Star Wars Arcade
1993 video game
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Star Wars Arcade[1] is a 1993 action space simulation arcade game developed and published by Sega. The game is 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 same name as an exclusive for the 32X's launch in 1994.
| Star Wars Arcade | |
|---|---|
 North American 32X cover art | |
| Developer | Sega AM3 R&D[a] |
| Publishers | Sega LucasArts |
| Composers | Hiroshi Kawaguchi Kazuhiko Nagai Youichi Ueda |
| Series | Star Wars |
| Platforms | Arcade, 32X |
| Release | Arcade 32X |
| Genres | Action, space simulation |
| Modes | 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
The 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
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| AllGame | 32X:    [2] |
| Computer and Video Games | ARC: 80%[3] |
| Edge | 32X: 6/10[4] |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 32X: 6.25/10[5] |
| Next Generation | 32X: [6] |
| Flux | 32X: B[7] |
| Publication | Award |
|---|---|
| VideoGames | Best 32X Game[8] |
In Japan, Game Machine listed Star Wars Arcade as the sixth most successful upright/cockpit arcade unit of June 1994.[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.[5] 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."[6] 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.[7]
Notes
- 32X version developed by Sega InterActive.