The latest Star Wars game will undoubtedly sell simply based on the license alone, but what should you expect if you plunk down the money for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed on September 16?

Different Powers for Different Folks

SW:TFU will be landing on several consoles this week: Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, DS, and iPhone. Normally, this wouldn't really matter, but LucasArts has made it a point to make every version of the game unique to each other.

Storywise, all the games will feature cannon-worthy events that occur between 2005's "Episode III" and 1977's "Episode IV." Yeah, a bit of a time conundrum, but for those of you who've followed the "Star Wars" timeline -- the game aims to fill in those gaps in the series for you.

And, of course, every version will let gamers play as Darth Vader's "Secret Apprentince," as they guide him on his quest to become a master of the force.

Current-Gen Offerings

Gamers who prefer to do their playing on fancy hi-def TVs will want to go with the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of The Force Unleashed. LucasArts' is treating it as the game proper with fluid animations and graphics superior to all the other versions available.

The main hook is how well the force powers work being mapped to the right analog stick. It's incredibly simple to grab onto Stormtroopers, Tie Fighters, etc. and swing them around against walls and anything else you deem necessary. It's likely you'll forget all about the almighty lightsaber you have at your hips...

ST:TFU will be available for $59.99 on Xbox 360 and PS3.

Compensating for Last-Gen Tech

Instead of giving gamers just a downgraded experience with the Wii version of the game, LucasArts has decided to play to that system's strengths.

Motion controls will take front and center in the Wii version as it gives you 5 different degrees of waggle. Also, a one-on-one versus option will only be available in the Wii version, aka Duel Mode.

Wii gamers can get their force-motionin' on for $49.99.

Portable Unleashin'

Your best portable option for The Force Unleashed will likely be the PSP version. It will include exclusive "historical missions," where, for example, the player controls Darth Vader in battles against Luke Skywalker on Cloud City. Duel Mode is another selling point, but otherwise, it will be an almost carbon-copy of the PS2 version.

DS, the most popular game machine out there, will receive an extremely downgraded port of the game with touch screen controls and a four-player local battle mode; no WiFi mode has been mentioned.

Get it on PSP for $39.99 and on DS for $34.99.

The Ugly Ducklings...

PlayStation 2 because it downgrades on a game that was made to take advantage of current technology. Sony's 2000 console simply can't keep up and is the most bare-bones version of the bunch with no extra modes or options.

iPhone users should skip the "game" for its underwhelming action. You don't control the character directly and you're pushed through different 2D backdrops disguised as levels where you swipe at the commands thrown at you.

The Force Unleashed's price on iPhone hasn't been announced yet, but the PS2 version will be available for $39.99.

Impressions Around the Web

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed looks like it will satiate any fans' desire to freely express their own "dark side" through the Secret Apprentice's powers and abilities on September 16.

Early reviews of the game have been lukewarm to good, though, so if you're not a big "Star Wars" fan check out the game's demo on Xbox Live or PlayStation Network to decide for yourself.

Carlos Macias is a featured writer for Xomba.com. Read the rest of his work here .