Star Wars (1983 video game)

Star Wars
North American arcade flyer, showing the upright and cockpit cabinets
DeveloperAtari, Inc.
PublishersArcade
Ports
Parker Brothers
Domark
Broderbund
DesignerMike Hally
ProgrammersGreg Rivera
Norm Avellar
ComposerEarl Vickers
SeriesStar Wars
Platform
Arcade
Release
May 5, 1983
  • Arcade
    • NA: May 5, 1983
    • JP: May 1983
    • UK: September 1983
    • SPA: 1983
    2600, 5200, ColecoVision
    • June 1984
    MS-DOS
    • January 1989
    Atari ST
    • March 1989
    Amiga
    • April 1989
    Macintosh
    • September 1989
GenreRail shooter
ModeSingle-player

Star Wars is a first-person rail shooter designed by Mike Hally and released as an arcade video game in 1983 by Atari, Inc. It uses 3D color vector graphics to simulate the assault on the Death Star from the 1977 film Star Wars. There are three connected gameplay sequences: combat against TIE fighters in space, flying across the surface of the Death Star, and the final trench run. The sequence then repeats with added complications and the Death Star regenerating. The player's X-Wing fighter has a shield which only protects against damage a certain number of times, then the next hit ends the game. Speech synthesis emulates actors from the film.

Developed during the golden age of arcade games, Star Wars has been included on lists of the greatest video games of all time. Home ports were published by Parker Brothers, Domark, and Broderbund. It was followed by a lesser-known arcade sequel, sold as a conversion kit for the original, in 1985: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.