Realizing the influence of technology on today’s children, the owners at LEGO further popularized their brand by entering the gaming and entertainment industry. Infusing the signature LEGO minifigures into video games, and their unique construction games, they’ve certainly created a revolution, despite having fairly humble beginnings. We, at Techspirited, have enlisted the video games based on the LEGO construction system.
The first animated LEGO minifigure featured in the computer game “Panic on LEGO Island.”
LEGO’s website proudly mentions the origin of the name LEGO―it is derived from two Danish words ‘leg godt‘, which means “play well”. From fairly humble beginnings, today, LEGO is a household name in children’s toys and extremely popular the world over. What is unique is that their designs offer a plethora of opportunities to construct and explore your creativity. Their toy sets combine fun, learning, and creativity. I’m sure you too, as a kid, loved creating new stuff with a LEGO set. Founded in 1932 by the Kirk Christiansen family, this private company has ensured today’s generation is also hooked onto their game by blending LEGO with technology and launching video games.
LEGO entered the gaming market with LEGO Island, which was launched in 1997, and since then there has been no looking back. While the video games have different developers, most of the LEGO video games today are developed by TT Games.
LEGO originally had all video games based on their characters; however, later on, they included other characters such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, etc. Here’s a look at some of the major video games of LEGO.
The first video game of LEGO, Island has 5 characters, and the player can play as any one of these, each having unique advantages. Pepper, the son of Mamma and Papa Brickolini, and a pizza delivery boy to the jail, helps the villain Brickster to escape from jail. There are various building tasks involved in the game, and Pepper has to help the police officers Nick and Laura nab Brickster again.
Play as a Rock Raider and help the characters complete twenty-five missions in a rocky, volcanic or an icy environment. You have to survive landslides and gain Energy Crystals as points that help you progress further in the game.
This is a typical all-construction video game, where the player has to simply build a town where the LEGO figurines can live in. Suitable for kids, this game can help kids hone their imagination and creativity.
A simple game where a player has to perform various tasks and combat knights, the game was also preceded by LEGO Creator: Knights’ Kingdom, wherein the user had to build a kingdom.
It features 6 story lines, and can be played with multiple players (2-3). You have to build different structures to protect yourself from the enemy. The player has as many as 55 characters to choose from, and can even choose to plot against his teammate by invading him. It’s a battle where all ninjas, aliens, wizards, knights, etc., all come together to combat.
Well, this one will be loved by the girls, you can pick up accessories, home decors, outfits, pamper your pet, and do all girly stuff while letting your creative juices flow. Experience this joy with five best friends possessing different character traits and have a gala time.
Become a LEGO Ninja, and combat your enemies in this game. You can choose to be either good or bad, and take sides of the evil brother Lord Garmadon, or the one with good virtue Sensei Wu.
Don a police officer’s hat, explore the city with different locomotives and camouflage yourselves by going undercover. Be Chase McCain and deal with the criminals of the city. The game is full of action-packed adventure where you can collect bricks and combat goons, with the help of different powers of various disguises.
Play as ‘Laval’ or his aides and enjoy the adventure, and join his quest of discovering the secret of triple-Chi. Combat with Cragger and other foes, and help restore the balance of Chi and protect the tribes.
Some other games are:
- Bionicle : Tales of the Tohunga
- Bionicle Mataron Adventures
- Bionicle:The Game
- Bionicle Maze of Shadows
- Bionicle Heroes
- LEGO Alpha Team
- LEGO Chess
- Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension
- LEGO Creator
- Drome Racers
- LEGO Island 2: The Brickster’s Revenge
- Island Xtreme Stunts
- LEGOLAND
- LEGO My Style Kindergarten
- LEGO My Style Preschool
- LEGO Racers
- LEGO Racers 2
- Soccer Mania/Football Mania
- LEGO Stunt Rally
- LEGO Universe
- LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins
- LEGO Creator
- LEGO Legends of Chima Online
- LEGO Legends of Chima: Speedorz
- LEGO Minifigures Online
- LEGO Ninjago: Nindroids
- LEGO Ninjago: The Final Battle
► LEGO Batman Series
- LEGO Batman The Video Game :
You can play as Batman, Robin, or even against him as villain. - LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes:
Batman with aides―Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern―save Gotham city with the additional humor. - LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham:
Join Batman in his quest of saving the world, as he travels to space with his aides. You have a choice of more than 105 characters!
► LEGO The Lord of the Rings
As the name suggests, this game is inspired by the Lord of the Rings, and you’ve to continue your quest to find the ring and destroy it.
► The LEGO Movie
Add an interesting twist to the monotonous life of Emmet, and transform it into a movie filled with action and amazing creations.
► LEGO Indiana Jones Series
- LEGO Indiana Jones:
The Original Adventures: Love Indiana Jones? Look for this one where you can venture and hunt for treasures and combat enemies. - LEGO Indiana Jones 2:
Continue the adventure of Indiana Jones, with enhanced powers, newer levels and tasks.
► LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
If you love Marvel comics, this is your chance to add a dash of LEGO to it. Play as any superhero, each having his own ability, and create your unique story.
► LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean
Be a pirate, and use your wit to relive your favorite movie and hunt for treasures.
► LEGO The Hobbit
Play as a character from your favorite movie―Hobbit―with a funny twist!
► LEGO Rock Band
Tap your inner music talent, and design a cool rock band, collect bricks and enjoy cool songs!
► LEGO Harry Potter Series
- LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4:
Welcome to Hogwarts created by LEGO, wherein you can play as Harry, Hermione, or Ron, and learn your lessons, and perform tasks. - LEGO Harry Potter Years 5-9:
Enjoy the last 3 books of Harry Potter in this game, with increased difficulty level and challenges. - LEGO Creator Harry Potter & LEGO Creator:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets : Both these creator games involve building minifigures, wands, etc.
► LEGO Star Wars Series
- LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game:
Based on the popular Star Wars movie series, a player has plethora of characters to choose from, and relive the moments of the story. Even after finishing a level, the user can play the level again as a different character. - LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy:
The game is three-dimensional, and the players can choose one out of many characters, or even build new characters by blending different character parts, and the character is given an automatically generated name, their powers determined by the ‘head’ of the character. - LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars:
True to their quintessential style of humor, additional characters and war strategies, this sequel will offer players opportunity to even swap their locations across the scenarios with their teammates. - LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga:
With enhanced levels, powers, and characters, get the feel of being in the Star Wars through this game! You can go through the entire story through three levels, which include completing the level, collecting coins and canisters.
LEGO has kept its brand name intact and has successfully earned the appreciation of many fans combining their quintessential style of building with bricks with animation and computer graphics. Also, an interesting aspect is about the funny twists given to the LEGO characters inherited from movies. We hope to have more upcoming video games from LEGO, which are sure to lapped up by fans worldwide.