LEGO itself doesn’t have any real narrative potential, as it’s just a toy that provokes problem-solving through construction. However, it has branched out into catering to fans of different fictional franchises, with Star Wars, Harry Potter, and many others. In video games it’s no different. LEGO City: Undercover was proof that the franchise doesn’t need to lean on other series’ to succeed, but it undoubtedly makes the LEGO product more appealing. Some fictional IPs have yet to receive their own LEGO title, though, which is a shame as they have the potential to impress.
RELATED: LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Deserves More DLC Than Character Packs Alone
James Bond
James Bond is surely one of the most well-known characters in film, as his unrelenting charm and fighting skills make him really fun to watch. The subject of 27 feature films and counting, 007 is synonymous with action set-pieces, evil baddies, and compelling storytelling. While the Bond brand doesn’t have huge scope and a crowded cast of recurring characters, this could be a benefit, as LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga uses a more story-focused, over-the-shoulder format.
The sheer popularity of Bond makes it a surprise that it has yet to receive a LEGO adaptation, as the latter has taken on the likes of Indiana Jones, The Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter to much success. Traveller’s Tales has a brilliant way of parodying the events of the films/series it’s adapting, and the slightly outdated nature of Bond’s personality and the unrealistic events that occur in some films would play to its strengths, poking fun at a franchise that is getting more ripe for ridicule by the day.
Star Trek
While Star Wars has plenty of LEGO games, its rival franchise has yet to receive an adaptation, which is all the more puzzling as it is perhaps riper for the video game medium. Whereas Star Wars spans plenty of genres and character arcs, Star Trek is focused, and each new take is a slight revision on a winning formula. “To boldly go where no man has gone before” is an invitation for exploration, which is very important in collect-a-thon games like LEGO.
Star Trek has been neglected by the game industry in general, not just LEGO, and it could use the family-fun format of Traveller’s Tales’ offerings to establish itself for more games in the IP to be developed. Levels could be varied, taking place in all corners of the galaxy, and the plethora of iconic characters would provide unique dialogue and gameplay quirks. Star Trek has proven that it can work on the big screen as well as TV, but more has to be done to show it has the ingredients to make a great game, and LEGO could be the first step into a world the franchise has yet to truly explore.
RELATED: The LEGO Fallout Fan Game Explained
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is one of the most beloved fictional properties of all time, and the universally-appreciated humor makes it perfect for a LEGO game that could be amusing for all audiences. It’s not short on video game outings, as titles like The Simpsons: Road Rage and The Simpsons: Hit and Run were successful ventures into the gaming realm for the fictional family, but none have spawned a multi-game franchise fitting of the Matt Groening property.
The Simpsons presents so many interesting, amusing, and inspired characters, all of which would provoke different approaches to gameplay that a LEGO game could truly capture. Bart’s rebellious nature would make smashing up a level in pursuit of bricks and high scores feel in-keeping with his character, and Lisa Simpson’s intellect would do well to make hints and puzzles feel like they have a place in the story.
Naruto
Some of the best, most densely-developed and expertly-crafted side characters in anime can be found in Naruto, from the tragic story of Kakashi Hatake to the unassuming intellect of Shikamaru Nara. Though it has a healthy video game presence, almost all Naruto offerings in the space seem to be dedicated to the fighter genre, which can be uninviting. Combat is an important part of the anime, but it’s far from the most critical component, as character interactions and heartfelt moments are where the show truly shines.
While Naruto can get emotional at times, it is still undoubtedly goofy. This is where Traveller’s Tales and LEGO can have a field day adapting the characters and plot lines, as the comedy is often similar. Each character has unique abilities that not only adds to their personality, but could also provoke new gameplay elements that add to the typical LEGO format. There’s a wide berth of story arcs that LEGO could take advantage of, and the sheer popularity of Naruto as an anime as well as a gaming franchise means it feels strange that it hasn’t already been the topic of its own adaptation.
LEGO is a series that has the potential to adapt a wide range of properties to make it accessible for audiences of all ages and persuasions. Its ventures into the Marvel, Batman and Star Wars licenses was predictable, but it’s leaving money on the table by not capitalizing on the success of other franchises, and the more they are overlooked, the stranger it feels.
MORE: The Legend of Zelda Could Inspire a Great LEGO Game
