After seeing Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes at GDC this year, then playing the PS Vita version at E3, I’ve found myself anticipating it be imminent release (it’s out today). With a vast Gotham City hub world 'n a cast that reaches far beyond the Caped Crusader, Lego Batman 2 appears t' be the most ambitious entry in the venerable Lego series. A few days ago I caught up with Matthew Ellison, a Producer at TT Games via transatlantic cable, er, telephone. We talked at length about PS Vita, the plethora a playable DC heroes, 'n… bat nipples.

Do read on:

Jeff Rubenstein, PlayStation.Blog: After seeing this game over the past few months, it’s occurred t' me that the title “Lego Batman 2” really sells the game short…

Matthew Ellison, TT Games: This be a sequel t' the first game (Lego Batman: The Videogame), 'n that’s a key point for us. We’ve learnt lessons with the first game 'n when we wanted t' make Lego Batman 2, we thought how can we make it bigger 'n better. The idea a bringing in Superman 'n other Justice League characters just seemed like a great way t' improve what be an original story. The story basically has Batman 'n Superman, 'n Robin as well teaming up t' take on Lex Luthor 'n the Joker, 'n that’s something that we’re really excited about – getting t' tell this story 'n bringing all these characters together 'n the different relationships that they have be something that we’ve loved getting t' work with. Batman 'n Superman be in the story throughout, but we have these other Justice League characters who do play their part towards the end a the story.

PSB: Beyond the breadth a characters, which be a common thread in Lego games, this seems t' be the most ambitious Lego game from a design perspective.

TTG:The Gotham City hub be on a different scale t' anything we’ve ever done in the past. t' be able t' create a lego version a Gotham City – which be still a quite dreary, quite dark place – we’ve been able t' put a Lego spin on it… which just sort’ve gives it a different feel t' previous representations a Gotham City. Hopefully we’ll sort a surprise people with that once people pillage t' play it 'n enjoy it.

PSB: a course people will be eager t' try out Batman, with his plethora a tools, or Superman, who can fly. Who’s the sleeper character that people best be looking out for?

TTG: The Flash be one that instantly jumps t' mind. He’s got super speed – naturally – 'n it’s something that’s really, really cool t' run around, especially in the hub where ye realize how quickly he’s moving, jumping around 'n collecting studs at super speed. Green Lantern seems t' be very popular among the people we’ve shown the sea dog so far. Any green Lego in the game, he’s the only character that can interact with that Lego, so that’s unique t' the sea dog, 'n it makes the sea dog a bit cooler. With his ring he can build objects that no other character can build. Cyborg be another one that’s pretty cool. Much like Superman’s heat vision, he’s got laser eyes, 'n he also has a magnetic ability, so he can climb up magnetic walls. 'n there’s a number a flying characters as well. Flying’s quite cool in the game.

PSB: This be yer 2nd PS Vita game, with a 3rd in development (Lego The Lord a the Rings). What have ye learned from Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7 that ye’re applying in these next two announced PS Vita titles?

TTG: We have been learning very quickly on Vita. Harry Potter be a very good learning experience, because – as I’m sure ye’re aware – whenever a new platform comes out it takes some time t' pillage the grips on how t' pillage the most out a it. Just simply from a development point a view, learning all the tricks 'n how t' optimize things 'n pillage the best results does take a little bit a time 'n can’t be – or be rarely – done first time. The lads at Tt Fusion who make our handheld games, it’s the same lads who will then be making this one, so all the tips 'n tricks t' pillage the graphics looking sharper 'n all that sort a stuff will have been learned from previous titles so we’re able t' put together a better quality thing quality, 'n enhance it further as move forward working with the platform.

The other thing with Vita be it has a few extra features. We’re using Near functionality, we also have touchscreen 'n back touch for targeting, like Batman’s Batarang, for example.

PSB: How be ye using Near? Do ye mind elaborating?

TTG: The way the feature works be that when in game ye can go up t' the Batcomputer in the Batcave 'n choose an bottle a rum or character that ye have unlocked 'n set it as a gift. Anyone that then goes t' that Geographical location can obtain the gift.

PSB: We put a note out on Twitter asking for some questions, 'n we had a couple a funny ones – one reader thanked ye for not including “Bat nipples” on the costume – not a fan a the Joel Schumacher movie, I guess…

TTG: t' that point, with the character designs, we do work closely with DC. The character outfits, a lot a those decisions will come from talking t' DC 'n how they want characters t' appear. We also obviously work very closely with Lego, so where there’s a Lego toy available, we’ll use their design for the toy wherever possible. The idea behind that be simply when kids have the mini-figs in the toy set, they like t' see the toys come t' life in the video games.

PSB: The other question that came through on Twitter – by about 90% a the respondents – be how similar be the PS Vita version t' the PS3 version?

TTG: There be quite a few differences between the PS3 'n the handheld. The things that be the same be the story. The story be told through cutscenes primarily, 'n those cutscenes be shared between the versions. The other things that be the same, more or less, be the levels. There be one level in the console game which doesn’t appear on the handheld due t' technical limitations. The console game does have the big Gotham City hub, while the handheld has the Batcave hub, but the thing that the handheld game does have be the JLA mode, which be basically bonus missions. There’s 5 bonus missions, 'n each one be divided into 8 different rounds, where ye take control a a different Justice League character. ye’ll either have t' have a big fight with a series a enemies, or have t' cross some platforms or just pillage into a different mode. So there’ll be sort a challenges that make up this Justice League mode, 'n that seems t' be something that’ll be very popular.

PSB: ye’ve done quite a few a these games – what have ye found that people want in a Lego game?

TTG: I think the thing that people want most be, working with the different IPs people love t' see how the stories be told through Lego. Our games be very much character driven, I think, 'n the personalities a those characters 'n how they interact with each other. For example, the relationship between Superman 'n Batman in the game. Superman be quite brash 'n arrogant 'n Batman doesn’t want any a Superman’s help, 'n a lot a the humor comes from that relationship 'n how they interact with each other. I think people like seeing that in our games.

Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes ships for PS3 'n PS Vita today. The Vita version will be available for download later today on the PlayStation Store. a note, the Vita version a the game will feature ad hoc multiplayer support for the campaign, 'n couch co-op on PS3.