Lego Marvel Super Heroes has finally got a Switch release in 2021. The game was originally released back in 2013 and although the Nintendo Switch is known for getting a lot of ports, TT games never bothered to make this one available for Switch owners. 2021 seemed to be the year to right this wrong.
quite a ride
After the success of the Lego Batman games, Marvel and TT Games decided to give the Marvel universe the “Lego game” treatment. The game was received with roaring reviews and an expansion of the collaboration between Marvel and TT games was inevitable. DLC was added, ports were made all across the console spectrum. A direct sequel aptly named Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 was made and some of Marvel’s other intellectual property got their personal-themed Lego game version. The formula works and sales keep going strong up until this day. The switch wasn’t around at the time of release – Nintendo was still stuck in the Wii U era – so a release on Nintendo’s hybrid handheld didn’t happen. Until now… a whopping 8 years later.
A lot has happened since the original 2013 release of Lego Marvel Super Heroes. The game proved to be so popular it got ported across console generations with the newly added Nintendo Switch version being one of the only ones still missing. Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 got a Nintendo Switch release and was well received so having both games on the same console seems like a sure thing. The fact it took so long might slow down the momentum for sales a bit. Even though, I’m not doubting this release will still do well regardless.
Thorough and original
Lego Marvel Super Heroes for Nintendo Switch looks pretty much like Lego Marvel Super Heroes on any other console. The fact this game is 8 years old and was intended for what would be called inferior hardware these days, is only slightly noticeable. The style used in the Lego games does not really rely on extreme graphic specs. In handheld mode, you won’t really notice the game is already 8 years old. In docked mode, you might see some rough edges but all in all, this is a solid-looking port of the original. People might also be pleased to know all DLC is included in this version making this a complete version right from the start. This results in tons of gameplay all packed in one neat purchase.
Never change a winning team
Just like any Lego game from TT games, Lego Marvel Super Heroes lets you play as many different characters in a kids-friendly scenario filled with LEGO humor. Add in the characters from the Marvel Universe and you have a no-brainer for a hit game. TT Games have proven they can handle and more importantly honor intellectual property with a lot of care. Making the hulk, spiderman, Thor, and about 120 different characters playable, all while mixing it up with different locations from the comics/movies sounds like it spells success automatically. But a lot can go wrong when not done with care. Fans of the source material will pick out everything wrong when done messily. Luckily TT Games did another great job with this iteration.
Individuality
2013 was a time when the Lego games series needed something fresh. Lego Marvel Super Heroes’ level design feels a bit stale when played these days. I felt like playing the same kind of level over and over again. Luckily, the diversity in characters spices things up just enough to make this still an enjoyable experience in 2021. To be fair, TT Games did an exceptional job on delivering so many iconic superheroes without letting it dilute to yet another character with just another shiny skin. Playing as Iron-man feels quite different as opposed to playing as spiderman. The hulk and Thor have interchangeable character traits but despite these similarities play differently. Giving each their own ways to shine is what makes this game (and many of the games based on this game) still great to play.
Conclusion
Maybe Lego Marvel Super Heroes was not the game we thought we needed in 2021… This game still has some oomph in it to legitimize this Nintendo Switch port. If you never experienced this lego game and only own a Nintendo Switch… Now is your chance.
