The Best Star Wars Games to Play With Friends in 2026: Co-Op, Multiplayer, Couch and Online Picks

Some Star Wars games are perfect solo experiences.

You sit alone, choose the dark side “just to see what happens,” and suddenly your Jedi has become a walking HR complaint with lightning hands.

But Star Wars is also brilliant with friends.

Sometimes that means online squads. Sometimes it means couch co-op. Sometimes it means MMO guild nights. Sometimes it means one person flying an X-wing directly into a Star Destroyer while insisting, very loudly, that “the controls are weird.”

So if you are looking for the best Star Wars games to play with friends, this guide breaks down the strongest options in 2026.

Not just the best Star Wars games overall.

The best ones for co-op, multiplayer, couch chaos, online battles, long-term guilds, strategy nights, space dogfights, and friendship-ending hero picks.

You can also explore the wider history of playable Star Wars in our Complete List of All Star Wars Games Ever Made.

Quick Picks: Best Star Wars Games to Play With Friends

Category	Best Pick
Best overall multiplayer Star Wars game	Star Wars Battlefront II
Best long-term game with friends	Star Wars: The Old Republic
Best couch co-op Star Wars game	LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Best space combat with friends	Star Wars: Squadrons
Best strategy game with friends	Star Wars: Empire at War
Best classic Battlefront experience	Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collection
Best lightsaber duels	Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
Best casual daily group habit	Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes
Best old-school shooter pick	Star Wars: Republic Commando
Best relaxed retro co-op	LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga

Comparison Table

Rank	Game	Best For	Online	Couch Co-Op	Best Group Size	Still Worth Playing?
1	Star Wars Battlefront II	Easy online squad play	Yes	Limited console Arcade	2-4+	Yes
2	Star Wars: The Old Republic	MMO guilds and long-term groups	Yes	No	2-8+	Yes
3	LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga	Modern couch co-op	No official online	Yes	2	Yes
4	Star Wars: Squadrons	Tactical space combat	Yes	No	2-5	Yes, with caveats
5	Star Wars: Empire at War	Strategy nights	Yes on Steam	No	2+	Yes
6	Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collection	Retro battles	Yes	Varies by platform	2-64	Yes, with caveats
7	LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga	Simple couch co-op	Limited/old versions vary	Yes	2	Yes
8	Jedi Academy	Lightsaber duels	Yes, mostly PC/community	No	2+	Yes, if you like old-school
9	Galaxy of Heroes	Guild progression	Yes	No	Guild-based	Yes, if you accept the grind
10	Republic Commando	Classic shooter nostalgia	PC multiplayer	No	2+	Niche but cool

1. Star Wars Battlefront II

Best for: Easy online Star Wars nights
Players: Large multiplayer modes, 4-player online co-op, smaller hero modes
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Couch co-op: Limited console Arcade support
Online multiplayer: Yes

For most friend groups, Star Wars Battlefront II is still the easiest answer.

It has the spectacle. It has heroes. It has troopers, reinforcements, vehicles, starfighters, all three major film eras, and a co-op mode that remains one of the smartest additions the game ever received.

The important thing is that Battlefront II works for different types of groups.

Want sweaty PvP? Go large-scale multiplayer.

Want casual chaos? Play co-op against AI.

Want to argue about who gets to be Anakin? Heroes vs. Villains is waiting to damage your friendships.

The launch controversy will always follow this game around like a Force ghost nobody invited, but the final version is one of the strongest multiplayer Star Wars packages ever released.

Pros:

• Big cinematic Star Wars battles
• Co-op PvE is great for casual groups
• Heroes and villains from multiple eras
• Easy to understand
• Still visually impressive
• Often cheap during sales

Cons:

• No new major official content
• PC multiplayer can vary depending on server health and community issues
• Competitive modes can get sweaty
• No true private co-op campaign

Why it holds:
Because it delivers the fantasy quickly. You spawn in, blaster fire erupts, a hero runs through the smoke, someone panics, someone steals the tank, and suddenly everyone is yelling.

That is Star Wars multiplayer in its purest form.

