Lego Ninjago (video game franchise)

Lego Ninjago: Spinjitzu Scavenger Hunt, the first game in the series, is an arcade fighting action video game that is both developed and published by The Lego Group, that released on April 1, 2011, worldwide for iOS. In the game, players use augmented reality to explore and collect virtual Ninjago characters and items in their surroundings.^[1][2][3][4] The gameplay involves completing tasks, solving puzzles, and engaging in battles within the Ninjago universe, providing an interactive experience for players. The game is based on the pilot season of the series.^[5][6]

Alongside the game, Lego had released a line of Ninjago Spinners, which when the player scanned the barcode of, would unlock the spinner in the game. This was similar to what was incorporated into Lego Dimensions but instead of there being a bar code to scan, there was a toy pad that came with the Starter Pack for the game, on which the player would have to but the minifigure onto the pad to unlock it in the game.^{[7][8][better source needed]}

Lego Battles: Ninjago is a real-time strategy video game produced by TT Games, developed by Hellbent Games, published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and is the first Ninjago game released for a console. Like Lego Ninjago: Spinjitzu Scavenger Hunt, Lego Battles: Ninjago is also based on the pilot season of the series.^[9][10]

In Lego Battles: Ninjago, players command six builders and seven heroes with three unlockable versions each. They construct key buildings like the keep, brick bank, mine, barracks, and tower, the latter featuring elemental upgrades. The game's storyline revolves around ninja training and the quest for the four golden weapons, while an opposing narrative follows the skeleton army, led by Samukai, in their pursuit of the same artifacts.^{[11][better source needed]}

Lego Ninjago: Rise of the Snakes is an arcade fighting beat 'em up video game both developed and published by The Lego Group, that released on March 22, 2012, worldwide for the iOS. The game serves as a sequel to Lego Ninjago: Spinjitzu Scavenger Hunt. The game is based on the first season of the series.^[12][13]

The story involves players teaming up to face the Serpentine. The player can play daily challenges, collect spinners and weaponry, and challenge other players to duels. The game consists of six battle maps and 75 challenges.^{[14][15][better source needed]}

The Ninjago Spinners have the same connection as with Lego Ninjago: Spinjitzu Scavenger Hunt as both the games are extremely similar.

AppSafari rated the game 3/5, stating that "Rise of the Snakes is clearly an app meant for children; while some kids who are Ninjago fans will enjoy it, it's unfortunate more care wasn't put into making it fun."^[16]

Lego Ninjago: The Final Battle is a side-scrolling action-adventure video game developed by Amuzo Games and published by The Lego Group, that released on March 18, 2013, worldwide as a web game and as an app for the iOS. The game is based on the second season of the series.^[17]

The gameplay of Lego Ninjago: The Final Battle revolves around players taking on the role of characters like Lloyd, Jay, Cole, Zane, or Kai to restore peace to the Ninjago world. Across six levels set in the Ninjago universe, players engage in actions such as spinning, slashing, stomping, and smashing to combat waves of enemies.^[18][19][20]

The game allows for the development and optimization of ninja skills and weapons throughout the journey. Players can activate all four elemental weapons, transforming into the Golden Ninja. Ultimately, successful gameplay leads to achieving the status of Spinjitzu Master Sensei Wu.^{[21][22][better source needed]}

Alberto Gonzalez on Vandal rated the game 5.8/10, stating that "LEGO Ninjago: The Final Battle is a simple game that serves as a complement to a toy franchise, and that fans of the franchise it represents may come to like. It is a simple, repetitive app, although also nice. It won't go down in history, but it will have us really hooked and glued to our iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch for a few minutes. For many, that is more than enough."^[23]

Lego Ninjago: Rebooted is a side-scrolling arcade-action video game developed by QB9 Entertainment and published by The Lego Group, that released on January 21, 2014, for iOS, and on January 23, 2014, for Android. The game also released as a web game. The game is based on the third season of the series.^[24]

In the game, the ninjas' companion, Cyrus Borg, becomes subject to possession by the Overlord, prompting a mission to ascend Borg Tower and retrieve the Technoblades. The gameplay unfolds through two distinct phases. Players have the option to either climb directly to the summit of the tower or navigate through corridors on each floor. The first approach involves the evasion of traps, precise weapon usage, and accurate jumping.^[25]

The alternative path introduces additional challenges in the form of armored supporters of the possessed Overlord. The ninja control encompasses a variety of actions, including weapon usage, jumping, rolling, climbing, and running. Achieving a checkpoint provides an extra power-up for subsequent stages.^{[26][27][better source needed]}

Lego Ninjago: Nindroids is an action-adventure video game developed by Hellbent Games and published by TT Games and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, that released on July 29, 2014, in North America and on August 1, 2014, in Europe for the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita. The game is based on the first five episodes of the third season of the series.^[28]

The main weapon in the game is the Technoblades, which were shown in the season. The game is set in New Ninjago City, where the player fights opponents in various attire throughout each level. Techno Wu and the Nindroids are among the bosses, with the Overlord being the final boss.^{[29][30][better source needed]}

Lego Ninjago: Tournament (also known as Lego Ninjago: Tournament of Elements) was an action video game developed by TT Games and Hellbent Games and published by The Lego Group. It was released on January 29, 2015, for iOS and on May 20, 2015, for Android, worldwide. The game was no longer available to play after 2018. The game revolves around the fourth season of the series.^[31]

