Criticism focused on the lack of co-op options and long loading times. The game saw positive reviews for its story, humor, and evolved gameplay formula. The 3DS version was a standalone prequel, Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins. The game was originally announced in 2011 as Lego City Stories for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. The Lego City hub was based on multiple real locations. The script, written by Graham Goring, made extensive use of parody and reference to both crime shows, and other movies and television series.
At the time production began, it was to be the first title featuring voice acting, and it was the first in the TT Games Lego series not to rely on a movie or comic license. The first prototypes for Lego City Undercover were produced in 2010, with development beginning in 2011 after Nintendo approached parent company TT Games about developing for the Wii U. The original version was single-player only, while the re-release added local two-player multiplayer. Gameplay features McCain both exploring the open world hub of Lego City, and completing self-contained levels featuring puzzles and combat. Based on the City themed toyline by Lego, the narrative follows cop Chase McCain as he returns to Lego City and pursues escaped crime boss Rex Fury. It was later re-released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows via Steam by Warner Bros.
Lego City Undercover is an action-adventure platform video game developed by TT Fusion, originally released for the Wii U by Nintendo in 2013.