The Empire Strikes Back is a follow-up to the well-known Star Wars arcade game that used vector graphics. Atari released it back in 1985. It was only available as a conversion kit to modify the original Star Wars arcade machine.
Similar to Star Wars, the player assumes the character of Luke Skywalker and engages in familiar combat scenarios from a first-person viewpoint, this time participating in the Battle of Hoth. Subsequently, the player controls Han Solo as he attempts to escape with the Millennium Falcon through the perilous Hoth asteroid field.
The game enhances the initial arcade game's gameplay, visuals, and audio to align with the new movie. The vector objects now have a more detailed appearance, and the asterisk-shaped particle shots from the original Star Wars are replaced with vector-based versions. This game was the third Star Wars arcade title; Return of the Jedi was released the year before.
A significant difference from the original arcade game is the addition of the "JEDI" bonus. When the player collects all the letters in the word "JEDI", all enemy fire is instantly neutralized for a short duration. Furthermore, players who make it to the high score list will have military-style stripes displayed next to their name.
During the Battle of Hoth segments, the player pilots a Rebel snowspeeder. The initial part involves the player patrolling Hoth on a search and destroy mission targeting Probots. Destroying Imperial transmissions from the Probots extends the stage. The player advances after destroying a set number of droids. To obtain a Jedi letter, the player must destroy the required number of probots.
The second snowspeeder sequence focuses on the assault of AT-AT and AT-ST walkers against the Rebel shield generator. The walkers must be destroyed or avoided, as collisions result in aircraft damage. The player has three tow cables that can instantly bring down AT-AT walkers if fired at their legs. Alternatively, the player can target the red cockpits to destroy the walkers. To earn a Jedi letter, the player must destroy a specific number of walkers.
In the latter half of the game, the player controls Han Solo, piloting the Falcon as the lead ship in a convoy attempting to evade the Imperial forces. Initially, the player faces a wave of TIE fighters. To earn a Jedi letter, the player must destroy the specified number of TIE Fighters. After eliminating enough TIEs, the player proceeds to an asteroid field, where the objective is simply survival. To earn a Jedi letter, the player must navigate the field without sustaining any damage. Upon completing the fourth stage, the game restarts at the beginning of the Battle of Hoth with an increased difficulty level.
At the game's beginning, an Imperial vessel identified as the Executor is depicted searching for the Rebels' hidden base shortly before the Battle of Hoth. While its appearance differs significantly from the ship in the film, the simplistic vector rendering resembled an early production painting of the Executor.