Use your thumbs, young Skywalker

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away — well, actually in 1983, and in this solar system — the first “Star Wars” video game landed in arcades. Gamers dropped quarter after quarter into the mock X-Wing cockpit to assume the role of Luke Skywalker as he completed his attack on the Empire’s Death Star.

Since then, the universe of games for casual and not-so-casual fans alike has become, in many ways, more vast than what George Lucas created on screen.

Here’s a critical look at recent offerings, from games as riveting as Darth Vader to those as annoying as Jar Jar Binks.

Jedi masters

It seems as if game makers create better games when they develop original stories and content instead of following the events on film. Cases in point: the recent releases Star Wars Republic Commando and the second installment of Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic.

In Commando, gamers control a squad of clone troopers to carry out complex missions that occur between Episodes II and III. The action is intense and the gameplay is top shelf.

The second installment of KOTOR, as it’s known to gamer geeks everywhere, continues the great role-playing action set 4,000 years before the film saga. The choices gamers make affect the characters around them and alter the story lines as well. Choose wisely, you must.

Honorable mention: Star Wars: Battlefront, a winner-take-all opportunity to jump into some of the saga’s epic battles.

Faithful Wookiees

The most recent releases, Lego Star Wars and the Episode III Revenge of the Sith companion, demonstrate that assuming the identity of Obi-Wan Kenobi or Anakin Skywalker and playing through the films’ events can be cool — but often are as exciting as cleaning moisture vaporators on Tatooine.

Lego Star Wars is like watching the first three episodes acted out with little plastic figures in Legoland. The cute, cuddly Obi-Wan wields a mighty lightsaber, giving kids a picture-book peek at the prequels. The game is somewhat similar to the Ewoks — definitely targeted at young ‘uns — but it’s not as annoying to grown folks.

Revenge of the Sith falls into the trap of most straightforward companion games. Sure, re-creating the story — with expanded levels that fill in some gaps in the celluloid version — is fun but predictable. The well-designed lightsaber battles and actual footage from the film (meaning hard-core fans have had two weeks to learn exactly how the Jedi fall) puts this game in the Lando Calrissian file: cool and flashy, but ultimately full of oodles more style than substance.

Honorable mention: The Clone Wars companion game. It’s a good way to experience the large-scale battle on Geonosis (from Episode II) one more time.

Just a Gungan

Going back a bit, Star Wars Masters of Teras Kasi was like a clunky version of Street Fighter, populated with “Star Wars” characters. Han Solo fighting Chewie to the death? Not likely.

Star Wars Jedi Power Battles had far better ads than actual product. After playing this variation of the Episode I events, strongly disappointed were we.

Dishonorable mention: Star Wars Chess. Seriously. Chess, with characters as the pieces.