10 DISTURBING Moments in Lego Games
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VOICE OVER: Ty Richardson
WRITTEN BY: Ty Richardson
For as cute and innocent as the Lego games appear to be, they can dabble in some pretty disturbing material. For this list, we'll be focusing on some of the darker elements found in family-friendly franchise. Our list of disturbing moments in Lego games includes The Inside Joke from “Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga” (2022), A Death Relived from “Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7” (2011), Keep Your Head On! from “Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures” (2008), and more!
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we’re taking a look at our list of 10 Disturbing Moments in Lego Games. For as cute and innocent as the Lego games appear to be, they can dabble in some pretty screwed up material. Was there a disturbing moment we missed? Let us know down in the comments.
TT Games did a heck of a job keeping some of the morbid deaths in “Star Wars” intact. Jango Fett, Jabba, Zam Wesell… But the one bit of violence that remains to be somewhat haunting is Anakin at the end of “Revenge of the Sith”. It’s such a grim visual, seeing a minifig dragging half of another minifig’s body. And “Skywalker Saga” really goes hard on Anakin’s horrific transformation with the visuals, animation, and sound. Whoever thought Lego could lean this hard into frightening territory?
Now, if you’ve seen “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, you’ll recall the gruesome demise of the menacing mechanic. Obviously, we can’t show it because YouTube censors, but you can get an idea from the Lego version. Besides, it’s kind of brutal in its own way. Just as the propellor makes contact, the mechanic’s head comes off and starts bouncing around. What makes us a little squeamish is the screaming of terror…and possible pain. Can minifigs feel pain? Ew, we’re gonna expunge that thought while we still can.
“Lego Marvel Super Heroes” really let TT Games’s character animators go to town with all of the heroes and villains featured. For Venom, well, you could say they went all out. The absolute terror and viciousness that Venom brings is perfectly captured in this game, and it goes hard. Your first encounter with him in the main story feels like something straight out of a horror movie like “The Thing” or “Alien”. His transformations are also super violent, something we would definitely expect out of a character created by Todd MacFarlane.
Though the subject matter itself is alarming, we have to admit that this was a creative way to give the adults something to laugh at. For “Return of the Jedi”, “Skywalker Saga” does address the whole thing with Luke and Leia in a somewhat subtle way. Upon hearing the big reveal, Luke puts on a revolted face while R2-D2 lets the sirens go off. Why is this a disturbing moment? Look, if you know, you know - we ain’t spelling it out for you.
This one would be along the same lines as the mechanic from “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. Obviously, you can’t show Lego characters performing the same violent act of taking out Davy Jones in the same manner that was shown in the movies. Except they kind of did. And to make it even more violent, they wound up giving the heart sentience! And just look at the way in shudders in fear!
Even with cartoony visuals and sound effects, Lego can get a lot more graphic than it might intend to do…or not intend to. “Lego Star Wars II” gave Chewbacca a specific attack that players could use at any given point. Simply get too close for comfort on any enemy, press the attack button, and Chewbacca will start popping arms off like there’s no tomorrow. In other words, you have just found something more powerful than a lightsaber…and much more violent.
The movie version of Voldemort’s death was already a tad traumatizing in the theater, but the Lego version? Ehhhh, it didn’t make things much better. As if the low-pitched screaming wasn’t haunting on its own, the sudden appearance of him made out of individual bricks really brought the whole thing together. The janky and blocky edges kind of hone in on that creepiness that PS1 horror games brought back in the day. We get why this was done (to simulate the way he dissolves in the movie), but it may have leaned too far into the terror.
Don’t worry, this is the last death-related entry we have on the list, and yes, it is a little more graphic than we expected. Whereas the second “Lego Indy” game changed the ending to “Raiders of the Lost Ark” to have everyone dancing upon opening the Ark, the first “Lego Indy” game retained much of the scariness of the movie’s Ark opening scene. Lego minifigs are shown melting while Belloq has his plastic limbs pop off like a Wookie just tore through him.
Much like the joke about Luke and Leia in Episode VI, this one is disturbing in a somewhat subtle context. If you visit the Jedi Temple, you’ll notice a few of the Jedi younglings are hanging around. One of them will tell you about their dreams of becoming a Jedi Knight like Yoda, Windu, and Yarael Poof. Thing is that we all know what happens to each of them; Yoda exiles himself, Windu is thrown out of a window, and Yarael Poof gets Order 66’d. Yeah, might want to chase a different dream, kiddo.
What’s the deal with FMV cutscenes trying to traumatize the crap out of us? Seriously, no one was safe from these things, not even those who played “Lego Island”! Should you fail in catching the Brickster, you’ll see what happens to Lego Island under his rule. The results are not pleasant in the slightest. You have buildings town asunder, people crying and wailing in the streets, and Mama Brickolini loses her head. And that’s just the short version! The uncut version paints a much darker picture.
