LEGO Batman: The Videogame for the Nintendo DS released in 2008 and somehow managed to turn Gotham City into a place where criminals explode into tiny plastic pieces instead of causing lifelong psychological trauma. Developed by Traveller’s Tales and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, this portable LEGO adventure lets players control Batman, Robin, and a massive roster of DC villains in classic brick-smashing fashion.

The game combines puzzle solving, platforming, combat, and collectible hunting with the goofy LEGO humor that somehow makes even Gotham’s most dangerous villains feel like they’d accidentally lock themselves out of their own evil lair. The DS version adapts the console experience into a portable format while still packing in gadgets, suits, vehicles, and co-op-inspired gameplay mechanics.

LEGO Batman: The Videogame became one of the most popular LEGO titles of its era and helped launch the endless flood of LEGO games that would eventually consume basically every movie franchise known to mankind. Buy retro games on Retro Games eXchange.

1. Developed by Traveller’s Tales and published by Warner Bros.
2. Features Batman, Robin, and numerous DC villains
3. Mixes platforming, puzzle solving, and combat gameplay
4. Includes unlockable characters, vehicles, and gadgets
5. One of the earliest and most successful LEGO superhero games