LEGO’s first decade of software products were decidedly kid-centric, with titles like LEGO Island, LEGO Racers, and LEGO Friends. 2005’s LEGO Star Wars from developer Traveler’s Tale changed the script with a goofy multiplayer adventure that fans of all ages could enjoy. The slapstick, sight gags, and dad jokes helped establish the tone that would become synonymous with minifigs across media, and the focus on collecting minifigs was both delightful and prescient. Over 20 years, the Traveler’s Tale partnership spawned roughly 3 dozen spins on the classic formula, with the brick takes on Batman being among the best entries. Last night, LEGO and Traveler’s tale revealed the next game to carry on that legacy. Batman’s back, baby. And this time he’s watched the Nolan films.
Whereas previous Batman outings focused on a colorful ensemble that drew inspiration from the Animated Series for tone, the new fourth Batman entry is a very cinematic affair. Cut scenes and imagery draw heavily on Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, as well Reeves’ The Batman and Burton’s Batman Returns. I cracked up hearing Keaton Batman’s lines mingling with Ledger’s Joker’s dry retorts. While LEGO’s depiction of Batman’s darker outings have historically been more vehicle focused, fans have provided plenty of tributes, like this RebelLUG Dark Knight collab we featured here.
The new, darker Batman game might seem a bit jarring compared to its brighter predecessors, but it’s consistent with the aging nostalgia focus of LEGO and fandom. Kids who played Traveler’s Tales games are now in their 20s and 30s. This generation primarily knows Batman through Nolan’s vision, and if they read the comics, they came of age in the era of Scott Snyder with his Court of Owls and Hannibal Lector-esque Joker. This is also the last generation to really embrace console gaming, which is where Traveler’s Tales has thrived. Just as LEGO Star Wars is increasingly focused on Millennial nostalgia and adult display appeal, Batman and Traveler’s Tales can’t count on kid appeal in the era of Roblox. I’m sure the game will be rated for kids to play, but it’s not really for kids, anymore than 10375 Toothless or a Jango Fett helmet are for kids. If this was a physical LEGO product, it would come with the black box 18+ branding.
Ironically, there is one cinematic visionary whose take on the Dark Knight doesn’t appear in the new trailer – Joel Schumacher. I guess there’s no room for camp with Millennials and Gen Z. Thankfully 90s kids are covered with LEGO’s latest Batmobile release.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight won’t arrive until 2026. In the meantime, should you need to brush up on your Bat-family trivia, Arkham Asylum releases in just a few weeks:
LEGO DC Batman 76300 Arkham Asylum | 2,953 Pieces | Available September 1, pre-orders open now | US $299.99 | CAN $379.99 | UK £269.99