Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1993): The Sequel That Made the SNES Trilogy Even Meaner

Header image for Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1993) featuring retro SNES-style pixel art of Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Yoda with dramatic blue and orange lighting.

If Super Star Wars (1992) was the moment Star Wars finally found the right kind of 16-bit violence, then Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was the sequel that looked at that formula and said, “Good. Now make it colder, harder, and just a little bit crueler.” That was a solid creative choice. Released for the Super Nintendo in 1993, the game was developed by Sculptured Software and LucasArts and published by JVC Musical Industries. It was the second entry in the Super Star Wars trilogy, based on The Empire Strikes Back, and it would later be followed by Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in 1994. As part of our Complete List of All Star Wars Games Ever Made (1979–Present), this is one of those games that really earns its spot. It also sits naturally in the Star Wars Games (1990–1999) hub, right next to the games…

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