball game.
Gameplay
editThe gameplay is similar to that of Atari's 1983 Star Wars arcade game. Players pilot an X-wing or a Y-wing in first- or third-person perspective and battle Imperial forces.
The game has three levels which include intercepting TIE fighters in an asteroid field, destroying a Super Star Destroyer and making an assault run on a Death Star. The arcade cabinet allows two people to play, with one serving as pilot and the other as gunner.
Reception
edit| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| AllGame | 32X:    [7] |
| Computer and Video Games | ARC: 80%[2] |
| Edge | 32X: 6/10[3] |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 32X: 6.25/10[4] |
| Next Generation | 32X: [5] |
| Flux | 32X: B[8] |
| Publication | Award |
|---|---|
| VideoGames | Best 32X Game[6] |
In Japan, Game Machine listed Star Wars Arcade in its June 15, 1994 issue as the sixth most-successful upright/cockpit arcade unit of the month.[9]
Electronic Gaming Monthly described it as a decent but disappointing launch game for the 32X. They praised the excellent graphics but complained about repetitive gameplay and limited movement.[4] GamePro similarly assessed that the game is a decent demonstration of the 32X's graphical capabilities but suffers from repetitive gameplay. They also criticized that the controls are convoluted when using a standard three-button gamepad, and that in cooperative mode the second player's cursor is difficult to see against certain backgrounds.[10] Next Generation called the 32X version: "An excellent translation of a good game, and a good hint of what to expect from 32X."[5] Flux magazine reviewed the 32X version and praised the graphics, the digitized sound bytes although they criticized the "tough" controls. They recommended the game for Star Wars fans.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Star Wars Arcade - Videogame by Sega". Retrieved June 17, 2017.
- ^ Skews, Rik (15 August 1994). "Arcade Action" (PDF). Computer & Video Games. No. 154 (September 1994). EMAP. pp. 64–7.
- ^ "Star Wars Arcade". Edge. No. 16. January 1995. p. 90. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ a b "Star Wars Arcade Review" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 66. Sendai Publishing. January 1995. p. 40.
- ^ a b "Finals". Next Generation. No. 1. Imagine Media. January 1995. p. 93.
- ^ "VideoGames Best of '94". VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine. No. 74 (March 1995). February 1995. pp. 44–7.
- ^ Christopher Michael Baker. "Star Wars Arcade (32X) Review". Allgame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
- ^ a b "Star Wars Arcade Review". Flux (4). Harris Publications: 82. April 1995.
- ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - アップライト, コックピット型TVゲーム機 (Upright/Cockpit Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 474. Amusement Press, Inc. 15 June 1994. p. 25.
- ^ "ProReview: Star Wars Arcade" (PDF). GamePro. No. 66. IDG. January 1995. p. 62.