Honestly, if you’re playing LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham and you aren't obsessing over those glowing Red Bricks, you’re doing it wrong. It’s the difference between grinding for hours to buy one character and becoming a "stud billionaire" in twenty minutes. These things are basically the legal cheats of the LEGO world. But here's the kicker: this game does things a bit differently than the older Batman titles. You can't just stumble upon them with any character.
You need Plastic Man.
He is the gatekeeper for almost every single brick in the game. If you don't have him, you're just looking at fancy pads and wondering why you can't progress. It's a bit of a bottleneck, sure, but once you unlock him (usually after the "Big Grapple" level), the game wide opens.
The Hunt for Red Bricks in LEGO Batman 3
The first thing you’ve got to realize is that there are 20 bricks in total. Four of them are handed to you on a silver platter right at the start—Mini Characters, Unlimited Light, Fuel, and Electricity—but they aren't free. You still have to buy them. The other 16 are hidden across the story levels and the bonus 1966 level.
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Each one requires a specific interaction, usually involving a "Plastic Man Pad." You find the pad, he turns into something ridiculous like a bulldozer or a giant set of shears, and out pops your prize.
Where the multipliers live
Let's talk money. You want the multipliers first. Period.
- Studs x2: Found in "Pursuers in the Sewers." It costs 1 million studs. You’ll find the pad near where Adam West is chilling in the water. Fly up to the platform, use Plastic Man, and grab it.
- Studs x4: This one is in "Breaking Biff!" (or the second story mission). It’ll set you back 2 million.
- Studs x6: Head to "Space Station Infestation." It costs 3 million.
- Studs x8: Found in "The Big Grapple." This one is pricey at 4 million.
- Studs x10: The holy grail. It’s in "The Lantern Menace." It costs 5 million, but once you stack this with the others, every purple stud is worth millions.
If you’re wondering why you can’t see them in your menu yet, it’s because finding them is only half the battle. You have to go to the Trophy Room. It doesn't matter if you're in the Batcave or the Watchtower; find the room with the trophies, go to the computer in the middle, and buy them. Only then can you toggle them on in the "Extras" menu.
Detectors and Quality of Life
Money is great, but sanity is better. Tracking down 250 Gold Bricks and dozens of Minikits without help is a nightmare.
The Gold Brick Detector is tucked away in the "Europe Against It" level. Honestly, get this early. It puts a little arrow on your screen pointing to the nearest objective. It saves so much time wandering around the hubs.
Then there’s the Minikit Detector in "Big Trouble in Little Gotham." Same deal—white arrows point to the kits. It’s essential for 100% completion. One weirdly specific one is the Adam West in Peril Detector, found in "A Blue Hope." If you want to rescue the legendary Batman actor from his various unfortunate predicaments, this makes it way easier.
The Weird Stuff
Some bricks are just for fun. Festive Hats makes everyone wear Santa hats. Fight Captions adds "BAM!" and "POW!" bubbles when you punch people, which is a nice throwback to the 66' show. You’ll find these in the "Same Bat-channel!" bonus level and "All the Rage."
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How to Cheat (If You’re Impatient)
I get it. Sometimes you just want the x2 multiplier without playing the first level for the fifth time. There are codes for a few of these, though not all. You can enter these in the "Extras" menu under "Enter Code":
- 5MZ73E – Studs x2
- JYJAFX – Minikit Detector
- KNJBD8 – Quest Detector
- EWTPKA – Fight Captions
- PHHGPH – Festive Hats
Using these won't block your achievements or trophies. LEGO games are chill like that. They want you to have fun, not feel like you're taking a test.
Why Some Bricks "Disappear"
A common frustration I see is people grabbing the brick in the level and then not seeing it in the menu. Remember: The Trophy Room is mandatory. Also, keep an eye on your character roster. If a brick requires a "Swamp Spot," you need Solomon Grundy. If it’s a "Dig Spot," you need a dog or a lantern. But 90% of the time, the solution is just switching to Plastic Man. If you see a red/yellow/blue pad on the floor, he is the only guy who can use it.
Actionable Strategy for 100%
Don't bother hunting every brick on your first playthrough. You won't have the right characters. Finish the story first. Once you have the Free Play roster—especially Plastic Man, a Brainiac character (for shrinking things), and a Magnet suit—go back through the levels.
Start with the Stud Multipliers. Buy the x2, then use that to get enough for the x4. Once they start stacking ($2 \times 4 = 8$, $8 \times 6 = 48$, and so on), you will have more money than you know what to do with. By the time you hit $x3840$ total multiplier, a single gold stud gives you enough to buy the rest of the roster.
Go to the Watchtower, hit the Trophy Room, and turn your Batman experience into a billionaire simulator.