X-wings and Rogue Squadron Trivia Quiz

Answer: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Rogue Squadron was explicitly mentioned in "The Empire Strikes Back", on the icy world of Hoth. Zev, Rogue Two, was the pilot who found Han Solo and Luke Skywalker after they spent the night in a blizzard.

Later, the Rogues flew in the Battle of Hoth, holding off Imperial ground forces while the rest of the Rebels evacuated Echo Base. Interestingly, the Rogues were flying Snowspeeders instead of their trademark X-wings during the battle. They did switch over to X-wings when they escaped Hoth - the Snowspeeders were only able to fly in atmosphere.

In the next film in the series, "Return of the Jedi", most of the Rogues flew in the Battle of Endor as Red Squadron, in their X-wings.

Answer: Luke Skywalker

Luke Skywalker started off as a nobody farmboy from Tatooine. Growing up on a moisture farm, he became a good pilot, flying his T-16 Skyhopper through the winding Beggar's Canyon. Luke originally had plans to join the Imperial academy, but instead landed with the Rebel Alliance, and rocketed to fame when he destroyed the Death Star. Soon after, he formed Rogue Group out of the best pilots the Alliance had.

Anakin Skywalker was Luke's father, and also a very talented pilot. Lando Calrissian was Han Solo's friend, and flew the Millennium Falcon as Gold Leader in the Battle of Endor. Lando fired the killing blow to the Second Death Star's main reactor. Corran Horn was created for the "X-wing" novels, and would become a veteran of the squadron.

Answer: Star Wars: X-wing

"Star Wars: X-wing" was a space-flight simulator released in 1993. It and its sequels set a high standard for the industry and genre for years to come, and are regarded as classics.

The first "X-wing" novel was released in 1996, and drew inspiration from the game. It even opened with the main character piloting a simulator run identical to one from the game. Mechanics from the game were referenced throughout the novel series, which made them particularly immersive for those who had played the games beforehand.

"Star Wars: Rogue Squadron" was released on the N64 in 1998, after the "X-wing" novels had been published. "Star Wars: Starfighter" was another flight simulator game, developed separately, released in 2001. It was closer to the events of the then-recently released "Phantom Menace" film (1999).

"Shadows of the Empire" was its own multimedia project, created in 1996, consisting of a novel, a comic book, a video game, and a musical score.

Answer: A video game in the "Rogue Squadron" series

With the names "X-wing" and "Rogue Squadron" being so popular in "Star Wars" media, it can be a little difficult to follow.

First of all, there was the computer game "X-wing", which did not even feature Rogue Squadron (it had not been created yet, in the "Star Wars" continuity).

Next, Michael A. Stackpole wrote the comic series "X-wing: Rogue Squadron", which had multiple story arcs. Stackpole then went on to write the first four novels in the "X-wing" book series, the first of which was, confusingly, subtitled "Rogue Squadron". The comics and novels were inspired by the "X-wing" game, and its expansions/sequels.

Lastly, separately, "Star Wars: Rogue Squadron" was another video game released, and was not influenced by any previous works mentioned. It gained a sequel called "Rogue Leader", which also happened to be the name of one of the story arcs in the comic series. The third installment in the "Rogue Squadron" video game series was subtitled "Rebel Strike".

Are you more or less confused now?

Answer: Wedge Antilles

Wedge was a pilot at the Battle of Yavin with Luke, and was one of the few pilots to survive. He became one of the original Rogues, and took over as Rogue Leader when Luke left to be a Jedi. Wedge was seen in all three original "Star Wars" movies, and was in the game "Star Wars: Rogue Squadron", the "X-wing: Rogue Squadron" comic series, and all the "X-wing" novels.

Wes Janson and Derek 'Hobbie' Klivian were also original Rogues who managed to survive well into the Expanded Universe. Biggs Darklighter was Luke Skywalker's childhood friend. He flew during the Battle of Yavin in Red Squadron, where he died. Dak Ralter was an early Rogue, and Luke's tail gunner during the Battle of Hoth. He died during the battle.

Wedge became a bit of a trope. A "Wedge" character was a character in a work of fiction without a character shield, who still managed to survive everything anyway.

Answer: Wes Janson

Wes Janson was never an Imperial, joining the Rebellion directly, along with Jek Porkins. He flew in the Battle of Yavin, the Battle of Hoth, and the Battle of Endor, and survived them all.

Tycho Celchu became a long-term member of Rogue Squadron, and was a staple of the "X-wing: Rogue Squadron" comic series, and the "X-wing" novels. Tycho was from Alderaan, and was talking to his family when the Empire destroyed his world. At first he shrugged off the broken signal as normal disruption of communications. When he found out that his employers had destroyed his homeworld and everyone he loved, he fled to the Rebel Alliance.

Kasan Moor was an Imperial pilot in the infamous 128th TIE Interceptor Squadron, and appeared in the "Star Wars: Rogue Squadron" video game. She was captured on Gerrard V, and traded Imperial secrets for her life. She was allowed to join Rogue Squadron, and bitterly fought against the Empire.

