Ah, 2007. The year when flip phones were still cool, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” was in theaters, and Facebook was slowly consuming our social lives. But if you were a Star Wars fan and a proud owner of a PSP (yep, that little handheld wonder), you probably spent your time not just flipping through memes, but flipping through the galaxy in Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron!
Released on this day in 2007, Renegade Squadron brought the explosive, planet-hopping, lightsaber-clashing action of the Star Wars Battlefront series straight to the palm of your hand. Whether you were taking on stormtroopers during a boring bus ride or flying an X-Wing in your living room, this game was the go-to for on-the-go Star Wars battles.
But enough with the nostalgia — let’s take a look back at this gem of a game and why it had fans across the galaxy geeking out.
What is Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron?
The PSP Star Wars Experience
So what exactly was Renegade Squadron? At its core, it was a part of the much-loved Star Wars Battlefront franchise, but unlike its predecessors, Renegade Squadron was specifically designed for the PSP (PlayStation Portable). Yes, that means it wasn’t a port of the console games, but a brand-new adventure built from the ground up for handheld glory.
You might be thinking, “A handheld Star Wars game? Does it really deliver the epic space battles and ground warfare I love?” Well, buckle up because, for 2007 standards, it totally did! Even though it was on a small screen, Renegade Squadron didn’t skimp on action. From intense firefights in the middle of Hoth to thrilling space dogfights above Tatooine, this game gave players a compact version of the Battlefront chaos they craved.
What Made It Special?
The game centered around a brand-new story and squad: the titular Renegade Squadron, a group of misfit rebels led by none other than Han Solo. Yes, the smuggler with a heart of gold (and a knack for getting into trouble) was the head honcho here. The squad was tasked with all sorts of covert operations that conveniently filled in some narrative gaps in the original trilogy. Because, hey, who doesn’t love a good side quest?
But it wasn’t just about the story — Renegade Squadron brought a few neat innovations to the Battlefront formula. Players could customize their characters in ways previously unseen in the franchise. You could tweak your soldier’s loadout, armor, and even appearance, which gave the game a personal touch that was perfect for portable play.
A Renegade Story: Plot and Campaign
Enter the Renegades
Unlike previous Battlefront games, which focused on large-scale, movie-like battles, Renegade Squadron dove into the smaller, covert operations of the Rebel Alliance. The game’s campaign is set between A New Hope and Return of the Jedi (classic territory for Star Wars), giving us some juicy lore to chew on.
The story followed the aforementioned Renegade Squadron, a band of outlaws, thieves, and freedom fighters handpicked by Han Solo. This group was the Rebel Alliance’s answer to “We need a squad that can do the impossible.” And in typical Star Wars fashion, impossible usually means blowing something up or stealing secret plans from under the Empire’s nose.
The campaign missions took players to various iconic locations like Yavin IV, Hoth, and the Death Star. Of course, it wouldn’t be Star Wars without some lightsaber-swinging and space battle moments, so the campaign made sure to pack in all the Star Wars elements fans loved.
Customization: Make Your Own Hero
Because Who Wants to Be a Generic Rebel?
One of the biggest draws of Renegade Squadron was the ability to customize your character — a feature that felt like a breath of fresh space air back in 2007. Previously in Battlefront games, you had predefined classes (you know, your typical soldier, sniper, heavy gunner types), but Renegade Squadron said, “Nah, let’s give players some freedom!”
Players could choose their character’s weapons, equipment, and appearance, allowing for a personal playstyle. Want to carry a rocket launcher into battle while wearing Mandalorian armor? Done. Feel like sneaking around with a sniper rifle dressed like a rebel pilot? You got it.
This feature gave Renegade Squadron a level of replayability that was perfect for a handheld game. You could experiment with different loadouts and strategies, making every battle feel fresh — or at least, as fresh as a firefight between blaster-wielding rebels and stormtroopers can get.
