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Star Wars (Namco video game)
Encyclopedia
Star Wars is a Family Computer
video game released in 1987 by Namco
. Despite being based on Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
, some levels are based on the later two Star Wars films. It is the only game in the Star Wars franchise that was released exclusively in Japan. The game is a common side-scrolling platformer where the player controls a black-haired Luke Skywalker, as he travels to join the Rebellion against the Empire.
Between planets, the Millennium Falcon is forced to fight a wave of TIE Fighters that prevent its entrance to the next planet. The game switches to a first-person shooter perspective.
The final level involves using the X-Wing
against the Death Star
. While the film's climactic sequence occurred inside a long trench, the game's version can be roughly described as a vertically-scrolling overhead maze-like stage, complete with dead ends and intersections. At the end, there is the reactor's duct where the proton torpedoes will be shot automatically to destroy the station. If the player fails to get to the end within a limited amount of time, the Death Star will destroy Yavin IV and the game will be over.
The game is particularly difficult, as the player only has three lives and two continues (activated with enough Force Points), and Luke dies upon touching an enemy. The Millennium Falcon and the X-Wing can sustain only one hit before being destroyed, which could be prevented using one of three deflector shield bursts.
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
video game released in 1987 by Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
. Despite being based on Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, is a 1977 American epic space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It is the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films complete the original trilogy, while a prequel trilogy completes the...
, some levels are based on the later two Star Wars films. It is the only game in the Star Wars franchise that was released exclusively in Japan. The game is a common side-scrolling platformer where the player controls a black-haired Luke Skywalker, as he travels to join the Rebellion against the Empire.
Gameplay
For the most part, the game is a typical side-scrolling platformer with two difficulty settings-the Novice Mission and the Pro Mission. Luke uses the lightsaber as his primary weapon and can also use the Force to execute special maneuvers like floating, speeding and stopping time, among others. Energy to activate Force powers can be obtained through diamonds collected after killing an enemy, called "Force Points". The player will always face Darth Vader as the boss character, who will change into other creatures when hit the first time on all but two occasions. When the characters are rescued, they will help Luke by providing hints and other actions that are important to progress through the game.Between planets, the Millennium Falcon is forced to fight a wave of TIE Fighters that prevent its entrance to the next planet. The game switches to a first-person shooter perspective.
The final level involves using the X-Wing
X-wing
X-wings are fictional starfighters from the original Star Wars trilogy and the expanded universe. They are depicted as the primary interceptor and dogfighter of the Rebel Alliance and the New Republic...
against the Death Star
Death Star
The Death Star is a fictional moon-sized space station and superweapon appearing in the Star Wars movies and expanded universe. It is capable of destroying a planet with a single destructive super charged energy beam.-Origin and design:...
. While the film's climactic sequence occurred inside a long trench, the game's version can be roughly described as a vertically-scrolling overhead maze-like stage, complete with dead ends and intersections. At the end, there is the reactor's duct where the proton torpedoes will be shot automatically to destroy the station. If the player fails to get to the end within a limited amount of time, the Death Star will destroy Yavin IV and the game will be over.
The game is particularly difficult, as the player only has three lives and two continues (activated with enough Force Points), and Luke dies upon touching an enemy. The Millennium Falcon and the X-Wing can sustain only one hit before being destroyed, which could be prevented using one of three deflector shield bursts.
See also
- Star Wars (JVC video game)
- Star Wars computer and video gamesStar Wars computer and video gamesStar Wars has spawned over one hundred computer and video games, dating back to some of the earliest home consoles. Some are based directly on movie material, with the remaining games heavily involved in the Expanded Universe.-Early history:...
- List of Star Wars video games
- List of Family Computer games