Introduction
Released in 1985 by Atari, The Empire Strikes Back is the third and final entry in Atari’s original Star Wars arcade trilogy — but it was actually the last one to be released. Unlike Return of the Jedi (1984), this game returned to the iconic color vector graphics format used in the original Star Wars (1983). It was distributed exclusively as a conversion kit for the original Star Wars arcade cabinet, continuing the flight-combat gameplay with scenes from Episode V.
Development and History
- Developer: Atari, Inc.
- Publisher: Atari, Inc.
- Release Date: 1985
- Platform: Color Vector (conversion kit for Star Wars cabinet)
Atari developed The Empire Strikes Back to capitalize on the popularity of its original Star Wars arcade game, using the same hardware and cabinet. Rather than build an entirely new game from scratch, it was offered as a conversion kit, allowing operators to update their existing Star Wars machines without major hardware changes.
The game reused many of the original’s control mechanics and sound design while adapting new scenes from the film, including the Battle of Hoth and asteroid chase. It marked the final arcade Star Wars title Atari would produce, as the company shifted away from arcade development in the latter half of the 1980s.
Gameplay Video
Gameplay and Mechanics
The Empire Strikes Back follows the same first-person vector style as Star Wars, with players flying through key battles from the film:
Key features:
- Battle of Hoth: Destroy AT-AT walkers by targeting weak spots or using tow cables
- Asteroid Field: Navigate dense asteroid belts while avoiding collisions
- TIE Fighter Battle: Engage in dogfights in space with Vader’s fleet
- Escape to Hyperspace: Survive long enough to reach escape velocity
- Same control scheme as Star Wars: yoke-style flight controller with fire buttons
- Digitized audio clips from the film, including Darth Vader and other iconic lines
- Players can block enemy fire using a shield button (like in the original game)
- Bonus points for completing stages quickly or with accuracy
Cultural Impact and Legacy
While not as widely distributed or known as the original Star Wars arcade game, The Empire Strikes Back remains a fan favorite among collectors and arcade enthusiasts.
- Notable for being Atari’s last vector-based arcade game
- Only released as a conversion kit — no dedicated cabinet exists
- Recognized for pushing the aging vector hardware to its visual limits
- Often seen as a “hidden gem” in the trilogy due to its limited availability
- Emulated in modern compilations and MAME, though original kits are rare
Fun Facts
- The conversion kit included new ROMs, artwork, and marquee for rebranding machines
- Players had to shoot the back of AT-ATs or use tow cables, mimicking the film’s strategy
- The asteroid field stage reused some vector code from the original game
- It is one of the few arcade games from the era that lacked a standalone upright release
- Released just as vector technology was fading in favor of raster graphics
Conclusion
The Empire Strikes Back closed out Atari’s original Star Wars trilogy with a return to vector graphics and immersive flight combat. Though limited in release, it remains a technically impressive and authentic arcade adaptation of one of the most beloved Star Wars films.