In the game, Master Chen lures Elemental Masters to his island for the Tournament of Elements. The player's objective is to defeat the other Elemental Masters. The game consisted of 3 levels: the Dojo, Chen's Arena and the Temple Gallery.^{[32][better source needed]}

• The Dojo: In this section of the game, Sensei Wu instructs the player on how to maneuver, strike, leap, slam, dodge, grab, punch, and use Spinjitzu. A practice test is conducted after finishing.
• Chen's Arena: The major part of the game is played here. Enemy groups use bombs, bows and arrows, and melee weapons to attack the players. The player must eliminate more opponents before the following wave begins the more waves they have finished.
• The Temple Gallery: The player can view all of the Ninjago 2015 Wave 1 Lego sets in this area. Some of the sets include 70735 and 70756.^[33][34]

Lego Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin is an action-adventure video game developed by TT Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. It was released on March 24, 2015, in North America, March 25, 2015, in Australia, and on March 27, 2015, in Europe. The game takes place between the fourth and fifth seasons of the series, as the game's main antagonist is a part of fifth season of the series.^[35][36][37]

The story unfolds as Ronin, the main antagonist of the game, robs the memories of the ninjas, compelling them to embark on a journey of smashing, building, and exploration to thwart Ronin's sinister schemes. The Dark Samurai act as the antagonistic faction throughout the game. Players assume control of one of the main characters from a third-person perspective, engaging in combat with enemies and collecting Lego studs. The game boasts a roster of 68 playable characters, each offering unique variations.^{[38][39][40][41][better source needed]}

Lego Ninjago: Skybound is a side-scrolling arcade-action video game both developed and published by The Lego Group. The game was released on January 22, 2016, for Android, and on January 25, 2016, for iOS. The game also released as a web game in the same month. The game revolves around the sixth season of the series.^{[citation needed]}

The gameplay of Lego Ninjago: Skybound centers on an immersive experience within the Ninjago universe, with the central storyline revolving around Nadakhan the Djinn ensnaring the souls of ninjas in magical Djinn blades. Across a range of levels featuring floating islands and ancient temples, players endeavor to free their fellow ninjas and thwart the plans of Nadakhan.^{[citation needed]}

The plot involves playing as the main protagonist, Jay, to stop Nadakhan and his Sky Pirates from stealing parts of Ninjago and rebuilding his realm, Djinjago.^{[42][43][44][45][better source needed]}

Lego Ninjago: Wu-Cru is an action-adventure video game developed by Cape Copenhagen and The Lego Group, and also published by the latter. The game was released on July 27, 2016, for Android, and on September 2, 2016, for iOS.^[46][47]

The game's plot involves Dark Matter Crystals erupting from the ground around a tea farm, and the disappearance of the other ninja who set out to investigate the case. Which leaves a new ninja (the player) to investigate the case, who is also guided by Sensei Wu, players navigate through challenges, battles, and puzzles to defeat enemies and restore harmony to the world. The game had two updates, both being major.^{[48][better source needed]}

The game (at least before any major update) takes place between the sixth season of the series, and Day of the Departed, a special short-film.^[49]

Lego Ninjago: Hands of Time is the first major update to Lego Ninjago: Wu-Cru. The update was released alongside the seventh season of the series. There are not many major changes to the game. One of the few major changes being the logo change, which changed from the Wu-Cru art to a cover with Kai and Nya with their masks on, both being the main protagonists of the season. This version is said to take place within the season.^{[citation needed]}

Lego Ninjago: Movie is the second update to Lego Ninjago: Wu-Cru. The gameplay is similar to that of its predecessor, but with new levels, villains, hub, and characters. The game released on 25 September 2017, for Android, shortly after the release of The Lego Ninjago Movie and The Lego Ninjago Movie Video Game. The update later released for iOS on November 3, 2017. The game also brought a new title, which is also the update name. The game also brought a new logo, featuring Lloyd and Garmadon from the film.^{[50][better source needed]}

The Lego Ninjago Movie Video Game is an action-adventure video game developed by TT Fusion and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The game is based on The Lego Ninjago Movie. It was released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, alongside the film, in North America on 22 September 2017, and worldwide on 20 October 2017.^[51][52] The game was later available for the Xbox Series X/S via backward compatibility.^[53]

The game features eight locations from The Lego Ninjago Movie. Each location contains a unique Challenge Dojo where players can test combat skills while battling increasingly tougher enemies and a single boss. The player controls one of the main characters from a third-person perspective, primarily fighting enemies, solving puzzles, and collecting Lego 'studs', the game's form of currency.^{[54][55][56][better source needed]}

Lego Ninjago: Ride Ninja is an action-racing video game developed by Amuzo Games and published by The Lego Group. It was released on April 26, 2018, for Android, and on May 4, 2018, for iOS. The game revolves around the eighth season of the series.^{[citation needed]}

The gameplay introduces players to a new narrative within the Ninjago universe, where ninja warriors face a fresh threat, prompting a journey through diverse environments to confront adversaries. The central storyline revolves around the ninjas utilizing their distinctive skills and vehicles to navigate challenges, defeat enemies, and uphold peace in Ninjago.^{[citation needed]}

Throughout the gameplay, users partake in a series of challenges, battles, and exploration, drawing inspiration from the eighth season of the series. The unfolding narrative mirrors the efforts of the ninja to counter the emerging threat, providing players with an immersive experience that seamlessly combines elements of action, strategy, and adventure within the Ninjago universe.^{[57][better source needed]}