Multiplayer Mayhem: Galactic Battles on the Go
Multiplayer Madness
Even though the PSP wasn’t known for its multiplayer capabilities (we’re looking at you, dodgy Wi-Fi connections of the past), Renegade Squadron managed to deliver a surprisingly robust online experience. Up to 16 players could battle it out in a variety of modes, including the classic Conquest mode, which had teams fighting for control of command posts across the map.
The online multiplayer let fans take their custom soldiers into galactic warfare, adding an extra layer of fun (and frustration, if you were playing against someone who had mastered those darn starfighters). There was also an ad-hoc mode for local battles, which allowed you to team up with (or destroy) your friends without needing an internet connection.
Of course, playing Renegade Squadron online was hit or miss, depending on your connection. But when it worked, it was a blast (literally). There’s nothing quite like teaming up with your buddies to take down a Star Destroyer while sitting in your living room. Or, you know, in math class. We’re not judging.
Space Battles: Because Why Should the Ground Troops Have All the Fun?
Up, Up, and Away
One of the most beloved features in Renegade Squadron was the return of space battles. Yes, just like in Battlefront II, players could once again hop into starfighters and take the battle beyond the atmosphere. Dogfighting in space was just as thrilling as you’d imagine — whether you were evading TIE Fighters in an X-Wing or trying not to crash your Y-Wing into a space station.
Space battles also offered players the chance to board enemy capital ships. Once onboard, you could sabotage their systems from the inside, wreaking havoc and tipping the battle in your favor. It was chaotic, it was messy, and it was glorious. In the grand scheme of Star Wars battles, there’s something undeniably satisfying about blowing up a capital ship with a well-placed explosion.
The Visuals and Sound: A Mini-Cinematic Experience
Graphics on the Go
For a PSP game, Renegade Squadron looked pretty impressive. Sure, it wasn’t going to win any awards for cutting-edge visuals compared to its console siblings, but for a handheld experience, it got the job done. The environments were detailed enough to feel immersive, and the character models, while a bit blocky, captured the Star Wars vibe perfectly.
The game also kept the cinematic feel alive with its music and sound effects. John Williams’ legendary Star Wars score played throughout the battles, giving players that extra burst of excitement as they rushed into the fray. The iconic sounds of blasters firing, lightsabers clashing, and ships roaring through space made it feel like you were right in the middle of the action, even on a tiny screen.
How It Was Received: A Warm Welcome in the Galaxy
Critically Acclaimed (Mostly)
When Renegade Squadron launched, it was met with generally positive reviews. Critics praised its customization options, fun gameplay, and the fact that it managed to bring a full Battlefront experience to the PSP. Sure, the graphics weren’t as sharp as the console versions, and the controls took some getting used to, but overall, fans were happy to have a portable Star Wars battle simulator in their hands.
The game wasn’t without its quirks, though. The online multiplayer, while fun, could be frustrating due to connection issues, and the AI in single-player modes wasn’t always the sharpest blaster in the arsenal. But considering the limitations of the hardware, Renegade Squadron did an admirable job of packing a lot of Star Wars goodness into a small package.
Legacy: The Force Lives On
A Cult Classic
Though it may not have had the lasting impact of its bigger, console-based siblings, Renegade Squadron remains a beloved entry in the Battlefront series. For PSP owners, it was a way to take their favorite galactic battles with them wherever they went — a true blessing for Star Wars fans who just couldn’t get enough.
Even today, fans look back fondly on the game for its innovative features (hello, customization!) and the sheer joy of playing Star Wars on the go. It might not have been perfect, but it was undeniably fun — and at the end of the day, isn’t that what matters most?
Conclusion: 2007, A Year of Star Wars Glory
So there you have it: Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron, a game that took the galaxy-spanning battles we all love and shrunk them down to fit in our pockets. Released on this day in 2007, it gave us a fresh take on the Battlefront series and reminded us that no matter where we are, there’s always time for a quick lightsaber duel or starfighter dogfight.
Here’s to Renegade Squadron and the countless hours of galactic chaos it gave us. If you’ve still got a PSP lying around, maybe it’s time to dust it off and dive back into the battle — because the Force, after all, is portable.
May the Force (and your battery life) be with you!
