Fair warning: This is not your standard review for LEGO 2K Drive. There are plenty of reviews for gameplay, upgrades, and build designs. This review is something completely different, and yet the kind of review almost every evil genius parent wishes for.

Surprisingly, I was lucky enough to score a review copy for LEGO 2K Drive on both Nintendo Switch and PS5. Rarely do I have the chance to test a game across more than one console. And let’s be honest with ourselves: Console Choice matters. For some gamers (both families and individuals), affordability and space mean There Can Be Only One. The choice of console then comes down to brand loyalty, a matter of priorities, and (what I consider most important) which games you are likely to play. LEGO 2K Drive will appeal across demographics, particularly the demographics usually segregated into loyal console camps. So, today’s unique opportunity gives us a chance to review the suitability of a game based on two different consoles–and how this could change whether you buy the game. Perhaps even if you go out and buy a new console.

What is LEGO 2K Drive?

Let’s take a quick look at our common denominator: LEGO 2K Drive. It’s the latest in a long history of driving games but brings a refreshing twist to the genre. It’s built on three great strengths: a fun narrative (the ultimate Sky Cup Trophy), a wide open-world setting (filled with races and side quests), and the opportunity to express your own creativity along the way (I mean, it’s LEGO). The strong Forza Horizon vibes will appeal to any driving game enthusiast, but this is better than the 2019 Speed Champions game. 

The game is rated for ages 10+, so there is an expectation that kids will have some level of dexterity and capability in controlling the vehicles. Worth noting here, I am the most uncoordinated person I know, and I maintained moderate control of the vehicles AND had fun. And yes, many people still think of LEGO being a kids’ toy, but I have a bunch of mates who attended Sydney BrickBuilt last month who will tell you otherwise. There are plenty of adults who are going to love playing around in the open world and creating their own vehicle builds in this game. Including me. 

The sticking point for me is the online play. After reading through the legal T&Cs and online details, my personal choice is to NOT play online. As a parent, there are a number of terms in the agreements that leave me feeling uncomfortable. When you then consider the in-game purchasing behaviour and online tournaments, I am less inclined to let the kids play online. This is a major shame because the strongest thing going for LEGO 2K Drive is the bridge it creates between parents who like driving games and their kids who want to join in the fun. 

For that reason, I’m focusing on LEGO 2K Drive as a stand-alone game without the online features. The game itself has enough to offer on this alone, and there is just enough difference between Nintendo Switch and PS5 to make for some serious purchase consideration. 

LEGO 2K Drive: Switch or PS5?

Traditionally, I have always held the following personal bias (judge away, minions): 

• Nintendo has the best family games
• Playstation has the best graphics
• Xbox has … something? I’ve never been sure about this. The graphics are great, but it doesn’t stand out to me. Feel free to tell me in the comments where I’m wrong. 
• PC is for serious gamers. Loads of indies on Steam, personalise your set-up, and most of your companions are online.

Focusing on family-friendly game reviews, my preference is usually for a Switch code. I review games based on my own personal play, but for a real family-centric review, I bring in the heavy hitters, ie. the entire EG Family. Nintendo Switch has always had a great catalogue of party games, and, to be fair, the Mario Kart series has been a staple in most families for years. 

Recently, we purchased a PS5 with God of War: Ragnarok installed. Now, as much as I love the Switch, the graphics on the PS5 are absolutely phenomenal. For a game like GoW:R, I could sit there and watch the cinematic quality forever. When I mentioned this to the LEGO 2K Drive PR people, we agreed this would be the perfect opportunity to assess what the game offered across two different platforms. We both had our standard expectations based on the same bias mentioned above. 

And surprisingly, we were both wrong. 

A Difference of Hardware

There are two noticeable differences between LEGO 2K Drive on Switch and on PS5. The first is obviously the graphics; however, I was surprised to even notice. Sure, it was a fairly small detail. The Switch is lovely, and again, you wouldn’t notice the difference if you weren’t actively comparing the two consoles. But the detail on PS5 is simply neater. Is this a deal-breaker for me? No. But if you are really into driving games, you’re gonna appreciate the details. Especially when it comes to upgrading your vehicles.

