Lego Star Wars: The Video Game

For the video game series, seeLego Star Wars (video game series).

Lego Star Wars: The Video Game(sometimes simply calledLego Star Wars) is a 2005Lego-themedaction-adventurevideo gamebased on theLego Star Warsline of construction toys, and the first installment in the Lego video game franchise developed byTraveller's Tales,which would develop many future Lego titles from that point on. It was first released on 29 March 2005, and is a video game adaptation of theStar Warsprequel trilogy:The Phantom Menace,Attack of the ClonesandRevenge of the Sith,with a bonus level fromA New Hope.

Lego Star Wars: The Video Game
European cover art
Developer(s)	Traveller's Tales
Publisher(s)	Eidos Interactive Giant Interactive Entertainment
Director(s)	Jon Burton
Programmer(s)	John Hodskinson
Artist(s)	James Cunliffe
Composer(s)	David Whittaker
Series	Lego Star Wars
Platform(s)	Game Boy Advance PlayStation 2 Windows Xbox Mac OS X GameCube
Release	29 March 2005 GBA,PS2,Windows NA:29 March 2005 PAL:22 April 2005 Xbox NA:5 April 2005 PAL:22 April 2005 Mac OS X NA:22 August 2005 PAL:7 September 2005 GameCube NA:26 October 2005 PAL:4 November 2005
Genre(s)	Action-adventure
Mode(s)	Single-player,multiplayer

It was developed by Traveller's Tales for thePlayStation 2,Windows,andXbox.Griptonite Gamesdeveloped theGame Boy Advanceversion. These initial versions were published in April 2005. AMacintoshport, developed byAspyr,was released in August 2005. AGameCubeversion of the game was released on 25 October 2005. All versions were published byEidos InteractiveandGiant Interactive Entertainment(now TT Games Publishing).

The game received generally favorable reviews from critics. A sequel,Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy,was released in 2006.Lego Star Wars: The Video Gameand its successor were compiled inLego Star Wars: The Complete Saga,released in 2007.

Gameplay

Anakin Skywalkerflips over two droids, with severalbattle droidslooking on. Studs, the game's currency, are visible on the overhead ledge and at the far right of the screen.

Gameplay inLego Star Warsis geared towards family play, and does not feature a game-over scenario. Given a specific set of characters in each scenario, based on a scene from each of the movies, up to two players can control them, using their different abilities. By walking up to another friendly character, the player can switch control over to that character; this interaction is necessary in order to use another character's abilities to complete certain puzzles. Lego Studs, small coin-like collectibles which serve as the game's currency, can be collected by finding them, smashing or using the force on certain objects, or defeating enemies. Studs increase in value based on color, silver is the least valuable at only 10 points, going up to gold, valued at 100 points, blue at 1,000, and the rarest, purple worth 10,000. Players also have ahealth meterconsisting of four hearts that gets depleted if they get injured or shot at. When they lose all their hearts, their character is broken apart and they lose studs (as opposed to lives). These studs can be spent on unlocking new characters for Free Play mode, hints for playing the game, and cheats. Certain segments of the game feature players controlling spaceships flying on a flat plane. There are also several minikit canisters hidden throughout each level that, when collected, combine to form a vehicle.

When the player first starts the game, they must first complete Chapter 1 ofThe Phantom Menace ( "Negotiations" ).However, once that Chapter is completed, the player may choose to play any unlocked levels from the other two movies in their desired order.

Completing all the game's levels with full stud bars will unlock an additional chapter based on the opening scene ofA New Hope,which features a 'prototype' Darth Vader, who uses Anakin's fighting style, and a Stormtrooper whose movements are identical to the Clone Troopers (both of these are remodeled inthe next game).

The background music is the same music used in theStar Warsmovies, but as the game was released beforeEpisode III's soundtrack, music from the original trilogy (1977, 1980 and 1983) was used for that movie's levels. For instance, the alternate soundtrack for the "Binary Sunset" was used in the second Chapter of Episode III, while "The Battle of Endor I" was used in Chapter 6, "Princess Leia's Theme" for Chapter 5 and "The Battle of Yavin" was used in Chapters 1 and 3. InThe Complete Saga,the tracks that played during gameplay of that episode were replaced with ones from Episode III, although the music for the original trilogy remained in those episodes' cutscenes.

Characters

Lego Star Warscontains a total of 59 playable characters for LEGO Star Wars; 56 in the GameCube, PS2, Xbox, and PC versions. The three missing are Gungan, Tusken Raider, and STAP, playable in the GBA version, though the Gungan and STAP are only available through cheat codes. The playable characters are modeled like actual Lego parts and, on dying, they fall to pieces and also lose studs. There is a wide variety of characters included in the game, all of which are unlocked by completing levels or by purchasing them at Dexter's Diner. Characters are divided into groups according to certain skills. For instance, Jedi and Sith can double-jump, use lightsabers, and have control of The Force, which they can use to activate or lift Lego objects or defeat certain enemies.Darth Maulhas a double-ended lightsaber which improves his defense from laser fire.Jar Jar Binks,General Grievousand hisbodyguardhave the super-jump, which allows them to reach obstacles that theJediandSithcan not jump to. Characters likePadmé Amidalaandclone troopers,who carry blasters, have the ability to grapple to reach higher places. Droids, while unarmed, can travel through the game without being intentionally attacked by enemy characters.Protocol droidsandastromech droidscan open special doors. Characters such as Boba Fett and Young Anakin can fit into tight places. Every character, other than thePK Droid,Gonk Droid(whose only ability is that they are never killed by enemies), andChancellor Palpatine,has a special ability.

