You know…sometimes things can be pretty cool.
Like a few weeks back when the press release for the Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection graced my inbox. I was over the moon(s of Yavin) to see that some of the greatest ever Star Wars games were getting a re-release. Especially since the only means I have of playing either of them currently involves digging an older video game system out of a box in my basement and praying that it still works.
Things got even better for me when I was fortunate enough to get an advanced code for the collection and I immediately had to flex on a couple of my friends that are impressed by this sort of thing. I mean, I had to do something while the game downloaded.
Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection is a total nostalgia trip in the best possible way and it looks pretty great. I had to do some checking and it appears the game has been up-res’d for modern systems. While it’s probably the recency bias talking here, the game looks “as good as I remember.”
Just look at all the stuff the game comes with!
The Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection includes:
Star Wars Battlefront (2004)
- Includes Bonus Map: Jabba’s Palace
Star Wars Battlefront II (2005)
- Includes Bonus Maps: Bespin: Cloud City, Rhen Var: Harbor, Rhen Var: Citadel, and Yavin 4: Arena
- Includes Bonus Heroes: Asajj Ventress & Kit Fisto
Key Features
Traverse the Galaxy in Campaign Mode & Galactic Conquest
- Galactic Conquest: Devise your strategy, recruit your troops, and execute your tactical vision for conquering the galaxy
- Star Wars Battlefront Campaign: Experience iconic battles from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace™ through Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
- Star Wars Battlefront II Campaign: Join the rise of Darth Vader’s elite 501st Legion of Stormtroopers
Massive Locations with Up to 64-player Online Support
- Fight on the Ground: Wookiee Warriors, Jet Troopers, Droidekas and more in massive multiplayer action
- Drive Iconic Vehicles: Speeder Bikes, AT-STs, AT-RTs, and more in offensive and defensive battles
- Pilot Legendary Starships: TIE fighters, X-wings, and more in space and air dogfights
Expanded Hero Assault
For the first time ever, Hero Assault is playable on all ground maps, including Death Star, Kashyyyk, Kamino, and Naboo
- Fight with Heroes: Mace Windu, Yoda, Luke Skywalker, and many others!
- Battle with Villains: Darth Maul, General Grievous, Darth Vader, and many more!
For me personally, Battlefront II is inexorably linked with the DVD release of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Because, while the game came out a few days prior to the DVD, I went to a local (and now long defunct) Media Play store with some friends for a midnight release and snagged both along with some other Star Wars merch, I’m sure.
When I got back to my shitty basement apartment I fired up my XBOX and played until I could barely keep my eyes open. I had taken the next day off of work and I was determined to make the most of my time with the game. I also squeezed in a viewing of RotS, which is still the most tolerable of the prequels.
As far as this iteration of the game goes, Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection is still everything I ever wanted out of a Star Wars: Battlefront game AND I’m not half bad at it, either! The small quality of life improvements from publisher Aspyr are all but invisible in the best possible way. I don’t intend on partaking in the online multiplayer aspect of the game (it’s just not for me, and that’s okay) but all other aspects of the game hit just as well as they did twenty years ago.