What Is the Best Planet to Live on in The Star Wars Universe?

Written by Matteo Sedazzari
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That’s the question that Betway recently asked the co-host of the Star Wars’ sessions podcast and expert extraordinaire Matt Hudson.

Because in the magical and intriguing Star Wars’ cosmos, there is an astonishing assortment of planets, full of colourful and interesting inhabitants, residing in a wonderous metropolis, deserts, forests, and such like.

Hypothetically speaking, the majority of people might say Tatooine, the sparse desert planet with two suns, great for topping up your tan and the original home to Anakin and Luke Skywalker. Therefore it is a well-known sphere in Star Wars but is it the best one to live on …Matt Hudson sat down with Betway Casino to discuss….

‘I think this is the Star Wars planet, if you're on Tatooine it's a hard life, but immensely satisfying. It's almost like a farmer's life. At the end of it, you reap what you sow, and if you really work hard you can make a decent life there. The cantinas get a bit rowdy. The locals might kill you just for looking at them the wrong way. And there are two suns, which could be a blessing and a curse. At the end of Revenge of the Sith, [Obi-Wan Kenobi] was Ewan McGregor, a hunky man. He’s a beefcake. By the time we get to A New Hope, it’s Sir Alec Guinness. He's aged terribly in those 18 or 19 years. So you have to have tough skin, both literally and figuratively, to withstand the weather and also the locals. But if you can get your head down and work hard it's an honest living and I’m not one to knock that.’

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Due to its tough environment, Matt gives Tatooine a mere five out of ten.

Another obvious choice with the Star Wars fans, maybe Endor, home to the cute and cuddly Ewoks, who helped the rebel forces to defeat the Empire, in Return of The Jedi. However Endor is actually a moon, but it has oceans and forests, perfect conditions for life. Matt responds…

‘If you love a bit of nature, you’re living the dream. You can get plenty of exercise, I’d imagine there are nature trails, a lot of climbing, a lot of running through the forest. And there's the notoriety of being the planet that the second Death Star blew up over. At the same time, there's nothing of any real value there for the bad guys to come and try to take over the planet. There’s nothing there apart from trees and Ewoks, so I think it's a safe place to live. The major con is those Ewoks. They will murder you in cold blood. They're vicious little things. They were going to burn Han Solo and Luke Skywalker alive on the spit until C-3PO called it off. It was burn first, ask questions later.’

Matt certainly loves Endor and gives it an eight out of ten.

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Then there is Bespin, the planet made of gas, and the only habitable region is the man-made Cloud City which floats above it. What does Matt Hudson feel about residing in Bespin?

‘Bespin is a massive ball of gas, basically. Cloud City is the hospitable area at the top, and it's all very white, very clinical. The whole thing is sterile. It’s well run by Lando Calrissian, the administrator, and it seems like a decent quality of life, but it doesn't look particularly lively. There's not an awful lot there, so if you want to go to the pub or a bar or club – I didn't see any. Everybody keeps to themselves and looks like they just live to work. So it wouldn’t be the most exciting place to live, I’d call it more of a retirement home.’

Matt’s rating 7 out of ten

Next up is Coruscant, a vibrant planet that is more of a metropolitan area than forests and lakes, once home to the Imperials, before reclaimed by the Rebels with the jedi Knights, laced with history and a hierarchy that is similar to Earth. Would Matt Hudson set up shop here?

‘If you like city life, you're going to get 24/7 city life. We know there are plenty of bars and clubs there. There’s urban culture as well – a kind of East End vibe when you go down a few levels, a kind of Brick Lane setting down there. On the other side of it, though, it's a massive city, which isn't for everybody. There doesn't seem to be any way to chill out. Everything is on the go the whole time. There’s also a clear class system. There are over 1000 levels to this city, and the further down you go, it's like descending into Hell. So if you're rich, you're in luck. If you're not, and you’re just the common everyday worker, it's not the best place to reside.’

Matt’s not so keen with a six out of ten.

coruscant star wars

But if winter sports are your thing, then maybe Hoth, which is covered by snow and ice all year round. Featured at the start of The Empire Strikes Back, when the iconic Imperial Walkers attacked the Rebel Alliance’s HQ on the planet. How does Matt Hudson feel about this frozen world?

‘What is there to say about Hoth? What a beautiful place to go skiing! Also, if you're a scientist, Hoth’s caves are brimming with possibilities, with different species and bugs and bacteria. But I'm not a scientist. It’s an ice planet, it’s cold. The only place to live is a cave, and the wampas, like the one that attacked Luke Skywalker, are the apex predator, so you’re already second on the food chain. I see no reason why you'd ever want to live on Hoth.’

A one out of ten by Matt, he’s certainly a man who likes the sun!

Then we have the picturesque planet of Naboo, filled with spectacular buildings and tranquil scenery, which was home to Queen Padmé Amidala, wife to Anakin Skywalker, before he became Darth Vader, and mother to Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa. Does Matt like the culture and serenity of this world?

