Games

Exploring Opportunities for LEGO Games in Kids' Animation

The potential for LEGO to collaborate with popular children's animation studios presents an exciting avenue for new game development.
Exploring Opportunities for LEGO Games in Kids' Animation

Highlights

  • LEGO games are renowned for their family-friendly content, steering clear of violence and strong language.
  • LEGO Dimensions, a now defunct game, successfully integrated children's animation properties like Scooby-Doo! and Adventure Time.
  • There is significant potential for LEGO to develop more games based on beloved children's animations from Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon.

Despite occasional forays into teen-oriented franchises, LEGO games have consistently upheld their family-friendly ethos. The adaptation of any license, no matter how mature, has always been approached with restraint, eschewing violence, gore, and harsh language. Even on-screen character demises in LEGO games are typically portrayed humorously, maintaining a lighthearted tone.

Given LEGO games' strong emphasis on family appeal, it is surprising that the brand has not pursued more family-friendly licenses, particularly from the realm of children's animation. Numerous exceptional children's animation properties are ideally suited for the LEGO game treatment.

The Next LEGO Game Should Explore Children's Animation

LEGO Dimensions Successfully Embraced Children's Animation

In 2015, LEGO ventured into the toys-to-life genre, following the success of Skylanders and Disney Infinity. After a promising start, LEGO Dimensions encompassed a wide array of franchises, including characters from kids' animations. Although the initial LEGO Dimensions characters primarily featured DC, Lord of the Rings, The Simpsons, and Doctor Who, the game also delved into kids' animations with the Scooby-Doo! Team Pack, featuring the iconic talking dog, Shaggy, and a buildable Mystery Machine.

The success of the Scooby-Doo! pack prompted additional kids' animation packs in the game's second wave of DLC and toys. This included sets based on Adventure Time, Powerpuff Girls, and Teen Titans Go!, revamping previously purchased LEGO Dimensions sets featuring Robin and Cyborg.

Endless Potential for LEGO Games Based on Kids' Animation

While LEGO Dimensions ultimately met its demise and was officially discontinued in October 2017, dedicated fans can still acquire second-hand copies along with the kids' animation sets. However, this is not the most accessible way to experience a LEGO adaptation of these beloved properties. LEGO should not squander the potential that lies dormant. Numerous exceptional kids' animation properties are ripe for adaptation into captivating LEGO games, and LEGO Dimensions should have been just the beginning.

LEGO already boasts a strong relationship with Cartoon Network, evident from the inclusion of Adventure Time, Teen Titans Go!, and Powerpuff Girls in LEGO Dimensions. Rekindling this partnership to develop a video game based on a selection of its properties would be phenomenal. There remains a wealth of Cartoon Network properties awaiting the LEGO treatment, from The Amazing World of Gumball to Samurai Jack, Ben 10, and Steven Universe. This is just within Cartoon Network's portfolio. LEGO could also engage Nickelodeon for a treasure trove of beloved animation IPs, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Invader Zim, Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, and numerous other esteemed series.

Tags:
Share:
Recent News