
Back in the day, handheld platforms were where you took a new LEGO game and hacked it to be bits in order to make it fit. From missing multiplayer modes and chopped-down level sizes to outright performance issues, it felt like you were getting punished for daring to smash Danish bricks anywhere other than a home console or a PC. Nowadays, with Nintendo Switch serving as a home for multiplatform releases, indie sleeper hits and classic re-releases, every new LEGO game can now get its due in handheld form. And the same goes for plenty of the old ones, so, of course, we’re getting LEGO Jurassic World on a new platform.
First released in the summer of 2015 in order to coincide with the release of the film of the same name, LEGO Jurassic World is one of those LEGO games that really gets the source material it's based on. For players of a certain age, memories of seeing the first two Jurassic Park films (let’s not talk about the third one) will likely define their childhood cinematic memories. For younger players, Jurassic World and its sequel might be there first foray into fictional dinosaurs. Either way, developer TT Fusion takes all the things that made those films to memorable (great characters, iconic moments and all the Goldblum you could ask for) and infuses them into the modern LEGO mould.

While not fully open-world in the format embraced by LEGO City: Undercover or LEGO The Incredibles, LEGO Jurassic World still makes fine use of the instantly familiar locations from the franchise’s 25-plus year history. You can explore both Isla Nublar and Isla Sorna, with the parks of old and new serving as hubs for the more traditional siloed levels of old. And while separate they may be, TT Fusion has been careful to balance out the linearity by stitching many of them together with more open-ended hubs (such as the area you explore in the gyrosphere while the Indominus Rex causes mayhem throughout Jurassic World). These hub designs aren’t perfect though, and even now, four years after playing it the first time, we still get lost trying to find the entrance to a new chapter.
LEGO Jurassic World was also a bit of a departure for the series, offering more of a focus on puzzle-solving and exploration than throwing a never-ending font of enemies to punch into pieces. Character-specific skills are now less about offensive abilities, and more around passive actions such as digging up fossils to reveal missing pieces, growing plants for reaching elevated platforms and much more. There’s still a need to throw hands (or claws) with your prehistoric friends, but the lack of mindless battles makes some of these set-pieces (such as the showdown between the T-rex and the I-rex in Jurassic World) far more memorable as a result.

As you’d expect for a game that uses four films as its basis, there’s a lot of content to get through here. It’s a shame no effort was made to produce a tie-in to Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, but then again, TT Games never did get around to releasing the Battle of the Five Armies DLC for LEGO The Hobbit, so it’s hardly an out-of-character decision. Still, while it’s slightly out of date in terms of franchise parity, there’s still plenty to like here. The dinosaur creator, for instance, is a cute little feature that ties into its DNA-splicing lore. With 20 different species of dino in the game, you can mix and match parts from each one to create your own silly hybrids as you progressively unlock new creatures.
So what are Nintendo Switch adopters getting that makes this port stand out? Well, apart from being able to play it on a portable platform again, you’re getting the exact same game that appeared on Wii U and most other platforms in 2015. The benefit of arriving four years after the fact is the inclusion of all the DLC that was released following its initial release. So alongside the main game, you’re getting the Jurassic World DLC Pack and the two Jurassic Park Trilogy DLC Packs 1 & 2.
Collectively, you’re getting four new vehicles and 12 additional characters, because the one thing a LEGO game needs is more minifigs. There are some noticeable fuzzy and blurry textures that are hard to miss – even playing in handheld mode – but we didn’t encounter any slowdown during our review playthrough. Cut-scenes have taken a knock in quality, and can occasionally stutter, but it's not a significant issue that impacts play. Overall, it's a decent port.
Conclusion
While LEGO Jurassic World does nothing particularly ‘new’ or exciting to distinguish itself from other platforms (other than being portable, which it pulled off three years ago on PS Vita anyway), it’s impossible to not be swept up by its charming recreation of the Jurassic saga. With a greater focus on puzzle-solving than combat, even the youngest of players will find it a safe and engaging place to muck around with Danish bricks. Much like every other LEGO release, its relevance to you comes down to your connection to the franchise, but if you have a penchant for clever girls and staying out of the long grass (and you haven't played it already), this port is bound to sink its claws into you.
Comments 37
Whoa wait a minute, Jurassic Park 3 was great! Far better than Lost World.
I had this on xbox one but never got the chance to play it properly as I traded the xbox for a Ps4 Pro so I would love to pick this up again on the Switch
A “on the fence” 7. Who saw that coming?
Seven must be most given score on switch games on this site... by miles...
Wonder how many hours this game was actually played for before reviewed
@Ooccoo_Jr
This!!! My thoughts exactly!!!!
These LEGO games are my guilty pleasure. I may pick this up (eventually).
I love me a good LEGO game, however I think in most cases it's the lineups of unlockable characters that makes it. I like Jurassic Park and all, however unlocking "random scientist 3" from a cast of characters does not excited me nearly as much as a Star Wars, DC or Marvel list. Also, the lack of open-world (my favorite part of City) is a deal breaker for me. I will pass on this one while I wait for the new Star Wars LEGO game next year
To confirm, is this the full release, not the cut down version that was released on 3DS and PS Vita?
