STAR WARS™: X-Wing Special Edition

GOG staff comment: The 1994 DOS CD version is now included as of 28.04.2015. This does not include the best version of the game, X-Wing Collector's CD-ROM, the version that had digital sound effects. This is just the floppy version and the 1998 version. I had to go back to my own copy of X-Wing CD on DosBox.. pointless.

This is the game that made me love space flight sims. 360 degrees of freedom in dogfights, having to balance power for the shields, engines, and lasers, and giving wingmen commands put it ahead of other flight sims and even other Star Wars games like the later Rogue Squadron. It was the closest to being inside Star Wars that I ever got in a game.

I have not yet played this version, but replayed some of the old DOS release of X-Wing in 2011, so I've definitely experienced it with modern eyes. This game really, really holds up. The spare graphics and limited resolution are barely noticeable, because the 3D designs are so clean. The transition/loading screens aren't too pretty anymore, but once you're actually in the game engine itself, it looks fabulous. The UI feels quite modern, lacking the interface problems so common in older titles. I wouldn't be shocked to discover that X-Wing pioneered some of the unwritten interface standards we've come to expect. Couple caveats: First, I had a rough time with a 360 controller in the DOSBox version, which is why I dropped it. X-Wing really depends on precision aiming; you need to be able to instantly bring the ship around and snap off an accurate shot at targets that may only be a few pixels wide. The thumbsticks worked, but they were so sloppy that I found it very difficult to play. The game is fundamentally designed around a joystick, and I believe you will have a much better time if you have one available. You don't need anything real fancy; sticks in 1993 were just a couple of axes and a few buttons, and I don't think throttles and pedals really were a thing, yet. A little cheapie would probably be just fine. But you probably do want a stick. Second: the game comes in two flavors, the original DOS version, and the Windows remake. I haven't played the remake, but it's my understanding that they dumped the iMuse music system, which used dynamic MIDI scoring to alter the soundtrack based on what was happening. You will probably get sharper graphics in the Windows version, but the music will no longer be context-sensitive, and that was a BIG part of what made the game such an experience. I'd suggest trying the DOS version first, to see how well it works for you. I found the graphics to be perfectly acceptable in 2011, so try it out.

today is my birthday. these were my favorite games growing up. i recently discovered that i had lost the discs! but this makes everything better. life is once again worth living. may the force be with us all.