For a decade Marvel fans have had to glare jealously as other franchises like Batman, Star Wars and Indiana Jones got video games. But all of that built-up bitterness came to a screeching halt today, as the long-awaited and hotly-anticipated LEGO Marvel Super Heroes video game was released today for most video game consoles! I picked up my copy of the LEGO Marvel video game this morning, along with the exclusive LEGO Iron Patriot minifigure. Thus far, I’m bursting with satisfaction with both items…

I got up bright and early this morning, because Christmas came over two months early this year: the LEGO Marvel Superheroes video game was released today for the Wii U, XBox 360, PS3, 3DS and almost every other imaginable console! (For some stupid reason, the original Nintendo Wii isn’t getting LEGO Marvel however, which is pretty ridiculous if you ask me.)

I was concerned my local Walmart would somehow run out of the free LEGO Iron Patriot minifigure polybag promo that was promised as a free bonus for pre-ordering the game there, so I high-tailed it over to Walmart first thing this morning. Earlier tonight I reviewed the Iron Patriot LEGO minifig on my Marvel blog, Marvel Toy News, so be sure to check it out on that site if you’re more interested in hearing about the minifigure than my impressions of the video game!

Amusingly, I learned that my fears were groundless as soon as I got to the store–the Walmart copies of the Marvel LEGO video game were specially packaged in box packaging, with the exclusive Iron Patriot LEGO minifigure polybag on the inside. I think this is a great choice, as it will stop all the thieving people who buy video games for the bonus items and then try to return the games sealed to the store for a full refund. Very smart, LEGO!

Today was a busy day, so I only managed to squeeze in about half an hour of gaming time to play my new PS3 LEGO Marvel Superheroes video game, but it was a half-hour of pure blissfulness. Seriously, I haven’t had this much fun playing a superhero video game in–well, maybe ever! The controls and camera are much tighter than in many LEGO video games I’ve played, the graphics are shiny, and the trademark LEGO goofy, cornball humor is as funny (or groan-inducing) as ever. In short, it’s everything you could ask for from a new LEGO video game!

In the one level I had time to play today, I was able to use Hulk, Iron Man and Spider-Man. While I truly love the Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Marvel vs. Capcom series, characters like Hulk were always sluggish and frustrating to play as in those games. That trend doesn’t spread to the LEGO Marvel game, however! Hulk feels powerful, fast and responsive. Seriously–playing as Hulk is an absolute blast!

I was also surprised to see how many superpowers and abilities LEGO had incorporated for Iron Man and Spider-Man–this particular LEGO Marvel Super Heroes video game looks like it’s going to have far more playable character diversity than any LEGO game to come before it.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is available for order online and from local retailers, although my Walmart was (astonishingly) sold out of the game when I picked up my reserved pre-order this morning. It’s going to take me a week or so to make my way through the entirety of the game (I’m a slow gamer), but I’ll post my full LEGO Marvel Super Heroes review by the end of the month (hopefully). My first impressions are entirely positive, however–if you like Marvel and LEGO, you will absolutely fall in love with this LEGO Marvel Superheroes video game.

What do you think of the new Marvel LEGO Super Heroes video game, LEGO fans? Will you be picking this latest LEGO video game up, or does this game just not quite strike the right cord with you?