5 family-friendly LEGO games for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

I wanted to call this article “next gen LEGO round up”, but to be fair here this is no longer “next-gen”. The problem is I’ve called it that for so many years that habits are hard to break!

Anyway, the point was that I’ve been playing a lot of LEGO games lately. Like, a lot! Why, you ask.

Well the simple fact is I have a four-year-old son, and he loves LEGO games. Luckily, I do too so I figured I should share my ultimate LEGO video game list for current-gen consoles.

I have a PlayStation 4, but these titles are available for both Sony‘s machine and the Xbox One, so those on both sides of the fence can enjoy the same titles for once.

5. LEGO The Hobbit

As much as I love The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, this, more than any of the other games feels like an attempt to capitalise on the movies and rope in a younger audience. The problem however is that the storyline is quite complex for a younger player and of all of the games, this is the one my son asks him to help him with the most.

While in many ways the gameplay is always pretty much the same, the story is slow and there are a lot of additional elements that are more difficult for a child to work out, and so for that reason this game is number five on the list.

4. LEGO Jurassic World

Although this is LEGO’s latest release, unfortunately it’s not the strongest. It does however see a higher placing than The Hobbit because… dinosaurs! Jurassic World is a little confusing because it jumps back and forth between storylines, the existing Jurassic Park and the more recent Jurassic World.

It’s awesome because you get to feel that little bit of nostalgia for characters and scenes from the first movie, most notably John Hammond and Dr. Ian Malcolm, but it’s again a little confusing for younger children who haven’t seen the movies.

My son loves dinosaurs so this was a hit with him, but I noticed his interest waning at times when the action slowed down and the story confused him.

3. LEGO Movie Video Game

This was a spin off directly related to the The LEGO Movie, so if you’ve seen the film the story is immediately familiar. They’ve also used scenes from the movie in the game so it has mass appeal right off the bat.

Collecting instructions within the game to build certain objects links directly to the movie, and works really well in the LEGO world especially in one where you’re the Master Builder.

2. LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham

There isn’t very much that can go wrong with a Batman game, let alone a LEGO Batman game. The fact that this is the third iteration in the LEGO Batman series attests to its popularity and with good reason.

It’s incredibly fun and the inclusion of Batman’s sidekick Robin is a nice nostalgic touch. The fact that most kids are familiar with superheroes quite early on means that this is likely to be an immediate hit.

1. LEGO Marvel Superheroes

Undoubtedly, this is the best game in this list. LEGO Marvel Superheroes is above all things fun. It’s a game that my son plays together with me and his father and it’s awesome for all parties involved.

Each level has a decent enough storyline that it keeps the plot ticking along steadily, but at the same time has enough action so that it never feels dull. If you’re looking for a LEGO game to buy and play with your kids or those young at hear, this is the current-gen game for you.

To conclude, LEGO games are great fun – all of them!

The gameplay is generally straightforward but all are enriched with enough complexity to ensure they they’re not just simple button bashers. As per the usual formula, they all support co-op with different characters bringing their own set of unique skills to the table. If you’re looking for the ultimate LEGO game to play as a family however, Marvel Superheroes is the one.

If you already have it, then work your way through the list above. Or, if you happen to have a personal favourite that’s not on this list, tell us your story in the comments section below.