Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron – Celebrating 15 Years of Galactic Mayhem

Released fifteen years ago, Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron by Rebellion Developments and LucasArts might not be the first game fans mention when they discuss Star Wars video games, but it certainly brought something unique to the Battlefront series. Whether you played it on your PSP or DS (throwback to those pocket-sized wonders), this game has earned its place in the Star Wars gaming hall of fame.

So, let’s jump in our virtual starships, switch on the nostalgia boosters, and look back on what made Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron memorable.

A Quick Overview of Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron

Released in November 2009, Elite Squadron was a unique entry in the Battlefront series, exclusively made for handheld devices (the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS). Unlike its predecessors that focused primarily on ground combat, Elite Squadron offered players the ability to engage in battles across land, space, and everything in between—all in the same mission.

The game followed X2, a clone trooper with a twist. He wasn’t your average soldier; X2 was actually a Jedi clone, with his brother X1 on the opposite side of the Force (isn’t sibling rivalry just so complicated?). With both of them wielding the Force, lightsabers, and armies, their sibling spat spans the events of both the Republic and Galactic Empire eras.

This “all-terrain” approach made Elite Squadron a fascinating entry in the Battlefront lineage. Let’s dive into some of its notable features that gave it its charm.

The Ground-Space Hybrid Battles

Imagine battling it out on Hoth’s icy fields, deciding it’s time for a change of scenery, and jumping into a starfighter to zoom off into space—all in one seamless mission. Sounds pretty epic, right? Elite Squadron was the first (and only) game in the Battlefront series to pull off this kind of ground-to-space, multi-layered battle. You could capture objectives on the ground, hop into a vehicle, break through the enemy lines, and launch into space.

In an era when most handheld games kept things simple, Elite Squadron was a pioneer, aiming to bring the full Star Wars experience to your PSP or DS. Even though the graphics and controls weren’t perfect—hey, it’s 2009 we’re talking about—it was exciting to experience space battles and ground skirmishes in one continuous flow.

X2: A Clone Trooper with the Force on His Side

Elite Squadron didn’t just serve up a generic hero. Instead, players got X2, a clone trooper who also happened to be a Jedi. And let’s face it: the Star Wars universe has plenty of cool characters, but a Jedi clone is something else. X2 and his morally dubious twin brother, X1, made for a storyline that was unique to the handheld gaming world, diving into themes of loyalty, identity, and good ol’ sibling drama.

The story itself unfolded over several famous battles and planets, allowing players to participate in critical events across the Star Wars timeline. X2’s character arc intertwined with established canon, letting fans experience familiar events through a different lens. Not every Star Wars game can boast that level of storytelling.

Why We Loved (and Sometimes Laughed At) the Gameplay

Now, let’s talk gameplay. While Elite Squadron was ambitious, it didn’t always hit every mark. Here are a few elements that made us love it, despite its quirks:

1. Ambitious Maps: From Mustafar to Endor, the maps were varied and included locations from all corners of the Star Wars galaxy. Although they were a bit condensed due to hardware limitations, it was still thrilling to hop between planets.
2. Vehicle Variety: Ever wanted to take an AT-AT for a spin? Or maybe pilot a Y-wing right after finishing up on the battlefield? The game was full of vehicles, from tanks to starfighters, adding that extra oomph to the experience.
3. Multiplayer Mode: Yes, Elite Squadron offered multiplayer, and even though it was limited, being able to go head-to-head in Star Wars battles on the PSP was peak fun in 2009. (Online lobbies? Not quite, but we worked with what we had!)
4. Quirky Mechanics: The controls on handhelds were… interesting. Ever tried piloting a spaceship with PSP controls? Let’s just say it required a bit of a learning curve. It may have lacked the finesse of the console Battlefront games, but the quirky mechanics made it memorable in its own way.

Graphics and Sound: A Handheld Compromise

We’ll be real: the graphics in Elite Squadron were far from stunning. With the hardware limitations of the PSP and DS, expecting a cinematic experience would’ve been a bit much. However, the developers still managed to pack in a recognizable level of detail. The environments, although scaled down, captured the Star Wars ambiance, and the sound effects were on point, with iconic blaster sounds and that unmistakable John Williams soundtrack.

The soundtrack, borrowed from the original films, gave the game an authentic Star Wars feel. Hearing that familiar score on a handheld device in the early 2000s was surprisingly satisfying, even if the pixels on the screen were somewhat jagged.

Why Elite Squadron Deserves a Spot in Star Wars History

For hardcore Star Wars fans, Elite Squadron might seem like an outlier. But in many ways, it was a game ahead of its time, attempting to capture the full scale of Star Wars battles on a device that could fit in your pocket. Its ambition to merge space and ground combat in a single, fluid experience was genuinely pioneering.

While it’s fair to say that later games in the Battlefront series had a bigger budget, sharper graphics, and more powerful platforms, Elite Squadron holds its own in the lineup for its unique attempt to tell a story across various dimensions. The idea of shifting from blaster fights on land to aerial dogfights in space—and not as a gimmick but as a core feature—was something special.

Revisiting Elite Squadron: Is It Worth Playing Today?

If you’ve got an old PSP or DS lying around, dusting it off for a quick nostalgia trip with Elite Squadron is well worth it. It might not feel as smooth as Battlefront II on a next-gen console, but there’s a charm to it that modern games sometimes lack. The quirks, the pixelated graphics, and yes, even the clunky controls, are all part of what makes this game endearing.

And let’s not forget the story! X2’s journey is still a unique tale within the Star Wars expanded universe. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or someone who just loves a good sci-fi story, Elite Squadron offers a fresh perspective on the galaxy’s battles and characters.

Conclusion: A Galactic Gem Worth Remembering

Fifteen years after its release, Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron stands as a testament to what handheld games were capable of at their best. It combined the Star Wars universe’s grandeur with the portability of a handheld, giving fans a chance to take the Force on the go. Though it may not boast the polish of later Battlefront titles, it offered gameplay innovations that set it apart, and its unique storyline added another layer to the vast Star Wars tapestry.

So here’s to Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron, the game that let us jump from stormtrooper to starfighter pilot to Jedi, all while sitting on the bus or lounging on the couch. Whether you remember it fondly or are just hearing about it now, there’s no doubt it left a mark on the galaxy far, far away.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news, updates, and exclusive content! Click here to follow us on Google News and never miss a story from the galaxy and beyond.