Play Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Online

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Cover art of Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

3.6 / 5

29 votes

Platform
SNES
Genres
Action · Platformer
Player Perspective
Side view
Developers
Sculptured Software
Publishers
JVC · THQ · LucasArts
Release date
June 1, 1993

Summary

Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (often called Super Empire Strikes Back) drops you onto the icy plains of Hoth, where probe droids and towering Imperial Walkers stalk the Rebel forces. The game expands the original’s formula with a double‑jump, primary and secondary weapons for each hero, and a new Force‑power system that lets Luke block blaster fire and unleash abilities later in the adventure. Han can toss grenades and Chewie spins into enemies, while the final showdown pits you against Darth Vader himself.

Mode 7 still shines in the quasi‑3D vehicle sequences, though an asteroid‑chase stage was cut to save cartridge space. A quirky piece of fan history lives in the Ice Fields cut‑scene: a contest winner’s face appears on a Rebel soldier, replacing the default graphics. The title resurfaced on the Wii Virtual Console in 2009, giving a new generation a chance to tackle its notorious difficulty.

Critics praised the sequel’s tight controls and expanded combat, earning scores like 4.5/5 from AllGame and 92% from Power Unlimited. It topped UK SNES sales in February 1994, was crowned GamePro’s best SNES game of 1993, and still ranks high on modern retrospectives, cementing its place as the definitive Star Wars experience on the Super Nintendo.

Storyline

Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back brings the 1980 film to the SNES, tracking the movie’s plot with Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Chewbacca as they clash with the Galactic Empire. The game’s levels mirror key moments from the saga, letting players experience the same high‑stakes adventure that fans love.

One standout stage drops players onto the swamp‑planet Dagobah, where Luke can gather Force Powers that aid him later in the game. This segment adds a platforming twist while staying true to the film’s iconic training sequence.

The journey ends in a showdown with Sith Lord Darth Vader, who serves as the ultimate boss. Defeating Vader caps off the faithful recreation of the movie’s climactic battle.

Edited by Maya Carter

Game Screenshots

  • Screenshot 1 of Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
  • Screenshot 2 of Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
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  • Screenshot 4 of Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
  • Screenshot 5 of Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
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Multiplayer

Game modes
Single

Alternative Titles

  • Super Star Wars: Teikoku no Gyakushuu Alternative