At The Gamer With Kids, we love all things Star Wars, mainly anything that has to do with the original trilogy. We are in our 30’s so the original trilogy really stand out in our minds considering that’s what we grew up with as children. I was too young to watch the original Star Wars when it first came out in 1977 but I do remember watching Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi in the theater.

That brings me to Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner by THQ. This game is heavily based on the classic scene where Han Solo and Luke Skywalker both enter the manned turrets on the Millennium Falcon to fend off an incoming swarm of Tie Fighters. Does the game do this classic scene justice? Keep on reading to find out.

First off, starting up the game and hearing Han Solo  say, “You’ve never heard of the Millennium Falcon? It’s the ship that made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs.” is a great way to introduce the game and really sets the tone for what happens after. THQ really went out of their way to make this an treat for all Star Wars’ fans and we get official Star Wars music, character sounds and movie clips from the movie.

Gameplay wise, there are 2 ways to play the game. The default method of play is by using the tilt functions of the iPhone. Tilting the phone clockwise and counter clockwise moves the turret from left to right. Tiling back and forth moves the turret up and down. On screen, there is a control stick that further allows you to control the turret within the given area and another button to fire. Surprisingly this all works very well and offers a pretty precise method of control. However, you’ll find that the second method of play is actually much more fun and give you that true 360 degree feel. You see the second method uses augmented reality to control the rotation of the turret. By using the iPhone rear camera, it displays what it sees on the screen. By spinning your whole body around in a circle, the turret also moves. This is far more accurate than the previously mentioned tilt method but also makes you look quite silly in public. This method is best used in the comfort of your home on an office chair that spins.

Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner is very fun. If you’ve always wanted to be in control of the Falcon’s turret, this is the game for you. Nothing beats gunning down a squadron of Tie Fighters. This really is a treat for Star Wars fans and is filled to the brim Star Wars references. There’s isn’t much not to like about this game. The only downside is that older iOS devices will not be able to play this game.

Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner is available now in the App Store for $4.99. Please note that it does not seem to be compatible with iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G, or iPad and requires iOS 4.1 or later.

Rating: A

Description

ONLY FOR IPHONE 4, IPHONE 3GS, and IPOD TOUCH 4TH GEN. OLDER DEVICES WILL EXPERIENCE MEMORY ISSUES.

“You’ve never heard of the Millennium Falcon? It’s the ship that made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs.” – Han Solo

Strap in, kid — and get ready to immerse yourself in the Star Wars universe like never before with Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner.” Available ONLY for IPHONE 4, IPHONE 3GS and IPOD TOUCH 4TH GEN, Falcon Gunner is the first Star Wars game with augmented reality technology, letting you do battle with the Empire just about anywhere.

FEATURES:

AR MODE BRINGS THE FIGHT TO YOUR LIVING ROOM: Using your phone’s camera, gyroscope/compass and accelerometer, Falcon Gunner turns your earthly surroundings into epic space battles and lets you control the action by steering your body in physical space. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen.

CLASSIC ARCADE ACTION, 20+ LEVELS: Inspired by the classic 1984 Star Wars arcade title, this first-person action game throws you into the Millennium Falcon’s gunnery seat, letting you experience more than 20 levels of arcade action spanning the legendary smuggling vessel’s most exciting moments — including the Death Star escape, asteroid field pursuit across Hoth and infamous Kessel Run.

SPECIAL MODIFICATIONS: As you blast your way through waves of TIE fighters, Star Destroyers, and a few other special surprises, you’ll earn credits that can be used to make special modifications to the Falcon’s offensive and defensive capabilities, including concussion missiles and a low-level tractor beam… perfect for grabbing TIE interceptors and launching them back at their black-helmeted buddies. (And if you’re impatient, you can purchase them from within the game.)

RETINA DISPLAY SUPPORT: The Millennium Falcon’s scratched-glass windshield has never looked as good as it does on iPhone 4 and iPod Touch (4th Gen).

GAME CENTER AND FACEBOOK INTEGRATION: Challenge your friends’ scores and earn special surprises by connecting your game via Facebook and Game Center.

Enough reading, kid. We’ve got to shake these TIEs…

[via App Store]