Lego toys have been one of the most popular brands for many decades. That popularity has allowed the brand to branch out into the world of video games. The game series has generated huge sales for over 15 years. While the catalogue includes original titles, it is arguably the licensed property adaptions that have contributed heavily to those sales. Beginning with Lego Star Wars in 2005, developers TT Games have transformed many media franchises into Lego games such as Marvel, DC and Harry Potter.
The upcoming Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will take the number of TT Games’ video game adaptions closer to 30. However, I believe that there is still a lot of life and entertainment left in it. There are so many possibilities for other licensed properties that could see their characters transformed into bricks. I have narrowed down my personal wish list to 5 TV shows and movies that should join the Lego game series.
1. Doctor Who
The longest-running sci-fi TV show in the world is no stranger to Lego games. It appeared in Lego Dimensions, which was the series’ short-lived contribution to the toys-to-life format. Unfortunately, we have yet to see the Time Lord get his own full game where players can smash the TARDIS interior to pieces or create their dream Doctor and companion team-ups (Jodie Whittaker and Catherine Tate would be my top choice). Doctor Who is, somehow, yet to make any real impact in the video game world. A venture into the brick world could very well change that.
I would like to see a Lego Doctor Who game feature three levels per Doctor, with those levels being that Doctor’s most memorable episodes. David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor, for example, could have levels based on Doomsday, Blink and The End of Time. Each Doctor should have their own special ability. The Eleventh Doctor specialises in athleticism, while the Third Doctor specialises in mechanics. There are also loads of iconic faces to create an impressive roster of characters made up of heroes and villains. K9 could even appear as a ‘K9 in Peril’ collectible, who is a character well worth going through the effort to save 40 times.
2. Game of Thrones
This is a very ambitious wish considering that HBO’s highly rated drama certainly does not share the same demographic as the Lego games. However, wouldn’t it be nice to have a 12+ age-rated title for the older audience who enjoy the series? I would never expect it to feature pools of blood and brutal violence, of course, but it would be fun to play a Lego Game of Thrones game and listen to the characters engage in mature jokes just like in the show.
Since Telltale Games adapted Game of Thrones by creating an original story, TT Games should follow the narrative of the TV show. Each season is long, but there’s a lot of filler content. Therefore, I think it’s possible for each season to be condensed into a few levels. This game would need to feature its own special combat system, as battles were one of the show’s top highlights.
Another feature could be the ability to travel between world hubs via horse or dragon instead of fast traveling through a menu. In-game travelling between areas is something that we’ve begun to see in recent games like Lego DC Super-Villains. This game would be a great opportunity to expand upon that.
3. The Simpsons
Just like Doctor Who, The Simpsons featured in Lego Dimensions where players could cause chaos as Homer Simpson. However, Springfield’s famous family has a more memorable history in gaming, with Simpsons Hit & Run being a notable example. These games tend to parody popular genres and games such as wrestling and Grand Theft Auto. After a long absence from consoles, surely it’s time for The Simpsons to return in brick form?
Bartman and Batman joined forces in Lego Dimensions
This is the first game on the list that I would prefer to feature an original story. The Simpsons Game‘s story of the characters knowing that they live in a virtual world with superpowers was an enjoyable one. Therefore, it would be fun to see something similar in a Lego game. Homer could continuously struggle to build objects, while Bart and Lisa fight by swapping each other out for other characters. This game would easily boast the biggest roster of characters in the series’ history, with TT Games having 30+ years of history to choose from. It likely wouldn’t be a series that stands out in terms of gameplay, but just the thought of playing as Lego Simpsons is entertaining enough.
4. Fast & Furious
The only movie franchise on this list would be a unique addition to the series. Fast & Furious is one of the biggest action movie series in the world and, of course, involves a lot of driving and fighting. One of TT Games’ subsidiary companies, TT Fusion, developed Lego City Undercover which was very action-oriented. The gameplay focused heavily on driving and combat. This makes a Fast & Furious adaption very possible.
Lego Fast & Furious would have to feature plenty of set-pieces, no matter if its story was original or adapted from the movies. Luckily, the DC and Marvel games have shown that TT Games would be capable of delivering. A whole level dedicated to one action sequence would be different but very suited to the chaotic nature of the films.
Lego City Undercover is the closest we’ve come to Lego Fast & Furious
Getting the voice cast would be incredibly difficult. The developers would have to improve from Lego Marvel’s Avengers, where the movie dialogue was often of poor sound quality. The most exciting thing about a Fast & Furious game though is that we’d get a Lego Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. There wouldn’t be many things better than that.
5. Stranger Things
The critically acclaimed Netflix series was initially set to make its debut on consoles with a Telltale Games adaption. That project appears to have ended after Telltale closed its doors in 2018. Stranger Things already has a couple of successful mobile games, but none on consoles. The show is currently one of the most popular in the world as its fourth season approaches. Now would surely be the time for TT Games to look at littering ‘The Upside Down’ with studs.
I would like to see a Lego Stranger Things game feature levels based on the show’s story and some bonus original levels. It would be nice for these bonus levels to follow Mike, Eleven and the gang doing fun activities together, like trying to create their own bike park. Some of the story levels would contain elements of horror and allow TT Games to play around with lighting effects. They could take their environmental designs in a dark direction. Speaking of dark, I shudder to even think about what the Lego versions of the ‘Upside Down’ entities could look like.
Do you agree with this list? What TV shows and movies do you think should join the Lego game series? Let me know in the comments below.