Classic Skywalker Ranch BBQ
“Lego Star Wars: The Video Game” (2005) & “Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga” (2007)TT Games did a heck of a job keeping some of the morbid deaths in “Star Wars” intact. Jango Fett, Jabba, Zam Wesell… But the one bit of violence that remains to be somewhat haunting is Anakin at the end of “Revenge of the Sith”. It’s such a grim visual, seeing a minifig dragging half of another minifig’s body. And “Skywalker Saga” really goes hard on Anakin’s horrific transformation with the visuals, animation, and sound. Whoever thought Lego could lean this hard into frightening territory?
Keep Your Head On!
“Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures” (2008)Now, if you’ve seen “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, you’ll recall the gruesome demise of the menacing mechanic. Obviously, we can’t show it because YouTube censors, but you can get an idea from the Lego version. Besides, it’s kind of brutal in its own way. Just as the propellor makes contact, the mechanic’s head comes off and starts bouncing around. What makes us a little squeamish is the screaming of terror…and possible pain. Can minifigs feel pain? Ew, we’re gonna expunge that thought while we still can.
Todd Would Be Proud
“Lego Marvel Super Heroes” (2013)“Lego Marvel Super Heroes” really let TT Games’s character animators go to town with all of the heroes and villains featured. For Venom, well, you could say they went all out. The absolute terror and viciousness that Venom brings is perfectly captured in this game, and it goes hard. Your first encounter with him in the main story feels like something straight out of a horror movie like “The Thing” or “Alien”. His transformations are also super violent, something we would definitely expect out of a character created by Todd MacFarlane.
The Inside Joke
“Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga” (2022)Though the subject matter itself is alarming, we have to admit that this was a creative way to give the adults something to laugh at. For “Return of the Jedi”, “Skywalker Saga” does address the whole thing with Luke and Leia in a somewhat subtle way. Upon hearing the big reveal, Luke puts on a revolted face while R2-D2 lets the sirens go off. Why is this a disturbing moment? Look, if you know, you know - we ain’t spelling it out for you.
Silly, But Gross
“Lego Pirates of the Caribbean” (2011)This one would be along the same lines as the mechanic from “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. Obviously, you can’t show Lego characters performing the same violent act of taking out Davy Jones in the same manner that was shown in the movies. Except they kind of did. And to make it even more violent, they wound up giving the heart sentience! And just look at the way in shudders in fear!
It’s Gonna Cost An Arm…and Another Arm
“Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy” (2006)Even with cartoony visuals and sound effects, Lego can get a lot more graphic than it might intend to do…or not intend to. “Lego Star Wars II” gave Chewbacca a specific attack that players could use at any given point. Simply get too close for comfort on any enemy, press the attack button, and Chewbacca will start popping arms off like there’s no tomorrow. In other words, you have just found something more powerful than a lightsaber…and much more violent.
A Death Relived
“Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7” (2011)The movie version of Voldemort’s death was already a tad traumatizing in the theater, but the Lego version? Ehhhh, it didn’t make things much better. As if the low-pitched screaming wasn’t haunting on its own, the sudden appearance of him made out of individual bricks really brought the whole thing together. The janky and blocky edges kind of hone in on that creepiness that PS1 horror games brought back in the day. We get why this was done (to simulate the way he dissolves in the movie), but it may have leaned too far into the terror.
Can’t Look Away
“Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures” (2008)Don’t worry, this is the last death-related entry we have on the list, and yes, it is a little more graphic than we expected. Whereas the second “Lego Indy” game changed the ending to “Raiders of the Lost Ark” to have everyone dancing upon opening the Ark, the first “Lego Indy” game retained much of the scariness of the movie’s Ark opening scene. Lego minifigs are shown melting while Belloq has his plastic limbs pop off like a Wookie just tore through him.
Bad Role Models
“Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga” (2022)Much like the joke about Luke and Leia in Episode VI, this one is disturbing in a somewhat subtle context. If you visit the Jedi Temple, you’ll notice a few of the Jedi younglings are hanging around. One of them will tell you about their dreams of becoming a Jedi Knight like Yoda, Windu, and Yarael Poof. Thing is that we all know what happens to each of them; Yoda exiles himself, Windu is thrown out of a window, and Yarael Poof gets Order 66’d. Yeah, might want to chase a different dream, kiddo.
The Bad Ending
“Lego Island” (1997)What’s the deal with FMV cutscenes trying to traumatize the crap out of us? Seriously, no one was safe from these things, not even those who played “Lego Island”! Should you fail in catching the Brickster, you’ll see what happens to Lego Island under his rule. The results are not pleasant in the slightest. You have buildings town asunder, people crying and wailing in the streets, and Mama Brickolini loses her head. And that’s just the short version! The uncut version paints a much darker picture.
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