The LEGO franchise has been in a very tough spot for a while now. After almost two decades of consistent, licensed games that have taken the most beloved properties and turned them into family-friendly adventures, the series has had a very hard time with its next installment. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga has been in the works for years, and after numerous delays, there is really no telling when the game is going to come out. If there is one thing that's certain, though, it's that it is set to be one of the most ambitious LEGO games ever.
Developer Traveller's Tales has come a long way since its very first licensed LEGO game, and LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will be the culmination of a generation of work. Looking forward, the company has a breadth of opportunities in front of it for the next LEGO title. The series has tackled all kinds of properties from Indiana Jones to Lord of the Rings, but out of all of the possible worlds that could get the LEGO treatment after The Skywalker Saga, the world of Nintendo's Super Mario would arguably be the best choice.
The Rise Of LEGO Super Mario
Compared to other properties that have been transformed into the famous LEGO bricks, Super Mario is relatively new on the scene. Ever since The LEGO Group started producing licensed sets, it has really only ever focused on famous film properties such as Star Wars and Harry Potter. It wasn't until 2012 that the company began to produce sets based on major video games, with Minecraft being the obvious and most appropriate choice to usher in this new era for LEGO. The sets turned out to be a massive success, and they paved the way for LEGO's next major venture into the video game world.
After a very exciting announcement around National Mario Day, LEGO Super Mario sets began release in the summer of 2020. The sets combined a number of the best elements of LEGO bricks and Nintendo gaming in a way that had never been seen before in a LEGO set. The centerpiece of the entire theme is the electronic Mario (and now Luigi) figure that responds to the different interactive blocks in each set. It makes each LEGO Super Mario set into its own physical Super Mario level, and it's proven to be a massive success for The LEGO Group and Nintendo.
Why The LEGO Games And Super Mario Would Be A Perfect Fit
Just looking at the dozens of LEGO Super Mario sets that have been released, there are a number of reasons why the LEGO games and Super Mario would be an excellent fit. One of the biggest factors is the fact that an excellent base has already been laid for potential gameplay mechanics that a LEGO Super Mario game could employ. Not only does Traveller's Tales already have reference for how certain characters or locations should be stylized in LEGO, but it would have much less work to do for gameplay and puzzle mechanics if it used what the sets have established.
On top of that, the Super Mario franchise is so expansive that there would be no shortage of content to take inspiration from for a LEGO game. From the iconic Super Mario Bros. to the more contemporary Super Mario Odyssey, there would be so much for Traveller's Tales to play around with thanks to the history of Mario and the Mushroom Kingdom. It would be an excellent opportunity to continue the trend of Mario going to unique places he's never gone before, too. The Mario + Rabbids games have shown that Mario doesn't need to be restricted to the same format he's been in for over thirty years, and the LEGO games have shown great care towards the properties that they adapt.
The LEGO Franchise's Future
Aside from the fact that a LEGO Super Mario game simply sounds like a good idea on paper, it could be a great opportunity for Traveller's Tales to try something new after the many trials of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. The game has been in development for a very long time at this point, and after all of the delays, it's going to be a much needed relief when The Skywalker Saga is finally out in the wild. After all of that stress, doing something different could be a great shot in the arm for those that may feel creatively exhausted.
A LEGO Super Mario title would also be a great way to make sure that the LEGO franchise continues to evolve at the rate that it has been for all of this time. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is introducing a lot of new features, and continuing that innovation with a property like Super Mario would further cement Traveller's Tales as one of the most dynamic developers in the industry. It would also be a great opportunity to build an even stronger bond with Nintendo, a relationship that could result in even more Nintendo properties getting adapted into a LEGO game sometime in the future.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga still doesn't have a release date just yet, so there's really no telling where the LEGO franchise is going to go from here. There's a history of LEGO games being planned as others are being developed, so it's possible that the next one could already be in development. As far as when it will be announced, that date is probably very far in the future. Whenever the next LEGO game is revealed, though, hopefully it will live up to all the potential of a LEGO Super Mario game.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is currently in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.