Return of the Jedi

“Return of the Jedi” is a 1984 arcade game developed and published by Atari, Inc. based on the final film of the original Star Wars trilogy. The game is a scrolling shooter where players navigate various levels inspired by key scenes from “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.” Players control different vehicles, such as a speeder bike through the Endor forest, the Millennium Falcon, and an AT-ST walker, battling against Imperial forces. The objective is to survive the challenges of each level, culminating in the destruction of the second Death Star.

“Return of the Jedi” was released during the height of arcade gaming popularity and aimed to capitalize on the success of both the Star Wars franchise and Atari’s previous Star Wars-themed arcade games. Developed by Atari, Inc., the game was designed by a team of engineers and programmers who sought to create a visually impressive and engaging experience that leveraged the latest arcade technology. Unlike its vector graphics predecessors, “Return of the Jedi” utilized raster graphics, providing a different visual style. The development process included close collaboration with Lucasfilm to ensure accurate representations of the movie’s environments and vehicles.

Upon release, “Return of the Jedi” received generally positive reviews from both players and critics. It was praised for its challenging gameplay, faithful adaptation of the film’s scenes, and the detailed graphics that were a departure from the vector graphics of previous Star Wars arcade games. While it did not achieve the same iconic status as the earlier Star Wars arcade titles, it remained a popular choice in arcades throughout the mid-1980s. The game’s difficulty curve and engaging level design were frequently highlighted as strong points.

“Return of the Jedi” was primarily an arcade game, but it saw ports to various home computer systems including the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and Amstrad CPC. These versions attempted to replicate the arcade experience within the technical limitations of home computers at the time. Related games include Atari’s earlier “Star Wars” (1983) and “The Empire Strikes Back” (1985) arcade games, both of which also offered players the chance to relive key moments from the original Star Wars trilogy in a video game format.

The original “Return of the Jedi” arcade cabinets have become relatively rare over the years, as many were either dismantled or lost as arcades closed down. It’s estimated that a few thousand units were initially produced. Collectors value these machines, and the price for a well-maintained or fully restored cabinet can range from $1,500 to $3,500, depending on condition and completeness. Rarity is compounded by the fact that maintaining these cabinets can be challenging due to the scarcity of replacement parts.

“Return of the Jedi” arcade cabinets featured a unique hardware setup to deliver its raster graphics and smooth scrolling gameplay. The key components include:

CPU: Zilog Z80
Sound: Yamaha YM2151 sound chip and TMS5220 speech synthesis chip
Display: Raster graphics on a standard resolution CRT monitor
Controls: Joystick for movement and a single button for actions
Memory: ROMs for game data storage, RAM for processing
Power Supply: Standard arcade power supply unit
Relevant Parts for Repair
For those looking to repair or restore a “Return of the Jedi” arcade cabinet, the following parts are essential:

Zilog Z80 CPU
Yamaha YM2151 sound chip
TMS5220 speech synthesis chip
CRT monitor or compatible replacement
Joystick and button assembly
Arcade power supply unit
ROM chips for game code and data
RAM modules
Ensuring these components are functional and properly installed is crucial for maintaining the game’s original performance and experience.