"Building" on the success of LEGO Star Wars, LucasArts allows another of its signature properties to receive the interactive toy treatment. Famed archaeologist Indiana Jones takes his whip-cracking, pistol-packing persona into the lighthearted realm of LEGO in this homage to the rogue explorer's first three movies. Players begin their adventures in the world of academia, Barnett College, where Dr. Jones teaches archaeology. The institution serves as a jumping point for each of the three films.

The game offers 18 levels divided equally among three chapters where players will revisit memorable scenes on their way to recovering the Ark of the Covenant, the Sankara Stones, and the Holy Grail. Indy can use his whip to swing across chasms, fight enemies, or break apart objects to reveal coins. As in LEGO Star Wars, a second player can join in at any time for cooperative action online or off. Each character has specific roles and even phobias, such as Satipo's ability to dig up treasure or Indy's fear of snakes. Thus, players will frequently need to switch between characters to solve puzzles or complete tasks.

Over 60 playable characters include Sallah, Mola Ram, Marion Ravenwood, Short Round, Marcus Brody, and Toht. To appeal to the family friendly spirit of the toy series, Nazi references and symbols were removed in favor of a generic "cult" dressed in trench coats.