Lego Battles: Ninjago

Lego Battles: Ninjago
Cover art for Lego Battles: Ninjago
Developer(s)	Hellbent Games
Publisher(s)	Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Composer(s)	Chris Rezanson
Series	Lego Battles
Platform(s)	Nintendo DS
Release	NA: 12 April 2011 PAL: 15 April 2011
Genre(s)	Real-time strategy
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Lego Battles: Ninjago (also known as Lego Ninjago: The Video Game in the UK/US) is a video game published on 12 April 2011 in North America and 15 April 2011 in PAL territories for the Nintendo DS and is a follow-up to Lego Battles video game. Both games were developed by Hellbent Games and co-published by TT Games Publishing. The game is based on the Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu theme.

Gameplay

The game is a sort of mixture between normal Lego games and the Battles series. Players control six builders and seven heroes. Each hero has three versions, two of which must be researched. In these modes, two special abilities ("spells") can be used. Teams can also build five different buildings: the keep, the headquarters of the team, the brick bank, where builders can drop off bricks, the mine, which automatically produces bricks, the barracks, which produces heroes, and the tower, which fires projectiles. In addition, towers can have upgrades based on elements. The Ninjago story is based on the ninja training and their quest to find the four golden weapons in the underworld. The skeleton story is based on the skeleton army (led by Samukai) searching for the golden weapons. The story is based on Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu, but with some differences, for example, Sensei Wu goes with the ninja to find the Shurikens of Ice and the Nunchucks of Lightning, whereas in the movie the ninja go alone. Some characters in the game are from different Lego themes; Agents, Mars Mission etc.

Marketing

In Game, a US and UK video game store, the case contained a "limited edition" Jay minifigure. Garmadon and his army are playable at the end of the first ninja act.

Reception

Reviews on Lego Battles: Ninjago were mixed. Gamesradar said "The real-time strategy component is great for beginners, but may come off as a bore for seasoned players and anyone who prefers fast-paced action over strategic planning."