2. Star Wars: The Old Republic

Best for: Long-term Star Wars friend groups
Players: MMO groups, flashpoints, operations, guilds, PvP
Platforms: PC
Couch co-op: No
Online multiplayer: Yes

If Battlefront II is the best pick for a quick Star Wars night, Star Wars: The Old Republic is the best pick for a Star Wars life.

SWTOR is the game you play when your friend group wants a shared galaxy, not just a match.

You can run class stories together, join a guild, queue for Flashpoints, take on Operations, hunt world bosses, decorate strongholds, argue about outfits, spend too long on mounts, and somehow turn “just one quick daily” into three hours.

Classic MMO behavior.

The big advantage is variety. SWTOR can be a casual story game, a group PvE game, a roleplaying home, a PvP game, or a long-term Star Wars hangout. It also has one of the strongest role fantasies in any Star Wars game: Jedi Knight, Sith Warrior, Smuggler, Imperial Agent, Bounty Hunter, Trooper, Consular, Inquisitor.

That makes it especially good for groups where everyone wants a different identity.

Pros:

• Huge amount of content
• Free-to-play entry point
• Great class fantasy
• Flashpoints, Operations, PvP, guilds and social hubs
• Still receiving updates
• Perfect for long-term Star Wars groups

Cons:

• MMO pacing is not for everyone
• Free-to-play restrictions can be confusing
• Level differences can complicate group play
• Some friends will spend more time dressing their character than saving the galaxy

Why it holds:
Because SWTOR gives players a shared place in Star Wars.

Not just a level.

Not just a lobby.

A galaxy.

3. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Best for: Modern couch co-op
Players: 2-player local co-op
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Couch co-op: Yes
Online multiplayer: No official online co-op

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is the best modern Star Wars couch co-op game.

It is big, bright, silly, packed with characters, and covers all nine main saga films. It is also extremely easy to recommend for mixed-skill groups. One player can know every planet, every ship, every obscure background alien. The other player can just run around smashing things and still contribute.

That is good co-op design.

The main warning is important: this is not an official online co-op game. It is built for local play. If your friend is sitting next to you, great. If they live three cities away, you are looking at streaming workarounds rather than built-in online support.

Still, as a couch co-op Star Wars game, it is hard to beat.

Pros:

• Covers all nine saga films
• Huge character roster
• Two-player local co-op
• Easy for casual players
• Funny, relaxed and family-friendly
• Great for couples, siblings, kids and low-pressure game nights

Cons:

• No official online co-op
• Some missions are better for two players than others
• Not very challenging
• Completionists may disappear into collectible madness

Why it holds:
Because it lets almost anyone play Star Wars together without homework.

You do not need to understand builds, servers, frame data, mods, rotations or matchmaking.

You just pick a character and start causing LEGO damage.

4. Star Wars: Squadrons

Best for: Coordinated space combat
Players: 5v5 multiplayer
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Couch co-op: No
Online multiplayer: Yes

Star Wars: Squadrons is the best Star Wars game for friends who can actually follow a plan.

That already eliminates half the galaxy.

This is not a casual “fly toward the shiny thing” game. It is built around team roles, loadouts, shield management, targeting priorities, bombing runs, support ships, dogfights and Fleet Battles. When it works, it feels fantastic. Your squadron briefs, launches, coordinates, attacks and survives together.

Or crashes.

Often crashes.

But even crashing feels more dramatic in a cockpit.

The catch is that Squadrons has a learning curve and its online population is not what it was at launch. It works best if you bring your own group and treat it like a focused squad game rather than a random casual shooter.

Pros:

• Excellent 5v5 space combat
• Great cockpit immersion
• Strong team roles
• Fleet Battles reward communication
• One of the best Star Wars pilot fantasies ever made

Cons:

• Steep learning curve
• Not ideal for very casual groups
• Online population can fluctuate
• No couch co-op
• Friends need patience to learn the systems

Why it holds:
Because when your squad works together, Squadrons feels like playing the Star Wars space battle you imagined as a kid.

Only now someone is yelling about power management.

