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Star Wars (Japan)

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Released only in Japan, this Famicom version of Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope features a black-haired version of Luke Skywalker with full Jedi powers that goes through various adventures that are loosely based on some events that take place in the 1977 film. Unlike any other game adaption of ...

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Developer
Piccari Games

Released on
1987

Size
1 Player

Version
NES

Requirements
Nintendo Entertainment System

Downloads
Action

Publisher
Namco

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Released only in Japan, this Famicom version of Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope features a black-haired version of Luke Skywalker with full Jedi powers that goes through various adventures that are loosely based on some events that take place in the 1977 film. Unlike any other game adaption of the film, this version takes several drastic liberties with the overall story and character meetings.

The game is a side-scrolling platformer that has Luke begin his travels on Tatooine. While Luke eventually travels to the Death Star and Yavin IV, he travels to other planets such as Kessell, Iscalon, and Hoth to rescue his imprisoned friends before he flies his X-Wing fighter during the final Death Star trench run. Along the way, he fights against Tusken Raiders, Stormtroopers, Boba Fett, and rides in vehicles such as his Landspeeder… or a whale on Hoth.

Star Wars (Japan)

Overview & History

Released in 1992 by Namco for the Famicom, the Japanese localized version of Namco's *Star Wars* is a radically different beast from Victor Musical Industries' notorious 1987 Famicom adaptation and the U.S. NES release by Lucasfilm Games. While it loosely follows *A New Hope*, this version trades grueling, obscure platforming for an action-packed platform-adventure. Because George Lucas's franchise held less entrenched nostalgic dominance in Japan, Namco felt free to take immense creative liberties. The result is a vibrant, surreal interpretation of the galaxy far, far away where Luke Skywalker can transform into a mouse, a scorpion, or a mini-TIE fighter, battling bizarre, non-canon fauna across Tatooine, the Death Star, and beyond before facing Darth Vader in a frantic dual.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike the American release, Namco’s *Star Wars* emphasizes fast-paced, fluid platforming infused with bizarre metamorphosis mechanics. Players control Luke Skywalker, who collects "Force" power-ups that allow him to temporarily morph into various animals and vehicles to bypass obstacles, squeeze through tight crevices, or decimate enemies. Luke wields a lightsaber for close-quarters combat, but can also collect projectile upgrades. The level design is notoriously idiosyncratic, featuring floating platforms, vertically scrolling asteroid sequences, and surreal enemy types that look more like vintage Namco arcade creations (reminiscent of *Mappy* or *Pac-Land*) than standard *Star Wars* lore. Boss encounters are theatrical and challenging, culminating in an atmospheric showdown with Darth Vader that requires precise timing and tactical lightsaber deflection.

Keyboard Controls

Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move and Crouch
Action Keys: Attack (Lightsaber/Weapon) / Jump (Press twice for special transformations)
Enter: Start / Pause