You’re flying around Manhattan as Iron Man, right? You’ve just finished beating the snot out of some sand-goons or maybe you just finished a heavy story mission involving Doctor Doom. You look at the map, and there it is—a weird little icon hovering over the industrial area of the Upper East Side. It's the LEGO Marvel Superheroes exploratory laboratory. It sounds fancy. It sounds like something Tony Stark would spend a billion dollars on just to house his sourdough starter. In reality, it’s one of those charming, slightly tucked-away side missions that reminds you why this 2013 classic still holds up better than half the modern superhero games cluttering your hard drive today.
Honestly, it’s easy to miss.
The game doesn't exactly hold your hand and drag you there. You have to want to find it. Most players stumble upon it while trying to 100% the Manhattan hub world, which, let’s be real, is a monumental task given how many gold bricks are hidden in every single chimney and dumpster in digital New York. But this specific laboratory mission is a bit different. It’s a self-contained puzzle box that feels like a breather from the chaotic, planet-ending stakes of the main campaign.
Where Exactly Is This Place?
Stop looking near Avengers Tower. Seriously. Everyone goes to the shiny tower first because that’s where the cool stuff usually happens, but the LEGO Marvel Superheroes exploratory laboratory is situated further north. It’s located in the Upper East Side, nestled within a block that looks suspiciously like a standard industrial complex. Look for the Roxxon sign. In the Marvel universe, if something is glowing, humming, or likely to explode, Roxxon is usually the landlord.
The entrance isn't just an open door. That would be too easy. You’ll need a character with specific powers to even get the party started. Usually, this means bringing someone who can handle electricity or use a terminal. If you’re playing in Free Play—which you absolutely should be—keep Black Widow or Iron Man (Mark 42) handy.
The Design Philosophy of the Exploratory Lab
TT Games has a specific rhythm. They love "The Lever." You know the one. You pull a lever, a gear turns, a laser shoots across the room, and suddenly a bridge appears. The LEGO Marvel Superheroes exploratory laboratory is basically a masterclass in this specific brand of puzzle design. It’s dense. It’s not a sprawling level like the Helicarrier or the X-Mansion. Instead, it’s a tight, vertical space where every corner serves a purpose.
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I’ve always felt that these smaller hubs are where the LEGO engine shines. When the map is too big, the physics can get wonky. But in a confined "explatory laboratory" setting? Everything is tactile. You break a desk, and the pieces bounce off the walls with that satisfying plastic clack. You see a gold-plated canister? You know exactly what to do. Melt it. Melt it immediately.
The laboratory isn't just about the bricks, though. It’s about the atmosphere. There’s a distinct "mad scientist" vibe here that pulls from the 60s Kirby-era comics. You’ve got bubbling vats of neon liquid that probably shouldn't be touched and computers that are five times larger than they need to be. It’s goofy. It’s classic Marvel.
Cracking the Code: What You Do Inside
Once you're inside the LEGO Marvel Superheroes exploratory laboratory, the objective is straightforward: get the Gold Brick. But getting it is a bit of a process. You’re going to be toggling switches that control power flow. This is where the "exploratory" part comes in. You aren't just following a linear path; you’re looking at the wiring on the walls.
- First, you usually have to bypass the security grid. This often involves a sensory character—think Spider-Man or Wolverine—detecting a hidden panel.
- Then comes the power routing. You’ll see those blue-glowing LEGO conduits. Use a character like Thor or Storm to juice up the generators.
- Finally, there’s the "big build." After smashing enough of the lab equipment, you’ll find hopping bricks. Assemble them into a specialized terminal.
It’s satisfying. There’s no other word for it. It’s the gaming equivalent of popping bubble wrap. You go in, you smash, you solve, and you leave with a shiny gold prize.
Why We Still Talk About This Lab a Decade Later
Wait. Has it really been since 2013?
Yeah.
The reason the LEGO Marvel Superheroes exploratory laboratory stays in the collective memory of the fanbase is that it represents a peak in LEGO game design. Later titles, like LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2, got a bit... complicated. They added the Chronopolis hub which was cool, but it felt fragmented. The original game’s Manhattan was a cohesive unit. The lab felt like a real place in a real city.
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There's also the nostalgia factor. For many of us, this was the first time we saw a digital version of the Marvel Universe that felt "complete." It wasn't just a movie tie-in. It had the Fantastic Four (RIP to their inclusion in later games for a while) and the X-Men. Seeing a Roxxon lab where you could use Cyclops to melt a wall felt like the ultimate crossover.
Common Hang-ups and Glitches
Look, it’s a LEGO game. They aren't exactly known for being bug-free.
Sometimes, the "exploratory laboratory" can get a little finicky. I’ve seen cases where the power conduits don’t register the electrical hit from Thor’s hammer. If that happens, don't panic. Don't restart your whole save file. Usually, just walking out of the interior zone, letting the hub world reload, and walking back in fixes the scripting.
Another tip: check the corners. The camera angles in these tight lab spaces can be a bit treacherous. There is often a hidden stud trail or a "minikit" equivalent tucked just out of the primary field of vision. If you’re stuck at 98% completion for the area, rotate that right stick like your life depends on it.
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The Actionable Path to 100% Completion
If you are currently staring at the map screen wondering how to wrap this up, follow this specific sequence. Don't just fly around aimlessly.
First, ensure you have the "Attract Studs" red brick active. It makes the laboratory much less of a headache because you won't have to chase every stray bit of silver and gold across the floor. Second, bring a telekinetic character. Jean Grey or Scarlet Witch are MVPs here. There are several objects in the LEGO Marvel Superheroes exploratory laboratory that only respond to that purple "glow" power.
Third, pay attention to the floor tiles. Sometimes the solution isn't on the walls; it’s a pressure plate hidden under some smashable crates. Once you grab the Gold Brick, the icon on your mini-map will turn transparent or disappear entirely. That’s your cue that you’ve conquered the lab.
Move on to the next one. There’s a whole city out there.
To finish your run through the laboratory efficiently, prioritize characters with "Technology" and "Electricity" tags. Use the character grid to quickly swap to Iron Man (Mark 42) for gold-melting and computer hacking, then switch to Thor for power generation. This eliminates the need to backtrack or leave the lab to find a specific ability. Once the central core is powered, the Gold Brick will spawn in the glass containment unit in the center of the room. Smash it, grab it, and you're officially done with this section of the Upper East Side.