Star Wars games keep the force with you

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opens this week, and the long-awaited seventh movie in the wildly popular series is expected to be the year’s biggest blockbuster. Can’t wait? These games can let the force be with you until the film opens.

Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes

(iOS, Android; free)

This newest of all “Star Wars” apps was released late last month, and while the graphics are eye-catching, the game play is basically an old-fashioned role-playing game. You collect characters from every era of the “Star Wars” films and use each character’s unique offensive and defensive skills to conquer your opponents. The game is challenging and immersive: There about 65 characters and 100 levels.

Star Wars Pinball 3

(iOS, Android; $1.99)

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away — like when the original “Star Wars” movie opened in 1977 — popular movies became themes for pinball games at arcades. It’s no different today, except now you can hold the pinball machine in your hand. Star Wars Pinball is a nice re-creation of the sights and sounds of a classic pinball game. In-app purchases offer pinball tables based on other “Star Wars” themes.

Lego Star Wars Yoda II

(iOS, Android; free)

Yoda or Darth Vader? In this clever game that mashes up the Lego and “Star Wars” universes, you can play as either a representative of the Light Side or the Dark Side. The goal is to collect Holocrons by winning battles. What do you do with when you get enough Holocrons? If you’re playing as Yoda, you free the galaxy. If Vader is your avatar, you get to finally crush the pesky rebellion.

Angry Birds Star Wars II

(iOS, Android; free)

In the “Star Wars” universe there’s the Light Side and the Dark Side. With this action game featuring dastardly pigs, there’s also the Pork Side. Like all Angry Birds games, the goal is to score points by flinging birds (or pigs) at enemies and barriers. Unlike earlier Angry Birds games, this one offers puzzles to solve.