Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Play

Screenwise Verdict

This is the video game equivalent of a decent Happy Meal toy—perfectly functional, totally safe, but nobody's writing home about it. If your kid is Ninjago-obsessed, they'll have a blast playing as Lloyd and crew, especially in local co-op mode. The complete lack of predatory monetization is genuinely refreshing in 2025.

But let's be real: it's a 2017 movie tie-in game, and it shows. The IGDB rating of 69/100 tells the story—competent but uninspired. You'll get 8 levels of button-mashing combat with standard LEGO game humor and puzzles. It's not bad, just... fine. The kind of game that keeps kids entertained for a weekend and then gets forgotten.

The safety profile is impeccable, the wholesome factor is high, but the enrichment and imagination scores suffer because it's ultimately a linear, repetitive beat-em-up with LEGO branding. If you can grab it on sale and your kid loves Ninjago, go for it. Otherwise, there are better LEGO games out there (LEGO City Undercover, LEGO Marvel, etc.) that offer more bang for your buck.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-11, especially kids already invested in the Ninjago franchise. Younger kids can handle the mild combat, but the gameplay might be too challenging without help. By middle school, most kids will find it too juvenile and repetitive unless they're nostalgic superfans.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

78

LEGO games are known for their lighthearted, family-friendly humor and cooperative gameplay. The Ninjago franchise emphasizes teamwork, defending your city, and working together as a ninja team. Combat is cartoonish LEGO-style with characters breaking into bricks rather than any realistic violence. The tone is playful and appropriate for kids, with the classic LEGO game slapstick humor. Multiplayer supports up to 4 players, encouraging family play sessions.

Imaginative

65

While LEGO games have creative potential, this is primarily a licensed tie-in game following the movie's story across 8 locations. The 'ninja-gility' mechanics (wall-running, high-jumping) add some creative movement, and the Battle Maps offer variety. However, it's more about executing predetermined levels than open-ended building or exploration—unlike actual LEGO construction or even LEGO Worlds. The Challenge Dojos and character upgrades provide some customization, but it's fundamentally a beat-em-up adventure game with LEGO aesthetics rather than true creative freedom.

Safe

85

Strong safety profile: no in-game purchases, no loot boxes, no online chat, and users can interact locally only (couch co-op). The violence is extremely mild—LEGO characters break into studs and bricks, maintaining the franchise's signature non-threatening combat style. No content ratings provided, but LEGO games consistently receive E10+ or equivalent ratings. The only minor concern is that it's a hack-and-slash/beat-em-up genre, but within the most kid-friendly execution possible. No monetization manipulation, no predatory mechanics.

Enriching

58

Offers basic skill development: hand-eye coordination, timing for combat combos, spatial reasoning for platforming, and some problem-solving for Challenge Dojos. The ranking system and character upgrades provide goal-setting practice. Local multiplayer can build cooperation skills. However, it's primarily a movie tie-in game focused on entertainment rather than deep learning. The IGDB rating of 69/100 suggests it's competent but not exceptional—likely repetitive button-mashing with standard LEGO game puzzles. Limited narrative depth or meaningful themes beyond 'good ninjas defeat bad guy.'

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Zero monetization concerns—no IAP, no loot boxes, just a complete game you buy once
Safe local co-op for up to 4 players makes it great for siblings or family game nights
LEGO's signature non-violent combat means even sensitive kids can enjoy the action
If your kid is deep in the Ninjago universe, playing as their favorite ninjas is genuinely exciting
The ninja movement mechanics (wall-running, high-jumping) are more dynamic than typical LEGO games

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What to Watch For

It's a 2017 movie tie-in game, so expect dated graphics and repetitive gameplay—this isn't a masterpiece
The hack-and-slash genre means lots of button-mashing combat, which can get mindless
Only 8 levels means the game is relatively short for the price point
Kids not already into Ninjago will likely find it generic and lose interest quickly

Conversation Starters

"Which ninja would you want to be in real life and why? What's their coolest power?"
"The game is all about teamwork—when do you think it's hardest to work together with friends or siblings?"
"If you could design your own Challenge Dojo level, what obstacles would you include?"
"Lord Garmadon is Lloyd's dad but also the villain—have you ever had to deal with someone you care about doing something wrong?"

Deep Dive

The "Ninja-gility" factor

Most LEGO games follow a very specific, slow-paced rhythm: walk, smash a bench, build a ladder, repeat. This one tries to break that mold with what the developers call "Ninja-gility." Instead of just plodding through levels, your kid is wall-running, high-jumping, and stringing together combat combos that feel a lot more fluid than the clunky mechanics in older titles.

If your child is currently obsessed with the newer Dragons Rising series, they might find the movie-specific character designs a bit "retro," but the core appeal of the six main ninjas remains the same. It’s worth checking out The Parent's Guide to LEGO Ninjago to see how this specific movie era fits into the massive, confusing timeline of the show. The game captures that specific big-screen humor, which is a bit more self-aware and chaotic than the standard TV episodes.

Short, sweet, and couch-friendly

The biggest knock against this game is the length. With only eight locations, a focused player can breeze through the main story in a few sittings. However, for a parent, that short runtime is actually a feature. It doesn’t demand a sixty-hour commitment or a complex wiki to understand. It’s a "weekend game"—something you pick up when it’s raining and finish before the school week starts.

The real longevity lives in the Battle Maps. While most of the game is about following the plot of The LEGO Ninjago Movie, the competitive four-player modes are where the replay value hides. It’s rare to find a modern game that handles four-player local split-screen this well without requiring an internet connection. If you have siblings who constantly bicker over whose turn it is, putting them all on the same screen to fight the Shark Army is a solid tactical move.

Where it sits in the LEGO hierarchy

Let’s be honest: this isn't LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. It doesn't have that level of polish or scale. It’s a 2017 tie-in that was built to capitalize on a movie release, and the IGDB score of 69 reflects that middle-of-the-road reality. It’s a B-minus game that earns an A-plus for convenience.

Because there are no in-game purchases or loot boxes, it’s a completely "set and forget" experience. You don't have to worry about your kid seeing a cool skin and asking for your credit card. If they finish this and are still itching for more digital bricks, you might want to look into The Ultimate Guide to LEGO Apps for options that focus more on building and creativity rather than just button-mashing combat.

The "Should you buy it?" test

Don't pay full price for this in 2026. It goes on deep sale frequently on the Nintendo eShop and PlayStation Store. If you can snag it for the price of a fancy coffee, it’s a total win. It’s the perfect "first action game" for a six- or seven-year-old who is just learning how to coordinate two thumbsticks at once. The stakes are low, the humor is high, and the "game over" screen is basically non-existent. You just explode into studs and keep going.

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The LEGO Ninjago Movie Video Game