Trivia
There was a variant release, see below.

The game's ESRB rating was changed when it went to the jewel case format. On the long box, it's listed as "Mild Language / Animated Violence". On the jewel case, it's simply "Realistic Violence".

PlayStation version features exclusive news briefs and film footage.

Ground missions playable in the PC version are non-playable in the console versions. You automatically complete them.

The first ever 4 CD PlayStation game.

Huge cast of characters, including Mark Hamill, Malcom McDowell, and more.

Budget for just the live-action sequences: $4 Million (1996 estimates)

Roughly 90% of the game's sets and props were computer generated. Oddly enough, the three Star Wars sequels used similar (and sometimes higher) set-ups 10 years later

The PC version released a Making Of CD that shows some behind-the-scenes hi-jinx. Most notably the cast picking on Mark Hamill's past. During a scene where Hamill exits, Tom Wilson turns to the camera and asks, "Isn't he from Star Wars?"

Barcode: 0 17814 10110 6
Publisher: EA
Developed By: Origin
Number of CDs: 4
Players: 1 Player
Accessories: Mouse, Memory Card (1 Block)
Released: March 28th, 1996

ESRB: Teen
Long Box - Mild Language / Animated Violence
Jewel Case - Realistic Violence
Originally Released in:
Long Box - Flat Cardboard
Variants:
Jewel Case - Double Version

Back of Box Summary
The First True Interactive Movie for your PlayStation Game Console - Adrenaline, romance, humor, danger - Wing Commander III has all this and more. This sequel completes the turbulent chronicles of the Terran-Kilrathi war. The final showdown takes place on one of the home worlds - Earth or Kilrah. But only you can write the ending...

Review
A slightly rough-around-the-edges conversion of the PC game, Wing Commander was once the space simulation to beat. Waged in a long standing war with the cat like Kilrathi, you're mission was to lead the Earth forces to a final, heart stopping victory. Balanced between real game play and filmed sequences, the player must make decisions that decide the outcome of both himself and ultimately the universe.

Where originally this would have come off as a great freaking game for the time, going back to it years later it just doesn't hold up real well. The find-your-fate style cinematic still work, but the game play is archaic and extremely frustrating.

When a game uses every button on the controller, multiple times over, it becomes a test in itself to remember all the settings. All too often you'll find yourself speeding up when all you want to do is engage an enemy, just to be blown up. Once you do have it down, it becomes a chore as you sit between wave points and the constant loading the system has to do to provide everything it throws at you.

Worth the pick-up just for the film sequences (and to laugh at what was considered 'amazing' back then), Wing Commander's legacy fell off the face of gaming too fast for its own good. Sadly, the horrible part IV and the god AWFUL Hollywood movie didn't really help the situation.

Another series bites the dust.