If the game really looks blurry that would be a huge shame, I remember playing the Vita and later the Wii U versions and both were fine for the system the run it on.
Especially because the Switch should be able to run this without any issues.
I enjoyed this game back then during the Wii U days. Might not double dip right now, but I might wait for a sale.
Pay an extra $35 ($5 on PC) to play it on the GO and with random blurry textures. Even the DLC is 0.99 steam. So that it is included, is not saying much. I think im Good 🙄
@Agramonte The reviewer said that "there are SOME noticeable fuzzy and blurry textures". He didn't say that the whole game is blurry. You probably read the review very fast.
Bricks... find a way
@Cosats I thought obvious it was referring to the big bold letters there at the end. But if need to be more precise, sure. Edited.
I double dipped on this on Wii U and PC. I did not notice any blurry textures, but then again, I tend to not pay attention to that stuff. It would be strange if the Switch version had
It is a great game for anyone who has not played it yet and has an interest in LEGO games or Jurassic Park.
Also I enjoyed Jurassic Park 3. I like the first two movies better, but I think JP3 was also good. Jurassic World 1-2 kind of nosedived the series for me, but they were enjoyable at least.
For as much as I absolutely LOVED Lego as a kid, I never got into the video games. Even with the licensed properties like Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Harry Potter... it just failed to pull me in.
But I still have several very large boxes full of Lego in storage that, someday, if I have the room, I will gladly take back out.
Well, didn't know this was ported to SWITCH. Interestingly enough, me and my partner started playing it a couple nights back on the Wii U, she's not really a gamer so she's only ever completed Odyssey as the hat, Overcooked and Lego Batman 2 with me. Anyway, as usual, lots of stuff to destroy, little puzzles and also a fair amount of exploring. Easy times and fairly relaxing if you're tired of intense competition like on CTR online.
i want a sequel to lego city undercover.
What's the difference between this version and the 3DS version?
I only play the Star Wars ones.
@Ooccoo_Jr Thank you! JP3 is way better than Lost World, it has Sam Neil so it wins by default!
@Ooccoo_Jr Jurassic Park 3 has an IMDb rating of 5.9, Jurassic World has 7.0. Not saying I prefer one over the other - just the facts. The genral opinion is not with you on this one.
@RaunchyHylian Sam Neill in it is an instant 'No thanks' in my book.
Is this a direct port of the console version or a port of the mobile version?
I bought it on sale on another system and got bored pretty quickly halfway through the 'Lost World' section. The only Lego game I had bought before was the first Star Wars trilogy (Eps. 4-5-6) which I remember was way funnier and closer to the original stories.
@Ooccoo_Jr Alan!
I was just saying, not too long ago, that we need a Jurassic Park (World) game on the Switch.. I already own this Lego game on the Vita and XBox 360 though.. Do I really want to play this same game all over again, only on the Switch this time? 🤔
I loved this one, back when it released. Played through it with my son, and I liked the more explorative nature, and the puzzles. Doubt he'd play it again with me now, and cant be fussed to double dip for just myself. Not at $40 anyway.
Are thos screens from handheld mode ? If not that's Wolfenstein level of blurry
@Heavyarms55 or sell to me maybe? Lol
@RiasGremory me too
@Dayton311 I know what you mean, not half as good as random storm trooper #3
I've never played this one but my son played it on a friend's console and has been wanting it since so I guess I have no choice.
@Spideron Lost World and Jurassic World are different films. Lost World is Jurassic Park 2 whereas Jurassic World is the fourth film. Now I have written it down I can see that it is a bit confusing.
I would agree that Jurassic World is a better film though.
I wish they'd port Lego LoTR. That game was so much fun!
@LavaTwilight You wouldn't want to pay what I would charge. lol
@Spideron do not put any faith whatsoever in IMDB ratings, that way will lead to a very bad night's viewing. Bots are wild in there.
@Spideron what’s wrong with Sam Neil?!
I already have the Wii U version but if anyone who doesn't have the game and have a Nintendo Switch I recommend it.
I wanted this game for awhile, but thought the 40$ was too much. But then the HUGE sale with a bunch of games discounted this by like 20$, so I got it. Enjoying it so far!
@Nintendzoey I’d suggest against it, because the graphics aren’t changed and there isn’t anything new to the game.
@RaunchyHylian the only reason I even remotely tolerate the crapshow that is JP3, is Sam Neil. Everything else is god awful in every way. Lost World was awful too, but some parts were enjoyable. JP3 was just boring, followed the same “uh oh, gotta go to another island with BLOOD THIRSTY DINOSAURS AGAIN because I’m sure it’s safe” plot line, and there was no personality in any of the characters. But Sam Neil is a much better main character than Ian, that’s for sure.
Sorry for venting, I just needed to get this off my chest lol
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