Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1992 video game)

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

NES game box front cover art
Developer(s) Lucasfilm Games
Sculptured Software
Publisher(s) JVC
Designer(s) Mike Ebert
Kalani Streicher
Programmer(s) Ken Grant
Artist(s) Harrison Fong
Armand Cabrera
Jon Knoles
Composer(s) Paul Webb
Platform(s) Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy
Release date(s)
  • JP March 12, 1993 (NES)
  • NA March 1992 (NES)
  • EU 1992 (NES)
Genre(s) 2D Action Platformer Adventure
Mode(s) Single-player
Distribution Cartridge

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is a video game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992. It is the sequel the original Star Wars for the NES. This is the second of three video games released under the Empire Strikes Back title for home video game systems. It was preceded by a version for the Atari 2600 and succeeded by Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back for the SNES.

The NES version was released the same year as JVC's Super Star Wars for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. As Empire was released towards the end of the NES's lifecycle, a corresponding sequel to the film Return of the Jedi was never developed, nor released.

A version of the game was released for the Game Boy. That product was reprinted and distributed by several publishers over the course of three years.

Gameplay

Title screen

The object of the game is to destroy an Imperial Probe Droid, escape a Wampa-infested ice cavern, fight during the Battle of Hoth, meet Master Yoda on Dagobah to train with him, and attempt to rescue friendly characters in Cloud City from Darth Vader.

The gamer controls the character of Luke Skywalker, who can fight with a blaster pistol or a lightsaber, and can also board a snowspeeder during the Battle of Hoth. As Luke learns about the Force, he develops multiple Force Powers to help during the mission.

External links