Best Star Wars Game Protagonists, Ranked

“May the 4th” is literally the perfect date to remember why Star Wars became such a beloved and iconic franchise in pop culture throughout the years and across basically any media you can imagine – and what better way to celebrate that than by keeping the party going all week long?

The saga began back in the 1970s with a simple, yet powerful story about a universe dominated by the "good vs. evil" specter, with the Jedi and the Sith. Its success was so immense that it didn’t take long for that galaxy far, far away to conquer the comic book world, our TVs, and video games as well.

And if you are like me and still in the mood to celebrate this legacy, you're in luck! That’s because I woke up feeling quite nostalgic today and decided to rank some of the best protagonists we have ever controlled in a Star Wars game. Before we dive in, a quick heads-up: we are focusing on established characters with their own stories and personalities. This means we aren’t including customizable protagonists, so don’t expect to see titles like Knights of the Old Republic or Jedi Academy around here.

With that in mind, let’s focus on getting that X-Wing out of the swamp and head straight to the list!

7 Jango Fett

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter

Let’s start with a face every movie fan knows, shall we? Star Wars: Bounty Hunter (which recently got a pretty great remaster, by the way) puts you right in Jango Fett’s jetpacking boots, and it has basically everything you would want out of a game with that premise and then some.

While the controls in this 22-year-old classic can feel a bit clunky by modern standards (even in the remaster), you literally get to be an amoral bounty hunter in a perspective we rarely see outside of novels and comics. And this is only possible because Jango is such an interesting, almost mystical figure in Star Wars lore, and through this story, we get to see exactly how he earned his reputation as the best in the business.

So, with great voice acting and gadgets that integrate perfectly into the combat, Jango is the ultimate cool factor starter for this list. Sadly, the game doesn't explain why bounty hunters are this stylish, but maybe that’s asking too much.

6 Iden Versio

Star Wars Battlefront II

Iden Versio is the female protagonist of Star Wars Battlefront II, and she’s a standout because she starts where most characters fear to tread: as an elite Imperial officer.

While her story eventually follows a classic redemption arc (it wouldn’t truly be Star Wars without one, right?), the main campaign is at its best when showing the Imperial perspective immediately following the destruction of the second Death Star. Iden is portrayed as a capable leader who fights for her cause, and while some fans wish she had stayed with the Empire a bit longer, her journey remains deeply human and well-constructed.

Beyond the game, her story was significantly expanded in the comics, which manages to be even more interesting by offering a closer look at her time within the Empire, a perspective we don’t often get to watch so closely in other media. In the end, Iden is a total badass, and between her digital and printed adventures, she’s a hero (and anti-hero at the same time) who adds a lot of flavor to the post-Return of the Jedi era.

5 Boss

Star Wars: Republic Commando

Long before the movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens tried to humanize the rank-and-file soldiers of the galaxy, Republic Commando was already showing us that there is more to Stormtroopers than just being identical faces in a crowd.

As Boss, the leader of the elite Delta Squad, you aren't a space wizard with a glowing sword, but also a soldier in the middle of the trenches during the height of the Clone Wars. And we are talking about a character that is a stoic, effective leader who coordinates his squad through some of the grittiest missions in the franchise – and considering this is Star Wars, that’s saying a lot. Plus, he’s also voiced by the legendary Temuera Morrison (known to many now as the face of Boba Fett on the TV series), which adds an immediate layer of gravitas to every line.

The game’s tactical “pew-pew” and squad management mechanics are still challenging and fun today, making you feel the true weight of every command you bark at your brothers and adding more weight to Boss’ story. Surely stepping into the boots of a specialized Clone Commando and blowing up battle droids is a power trip that every fan needs to experience at least once.

4 Kyle Katarn

Star Wars: Dark Forces & Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast

I simply love Kyle Katarn because he is a character who was first introduced to the Star Wars universe through a video game – 1995’s Dark Forces – and he is so incredibly badass that he instantly won over players and the folks behind the IP alike. He became such a fan favorite that he ended up starring in sequels and even appearing across other media in the franchise.

And here’s why his journey is legendary: he starts as a former Imperial trooper turned mercenary who famously sabotaged the Empire's secret Dark Trooper project in his first outing. Eventually, he becomes an immensely powerful Jedi, and I mean really powerful, to the point that some fans have nicknamed him the Chuck Norris of the Star Wars universe.

So, whether he's using a thermal detonator or a lightsaber, Kyle represents the perfect bridge between the scoundrel and the Jedi archetypes. That alone makes him an amazing protagonist whose history resonates within the lore to this day. Also, thanks to a recent 2024 remaster, Kyle is more accessible than ever, so there’s really no excuse for not knowing this fella.

3 Kay Vess

Star Wars Outlaws

One of the newest additions to the Star Wars family, Kay Vess, arrived in 2024 with Star Wars Outlaws to show us the mercenary life in a massive and truly diverse open world. It’s the kind of game where you can literally find something to do in every shady cantina or beautiful landscape you stumble upon.

And what makes Kay so likable is that she isn't the daughter of a legendary figure or a chosen war hero, but just a girl with a rare talent for figuring things out, no matter the situation. She’s funny, she’s lucky, she actually has to learn her skills from professionals across the galaxy as you progress, and, most importantly, she’s a fresh, relatable face in a galaxy that is often dominated by heavy destinies and famous bloodlines.

Oh, and we must not forget the dynamic between Kay and her exotic pet companion, Nix. Their bond is arguably way more charming than your standard droid duo, adding a lot of heart to her journey through the galactic underworld.

2 Starkiller

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Is he canon? Probably not, most fans would say. Is he overpowered? Absolutely, pretty much everyone will agree. This duality is exactly what makes Starkiller, the protagonist of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, so unique among the sea of Star Wars protagonists, often splitting the community's opinion right down the middle.

Starkiller (or Galen Marek, if you prefer his real name) is Darth Vader’s secret apprentice, and his powers are, to put it professionally, completely broken. We're literally talking about a guy who can pull a Star Destroyer out of the sky using only the Force. While this creates an incredibly fun and over-the-top gameplay experience, it also makes many fans question if that level of power truly belongs in the established lore.

Regardless of whether you think his OP nature makes sense, Galen Marek’s story is a dramatic tale of betrayal and self-discovery, fueled by an incredibly stylish use of the Force. While his power level makes him difficult to reintegrate into the current canon without a massive nerf, he represents a fascinating “What If?” scenario where the Force is turned up to eleven. Honestly, we love him for the sheer chaos he brings to the galaxy.

1 Cal Kestis

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order & Survivor

Taking the top spot is the ginger Jedi himself, Cal Kestis! Introduced in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and further matured in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Cal is portrayed by actor Cameron Monaghan, who delivers a performance with an emotional depth that is hard to match in the franchise.

While it is true that the Order 66 survivor trope has become a bit of a running joke (since it seems practically everyone managed to survive the purge), Cal’s journey feels very much earned. He was just a Padawan when the Sith strike hit, finding himself completely alone in a world he didn't even fully understand yet, so this sets the stage for a powerful story of self-discovery.

Cal's arc is defined by trauma, growth, and the beauty of finding a new family when you have lost everything. Watching him evolve from a scared Padawan in Fallen Order to a seasoned (though somewhat improvised) Jedi in the sequel is a great character development. Oh, and these games feature a combat style inspired by Soulsborne titles and a heart that belongs in the best Star Wars films, fitting Cal’s story like a glove.