Lego Star Wars : Gameplay

Characters

Lego Star Wars contains a total of 56 playable characters. The playable characters are modeled like actual Lego parts (but with far more mobility) and when they die, fall to pieces like an actual Lego minifigure. There are a wide variety of characters included in the game, all of which are unlocked by completing levels or by purchasing them at Dexter's Diner. Characters are divided into groups according to certain skills. For instance, Jedi can double-jump, use lightsabers, and have control of the force which they can use to activate Lego contraptions or defeat certain enemies. Characters who carry blasters have to ability to grapple. Droids, while not being armed, can travel through the game without being intentionally attacked by enemy characters; as well, protocol droids and astromech droids can open special doors. Every character, other than the PK Droid, the Gonk Droid, and Chancellor Palpatine, has a special ability.

Unlocked characters can be imported into the game's sequel, LEGO Star Wars: The Original Trilogy, as an extra called "use old save" costing 250,000 Lego Studs.
Because Lego Star Wars is based on the Prequel Trilogy (Episodes I, II and III), Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and other characters from the original Star Wars trilogy are not shown, appearing in Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy. However, if you unlock the last level, you can play as or buy Darth Vader, Princess Leia, a Stormtrooper, and a Rebel Trooper.

The following is a list of characters a player can play in the story levels of the game:

Episode I: The Phantom Menace:
Qui-Gon Jinn
Obi-Wan Kenobi
TC-14
Jar Jar Binks
Queen Amidala
Captain Panaka
Padme (Battle)
R2-D2
Anakin Skywalker (Boy)

Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Jedi Master)
R4-P17
Anakin Skywalker (Padawan)
Padme Amidala
C-3PO
Mace Windu
Padme (Clawed)
Yoda

Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Episode III)
Anakin Skywalker (Jedi)
Chancellor Palpatine
Commander Cody
Chewbacca
Wookiee

Bonus level: Episode IV: A New Hope
Darth Vader
Stormtrooper

Free Play

Lego Star Wars has a feature called 'Free Play', which enables the player to play the same level again, but with the ability to switch between characters, thus able to get into areas containing extras the player was unable to get before. In Free Play mode, a player may use any character they have unlocked. The Free Play option will only appear when the player finishes a level in Story Mode. Story Mode allows players to only switch between the players involved in that scene. Levels that are played in vehicles cannot be played in Free Play, but are able to be replayed in story mode like all the others.

Dexter's Diner

Dexter's Diner is the area from which the player chooses what level to enter, or can enter the Parking Lot to view any vehicles whose parts they have found. The parts to these vehicles are contained in 10 mini-kit canisters which are hidden in each level. Battles often take place between canon-good and canon-evil characters in the Parking Lot as well. At the diner counter, the player may purchase unlockable extras in exchange for Lego studs they have collected by playing through the levels.