LEGO Star Wars at 20: The Game That Launched a Phenomenon
Chris Connor reflects on LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game two decades after its release…
Today, LEGO collaborates with numerous major pop culture franchises, including Marvel, DC, Super Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, as well as films like Jurassic Park and Dune. This trend is particularly evident in the realm of video games, which have seen LEGO tie-ins for The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, and many others.
Although The LEGO Company had previously experimented with its own games like LEGO Creator and LEGO Racers since the 1990s, it was 2005’s LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game that pioneered and set the standard for this series of licensed adaptations. Launched ahead of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and retelling the events of the Prequel Trilogy in LEGO form, we had no idea at the time that LEGO Star Wars would redefine video game adaptations and become a massive franchise in its own right.
During this period, new Star Wars video games were performing remarkably well, with the original two Battlefront games and Revenge of the Sith game highly acclaimed by fans. However, LEGO Star Wars served as an entry point for more casual fans, igniting levels of imagination and creativity not previously seen in standard tie-ins.
Without dialogue, the enjoyment came from character reactions and the recreation of film moments, which felt innovative and captivating. While it may appear modest compared to the benchmarks set by the recent LEGO Skywalker Saga, it was a refreshing take on the franchise at the time, and other franchises and studios clearly recognized its impact.
Unlike earlier official tie-in games that had limitations, the freedom to play across the franchise was part of the fun, allowing players to, for instance, incorporate Darth Maul into Revenge of the Sith or Clone Troopers into The Phantom Menace. This created endless possibilities for a generation of young fans. The co-op feature also encouraged families and friends to play together, leading to countless gaming sessions.
The groundwork for future LEGO tie-ins was established here with its signature humor and puzzle-solving elements, such as force users needing to manipulate bricks to advance to the next stage. Although LEGO games have become a significant business and the formula may seem somewhat predictable now with fans knowing what to expect, back in 2005, this was genuinely groundbreaking—merging one of the world’s most popular franchises with a beloved toy brand in some of the trilogy's most memorable scenes.
Beyond being a fun concept, it provided a truly entertaining and enjoyable tie-in for the Prequel Trilogy. It enabled players to experience moments that would have been hard to recreate with the technology and graphics of the time, thus offering many gamers a definitive representation of that trilogy in video game format.
The remarkable success of LEGO Star Wars resulted in an Original Trilogy sequel just a year later, which was equally successful and even more expansive. Both games were later combined in 2007 as LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga, followed by the lesser-known but still enjoyable LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars in 2011. However, the 2016 Force Awakens game was seen as somewhat disappointing, covering only one film and receiving a mixed response.
In 2022, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga was released, taking all the successful elements of the original games and providing the largest Star Wars video game to date, where players can invest tens or hundreds of hours to fully enjoy it. In addition to the main nine films of the franchise, it includes tie-in packs and skins for properties like The Mandalorian, Rebels, Rogue One, Andor, and much more, offering comprehensive coverage of the entire franchise.
LEGO Star Wars truly expanded the potential for what a brand/video game tie-in could achieve. Despite showcasing moments of silly humor and absurdity, its sheer enjoyment and replayability made it a hit for all ages, allowing the series to continue resonating with fans of Star Wars and other franchises over the past two decades. While The Skywalker Saga may seem definitive, it's likely that we can anticipate further installments as the Star Wars saga returns to cinema in 2026 with a focus back on the big screen.
What do you think about LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game? Share your thoughts with us on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Chris Connor
Other articles
NECA reveals the Ultimate Pamela Voorhees action figure from Friday the 13th.
A New Novel by Thomas Pynchon is set to be released as Paul Thomas Anderson’s adaptation of Vineland premieres in theaters.
Although Warner Bros. has not officially announced it, a now-deleted WGA filing, feedback from test screenings, and hints from the official trailer imply that Paul Thomas Anderson is set to release his second adaptation of Thomas Pynchon this fall with One Battle After Another, which will feature a contemporary take on Vineland.
J. Michael Straczynski is set to have Spider-Man face off against The Sinister Sixteen in a legendary Marvel showdown.
Marvel Comics has revealed that writer J. Michael Straczynski will finalize his series of one-shot issues highlighting unexpected character combinations by bringing together heroes and villains from across the Marvel universe in a restaurant setting for Spider-Man vs. The Sinister Sixteen. “A prevalent theme in the superhero realm is that […]
Summer H. Howell is in discussions for the lead role in Mike Flanagan's adaptation of Carrie.
Summer H. Howell is currently the frontrunner for the lead role in Mike Flanagan’s television version of Carrie. At present, she is the primary candidate. According to Variety, the young actress is close to finalizing a deal to appear in the series, although the publication mentions that “negotiations are still in progress.” This new adaptation of Carrie has allegedly…
Direct Action Review: An Inspiring, Engaging Exploration of Community Living
Note: This review was initially published during our coverage of the 2024 Berlinale. Direct Action will hit theaters on April 11. In northwestern France, there is an area that has spent the last sixty years resisting the threat of complete destruction. Proposals to construct a new international airport have loomed over Notre-Dame-des-Landes, a rural community.
The Worlds of Doctor Who - Planet Krynoid: Nightfall is now available from Big Finish.
Today marks the release of a new three-hour, full-cast audio drama from Big Finish Productions, which presents a catastrophe on a planet and significant challenges for Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor. Featuring Reece Shearsmith in the role of Governor Robert Hodan, The Worlds of Doctor Who – Planet Krynoid: Nightfall showcases the lethal plants known as the Krynoid, which were first introduced in the […]
LEGO Star Wars at 20: The Game That Launched a Phenomenon
Chris Connor reflects on LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game two decades after its debut. Nowadays, LEGO is closely associated with many of the biggest pop culture franchises, including Marvel, DC, Super Mario, and Sonic the Hedgehog, as well as films like Jurassic Park and Dune. This connection is particularly evident in video games, with […]