Join us as we celebrate May the 4th in true retro style, highlighting all three Super Star Wars SNES games.
Super Star Wars
Marking the debut of the Super Nintendo on Antstream Arcade is this famous Lucasarts adaptation of the very first Star Wars movie, A New Hope. Released in 1992, Super Star Wars is the Super Nintendo update of the NES original, and it’s pretty, well, super! Beginning in the Jundland wastes of Tatooine, the player initially controls Luke Skywalker as he journeys across the deserts on foot and inside his agile landspeeder. With further levels set within that wretched pit of scum and villainy, Mos Eisley, and aboard the Empire’s moon-sized space station, Super Star Wars steadily builds up to that climactic battle across the surface of the Death Star. You’ll certainly need the force to beat this tough arcade adventure!
Ant-Fact: In addition to Luke, the player also takes control of Chewbacca or Han Solo at key points throughout the game.
Ant-Tactic: There are a few neat power-ups in Super Star Wars. Watch out for the smart-bomb thermal detonator and blaster upgrades, both of which make the game significantly easier.
Ant-ernative: For more 16-bit run ‘n’ gunning – albeit with extra humour – you should try the Mega Drive game Earthworm Jim.
Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Luke Skywalker and his pals are back – unfortunately so is the evil Empire, headed up by the Sith Lord, Darth Vader! As with Super Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back follows the plot of the film closely, from the frosty planet of Hoth, to the overgrown swamplands of Dagobah and a deadly asteroid field. Throughout each level, local denizens and the minions of the Empire threaten the valiant rebels before a final face-off against Vader himself. Will there be a happy ending to this tale?
Ant-Fact: Everybody’s favourite bounty hunter, Boba Fett, jets in as a mid-level boss, with Chewie facing off against him on Bespin. Hope I’m getting paid for this!
Ant-Tactic: As with Super Star Wars, mastering the special moves is vital. For example, tapping jump while mid-jump will make your character perform a gravity-defying mid-jump jump!
Ant-ernative: For more varied futuristic antics, check out Zone Warrior on the Commodore Amiga.
Super Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi
In the third and final of the original trilogy comes the triumphant Return Of The Jedi. Having regrouped following the disastrous events of The Empire Strikes Back, the rebels are getting ready to mount an attack on the new Death Star – but first they must rescue the rebellion hero, Han Solo, frozen in carbonite and held prisoner by the powerful gangster, Jabba The Hutt. Jump, blast and use your lightsaber as you make way through another eclectic selection of recognisable locations from the Star Wars universe. And yes, you do get to ride on a speeder bike, just mind those trees!
Ant-Fact: Now sporting his natty black suit, Luke Skywalker’s new role as a Jedi is reflected by the character only wielding a lightsaber.
Ant-Tactic: Don’t forget that Luke is a Jedi now – use the force!
Ant-ernative: There’s a familiar rebellious theme to Data East’s fantastic arcade game Midnight Resistance.
And Remember…the Force will be with you, always.
© & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd.
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