Baron Fel was a model pilot for the Empire, and was captured in the "X-wing: Rogue Squadron" comic series. He was an older pilot than most others, going through the Academy the same time Han Solo did. Fel even trained other future Rebel Alliance pilots, including Biggs Darklighter, Tycho Celchu, and Hobbie. He was proud of the ideals of the Empire and his fellow pilots, but that slowly gave way when he saw the corruption and squabbling of the officers. The loss at the Battle of Endor just worsened the situation. When Fel was captured, he was ready to leave the broken Empire. He joined Rogue Squadron as one of its best pilots, and used his knowledge of Imperial security and systems to help the Alliance.

Answer: The "X-wing" novels

The "Star Wars" universe uses the Battle of Yavin (seen in the first film, "A New Hope") as a reference for measuring time. When dates are given in the internal "Star Wars" time line, they are referenced as either years Before the Battle of Yavin (BBY) or years After the Battle of Yavin (ABY).

The computer game "Star Wars: X-wing" was released in 1993. It took place in the months leading up to the events in "A New Hope" (0.5 BBY).

The video game "Star Wars: Rogue Squadron" was release in 1998, and took place between "A New Hope" and "The Empire Strikes Back" (0.5 ABY).

The "X-wing: Rogue Squadron" comic series was first published in 1995, and was set a few months after "Return of the Jedi" (4.5 ABY).

The "X-wing" novels were first published in 1996, and took place about two years after "Return of the Jedi" (6 ABY).

Answer: Wraith Squadron

The initial Rogue Squadron seemed to go through phases of existing, dissolving, and reforming. Michael A. Stackpole eventually wrote the first four "X-wing" novels, which established the squadron for the last time, and it continued well into the "Star Wars" Expanded Universe (EU). After writing the "Rogue Squadron" arc, Stackpole's publishers wanted him to continue writing "X-wing" books, but he wanted move on to other adventures. Stackpole recommended his friend, Aaron Allston, to write the next set.

Instead of continuing the adventures of Rogue Squadron explicitly, Allston took just Wedge Antilles, and then created a new squadron of mostly original characters (the other exception being Wes Janson). Allston created Wraith Squadron, which function as a half-fighter squadron, half-commando unit, and was populated by pilots on their last legs, rather than the best of the best.

The Wraith Squadron series was a huge success, and the Wraiths continued to appear in future EU works. Allston became quite a prolific "Star Wars" writer himself.

The Yellow Aces was a squadron of Y-wings that Wes Janson and Jek Porkins flew in before joining Red Squadron. Gold Squadron was a squadron of Y-wings that flew beside Red Squadron during the Battle of Yavin. Twin Suns Squadron was a group of pilots put together by Luke Skywalker in the late Expanded Universe. He would revive the callsign whenever he needed to put together a temporary squadron.

Answer: Star Wars: TIE Fighter

"Star Wars: X-wing" was released in 1993, and was widely praised for its technical achievements. A year later, its sequel, "Star Wars: TIE Fighter", came out.

"TIE Fighter" was often considered one of the best computer games ever created, and frequently popped up on Top Video Games of All Time lists, even decades after its release. It polished and improved what the original "X-wing" had delivered.

"TIE Fighter" was also unique in its time because it let the player fly for the Empire, the bad guys from the movies, and fight the Rebel Alliance. This new perspective was well received by players, and the plot in general was more engaging than its predecessor.

"X-wing" and "TIE Fighter" were rereleased in 1998 as Collector's Editions, with improved graphics and sound.

"Star Wars: X-wing vs. TIE Fighter" (1997) was the third installment to use the same game engine, and was meant to let players fly with or against each other in online multiplayer.

Last in the "X-wing" series of video games was "Star Wars: X-wing Alliance" in 1999. "X-wing Alliance" was by far the largest game, and sported the best graphics and sound. It also had a very long campaign, with a fleshed out, original story, and character development. It came bundled with better multiplayer capabilities and a custom mission editor.

For the incorrect answers, "Rogue Leader" (2001) was the sequel to "Rogue Squadron" (1998), "Jedi Starfighter" (2002) was the sequel to "Starfighter" (2001), and "Rebellion" (1998) was a 4X strategy game that was about taking over the galaxy, instead of flying starfighters.

Answer: Nintendo Game Cube

The "Rogue Squadron" series was developed by Factor 5. Rogue Squadron was released on the Nintendo 64 (and later on the PC as "Rogue Squadron 3D"). Factor 5 stayed with Nintendo for their sequels.

"Rogue Leader" was a launch title for the Nintendo Game Cube, and was one of the highest rated Game Cube games ever released. It was also considered by many to be the highlight of the "Rogue Squadron" series.

"Rebel Strike" was also released exclusively on the Game Cube. It added a few features, such as on-foot sections, parallel story arcs, and multiplayer. The new on-foot sections were not well received by fans, many of whom thought the game had strayed too far from what made the previous two great.