Unlocked characters can be imported into the game's sequel,Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy,as an extra called "Use Old Save", which costs 250,000 Lego Studs, and can be used in its character creator function.

Because the game is based on the Prequel Trilogy (1999, 2002, 2005),Luke Skywalker,Han Solo,Lando Calrissianand other characters from the original Star Wars Trilogy (1977, 1980 and 1983) are not shown, and appear in the sequelLego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy.However, if the player unlocks the last level (an episode 4 preview),Darth Vader,astormtrooper,arebel trooperandPrincess Leiabecome available. Original trilogy charactersChewbacca,Obi-Wan Kenobi,Yoda,Darth Sidious,C-3PO,andR2-D2are unlockable in the game since they also appear in the prequel trilogy.

Free Play

Once a level has been cleared in Story Mode, the player may play through that level again in Free Play Mode. In this mode, players can choose to play through the level with their choice of unlocked characters (or unlocked vehicles in vehicle-based levels) randomly selected by the program based on their abilities. At any point, the player can rotate instantly between each of the chosen characters/vehicles to access areas not accessible during the Story Mode and obtain hidden extras. No story cut scenes appear in this mode.

Dexter's Diner

Dexter's Diner is the game's hub world, where the player chooses what level to enter, or they can enter the Parking Lot to view any vehicles whose parts they have found and pieced together. The parts to these vehicles are contained in 10 mini-kit canisters which are hidden throughout each level. Battles often take place in the Parking Lot between canon-good and canon-evil characters, such as Jedi and Sith, respectively. At the diner counter, the player may purchase, or enter codes, to unlock extras in exchange for Lego studs they have collected by playing through the levels.

Game Boy Advance version

The Game Boy Advance version behaves differently than the console versions. It is played from an isometric perspective with only one player, who controls one of 15 playable charactersthrough story scenarios across the prequel trilogy, battling enemies, completing objectives and getting from one place to another. The levels are not evenly divided across the three Episodes, with Episode II having the fewest levels. Each level is divided into multiple sections that serve as checkpoints should the player's character fall apart, and players are given a longer health meter that they must prevent from depleting to continue. Each character possesses a special ability that is constrained by a stamina meter not found in the console version. Players can also find Jawas in certain levels who will sell the player health or stamina upgrades, as well as a maintenance droid that can prevent death once. These upgrades are purchased using studs collected in the level and do not carry over to other levels.

All Boss battles are primarily against villains with lightsabers, and call for heavy button mashing to win, especially when players can exclusively get caught in lightsaber blade locks that must be won to inflict extra damage. Other characters have different attack abilities that are not in the console versions, such as blaster-wielding characters able to fire charged shots and astromech droids being able to drop proton mines that would damage enemies on contact. Players are also encouraged to use other characters' abilities in free-play to discover secret areas and find Death Star plans, which replace minikits in the console version. At the end of each level, players are rewarded and ranked for how many enemies they defeated, how many blaster bolts they deflected, how many studs they collected and how many Death Star plans they found.

Plot

The plot of the game is a humorous retelling ofStar Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,andStar Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith,as well as a bonus level with the opening ofStar Wars: Episode IV – A New Hopefrom the viewpoint ofDarth Vaderaboard theTantive IV.

Development

In 2003, Traveller's Tales started the work on the game with assistance fromLego Interactive,who would also publish the game. After The Lego Group left the gaming industry and closed down Lego Interactive in 2004, a small team of former Lego Interactive employees went on to found their own publishing company,Giant Interactive Entertainment,and would be able to publish all future Lego titles, includingLego Star Wars: The Video Game.

The game was revealed at the 2004San Diego Comic-Conon 24 July, withTraveller's Talesannounced as developer, and Giant Interactive Entertainment and LucasArts co-publishing the game, and it would be released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows and Game Boy Advance. On 23 August,Eidos Interactiveannounced they would distribute the game worldwide except in Japan.

Several levels were cut from the game during development. "Bounty Hunter Pursuit" was a level based around the chase scene with bounty hunterZam Wesselseen near the start ofAttack of the Clones.Cutting it resulted inAttack of the Clonesonly having five levels compared to the six levels for the other two movies, with the first level picking up the story withObi-Wan Kenobi's visit toKamino."Anakin's Flight" was a level based aroundAnakin Skywalkerflying aNaboo N-1 starfighterduring the space battle against theTrade Federation battleshipseen inThe Phantom Menace."Boga Chase" was based around the scene inRevenge of the Sithwhere Obi-Wan Kenobi chasesGeneral Grievouswhile riding aBoga."Asteroid Dogfight" was based around theAttack of the Clonesscene where Obi-Wan Kenobi chasesJango Fettthrough the asteroid ring aboveGeonosis."Bounty Hunter Pursuit" was later included as part of theAttack of the Cloneslevels inLego Star Wars: The Complete Saga,with "Anakin's Flight" also being included as a bonus level.