5. Star Wars: Empire at War

Best for: Strategy fans and galaxy-wide betrayal
Players: Multiplayer strategy matches
Platforms: PC
Couch co-op: No
Online multiplayer: Yes, Steam version recommended

Some friend groups do not want to be Jedi.

They want to control the fleet.

Star Wars: Empire at War is the best Star Wars strategy game to play with friends. It gives you galactic conquest, space battles, ground battles, heroes, fleets, planets and the constant temptation to make a “temporary alliance” that everyone knows is doomed.

The Steam version is especially important because multiplayer support was restored years after launch, and the modding scene has helped keep the game alive. For Star Wars fans who like strategy, this is still the big one.

It is old, yes.

But old does not mean weak.

It just means your interface occasionally looks like it was designed by a Separatist committee.

Pros:

• Best Star Wars strategy multiplayer option
• Space and ground battles
• Galactic Conquest is still a strong fantasy
• Steam multiplayer support
• Huge modding scene
• Great for slower, tactical friend groups

Cons:

• PC-only in practical terms
• Old interface and pacing
• Mods can complicate multiplayer
• Matches may take a while
• Not for action-focused players

Why it holds:
Because conquering the galaxy with friends is fun.

Conquering it against friends is better.

6. Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collection

Best for: Retro Battlefront chaos
Players: Up to 64-player online support
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Couch co-op: Varies by platform
Online multiplayer: Yes

The original Battlefront games understood something simple and powerful:

Star Wars multiplayer should feel like a toy box full of soldiers, vehicles, command posts, lasers and bad decisions.

The Battlefront Classic Collection brings those older games to modern platforms with online support, including the original Star Wars Battlefront and Star Wars Battlefront II. For players who grew up with Pandemic’s battlefield chaos, this is the nostalgia pick.

It is not perfect. The collection had a messy reputation at launch, and the games are still old under the hood. But the core idea remains brilliant.

Command posts. Troopers. Heroes. Vehicles. Space battles. Bots. Massive Star Wars noise.

Pros:

• Classic Battlefront gameplay
• Includes two beloved games
• Up to 64-player online support
• Bots help battles feel alive
• Great nostalgia factor
• Space and ground combat

Cons:

• Old design and jank
• Launch reputation was rough
• Online experience can vary
• Some players may prefer original PC versions

Why it holds:
Because few Star Wars games have ever understood “capture that command post while everything explodes” quite this well.

7. LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga

Best for: Simple retro couch co-op
Players: 2-player local co-op
Platforms: Many older and modern digital platforms
Couch co-op: Yes
Online multiplayer: Version-dependent, generally not the main point

Before The Skywalker Saga, there was LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga.

And honestly, it still holds up.

It covers Episodes I-VI, keeps things simple, and remains one of the easiest Star Wars games to play with another person in the same room. It is less flashy than the newer LEGO game, but sometimes that is a strength. The levels are clear, the jokes land, and the co-op chaos is immediate.

This is the game for people who want relaxed Star Wars co-op without open-world bloat.

Pros:

• Classic LEGO Star Wars charm
• Two-player local co-op
• Covers Episodes I-VI
• Easy to learn
• Great for families and casual players
• Still funny

Cons:

• Older design and camera
• Less ambitious than The Skywalker Saga
• Local co-op is the main appeal
• Some puzzles can still cause domestic tension

Why it holds:
Because LEGO Star Wars does not need to be complicated.

Sometimes you just want to be Obi-Wan, collect studs, and accidentally punch your co-op partner off a platform.

8. Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy

Best for: Lightsaber duels
Players: Online multiplayer, mostly PC/community-driven
Platforms: PC best, console ports also exist
Couch co-op: No
Online multiplayer: Yes, with old-school/community caveats

If your friend group has ever said, “We should settle this with lightsabers,” Jedi Academy is still the answer.

This is one of the purest multiplayer Star Wars games ever made. Duels, Force powers, custom characters, server culture, mods, saber styles and an entire generation of players who seem to have been training in secret since 2003.

The game is old. Very old.

