This is the Way: It's Time for a Mandalorian Video Game

Opinion Article: We Have a Television Show, Comics, and an Upcoming Movie, Let's Add a Video Game

Photo / Disney Plus

The Mandalorian cast will be coming to the movie screens soon as “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is in production. With The Mandalorian taking to the big screen, let’s talk about one of the few mediums they have not crossed yet. A Mandalorian video game makes sense to add to the media library of the franchise. Now seems like the perfect time to put a Mandalorian in control of gamers. Star Wars has already dipped its toe into the Mandalorian lore in past games, there are multiple ways to take the campaign, the Mandalorian brand is red hot, and Star Wars has had success with solo campaign driven games recently.

Why it is Time for a Mandalorian Video Game

We Have been to Mandalore Before (Metaphorically)

Although The Mandalorian digs into the story of Din Djarin, Grogu, and others met along the way, we have a gaming history with the most famous family of Mandalorians. Although it has been a while since we have seen a character in Mandalorian armor as the focal point of a solo Star Wars game. Star Wars Bounty Hunter released in 2002 for the PlayStation 2 and GameCube. The single player game follows Jango Fett before the events of Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones.

Gamer’s step into the boots of Fett along with his arenol of weapons as he travels the galaxy hunting bounties and taking down anyone that gets in his way. The game received mixed to average reviews from critics. Although many argued the execution could have been better, the ability to step into Fett’s armor in a standalone game gave many gamers and critics excitement. Although Mandalorian characters have appeared in games such as Knights of the Old Republic, Star Wars Battlefront, and others, there has not been a true Mandalorian based game since 2002. As one of the more popular character groups in the Star Wars universe, a solo game is long overdue.

Whose Under the Helmet?

Although Djarin and Grogu are current fan favorites in the Star Wars universe, that does not mean they need to necessarily be the main characters of the game. Although it would make the most sense with how much interest the characters have generated, there are other options. We have seen other characters such as Bo Katan who has been a focal point of the animated series The Clone Wars take a major part in the series. Other Mandalorians such as Sabine Wren from Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka become key parts of the Star Wars universe in recent years. All these characters have stories that could be flushed out in a video game.

Another option is to create a brand-new protagonist similarly to how Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order introduced Cal Kestis. The pro here is that there is no set character arc to create the story based on and offers more creative freedom. The downside to that is not having the solid fanbase to base those characters off.

Hot as Beskar

The Mandalorian first released in 2019 as the first Disney+ live action Star Wars show. The show set the Star Wars fandom on fire with the ending of the first episode debuting “The Child” known as “Baby Yoda” before being revealed to have the name Grogu. Since than the show has spawned tons of merchandising opportunities for the show and has become a pop culture hit within a pop culture icon.

The show has spawned three seasons and ties into other Disney+ shows “The Book of Boba” and “Ahsoka”. While the sequel movie trilogy spawned very mixed reactions from fans and critics, The Mandalorian as a whole has been much better received. An argument could be made that the series saved Disney’s reputation with Star Wars fans, at least for the time being. With the show being successful enough to warrant a spot on the silver screen, what better time to capitalize on the fanfare of the franchise and add a video game to the mix?

Single Player Star Wars Games Were Long in Demand

Star Wars games have come in many shapes and sizes. Following the release of Star Wars Force Unleashed II in 2010 a drought of new single player story driven Star Wars games developed. Many fans were excited when Jedi Fallen Order was announced as it was seen as a return to the genre that had been dominated by the multiplayer Battlefront series.

Both Fallen Order and its sequel Star Wars Jedi Survivor were met with relatively positive reviews from gamers and critics alike. The games also did well sales wise. Fallen Order has sold over 9 million units and Jedi Survivor saw heavy download numbers during release week.

This is the Way

Combining the popularity of the Mandalorian with the hunger for single player and story driven Star Wars content lends the perfect opportunity for a well-made Star Wars game to wow gamers and add another chapter to the Mandalorian story.

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Sales statistics provided by VGChartz