Lego 2K Drive is a kart racing game based on Lego characters. It was created by Visual Concepts and released by 2K. The game came out on May 19, 2023, and is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Players can explore a large, open world in the game. Critics gave the game mixed reviews, saying the gameplay was good but pointing out that the game’s online features and ongoing updates were not well received.

Gameplay

Lego 2K Drive is a racing game that is played from a third-person perspective. The game takes place in a world called Bricklandia, which is an open world made up of several regions that players can explore freely. The game includes destructible environments, a feature commonly found in Lego games. Players can complete the main story or choose to play mini-games and challenges throughout the world. In the game, players can build their own vehicles using 1,000 unique LEGO pieces. Other options, such as vehicles from Lego City and Lego Creator, are also available. Vehicles in the game can change form, similar to the game Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. For example, a vehicle designed for land can transform into a boat if it enters water. The game also offers cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, including two-player split-screen gameplay and six-player online play.

Development

While TT Games created most Lego games, Lego 2K Drive was made by Visual Concepts South, a company best known for creating the NBA 2K and WWE 2K series. Team members had experience working on racing games like Hydro Thunder and San Francisco Rush. This game is the first Lego racing game since the Lego Speed Champions DLC for Forza Horizon 4 in 2019. Lego 2K Drive began an agreement between The Lego Group and 2K to create multiple games. The game took about five years to make. The team said the game was designed to be simple and easy to play. Creative director Brian Silva explained that 2K Drive was not just a racing game, but also allowed players to build their vehicles, explore the game world, and complete different side activities.

Release

In March 2023, the game was announced and released on May 19, 2023, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and S. Visual Concepts planned to provide extra downloadable content when the game launched. The game is sold in three versions: a standard version, an Awesome Edition, and an Awesome Rivals Edition. The Awesome Edition and Awesome Rivals Edition include special items and were released three days before the game’s official release date. The Nintendo Switch version did not have a physical release; instead, all copies were sold digitally or as a download code in a physical Switch game case. However, this version does not support crossplay or wallet sharing.

In June 2023, 2K Games introduced a downloadable content pack called Drive Pass Season 1, which was released on June 28, 2023. This content adds the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T and the Nissan Skyline GT-R as playable vehicles. It also includes Bricklandia’s Fast Crew, which consists of sisters Rita and Lita Malachi, pilot Doug, and resident techie Ronnie (also known as CoNfL8t).

Reception

Lego 2K Drive received "mixed or average reviews" according to Metacritic, a website that collects and summarizes game reviews. The game was nominated for Racing Game of the Year at the 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards and was longlisted for Family and Multiplayer categories at the 20th British Academy Games Awards.

IGN noted that the in-game courses were well-designed, with many technical sections, environmental challenges, and useful shortcuts. GamesRadar+ pointed out that the game’s rubber-banding feature made early races feel unfair, as other players often appeared to be far ahead even when they were not. Rock Paper Shotgun criticized the game’s live service features but praised its detailed visuals, saying the game’s design showed careful attention to detail.

Kotaku appreciated how the game automatically switches between vehicles, such as cars, boats, or off-road vehicles, without requiring player input. This feature made exploration easier in the Lego-themed world of Bricklandia. Game Informer mentioned that the game’s dialogue humorously imitated other racing games, which made it enjoyable to play.

Lego 2K Drive was the 7th best-selling boxed game in the United Kingdom during its first week of release.