Ever wonder how Santa Claus manages to work his way down chimneys way too small for him? Or how he seems to stop time in order to visit all of the world's good boys and girls every Christmas morning? LucasArts and TT Games know the answer: Santa Claus is a Jedi Knight whose amazing Force powers allow him to pull off such spectacular feats. A long time ago, he came to us from a galaxy far, far away to exile himself from the Jedi purge led by Darth Vader. (No... that's not official canon.)

Step 1: At the Mos Eisley Cantina, enter the following two codes:

CL4U5H (for Santa hat and red clothes)
TYH319 (for white beard Extra)

Step 2: Go to the Character Customizer and create the proper costume. Use a human head, the appropriate red clothing...and don't forget the red cap! Santa can wield the weapon of your choice — we recommend the green or red lightsaber to seasonally complement his shiny red duds. (Remember, the color of his lightsaber decides whether his Force powers are naughty or nice.)

Step 3: In the Extras menu, activate Disguise 3.

Step 4: Enter the character-based level of your choice in Free Play.

Step 5: Spread holiday cheer to a galaxy in pieces.

Lucas Arts dropped us a line pointing out that their Lego Star Wars II game, out for one week, has already sold more than 1.1 million copies across the eight platforms it was released on.

Yeah, but you might as well say that's for only seven of the platforms since the DS version has got to be generating negative sales. As in returns.

"There's definitely something for everyone in LEGO Star Wars II, and the sales and reviews so far are proving it," said Jim Ward, president of LucasArts. "This is the type of fun, accessible game everyone in the family can enjoy. It appeals to so much more than just the traditional gaming audience."

Best part? The press release quotes my Rocky Mountain News review of the game. Ammo for that inevitable conversation in the corner office that always seems to be looming over my head. Brian Crecente

The first production run of the game (the one you have) was pushed out the door early. This was in part to coincide with the release of the Star Wars DVDs Episode IV, V, VI. The good news is that a second production run of the game has been tested and should hit store shelves after the initial stock runs out. However the game is still not bug free, but MUCH cleaner. The Endor Battle level has been tweaked so it is now user friendly. Although if I remember correctly the wireless co-op mode is still crap.

The moles also tell me that the U.S. version is actually far better than the one that hit Europe.

The whole thing is being blamed not on Amaze, but Lucas Arts, who, according to my sources, rushed the game out the door. The bugs were reported, the developers were trying to fix, but Lucas Arts just wanted the game shipped, according to the moles.

If you recall, this is the same excuse used for that abortive ending in Knights of the Old Republic 2.

Now I just need to figure out how to locate the secret second run of the game and try to swap it for the cruddy version I have. Brian Crecente

We're bringing our DS Lites and plan to hang out at the DS kiosks playing Lego Star Wars II, which I sorta detest on the DS, but he seems enthralled with, for an hour or so.

Hmm, I wonder if they will have the Wii on display. I was talking to some Activision folks yesterday about whether younger children would get into the Wii or not. I totally think they will. Tristan really wants to play with the Eye Toy and the Vision Camera, but it seems like the games aren't really crafted with short-armed children in mind. The Wii, well you should totally be able to play with it. Brian Crecente

As I sit here, on a train trundling its way to Denver, writing this post, I can feel my Playstation Portable sitting in the bag laying by my feet.

It's there, unplayed. Typically, that wouldn't bother me so much, but for the past few days I've been trancing through my half hour daily commute to work on a Star Wars high, a Legos Star Wars high.

On Tuesday, Lucas Arts sent me copies of Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy for the Xbox 360 and Playstation Portable. I had contacted them for a copy of the 360 version so I could review it for the newspaper. But they asked me if they should include the PSP version as well. Sure, why not, I told them, I'll review it for Kotaku.

I'm shocked at how good the PSP game is. Not that I don't expect there to be the occasional great game for the PSP, but this version seemingly has all of the substance, cut-scenes and style of the 360 version.

Granted, the 360 version looks a little better, but not much. That isn't to say that the 360 version is ugly, it's just that the PSP version is surprisingly beautiful.

The game is much like its predecessor in general play, but this time focuses on the three movies most Star Wars fans love most, the original three.

Like the original Legos Star Wars, you play through a Lego-replicated version of the movies as key characters, light-sabering and blasting your way from memorable plot-point to memorable plot-point. The game also still features its not too subtle form of humor, with bizarre little side jokes and funny Lego action.

While I don't notice a substantive difference between this version and the last, there does seem to be a lot more packed into each level. This time around there are a lot more hidden areas, side-missions and rideable vehicles.

One of the big additions to the game this time around, is the ability to mix and match the pieces of the characters you've unlocked to create new, outlandish people.

After beating the first story in the first movie, the game grants you access to all three movies. As soon as I was able, I jumped into the third movie and powered my way through the chapters until I had unlocked Princess Leia in the slave outfit, you know the one; the metal bikini affair.

Then I went back and unlocked Chewbacca. Then I created furry-armed, bikini-clad Han Solos and laughed and laughed and laughed until my sides hurt. Good times. Good times.

While the game is a blast to play, Lucas Arts still didn't include online multiplayer. For the Xbox 360, that means you and a friend can co-op through the game. For the PSP version you can buddy up wirelessly with another in-room PSP-owning buddy, but no online for you. Which just plain sucks.

I really wanted to take on someone else's abhorrent creations with my ChewLeia Solo.

The PSP version does have two very cool exclusive features. The first, The Story So Far, lets you view scenes from the original Lego Star Wars game and even play through the last leave of each of the three chapters. Challenge Mode is a new unlockable feature that has you running around inside levels trying to find hidden canisters. This mode lets you unlock characters from the first game. All said, the game includes 100 characters for your playing and splicing pleasure.

If there ever was a game for the Playstation Portable that could sell the handheld, this is it. It's just as substantive, easy to play and fun as the full blow version and it's a sizeable game.

There were times, when hopping from 360 to PSP and back, that I wish I could just transfer my progress because I felt I had already enjoyed the full experience, be it on PSP or 360. That's amazing.

Brian Crecente

I'm not sure whether to be aroused by these pictures or amused... I'm talking about the one of Princess Leia, not the Ewoks. Definitely not the Ewoks. Brian Crecente

LucasArts sends word that Lego Star Wars II will include both the original 50 characters from the first game, plus more than 50 new charactrers. The sequel will allow you to import all of your unlocked characters from the first game with a save file.

The characters will feature new abilities and you will also be able to customize them, according to the LucasArts press release.