When it comes to space-themed sci-fi licenses, there are no bigger properties than Star Wars and Star Trek. While the former started as a trilogy of movies and the latter began life as a '60s TV series, both spawned vast brands that seeped into other mediums like novels, comics, merchandising, and – crucially – video games. Despite typically sharing little in common in terms of tone, ideologies, and plotlines, Star Wars and Star Trek are forever linked.
Naturally, both licenses have been adapted into their fair share of games, although Star Wars has received far more blockbuster titles due to its more mainstream status and preference for adventures heavy on action. Here are the best Star Wars and Star Trek games, in no specific order.
10 Star Wars: TIE Fighter
Even if more recent space flight simulators like Elite Dangerous and Kerbal Space Program have set a new standard for the niche sub-genre, 1994's Star Wars: TIE Fighter was the best in the business for quite a number of years. The second entry in the consistently great X-Wing series, TIE Fighter fulfills every fan's dream of joining the Empire as an Imperial pilot who takes their job of destroying Rebel Alliance dogs very seriously.
Revolving around Admiral Thrawn's quest to locate a traitor, TIE Fighter not only tells a solid story but presents the Empire in a unique and almost sympathetic light. When it comes to space combat, the gameplay is deep but not overwhelming, visually impressive, and challenging without ever really becoming frustrating.
9 Star Trek Online
Star Trek Online is an MMORPG that has been running since 2010 on PC, although it was ported to the PS4 and Xbox One in 2016. Right out of the gate, players are assigned their own starship, with the majority of the gameplay revolving around the ship's management. It is also possible to explore planets and engage in ground combat; that said, STO shines the brightest when it comes to its space combat and crew management.
Once it got passed a poor launch and transitioned to a free-to-play model, STO steadily blossomed into an entertaining celebration of everything Star Trek.
8 Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
Covering the original Star Wars trilogy, Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader was one of the best titles on the GameCube and holds up well despite coming out almost two decades ago. The visuals are nothing short of mesmerizing, as Rogue Leader successfully captures the majesty, epicness, and wonder of the Star Wars titles.
Unlike TIE Fighter, Rogue Leader prioritizes frantic arcade-type space combat over flight simulation. The end result is a gripping action game that lets fans live through some of Star Wars' most iconic sequences.
7 Star Trek: Bridge Commander
Comparing Star Trek: Bridge Commander and Star Wars: TIE Fighter illustrates the differences between the sci-fi series. Both revolve around space combat and are simulation games; however, TIE Fighter predominantly presents the player as a solitary figure despite being part of the Empire. As a starship's captain, Bridge Commander's space combat involves giving orders to the crew, which are then executed automatically by the game.
Although Bridge Commander's gameplay is not quite as immediate and hands-on as TIE Fighter, the player arguably has more control in the former than the latter. Either way, both are great games.
6 Star Wars: The Old Republic
Developed by BioWare Austin, Star Wars: The Old Republic is a long-running MMORPG that bears similarities to the Knights of the Old Republic games. Debuting in 2011, The Old Republic features eight classes with their own unique storylines and gameplay styles. Users can pick between the Republic and the Sith, who are trying to co-exist.
The Old Republic's customization options are arguably its greatest feature. Not only are there various gameplay styles that can be adapted to suit the player's needs, but The Old Republic also comes with a deep morality system that impacts the evolution of storylines. While quite a lot of quests are not all that interesting, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
5 Star Trek: Voyager – Elite Force
Like the source material, many Star Trek games emphasize diplomacy and exploration. While that is all great, occasionally it can be cathartic to just pick up a type-2 phaser and go to town on a Borg squadron. Inspired by the Voyager TV series, Elite Force follows the Hazard Team as they try to protect the grounded and vulnerable titular starship while completing a series of missions.
Elite Force and its sequel might be more action-oriented than the typical Star Trek property, but they do it so well that it barely even matters. Please note, this entry is specifically referring to the PC version of Elite Force, as the PS2 port is nowhere near as good.
4 Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2005)
EA's recent Star Wars Battlefront titles might not have been so polarizing if they did not share their names with two of the license's best games. Although 2004's Battlefront was also a great title for its time, Battlefront II upped the quality with a more engaging campaign told from the perspective of a retired Stormtrooper, a couple of new modes, the introduction of space battles, and a handful of gameplay and AI tweaks that enhanced an already solid experience.
In many ways, Battlefront II is the most complete single-player Star Wars package, as it covers nearly every area a fan could want; that said, it is not the deepest game out there.
3 Star Trek: Birth Of The Federation
Archaic as it might seem in this day and age, Star Trek: Birth of the Federation was an impressive strategy game when it was released in 1999. With five playable races and a common aim to create the ultimate empire, Birth of the Federation does a decent job of portraying the different routes civilizations can take to achieve this goal. Diplomacy and direct combat are both valid means to grow an empire.
One area Birth of the Federation falls short in is its presentation, as the visuals lack much in the way of flare. Combined with the incredibly slow-paced gameplay, and this is one title best left for die-hard Star Trek fans.
2 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Naturally, a "best of" Star Wars games list would not be complete without Knights of the Old Republic. BioWare's RPG takes place long before the creation of the Empire, as the Republic and Jedi are brought to their knees by Darth Malak. While players start out as Republic soldiers, the mortality system means the choices made throughout the campaign affect the protagonist's light/dark alignment.
The gameplay is just okay, but KOTOR's writing ranks among BioWare's greatest work. The characters are all well-realized and feel real, while the narrative is second to none.
1 Star Trek: New Horizons (Stellaris Mod)
A mod of Stellaris, an ambitious RTS that places players in charge of a species that is just about to embark on space exploration, New Horizons is a mod that adds a Star Trek coat to the title. With eight playable factions, some of which have their own storylines, and a ton of content taken from the TV shows and movies, New Horizons is the ultimate tribute to the Star Trek license.
The mod oozes passion and, while the RTS gameplay might not be for everyone, any fan of the franchise should consider giving this a try.