10 Times Star Wars Infiltrated Other Games

Welcome to MojoPlays and today we’ll be counting down our picks for 10 times “Star Wars” infiltrated other games. For this list, we’ll be going over the occasions when “Star Wars” cameos appeared in video games. If there’s a reference from a galaxy far, far away that you feel should have made the list, take a short trip down to our comments and tell us!

Carbonite

“The Talos Principle” (2014)

This philosophical puzzle game is from Croteam, the makers of the “Serious Sam” series. “The Talos Principle” contains several references to Croteam’s famous franchise, but one of them also acts as a “Star Wars” reference. On the Weathertop stage, if you look down from the snowy summit, you’ll spot a ledge with a tree on it. Leaping down there will reveal a cave hidden behind the tree. Inside, the player can find Serious Sam himself encased upright in gold. Sam’s pose and status as a frozen trophy are an easy reference to Han Solo being frozen in carbonite from “Star Wars.” We’re pretty sure touching Han won’t teleport you back to the top of a mountain though.

Vader & Luke

“Resogun” (2013)

A side-scrolling shoot ‘em up, “Resogun” is relatively obscure, and this “Star Wars” reference is hidden well in this hidden gem of a game. By entering photo mode on the Mefitis level, you can move the camera around to look below the ground level of the city you circle. Down below you’ll spot two green figures recreating the famous moment from “The Empire Strikes Back” where Luke Skywalker is hanging from a platform and Darth Vader reaches out to him. It’s a fun reference, though we doubt the little green men are going through the same familial, existential crisis.

Wily Star

“Mega Man V” (1994)

The Game Boy “Mega Man” games can get pretty weird. The fifth entry in the series sees the Blue Bomber battle alien robots serving Dr. Wily in outer space. After defeating the last of these, Wily makes a grand entrance when Mega Man spots an object rising in the sky. It’s no moon, it’s the Wily Star - the villainous scientist’s take on the Death Star. The massive fully-armed and fully-operational battle station fires on Mega Man. However, the heroic robot shoots his way inside and gives Wily what for. No princess rescuing required.

Space Opera

“Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Busts Loose” (1992)

“Tiny Toon Adventures” was an irreverent cartoon that featured plenty of pop culture references. This Super Nintendo game based on the series carried over that tradition, even referencing several episodes on the show which parodied other properties. Such is the case with the final level in the game, which is one big “Star Wars” parody and draws from the episode “A Quack in the Quarks.” From Babs having Princess Leia hair buns, to various Stormtrooper duck foes, to the final boss being “Duck Vader,” the Space Opera stage isn’t very subtle about its inspirations. Not that we’re complaining, mind you!

Darth Maul

“Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3” (2001)

The “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” games are well-known for including secret, unlockable skaters if you fulfill certain conditions. If you beat the third game in the series once, you’ll unlock Darth Maul. It's a weird inclusion, but to be fair, out of all the dark lords of the Sith, Maul certainly seems like he would be the most likely to be into skate culture. In addition to using the Force to pull off sick moves on the various courses, Maul also chokes the skate shop guy behind him on the character select screen, which is a nice touch.

Revenge of the Jedi

“BioShock Infinite” (2013)

“BioShock Infinite” is one strange game, as it deals with a floating city in the clouds, time travel, and alternate dimensions. One of the first indications of the last of these occurs when you view the heroine Elizabeth open a tear to Paris, France. On the marquis, the title in French reads “La Revanche du Jedi,” or “Revenge of the Jedi.” At one time, this was meant to be the title to “Return of the Jedi,” though it was eventually changed when George Lucas decided that “revenge is not the Jedi way.” Clearly, in this timeline, they went ahead with the original title.

Slicing Open Zombies

“Call of Duty: Black Ops - Zombies” (2011)

“Zombies” is a weird, if excellent, spin-off of “Call of Duty: Black Ops.” In the level “Five,” you’re given the option to play as American president John F. Kennedy battling hordes of the undead. The president spouts plenty of hilarious one-liners during gameplay, referencing things he said in real life, as well as various other bits of pop culture. One of these is a “Star Wars” quote. If you kill a gas zombie, J.F.K. will exclaim that he thought they smelled bad on the outside. This hearkens back (or forward, in Kennedy’s case) to the scene in “The Empire Strikes Back” where Han Solo cuts open a tauntaun to keep Luke warm on Hoth. Thankfully, JFK doesn’t need to use a zombie that way.

The Lars Family

“Fallout: New Vegas” (2010)

Obsidian’s cobbled together masterpiece is chock full of things to investigate, and one of those many Easter Eggs is quite dark…and also “Star Wars” related. If the player has the Wild Wasteland trait, they can go to the small town Nipton to find it. Outside one of the houses, you’ll discover two charred skeletons, whose labels are Owen and Beru. This references Luke Skywalker’s aunt and uncle’s fate at the hands of the Empire, with these two likely sharing a similar end at the hands of Caesar’s Legion. It seems like no matter the universe, the Lars family can’t catch a break.

Biggs & Wedge

“Final Fantasy” franchise (1987-)

The “Final Fantasy” games rarely have continuity or recurring characters between games. One of the few exceptions are Biggs and Wedge. While their roles usually vary, with some games featuring them prominently and others merely being cameos, they’re almost always some kind of comic relief. They’re also usually minor soldiers in various armies in the games. This is fitting, since their names are direct references to Biggs Darklighter and Wedge Antilles, a pair of X-Wing pilots that appear in the “Star Wars” franchise and who fly alongside Luke Skywalker. It’s probably a good thing most of the “Final Fantasy” versions aren’t qualified pilots though.

All the Lightsabers

Various

C’mon – lightsabers are awesome. Of course video games were going to capitalize on them! Laser swords are an inherently cool concept and dozens of video games over the years have featured them to some degree. From the beam katanas of “No More Heroes” to the beam swords of “Super Smash Bros.” to the laser swords of “Dead Rising,” there’s no shortage of them out there. Even Kirby has used one! Heck, the entire premise behind “Beat Saber” is using lightsabers for a rhythm game! And all of these games have paid tribute to one of the most iconic aspects of “Star Wars” in a fittingly epic way.