New players may enter a server, ignite a lightsaber, and immediately discover that someone named xX_DarthBread_Xx has 20 years of muscle memory and no mercy.

But that is part of the charm.

Pros:

• Excellent lightsaber duels
• Force powers in multiplayer
• Strong modding legacy
• Unique combat feel
• Low system requirements
• Still beloved by dedicated players

Cons:

• Very old-school setup
• Community/server experience varies
• New players can get destroyed instantly
• Not ideal for casual couch players

Why it holds:
Because modern Star Wars games still have not fully replaced the feeling of a proper Jedi Academy duel.

It is elegant, ridiculous, technical and completely unhinged.

9. Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes

Best for: Guilds, raids and daily group progression
Players: Guild-based multiplayer systems
Platforms: Mobile, with PC access depending on current availability
Couch co-op: No
Online multiplayer: Yes, but not real-time co-op in the traditional sense

Galaxy of Heroes is not a traditional “sit down and play together tonight” game.

It is more dangerous than that.

It is the Star Wars game that quietly becomes part of your daily routine. You collect characters, build squads, join guilds, chase events, work toward raids, compare rosters, complain about mods, and pretend you are not checking energy refreshes when you should be doing something useful.

As a friend-group game, it works best as a shared long-term habit.

You are not playing side by side in real time like Battlefront II or Squadrons. You are building toward shared guild goals, raids and roster progress.

Pros:

• Huge Star Wars roster
• Guilds and raids give it a social layer
• Free-to-start
• Good long-term progression hook
• Easy to play in small daily sessions

Cons:

• Very grindy
• Monetization is always nearby
• Not traditional co-op
• New players can feel far behind
• Requires patience and routine

Why it holds:
Because some friend groups do not need one big game night.

They need a daily Star Wars addiction with spreadsheets.

10. Star Wars: Republic Commando

Best for: Old-school shooter nostalgia
Players: PC multiplayer
Platforms: PC recommended for multiplayer, modern console ports focus on campaign
Couch co-op: No
Online multiplayer: PC only in practical terms

Republic Commando is painful to rank because the thing everyone wants is obvious.

A co-op campaign.

And the game does not have one.

That remains a crime against the Republic.

Still, the PC version includes multiplayer, and for old-school shooter fans who want clone commando atmosphere, it deserves a place on this list. It is not the cleanest 2026 recommendation. You need the right group, the right expectations, and probably some patience.

But the vibe is still unmatched.

No other Star Wars shooter feels quite like Republic Commando. It is gritty, tactical, sharp and full of clone-war atmosphere before the modern Clone Wars boom fully reshaped the era.

Pros:

• Incredible clone commando atmosphere
• Fast old-school shooter feel
• Multiplayer exists on PC
• Great nostalgia pick
• Still one of the coolest Star Wars FPS identities

Cons:

• No co-op campaign
• Modern console versions do not include multiplayer
• PC multiplayer is niche
• Requires effort compared to newer games

Why it holds:
Because even when it is awkward, Republic Commando still makes people want to shout “Delta Squad” and charge into danger.

That counts for something.

Best Star Wars Games for Couch Co-Op

If you are playing in the same room, the LEGO games are your safest bet.

Best couch co-op picks:

1. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
2. LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
3. Star Wars Battlefront II console Arcade mode, if you specifically want split-screen combat

For most people, The Skywalker Saga is the modern answer. It looks better, has more characters, and covers more movies. But The Complete Saga is still excellent if you want something simpler and more classic.

Best Star Wars Games for Online Multiplayer

If your friends are not on the same couch, go here first:

1. Star Wars Battlefront II
2. Star Wars: The Old Republic
3. Star Wars: Squadrons
4. Star Wars: Empire at War
5. Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collection
6. Jedi Academy

Battlefront II is the easiest online recommendation. SWTOR is best for long-term groups. Squadrons is best for focused teams. Empire at War is for strategy fans. Jedi Academy is for the friend who says “honor duel” and absolutely means it.

Best Star Wars Games for Two Players

For two-player groups, the best picks depend on the vibe.

