Honestly, if you grew up playing video games in the last decade, you've probably smashed a few plastic benches into silver studs. It’s a rite of passage. But when people talk about LEGO games LEGO City usually comes up as the weird, breakout star that didn't need a movie license to actually be good. Most LEGO titles lean on the crutch of Star Wars or Marvel to get people through the door. LEGO City Undercover? It just gave you a badge, a car, and a massive open world that felt like a kid-friendly version of Grand Theft Auto.
It’s surprisingly deep.
You play as Chase McCain. He’s a legendary cop returning to LEGO City to hunt down the escaped convict Rex Fury. It sounds like a standard Saturday morning cartoon plot, and it basically is, but the execution is what makes it stick. The game first launched as a Wii U exclusive back in 2013, which was a bit of a tragedy because nobody had a Wii U. When it finally hit PS4, Xbox One, and Switch years later, people realized what they’d been missing. It wasn't just a "kids game." It was a parody masterpiece.
What Most People Get Wrong About LEGO City Undercover
A lot of gamers assume that without the Jedi or the Avengers, a LEGO game loses its soul. That's just wrong. In fact, because TT Fusion (the developers) didn't have to follow a strict movie script, they actually had more freedom. They filled the world with 80s action movie references that kids won't get, but parents will love. I'm talking full-blown Shawshank Redemption parodies and Dirty Harry nods.
The mechanics are different too. In most LEGO games LEGO City style exploration is limited to small hubs. Here, the city is the game. You aren't just jumping from level to level; you're driving across the Heritage Bridge, exploring the Apollo Island space center, or wandering through the Pagoda district. It feels lived-in. Well, as lived-in as a world made of plastic can feel.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the "Disguise" system is just a reskin of the character swapping in other games. It's more integrated than that. Chase has to swap between being a civilian, a robber, a miner, a fireman, and an astronaut on the fly to solve puzzles in the open world. It’s less about "who is my favorite character" and more about "what tool do I need right now." It creates a flow that many of the licensed games actually lack because they're too busy trying to make sure every superhero has a specific animation.
💡 You might also like: Why the GTA San Andreas Motorcycle is Still the Best Way to Get Around Los Santos
The Mechanics of the Bricks
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. The "Super Build" system is the heart of the gameplay loop. You don't just collect studs (the currency); you collect "Super Bricks." You find these hidden on rooftops or behind puzzles. Once you have enough, you can build massive structures like stunt ramps, ferry piers, or even a giant dragon statue. It gives you a reason to actually explore the nooks and crannies of the map.
The driving is... okay. It’s arcadey. You’re not playing Forza here. But the variety of vehicles is insane. There are over 100 vehicles including helicopters, motorcycles, and lawnmowers. Each feels slightly different, though they all have that signature LEGO floatiness.
Why the LEGO City Setting Actually Works for Gaming
There is something inherently satisfying about a city made of blocks. When you crash a car into a fire hydrant in this game, it explodes into individual blue transparent pieces. It's tactile.
TT Games understood that the appeal of LEGO isn't just the sets; it's the destruction and reconstruction. By choosing a city theme, they tapped into the "sandbox" genre perfectly. You have the police station as your home base, which acts as a trophy room for all your collectibles. You can customize your characters there, buy new cars, and rewatch cutscenes.
Comparisons to the Modern LEGO Formula
If you look at LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, you see a lot of the DNA from the LEGO City games. The move toward a more open, planetary exploration style started with the experiments done in LEGO City. However, many fans argue that the humor in the LEGO City series is superior because it’s original. It doesn’t rely on "remember this scene from the movie, but with a banana?"
📖 Related: Dandys World Ship Chart: What Most People Get Wrong
- Originality: No movie tie-ins mean the jokes can be more unpredictable.
- Scale: One of the largest non-procedural maps in the LEGO pantheon.
- Voice Acting: It features a full voice cast that actually delivers comedic timing, rather than just grunting (like the early games) or ripping audio straight from a film's master track.
The Nintendo 3DS even had a prequel called The Chase Begins. It was impressive for a handheld, but it suffered from some pretty intense fog to hide the draw distance. It proved that the LEGO games LEGO City brand was strong enough to support a franchise, even if we haven't seen a true "Undercover 2" yet.
The Technical Reality of Playing Today
If you're looking to jump in now, you should know about the loading times. On the original Wii U version, they were legendary. You could literally make a sandwich while the city loaded. The modern ports on PS5 and Xbox Series X have fixed this significantly thanks to SSDs, but the game's engine is still a bit creaky. You might see some pop-in. You might see a LEGO civilian clip through a wall. It’s part of the charm, or a frustrating reminder of its 2013 roots, depending on how grumpy you are feeling that day.
The co-op is also a major selling point. Unlike the original release, the modern versions allow for two-player split-screen. This makes it one of the best "parent and child" games on the market. One person can be flying a chopper while the other is causing chaos in a stolen ice cream truck. It’s pure, distilled fun.
Hidden Details You Probably Missed
The game is dense with Easter eggs. In the Blackwell’s mansion mission, there are references to The Matrix. If you hang around the police station long enough, the background chatter of the NPCs is genuinely funny. They complain about their plastic lives and the fact that they don't have fingers.
There’s also the "Red Brick" system. These are the ultimate cheats. Finding them allows you to multiply your stud collection by 2x, 4x, or even 10x. Once you trigger the 3840x multiplier (by stacking them), the game's economy basically breaks. You become a plastic billionaire. It’s a power trip that most games are too scared to give you.
👉 See also: Amy Rose Sex Doll: What Most People Get Wrong
Taking Your LEGO City Experience Further
If you’ve finished the main story, the real game is the 100% completion grind. This isn't for the faint of heart. You have to find hundreds of Gold Bricks, dozens of "Police City" challenges, and every single character token.
For those looking to optimize their playthrough, here are a few actionable steps:
- Prioritize the Rex Fury Character: You can't open certain crates or doors without a "strong" character. You unlock the ability to play as Rex after the final mission, but you can find other strong characters earlier if you explore the construction sites.
- Get the Stud Multipliers Early: Don't waste time grinding for cars until you have at least the 2x and 4x Red Bricks. They are usually hidden in the city districts, not the main missions.
- Use the Data Scan: Your gamepad (or the on-screen menu in ports) has a scanner. Use it to find hidden Super Bricks through walls. It saves hours of aimless wandering.
- Don't ignore the side missions: Some of the best writing in the game is found in the "pig return" missions or the "alien catching" side quests.
The legacy of LEGO games LEGO City is its refusal to be just another licensed product. It’s a love letter to open-world gaming that doesn't take itself seriously. Whether you're a hardcore collector or just someone who wants to drive a LEGO bus off a cliff, it holds up remarkably well in 2026. It reminds us that sometimes, the best stories are the ones we build ourselves, brick by brick, without a Hollywood script telling us what to do.
Check the digital stores for sales, as this title frequently drops below $10. At that price, it is arguably the best value-per-hour in the entire gaming landscape. Start by focusing on the main story missions to unlock all eight core abilities before you try to clear the map; it’ll save you from having to backtrack to the same statue five times.