The game went gold on 23 March 2005 and would be released for the PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance and Windows in North America on 29 March 2005.The Xbox version followed in April.In the same month, it was announced that Eidos' Japanese branch would publish and distribute the PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance versions of the game in Japan on 7 July 2005.In October 2005, Eidos and Giant/TT announced aGameCubeversion which was released the following week.

Reception and legacy

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
	GBA	GC	PC	PS2	Xbox
Metacritic	75/100	79/100	77/100	78/100	76/100

Review scores

Publication	Score
	GBA	GC	PC	PS2	Xbox
Computer Gaming World			3.5/5
Electronic Gaming Monthly				7.17/10	7.17/10
Eurogamer				8/10
Famitsu	28/40			30/40
Game Informer				7.5/10	7.5/10
GameRevolution				B	B
GameSpot	7.5/10	7.6/10	7.6/10	7.6/10	7.6/10
GameSpy	2.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5
GameTrailers			7.5/10	7.5/10	7.5/10
IGN	8/10	8/10	7.8/10	8/10	8/10
Nintendo Power	3.2/5	6.5/10
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine				4/5
Official Xbox Magazine(US)					7/10
PC Gamer(US)			75%
Detroit Free Press					3/4
The Sydney Morning Herald				4.5/5
Strana Igr			8/10

The game received "favorable" reviews on all platforms according to thereview aggregationwebsiteMetacritic.In Japan, where the Game Boy Advance and PlayStation 2 versions were ported for release on 7 July 2005,Famitsugave it a score of 30 out of 40 for the latter,and 28 out of 40 for the former.

The Sydney Morning Heraldgave the PlayStation 2 version four-and-a-half stars out of five, saying, "This Lego retelling of the prequels is both a loving tribute and an amusing parody."The New York Timesgave the PC, PS2 and Xbox versions a favourable review, saying, "There's a goofy pleasure in seeing animated Lego figures pantomime scenes from the movies, and the game's puzzles and battles are undemanding but fun."Detroit Free Pressgave the Xbox version three stars out of four, saying that "with more than 30 playable characters from the movies and loads of goodies to unlock,Lego Star Warsis more than just kids' fodder. It's a greatStar Warsgame. "

Computer Games Magazinegave the PC version four stars out of five, saying, "It's too easy, and over too soon, but for $30 it's nearly a complete childhood on a CD."GameProsaid of the PS2 version, "The gameplay isn't going to challenge hardcore gamers as the enemies simply aren't that tough, but the presentation really shines."Louis Bedigian ofGameZonegave the same PS2 version 8.5 out of 10, saying, "This is one game, perhaps the only game, where it's a compliment to say that the graphics are blocky."Code Cowboy gave the Xbox version eight out of ten, saying that the game was "made for kids, but you'd have to be pretty jaded and close-minded to ignore the fun that's to be had by playing this game."Natalie Romano later gave the GameCube version 8.3 out of 10, saying, "For the young crowd the game is wonderfully accessible and for the older crowd it will not fail to pull you into its charming interpretation of theStar Warssaga's prequels. "However,Edgegave the same PS2 version a score of seven out of ten, saying, "Kids are often underestimated, but that doesn't mean their games should be.Lego Star Warshas an appeal that goes beyond age, even if it's one that rarely goes beyond 20 minutes at a time. "The Russian magazineStrana Igrdescribed the game as "not only for fans, but for all players with a sense of humor", rating it 8/10.

During the9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards,Lego Star Warsreceived a nomination for "Family Game of the Year",which was ultimately awarded toGuitar Hero.

The game was the thirteenth best-selling game of 2005.Figures released byThe NPD Groupshow the PlayStation 2 version as the tenth best-selling single-platform title of 2005.The game's worldwide sales total exceeded 3.3 million units in March 2006and 6.7 million in May 2009.In the U.S., the Game Boy Advance version alone sold 580,000 units and earned $17 million by August 2006. During the period between January 2000 and August 2006, it was the 49th highest-selling game launched for the Game Boy Advance,Nintendo DSorPlayStation Portablein that country.

The PlayStation 2 version received a "Double Platinum" sales award from theEntertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association(ELSPA),indicating sales of at least 600,000 units in the UK.By July 2006, the same console version had sold 1 million units in the U.S. alone.NextGenranked it as the 54th highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in that country.

It was one ofThe Best-Selling PS2 Gameswith more than four-fifths of the units sold on the PlayStation 2.

The game's sequel,Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy,was released in September 2006, while a compilation,Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga,was released in November 2007 andLego Star Wars III: The Clone Warswas released in March 2011.Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens,based on the 2015film of the same name,was released in June 2016, andLego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga,which depicts all nine films in theSkywalker Saga,including the three featured inLego Star Wars: The Video Game,was released on 5 April 2022.

External links

• Lego Star Wars: The Video Game(Game Boy Advance)atMobyGames
• Lego Star Wars: The Video GameatMobyGames