For relaxed couch co-op:

• LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
• LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga

For online story and MMO play:

• Star Wars: The Old Republic

For competitive or tactical play:

• Star Wars: Squadrons
• Jedi Academy
• Empire at War

For casual online action:

• Star Wars Battlefront II

Two players can have a great time in most of these games, but SWTOR and LEGO are the easiest to recommend because they do not require a full squad.

Best Star Wars Games for Bigger Groups

For bigger friend groups, the list changes.

Best larger-group picks:

1. Star Wars: The Old Republic
2. Star Wars Battlefront II
3. Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collection
4. Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes
5. Star Wars: Empire at War

SWTOR is the best long-term group game because guilds, Operations, world bosses and social spaces are built around larger communities.

Battlefront II is the easiest action pick.

Galaxy of Heroes works if your group wants a guild project rather than real-time play.

How to Choose the Right Star Wars Game for Your Friend Group

Pick based on your group’s actual habits, not just the game’s reputation.

If your group has one hour:
Play Battlefront II or LEGO Star Wars.

If your group wants a long-term game:
Play SWTOR.

If your group likes strategy:
Play Empire at War.

If your group loves space combat:
Play Squadrons.

If your group is casual:
Play LEGO Star Wars or Battlefront II co-op.

If your group is competitive:
Play Battlefront II, Squadrons or Jedi Academy.

If your group likes pain:
Start a Galaxy of Heroes guild and begin discussing mods.

The best Star Wars game with friends is not always the “best” Star Wars game on paper. It is the one your group will actually keep playing.

What About Star Wars: Hunters?

Star Wars: Hunters would have been an obvious candidate for this list a year ago.

It was a free-to-play arena battler built around quick team-based matches, original characters and accessible multiplayer. On paper, that is exactly the kind of Star Wars game that should work well with friends.

But it is no longer playable. The online servers shut down on October 1, 2025.

So it belongs in the history section now, not the recommendation list.

A shame, honestly. Star Wars could still use a good, accessible squad arena game.

FAQ: Best Star Wars Games to Play With Friends

What is the best Star Wars game to play online with friends?

For most players, Star Wars Battlefront II is the best online Star Wars game to play with friends. It is easy to understand, has large battles, heroes, co-op PvE, and plenty of cinematic Star Wars chaos.

What is the best Star Wars co-op game?

For couch co-op, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is the best modern pick. For online co-op and group content, Star Wars: The Old Republic is the strongest long-term choice.

Can you play Star Wars: The Old Republic with friends?

Yes. SWTOR is an MMO, so it is built around online play. You can group for story content, Flashpoints, Operations, world bosses, PvP and guild activities.

Is LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga online co-op?

No, it does not have official online co-op. It is built for two-player local couch co-op.

Is Star Wars: Squadrons good with friends?

Yes, especially if your group likes coordinated team play. Squadrons is best with friends who are willing to learn roles, loadouts, power management and Fleet Battle strategy.

Is Star Wars Battlefront II still worth playing with friends?

Yes. It remains one of the strongest all-around Star Wars multiplayer games, especially because of its co-op PvE mode and big cinematic battles. Just remember that it no longer receives major official content updates.

What is the best Star Wars game for casual players?

The best casual picks are LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga, and Battlefront II co-op.

What Star Wars game is best for a group that wants something long-term?

SWTOR. It has years of story, group content, guild systems, character progression, cosmetics, strongholds and regular updates.

So, Which One Should You Play?

If you want the easiest online Star Wars night, play Star Wars Battlefront II.

If you want a long-term galaxy with your friends, play Star Wars: The Old Republic.

If you want couch co-op, play LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.

If you want to fly as a real squadron, play Star Wars: Squadrons.

If you want strategy, play Empire at War.

If you want lightsaber duels, play Jedi Academy.

The best Star Wars games with friends are not all the same kind of game. That is the fun of it.

Star Wars multiplayer can be a giant battlefield, a couch co-op comedy, a tactical dogfight, an MMO guild, a strategy war, or two people in an ancient PC server bowing before a lightsaber duel like the fate of the galaxy depends on it.

And honestly?

That might be the most Star Wars thing of all.