‘Naboo is a planet of culture. There’s beautiful scenery. They've got the countryside, the meadows, the lakes, the waterfalls, the animals. The Queen is lovely, [the monarchy] seem to love their citizens. Everything just seems chill in Naboo. I think the Gungans would be alright, they add a bit of flavour and give that cosmopolitan, diverse feel. The downside is that it looks like a pint would be quite overpriced in Naboo. You're not getting away with anything under a fiver. Also, it’s the home planet of Emperor Palpatine himself, so a few people might give it a scornful look now because it was the birthplace of the most evil man in the galaxy. But I think the look and vibe of the place completely overshadows that. I give it full marks.’

Despite the high cost of living here, Matt gives Naboo, a ten out of ten…

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There is Alderaan, like Naboo a beautiful planet, and the original home to Princess Leia and the Organa family, before it was obliterated by the Death Star in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Was it a nice planet to live on Matt?

‘Alderaan was seen as the most beautiful, desirable planet in the galaxy. The people were the most hospitable, generous, kind people there are. Like Naboo, it was known for rolling hills, mountains, waterfalls. It's the sort of place that everybody would want to live. It’s like New Zealand with sci-fi buildings, which to me is perfection. However, it did get blown up. It was a target for the Empire because as it was the most desirable planet in the galaxy, it was also the most desirable to send a message. One of its figureheads, Bale Organa, was one of the founders of the Rebel Alliance. So pre-explosion it’s full marks, but once the Empire gets wind that it’s the unofficial home of the Rebel Alliance, you’ve got no hope.’

Before Alderaan’s destruction by the Galactic Empire, Matt gives another ten out of ten, and zero out of ten when Alderaan became a speck of dust.

Now if you love all things hot, Mustafar might be your thing, yet it is a planet made totally of lava, so you will have to watch your step so you don’t get your feet burnt. Furthermore, this was the planet where Anakin Skywalker fell into the scorching magma after a jedi battle with Obi-Wan Kenobi. This life-threatening and traumatic experience turned Anakin into the supervillain, Darth Vader. Would Mustafar’s history, tempt Matt Hudson to have a home here…

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‘In Revenge of the Sith, Mustafar was a lava planet. It was a molten hellscape. In Rogue One, it didn’t look quite as bad. It was more black, rocky terrain with lava rivers, which, again, isn’t great. It you want to be pedantic, it’s nice and hot, and you’d have the place to yourself. There’s no one there apart from droid workers. But Darth Vader’s castle’s there, and if he’s there as well, you’re dead. And the heat will kill you. You’ve got more chance of surviving for longer on Hoth than Mustafar, I think.’

No, Matt wouldn’t set foot on this hot spot and gives Mustafar zero out of ten.

Yet if you fancy something not too cold, not too hot or not too built up, then Dagobah the remote swamp planet, could be on the list. This is the famous planet, where The Grand Master of the Jedi Yoda developed Luke Skywalker with the Force, by first telling the young Skywalker ‘You must unlearn what you have learned', which basically means your change of routine and try something new.

How does Matt Hudson feel about the planet, where Skywalker learned to ply his trade?

dagobah star wars

‘Dagobah’s a remote planet and there's not an awful lot of places to live, but Yoda made a hut, so if he could make a home, I'm sure I could as well. There’s a decent amount of species that you could cook up if you get hungry. Yoda survived there for long enough and he’s not exactly the biggest fella. To me it'd be like going to the Amazon – you know the risks when you go there. Would you live in the Amazon? No, but I’d certainly visit. On the other hand, it is strong with the dark side of the Force, so you may become corrupted. Or you could get eaten by a big water dragon. Plus there’s snakes everywhere. There's not an awful lot wrong with it, but not an awful lot right with it either.’

Not a favourite with Matt, but not a miss either, Matt gives Dagobah a six out of ten.

Everyone likes Han Solo’s co-pilot and best friend, Chewbacca, nicknamed Chewie, the furry giant Wookie, an intelligent warrior-type animal which originates from Kashyyyk. A large planet of jungles and breath-taking coastlines. Would Matt Hudson wish to settle here?

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‘It looks lovely. There are plenty of beaches to relax on if you want a bit of peace and quiet by the sea. If you want a bit of alternative culture, the Wookiees are there. They’re also strong craftsmen and carpenters, so if you have good relations with the Wookiees you’re going to have decent lodgings. If you can get on the Wookiees’ good side, I think Kashyyyk could be pretty cool to live on. If you get on their bad side, you’ve got an entire planet of 8ft tall, hairy wrecking machines that will tear you to pieces. There’s also a lot of strange species – massive spiders and huge slugs, but overall I think the pros outweigh the cons.’

Matt reckons he could fit in and gives Kashyyyk a seven out of ten.

There you go, according to the expert Matt Hudson, Naboo is the best place to live in a galaxy far, far away.

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Read 2600 times Last modified on Tuesday, 25 May 2021 09:28
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Matteo Sedazzari

Matteo Sedazzari

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