Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars 3D Review

March 27, 2011 By Ryan Fleming

Review: Lego Star Wars III brings the unique Lego style to the Star Wars universe to the Nintendo 3DS in this mediocre port of the console game.

If you have never played the Lego style of games before, then you might want to start off with a different title and you should definitely avoid the handheld versions. Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars brings the unique and generally very entertaining Lego style to the Nintendo 3DS, but it fails to capture the magic that makes these games so much fun.

If you have played the console version of this game, avoid this title at all costs. It is not a direct port, it is a severely cut version of it. The console version is a fun and original game using a style that has been proven. The 3DS version is not.

You play through the Clone Wars as several characters, each of which has their own ability that you must use to complete the section they are assigned to. For example, early on you take control of Yoda as well as light and heavy troopers, and you switch through the three with the touch of a button. As you progress you will need to utilize each character’s abilities to progress. Some areas will require a Jedi, while others will ask you to shoot certain obstacles as a light trooper. The problem is that there is never any real challenge to this. You will come across an obstacle, use the appropriate character to interact with it, then move on. There is even a hint in the form of R2-D2 who just tells you who to use. And this is a problem with more than puzzles, it is an issue with combat and platforming too. There just isn’t any real challenge to it, and the majority of the time you will find yourself feeling like you are repeating the same thing over and over again. It can quickly become monotonous. There are a few fun sections sprinkled in, but they are too few and far between to merit the tedium you need to endure to get there.

The graphics look decent, but the level design is sadly unimaginative. It is fine to have good graphics, but when those graphics are used to display a mountain or a field over and over again, how it looks becomes utterly irrelevant. That is a problem that bleeds into the 3D as well. The 3D effect looks fine, but it is never really used to any real advantage. The platforming is the same with or without it, and it feels like it is just there and not a part of the development for this title.

This game is never bad, but it is definitely not good either, and it can’t compare to the majority of Lego titles on the consoles (including the console version of this same game). If fear leads to anger, and anger leads to the dark side, what does boredom lead to? The answer is Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars for the 3DS.

Score: 5 out of 10

Showing 10 comments

Johnny FartPants at 8:03am 8th April 2011 You can't directly port something like LEGO Star Wars III from console to handheld. It's just not possible. That should be pretty obvious to any decent games reviewer. Yes, the console version is fantastic, but the handheld versions are not just cut down substandard games.
Peter Spencer at 11:11am 28th March 2011 Ryan, thanks for the review. I purchased this game (LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars 3D) for my nine year old son yesterday (3/27) when we picked up the Nintendo 3DS. That's when I found out that MarioKart Racing 3D wasn't available (won't be availlable until September), and the Legend of Zelda Ocarina 3D won't be released until June. (He loves both of those games on the Gamecube and the Wii). I selected this title from those they had available. So far, he seems pleased with it. It seems very similar to the LEGOS Star Wars Complete Saga we have for the Wii (Gamecube), and the LEGO Indian Jones, both of which he enjoys very much. I decided I was not going to purchase the "street fighter" game; and my son doesn't care for the Nintendogs DS game (which his sister owns). Ryan, if you were going to recommend a game for Nintendo 3DS appropriate for a nine year old, which title (from those available right now) would you select. Thanks again for the review.
1. Ryan Fleming at 11:57am 28th March 2011 Hi Peter, I would say it depends on whether your son (or daughter) was looking for a game with depth, or just something fun to play. I liked the Bust-A-Move Universe title, but it is a puzzle game that may not have the depth that some gamers will want. Ridge Racer was also fun and one of my favorites, and if your 9-year old likes racing games--or at least just doesn't dislike them--that might be the way to go. We did not review them, but Steel Diver and Super Monkey Ball was also fun--but both games are fairly short.
Steve Gentile at 4:26am 28th March 2011 Thank you Ryan, we have a PC and Wii, and it sounds like we should avoid the 3DS version. Appreciate the follow up comment
Ryan Fleming at 5:33pm 27th March 2011 These are all fair questions. I really enjoy the Lego games in general, but I think that regardless of age, this particular title (on the 3DS--the console version is fun) is just kinda dull. The levels are bland and the gameplay is tedious. I've played a ton of "kids games", and good games are good games regardless of the age they are geared for. The Lego games are the perfect example. I think they are fun--just played the Harry Potter Lego game and I really enjoyed it. It isn't the Lego games in general I didn't like--just this one in particular.
stevengentile at 1:34pm 27th March 2011 I'm also wondering - what age is reviewer? My young kids love the Lego series
1. Ian Bell at 3:12pm 27th March 2011 "This game is never bad, but it is definitely not good either, and it can’t compare to the majority of Lego titles on the consoles (including the console version of this same game)" Have to assume the reviewer has tried the other games too and when he says this is not as good as the other Lego games, let's give him the benefit of the doubt.
2. GermanBull at 7:21pm 27th March 2011 He reviewed the 3DS version of one game. He also said the series as a whole is good. Quit skimming, read the whole thing
  1. Steve Gentile at 4:24am 28th March 2011 If your referring to me, then your the one assuming and 'skimming'. All I asked was the 'age of the reviewer' and said 'my kids love the lego series'. Neither is a negative comment toward this review. An intelligent person would understand this type of game has a vast audience, and I was simply wondering the target of the review - I was not critical of the review was I? No, I wasn't, I made no negative remark of the review. Obviously a 5 years old would see the game different than an 8 year old and a 12 years old and a 16 year old, etc... each age would find certain puzzles too easy or too hard and gameplay would vary. Hence my question. Sigh - I came here to read a review and ask a question, not be attacked and told I'm 'skimming'. Wise up
lee at 1:08pm 27th March 2011 my son disagrees says you guys are the ones who are unimaginative. perhaps you should update this article with some kids perspective.