The second difference between the two consoles was with the controllers. I much prefer the PS5 Dualsense Wireless controllers. LEGO 2K Drive requires some dexterity and skill to play the game. There are special moves and launches/jumps; even drifting requires you to press more than one button. Maybe I’m just old, but my hands tired easily with the Switch Joy-Cons, even in pro controller mode. The grip of the PS5 controller is much better suited to the driving dynamic. Each of the buttons feels more naturally placed. However, the spawnlings prefer the Joy-Cons–their hands aren’t quite at the same ‘Truck-osaurus’ level as mine. Considering that the game is aimed for 10-years-and-over, this may not be as big a problem but something to keep in mind. 

Family Friendly Gameplay

Now for the actual deal breaker: multi-player mode. The big promotion for LEGO 2K Drive is to play online with friends. However, we are choosing not to. Which then leads to the question: Is there a local multiplayer mode? Yes, but only on PS and Xbox. NOT Nintendo Switch. 

*insert shock face here* I really hope this changes in the near future because I think Nintendo and 2K will be super disappointed when they see the opportunity they have completely missed. 

On the PS5, you can play LEGO 2K Drive in a split-screen co-op mode with one other player. Essentially, this means you have one main player plus a 2nd player to race with you and help out. When racing in competition, either player can win. When collecting items or finding a path to the next challenge, either player can achieve the goals. 

Gaming parents have just seen the absolute MAGIC in this. But I’m going to spell it out for you.

Let’s say you love your driving games, and there’s a kid in your life who is just aching to join in with you. Spawnling, sibling, friend, anyone. Some of those driving games are not exactly child-friendly (*cough cough* GTA). And Mario Kart and that whole genre only work to a point; the courses get a little repetitive over time and don’t have the same open-world setting or narrative to entertain you. 

LEGO 2K Drive offers a split-screen co-op mode, so you can drive with the spawnling, helping them along, and sharing the story together. You can build together. You can race each other. You can explore together. It’s like having all of the benefits of a driving game PLUS a buddy to share it with. 

Why didn’t you promote this for Mother’s Day?!?

Should You Buy It?

Never before have I had a game recommendation hinge so much on the choice of console. This alone could be the deal-breaker for many families because we can’t all afford to go out and buy a new console just for one game. However, if more games are released with a similar set-up to LEGO 2K Drive, it may very much change the landscape for gaming consoles and family purchases. 

Here are a few assumptions based on the above review: 

• If you already love driving games, you probably already have a PS4 or PS5. In that case, LEGO 2K Drive is a brilliant game to share with your spawnlings and worth the purchase.
• If you have a Switch and love driving games, LEGO 2K Drive is a better fit for solo play. Competitive players may enjoy the online elements, but the in-game microtransactions and legal T&C’s should raise red flags with most parents. Please read all three documents carefully before you agree. Feel free to comment below if you want to chat further. 
• If you are looking for a new LEGO video game for the family, consider who is playing this game and why they are playing it. Much of the LEGO-building appeal follows some necessary stage completion. Those players less interested in driving games may not have the clutch power to last that long, even for LEGO. 

For me, LEGO 2K Drive works best on the PS5 and not online. It has the potential to be a real game-changer in the driving genre. I like the open road, the gentle narrative, and the laugh-out-loud moments when my driving skills simply add to the in-game chaos. In a perfect world, I could have the party-game elements of Mario Kart with the open-world nature of LEGO 2K Drive, and no in-game micro-transactions. This last point shouldn’t be such a big issue, but as a parent, it really is. It starts off small but has the potential for serious problems when you play online.

The packaging says LEGO 2K Drive is rated 10 Years and Up. However, the narrative and use of LEGO ensure the game is marketed for kids. And that can be a big issue for families. It’s a feature found in many 2K games, as well as many driving games, but having it in a game that targets the kid-market feels a bit ick. It’s a shame because the developers have done an amazing job with so many other features. LEGO 2K Drive has the potential to be a great starter for racing enthusiasts and one that will influence games in the future. 

LEGO 2K Drive on Switch: 3 out of 5 LEGO Tyres

LEGO 2K Drive on PS5: 3.5 out of 5 LEGO Tyres

LEGO 2K Drive retails around AUD$80 in most stores and is available now. You can also purchase the additional Premium Drive Pass for enhancements and bonus features. The game is available on PS4/PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X and Xbox One, and on PC via Steam and Epic Games. EG Mum received a complimentary review code for both Switch and PS5. Both consoles are her own purchased items. All views published here are her own, and no payment was received for this review. 

Categories: video games

Tagged as: lego parenting review video games

Evil Genius Mum

Evil Genius Mum
- Taking over the world, one blog post at a time