About Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is a series of video game adaptations based on the second movie in the original Star Wars trilogy. The first game carrying this title was released in 1982 for the Atari 2600, becoming the first officially licensed Star Wars video game. It was later released for the Intellivision in 1983, featuring a simple scrolling shooter where players controlled a Snowspeeder during the Battle of Hoth and fought against Imperial AT-AT walkers.
Over the years, the same movie inspired several different games across arcade machines, home computers, and consoles. An arcade version arrived in 1985, followed by ports for systems including the BBC Micro, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Amiga, and Atari ST. A separate 1992 version was released for the NES and Game Boy, changing the formula into a side-scrolling action platform game with exploration, combat, and multiple gameplay styles.
On Emulator Games Zone, you can play the NES version of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back online using the NES Emulator, allowing you to revisit this classic 8-bit Star Wars adventure directly from your browser.
Released in 1992, the NES version was developed by Lucasfilm Games and Sculptured Software, with the Game Boy version handled separately by NMS Software. Unlike the earlier Atari and arcade releases that focused mainly on vehicle combat, the NES edition is a full action platformer following Luke Skywalker's journey from the icy battlefields of Hoth to his confrontation with Darth Vader.
The game combines traditional side-scrolling stages with unique vehicle sections. Players explore frozen caves, battle Imperial forces, ride a Tauntaun across Hoth, control a Snowspeeder against AT-AT walkers, and search for hidden Force upgrades. Each area introduces different challenges, making this version feel more like an adventure game rather than a simple movie adaptation.
How To Play
In the NES version, you control Luke Skywalker through a series of action-packed stages inspired by scenes from The Empire Strikes Back. Most levels use side-scrolling gameplay, where you move through environments, defeat enemies, avoid hazards, and search for useful upgrades while progressing toward the next objective.
Luke begins with his blaster for ranged attacks, but the game also introduces lightsaber combat and Force abilities as you continue your journey. Hidden power-ups are placed throughout the stages, encouraging players to explore areas carefully instead of simply rushing forward. Finding these upgrades can make later sections easier, especially when facing stronger enemies and bosses.
The NES release stands out because it frequently changes the gameplay style. During the Battle of Hoth, you take control of a Snowspeeder and attempt to bring down massive AT-AT walkers using the tow cable technique from the movie. Other sections include riding a Tauntaun across snowy landscapes and navigating different environments with their own hazards and enemy patterns.
Boss battles require learning attack patterns and choosing the right moment to strike rather than relying only on quick attacks. Encounters with powerful enemies, including Darth Vader, test your movement, timing, and use of special abilities. The game's higher difficulty comes from careful platforming, limited resources, and challenging enemy placement, giving the NES version a very different feel from the earlier shooting-focused adaptations.
