Last week, Warner Bros. announced the release of the latest title in the LEGO franchise, LEGO Batman: The Videogame, for PSP, Nintendo DS, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

Unlike previous games in the LEGO series (such as Lego Star Wars and Lego Indiana Jones), LEGO Batman is not based on a movie or a comic book plot but features a completely original storyline. A group of Gotham’s most dangerous criminals escape from Arkham Asylum and you have to hunt them down spending the first three acts as Batman and Robin. Then, for the last three acts, you play the same levels as the villains except you don’t get to fight Batman.

Like other LEGO games there is no dialogue — just giggling, grunting, and funny hand motions that make you laugh while you take on missions in Gotham.

Even though Batman’s name is on the marquee, the villains steal the show. Each Arkham escapee has their own special powers, making them unique. The Joker can give joybuzzer shocks to anyone he takes, Poison Ivy can make enemies sick with a kiss, Mr. Freeze can put anyone into cold storage, and the Riddler can take control of vulnerable civilians and make them do what he wants.

This new PSP game also features several legendary Batman vehicles such as the Batwing, the Batmobile, Robin’s bike and more.

If the LEGO Batman sounds are familiar, that’s because of 2 reasons: The soundtrack is from Danny Elfman’s score for the 1989 Batman movie (although it sometimes doesn’t fit the scenes), and many of the sound effects are remade from other Batman games.

Although the characters of LEGO Batman look good, the art design of Gotham City could have been better.

The main weakness of the game is the complete lack of co-op play. LEGO games are best when played with a friend. Not having the two player option takes away a great deal of the fun.

LEGO Batman PSP game has been developed by Traveller’s Tales and is the company’s fifth game in the LEGO franchise.