LEGO City Undercover Switch Review: Fun but Flawed
In a gaming landscape full of movie tie-ins and franchise rehashes, LEGO City Undercover (Nintendo Switch) stands out as an original, open-world LEGO adventure — yet its technical quirks and divisive pacing mean it’s not for everyone. Based on aggregated player scores and discussion patterns, it rates a 7.8/10 overall.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — Best for younger players and co-op fans tolerant of long load times
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Humorous, family-friendly GTA-style gameplay | Noticeable frame rate dips, especially handheld or split-screen |
| Expansive open world packed with collectibles | Load times remain long despite improvements over Wii U |
| Drop-in/drop-out local co-op mode | Occasional crashes and minor glitches |
| Great voice acting and varied disguises | Story pacing feels “tutorial-heavy” early on |
| Large variety of vehicles to commandeer | Performance poorer than PS4/Xbox in some modes |
| Retains much of Wii U's Nintendo-specific content | Missing minor items like Mario hat red brick |
Claims vs Reality
Marketing promises an “immersive open-world adventure with 20 districts and hundreds of collectibles” — and for fans of LEGO games, this is largely true in scope. However, the gap between advertised immersion and actual play pacing emerges in extended sessions. Reddit user u/Reddit*** shared: “Right from the start you get so many icons… I can’t count the times I got the ‘you haven’t unlocked this yet’ message… I felt like it should have let me [access] while playing, not until the game thinks I’m ready.”
The co-op feature was heralded as one of the big upgrades from the Wii U original. While functional and fun, especially for family play, multiple users mention technical trade-offs. A verified buyer on Best Buy noted: “Frames go down to what it seems like 15 per second” during split-screen in the open world, though still calling it “a great new experience” worth forgiving.
Performance claims — “runs fine on Switch” — depend heavily on mode. Marketing highlights improved load times over Wii U, but community comparisons reveal lingering friction. ResetEra members reported boot-up loads as “painfully long,” with one adding, “The issue is overblown… keep it in sleep mode [to] get rid of the loading at the start.” For heavily mobile players, docked mode’s stability remains a safer bet.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
The humor lands universally well. Whether in pop culture nods or sharp dialogue, players of all ages find the writing a highlight. From Steam discussions, one player remarked: “Fun game with a surprisingly gripping story for a campy pisstake on cop movie tropes.” This humor is a key bridge for adult enjoyment, making it playable with children without feeling purely juvenile.
The open world is another constant point of praise. Best Buy reviewers frequently draw a Grand Theft Auto comparison — “like GTA for kids” — and recount the joy of free exploration. For completionists, the hundreds of hidden items deliver replay value. Parents note that this freedom lets younger players engage without strict mission objectives, as one Trustpilot comment put it: “My 4-year-old mostly spent his time driving around the city and breaking LEGO structures apart.”
Vehicle variety also sees near-universal acclaim. With over 100 driveable options, they’re integral to puzzle-solving and leisurely city tours. A Redditor playing co-op called it “a surprisingly good game for a GTA title aimed towards children” that “ran smoothly” on PS4.
Common Complaints
Performance is the most consistent downside. Frame rate dips are notable in handheld and multiplayer, affecting those sensitive to visual smoothness. ResetEra community member: “Runs like wet ass in handheld mode.” Technical issues extend to occasional crashes. One Reddit user gave up entirely after “three crashes, losing hours of playtime… on the Switch.”
Load times, even after Wii U improvements, still frustrate, especially for players used to rapid startup in other titles. Complaints often center on the disconnect between cartridge-based expectations and reality. A Best Buy reviewer measured “close to a minute for game startup” — enough to stand out against Nintendo’s first-party load performance.
Pacing also draws criticism. Some players find early chapters overly tutorialized, slowing entry into full exploration. Reddit feedback: “Finally in chapter 6… starting to open up a bit.” For seasoned gamers, this handholding feels excessive.
Divisive Features
Co-op’s inclusion splits opinion — a groundbreaking addition for LEGO City but hindered by performance. Families love the mode’s accessibility; one Trustpilot review highlighted “adults will get a chuckle out of the humor that will go over most kid’s heads.” Yet tech-focused players see it as a regression compared to polished single-player performance, noting it “is fine in levels” but “bad framerate in open world.”
Platform choice sparks debate. Wii U loyalists argue it’s the definitive experience thanks to gamepad integration, while others prefer Switch for shorter load times and portability. A GameFAQs contributor summed it up: “If you need multiplayer, get the Switch one. Otherwise, Wii U.”
Trust & Reliability
Scam-like concerns aren’t prevalent, but technical stability is questioned. Multiple verified buyers describe minor glitches — missing unlockables, stutters during explosions in co-op — while Reddit reports range from “actual crash… game got closed” to quirky physics misfires (“car drove… without me doing anything… falling out of the game world”).
Long-term reliability in casual use appears steady, with older Wii U players noting replay enjoyment years later. However, completionists occasionally hit progress-blocking bugs, as one Best Buy reviewer found when stuck at “99.9% due to a glitch.”
Alternatives
From community comparisons, platform choice substitutes as the main “alternative.” The PS4 and Xbox One versions offer crisper textures and, for PS4, up to 60fps in some segments. Docked Switch approximates these, but handheld sacrifices resolution stability. The Wii U version remains unique for its gamepad-specific scanning mechanics, which some find cumbersome and others charming.
Price & Value
Prices range dramatically — from $9 digital sales in North America to €59.99 still listed in parts of Europe. eBay resale hovers $18–35 used, with sealed copies fetching ~$47+. Community buying tips stress waiting for sales unless portability is a priority. As one ResetEra poster put it: “At $9 give it a shot… You pretty much can’t go wrong.”
FAQ
Q: Is LEGO City Undercover worth buying on Nintendo Switch if I own the Wii U version?
A: Only if you want portable play or local co-op. The core game is the same, with minor upgrades and some missing items like the Mario hat red brick.
Q: How bad are the load times?
A: Improved over Wii U but still long — boot-up can take ~50 seconds, with interior transitions 20–30 seconds.
Q: Does handheld mode run well?
A: Opinions split; some tolerate frame dips, others call it “garbage undocked.” Docked mode is smoother.
Q: Is it suitable for very young kids?
A: Yes. Multiple parents report 4–6-year-olds enjoy free roaming, with mild cartoon violence and simple controls.
Q: Are there game-breaking bugs?
A: Rare, but progress-blocking glitches and occasional crashes have been reported. Saving often is advised.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a parent seeking a humorous, family-friendly open-world adventure, or a co-op enthusiast willing to tolerate technical flaws. Avoid if frame rate stability in handheld is critical or if you dislike slow pacing in early chapters. Pro tip from the community: Keep the game in sleep mode to skip the long boot load and jump straight back into LEGO City.
