Handheld video game:Nintendo 3DS Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars

Whether you follow a design and instructions, or make your own creation, LEGO blocks have stimulated imaginations in children and adults since their introduction in 1958. These simple bricks join together to form millions of combinations, and have left a significant impression in popular culture and the way we play. Thanks to television and video games, users are not limited in the ways they choose to interact with LEGO pieces; they can build, control characters, and take part in interactive stories without ever leaving the couch.

Electronic Arts released the first LEGO video game in 1997. Entitled "LEGO Island," this computer game allowed players to explore a world made entirely out of LEGO pieces and complete different missions. "LEGO Island" received excellent reviews and led to the creation of two sequels, as well as many more LEGO games. Along with original worlds and storylines, LEGO also released video games that tied into popular franchises, such as "Harry Potter," "Star Wars," and "Lord of the Rings."

In 2005, Eidos Interactive and LucasArts released "LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game" for multiple gaming consoles. Developers drew the plot of the game from the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy, allowing gamers to play out moments from "The Phantom Menace," "Attack of the Clones," and "Revenge of the Sith." Gamers have the opportunity to play as a wide range of characters, including Obi-Wan Kenobi, C-3PO, Chewbacca, Anakin Skywalker, and Yoda. Different characters have different skills, and players must use a variety of them in order to beat the game. Like other LEGO video games, LEGO blocks make up everything in "LEGO Star Wars," from the characters, to the settings and backgrounds.

"LEGO Star Wars" was a critical and commercial success, and became the thirteenth best-selling game of 2005. Because of the sensation created by "LEGO Star Wars," LucasArts released a sequel entitled "LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy" in 2006.

As the name suggests, "LEGO Star Wars II" took its plot from the three original "Star Wars" films. It included more characters, such as Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo, as well as new locations featured in the first three movies. Much of the gameplay remained the same, however, developers made improvements to the game's camera and levels involving LEGO vehicles. They also added some new features, including the ability for players to customize their characters and build weapons and items out of stray LEGO pieces.

Like its predecessor, "LEGO Star Wars II" was a huge success. It sold more than 1.1 million copies in its first week and became the third highest-selling game of 2006. Critics and players commended the game's improvements, as well as its story telling. In 2007, LucasArts released "LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga," followed by "LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars" in 2011.

"LEGO Star Wars III" took its plot and characters from the Cartoon Network series "Star Wars: The Clone Wars." Gameplay remained the same as the previous games, while designers improved the game's graphics and lighting. Unlike previous games, the actors from the television series provided their voices for "LEGO Star Wars III." The game received mixed reviews from critics who criticized its repetitiveness, as well as its plot. Anthony Gallegos of IGN wrote, "Nothing is particularly remarkable about LEGO Star Wars' gameplay, but as a package, it's good, simple fun."

In 1998, the National Toy Hall of Fame, calling the blocks "an ideal toy," inducted LEGO into its ranks. Two years later, "Fortune Magazine" named the LEGO brick "Toy of the Century." Thanks to computer animation, LEGO figurines appear in multiple television series, as well as a full-length movie. More than 50 years after its initial release, LEGO's interlocking plastic block remains popular and continues to evolve.