The last few months have been pretty decent for Star Wars computer and video gamers (notwithstanding the "Obi-Wan Debacle," but don't let me go there), so your Cheatrix Extraordinaire took the opportunity to play Starfighter (PlayStation 2) and Battle for Naboo (PC).

Star Wars Starfighter (PlayStation 2)

Even though this game has been out since last fall, I haven't had the chance to play it until I bought my own PlayStation 2 recently. I checked into renting one from a video store that will go unnamed (think big blue and yellow logo), but they wanted a $400 credit card deposit. Um, hello? If I'd had that, I would have just bought one from Ebay, thankyouverymuch! Anyhow, thanks to a tax refund and a lucky day at Wal-Mart, I got my PSX2 and a copy of Starfighter. Now, I'm not one who's very experienced with flight simulations, mainly because I have this tendency to shoot friendlies and run into canyon walls (major problems for me when playing Rebel Assault 2!). Therefore, I tend to stick to the simple shooters and horror-mystery games (think Unreal and Resident Evil). But, the Star Wars name is very alluring, and with the help of cheat codes, I figured I'd give Starfighter a try. And, oh, am I glad I did!

There's been a lot of hype about the graphics capabilities of the PSX2, and in my view, they're entirely justified. Starfighter is simply gorgeous, I spent several minutes gaping at the television admiring the graphics. Once I got over that, I started playing. The storyline is this, during the Trade Federation's invasion of Naboo, you alternate between three characters: Rhys Dallows, Vana Sage and Nym. Each have their own ships, flying styles, and issues with the Trade Federation. Each level gives you mission and bonus goals - meet the mission goals and you make it to the next level. Do that and make the bonus goals, and you can unlock bonus missions.

The PlayStation controller was hard for me to master flying, there's several canyon walls on Naboo with my imprint left on them. However, the first mission is a training flight, so by replaying that a couple of times, I became accustomed to using both sticks to control the ship. Now I'm trying to coordinate that with using the brake/thrust and firing at the same time! Veterans of flight games shouldn't have too much trouble, though.

I'm very pleased with Starfighter. Some of the buzz around the game indicates a frustration because the game can be completed in a matter of hours. Well, it's taking me that long just to keep my fighter straight! If you're a flying ace, you may want to consider renting Starfighter, but for those like me, it's a worthwhile purchase. I've been needing to learn to fly anyway...This game gets an A.

Light Side qualities:

• Fantastic graphics and sound
• Good story and characters
• Fly the N1 Fighter and other ships
• Great HUD, makes for great targeting

Dark Side qualities:

• Short game for flight veterans
• Hard-to-master flight controls
• Yet another canyon flight mission

Battle for Naboo (PC)

Keeping with my need for flying lessons, I also picked up Battle for Naboo for my PC. I have a battered Wingman joystick that's been gathering dust since Rebel Assault 2 was hip, so I needed to bring it out of retirement. Battle for Naboo has been out sometime for the Nintendo 64 and this is a direct port to PC. Battle for Naboo been hyped as the successor to Rogue Squadron, and it plays very similar. Also following the Episode I story, you play as Gavin Sykes, a lieutenant in the Royal Security Forces, doing what you can to make life annoying for the occupation forces of the Trade Federation.

Missions include running cover for escaping civilians, knocking out the Federation's communication satellites, and other subversive activities. The action would be fairly easy, if the panicked civilians didn't keep getting in your way. Not to mention the convoys getting destroyed before they can follow you to safety. But, that's what lends a challenge to the game, it's not all about you this time!

Since I've never played Rogue Squadron (but I will now since I was suckered into LucasArts' promotion - Buy Battle for Naboo, get Rogue Squadron free), I can't give any comparisons to the original. Though from talking to people who have played Rogue, it wasn't easy. Thanks to the unlimited life cheat code (you can get cheat codes for both games from IGN.com), Naboo is pretty straightforward, though no code is going to keep your convoy safe. You might get to live, but if those poor saps on the barges are destroyed, you're toast for that level.

Light Side qualities:

• Easier to fly thanks to joystick
• Like Starfighter, you get original characters
• More of that cool N1 Fighter
• Action shifts from surface to space battles

Dark Side qualities: