Brickset news archive: July 2011
-
New Red Cargo Train now in LEGO Store Milton Keynes
Posted by bluemoose, 26 Jul 2011 16:24. Filed under Shopping (UK).
We haven't heard about availability in any of the other UK LEGO Brand Stores, but the new City Red Cargo Train, set 3677, was spotted on the shelf in the Milton Keynes Brand Store earlier today; looks like they received it in their regular Tuesday delivery. I'm sure there will be a few happy train-heads out there by now!
UPDATE - It's been pulled from the shelves; apparently it isn't supposed to be on sale in the UK until 1st August. So it's OK to sell it in the US, but not in the UK, even though they actually have it in the store? LEGO really need to stop this arbitrary discrimination between different countries.
40 comments, latest one posted 22 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1644 views
-
LEGO At Liverpool ONE (UK)
Posted by bluemoose, 26 Jul 2011 16:10. Filed under Shopping (UK).
We've heard that LEGO Brand Retail are targeting Thursday 18th August as the first day of trading for the new store in the Liverpool ONE shopping centre.As with all new openings, it might slip a few days if things aren't going well, and it's worth noting that as with most recent store openings, this will be a 'soft opening' meaning that there be won't be a 'Grand Opening' event until a month or two after the store has opened.
If you're in the area, drop in - you're sure to have a fun time.
4 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1675 views
-
It's survey time again!
Posted by bluemoose, 26 Jul 2011 13:30. Filed under Miscellaneous.
LEGO's Community Engagement & Communication team have asked us to pass on details of the latest community survey, so here it is -
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AFOLJuly2011
If you get a chance to fill it in, please do so and let LEGO know what you think!
27 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1089 views
-
Series 5 In Mainland Europe
Posted by bluemoose, 26 Jul 2011 12:34. Filed under Shopping (Europe).
Looks like the Series 5 collectable figures are starting to roll out across Europe now - we've had reports of them in Poland (at E.Leclerk supermarkets) and in the Czech Republic. We're assuming they'll be appearing across the rest of Europe very soon - why not post your sightings here or on the forums and help out your fellow collectors? Or add them to the Google tracker map that 'kylejohnson11' has setup here.
Thanks to 'Pawel Kaminski HWS' and 'Zelyonii-Zaktan' for the news. And thanks to 'kylejohnson11' for picking up after 'Ugly Duckling at Bricklink finished with the tracker maps.
50 comments, latest one posted 22 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)4485 views
-
Minifig catalog now available at Amazon
Posted by Huw, 26 Jul 2011 11:06. Filed under Shopping (USA).
It's also been reduced by $20 making it far more reasonably priced, so grab it while you can!
16 comments, latest one posted 22 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1005 views
-
Series 5 Lands in the UK
Posted by bluemoose, 26 Jul 2011 08:05. Filed under Shopping (UK).
We've been getting reliable reports from multiple sources that the Series 5 Collectable minifigs are now available from W.H.Smiths stores in the UK.
They aren't in all stores yet, but we've heard confirmed reports from Hull, Darlington & Telford; expect them to appear in all stores over the next couple of days. As always, phone ahead to check availability before undertaking a long or expensive journey.
The chase is on!
Thanks to Neil, Jas, burakki62, & Omnius for the info.
57 comments, latest one posted 22 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1406 views
-
Exclusive, collectible "Young Han Solo" minifigure.
Posted by bluemoose, 25 Jul 2011 19:21. Filed under New sets.
As you know, brickset.com is all about the bricks; we deliberately don't give much coverage to all the other non-brick products that LEGO produce, like video games, kitchen accesories, storage boxes, yadda, yadda, ...
This item is a little bit of an exception - the recently broadcast (on Cartoon Network in the US) "LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace" TV special is getting released as a BluRay/DVD combo-pack in the USofA on September 16th ... the twist is that it comes with an exclusive, collectable "Young Han Solo" minifig. No news on international availability, of either the BluRay/DVD combo-pack, or whether the fig will be included outside of the US.
At the link you can find details of the extras & details of pre-ordering the pack from Walmart.
43 comments, latest one posted 22 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1663 views
-
Star Wars 2012 - TIE Fighter & Queen Amidala
Posted by bluemoose, 25 Jul 2011 15:35. Filed under New sets.
The other news from this year's SDCC was, as widely reported across the LEGO bloggosphere, the panel discussion which revealed some interesting new information about next year's Star Wars sets ...
First, we're getting a larger, more detailed TIE Fighter, set #9492. As well as the ship itself, the set will include 4 minifigs - TIE Fighter Pilot, Death Star Trooper, Imperial Officer & Imperial astromech droid (R5-J2).
Secondly, LEGO have been working on a new Padme figure, this time in one of her regal 'Queen Amidala' outfits. It isn't clear yet what set this will be in.
Thanks to everyone that emailed us, and especially to 'ThatOllieGuy' for sharing his photos on flickr.
39 comments, latest one posted 22 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1502 views
-
New localised novelty items
Posted by bluemoose, 25 Jul 2011 14:35. Filed under New sets.
A few members have reported spotting new localised novelty items in LEGO Brand Stores - so far we've seen a country specific keychain ('Canada'), a city specific keychain ('Berlin'), and a city specific magnet set ('New York').
Anyone seen anymore? Join in here or on the forum.
Thanks to 'elazgar' & 'GIR3691' for the info.
8 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1146 views
-
Buy One, Get One 50% Off at Toys R Us
Posted by yellowcastle, 24 Jul 2011 00:42. Filed under Shopping (USA).
Valid Sunday 7/24 through Saturday 7/30, Toys R Us is running a Buy One, Get One 50% Off promotion for all* LEGO construction sets. Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Ninjago sets are excluded, however. As always, try and buy similarly priced sets and look for those sets with little if any extra TRU markup in order to maximize your savings. Lastly, you receive free shipping on orders that exceed $75. The sale went live at midnight and there are many nice sets in stock such as the new Red Cargo Train, Emerald Night, Medieval Market, Queen Anne's Revenge, and the Imperial Flagship.
Update: In some stores, the promotion is actually BOGO 40% Off.
Update 2: Star Wars sets are now also BOGO50% Monday 7/25/11 Only. The catch is that they only pair with non-Star Wars sets. The plus is that you can buy mulitples of the same set.
39 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1512 views
-
Next architecture set: Brandenburg Gate
Posted by Huw, 21 Jul 2011 14:46. Filed under Brickset.
Forum member bricknation found this set on the shelves of the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Manchester. Although there's been rumours of this appearing, I think his picture in the forum is the first. Price was £35. Ouch!
Update: Picture removed at the request of LEGO.
32 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1849 views
-
Buy one get one half-price on City sets at Smyths
Posted by Huw, 20 Jul 2011 11:57. Filed under Shopping (UK).
The offer is on in the UK and Ireland, and appears to be online and in-store. See their websites for more information: Ireland | UK.
Thanks to dpa1 and Colingdi for the news.
7 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1279 views
-
DC and Marvel sets coming next year
Posted by Huw, 20 Jul 2011 02:55. Filed under Miscellaneous.
Exciting news broke overnight on the Variety website, on the eve of ComicCon: LEGO and Warner Brothers have expanded their relationship giving LEGO access to the complete DC Comics character collection including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and villains the Joker, Bane, Harley Quinn and Lex Luthor.I know that this will be very welcome news for many of you who perhaps missed out on Batman first time around.
Although the first wave of sets is not due out until next January, expect to see the first pictures of them once ComicCon gets underway. Unfortunately none of Brickset's staff will be there but Ace from FBTB will be, so keep an eye out for the sets over there.
Update 1: Check out http://www.legosuperheroes.com/ for pictures of Superman, Batman and the Green Lantern!
Update 2: (I can't keep up with this!) Now it seems LEGO has a Marvel licence as well!
Update 3: DC and Marvel minifig pictures now on flickr: Check out Wolverine, Iron Man, The Hulk, Wonder Woman and more!
Update 4: Buildable super-heroes (like Ben10) at Eurobricks.
Keep an eye out at FBTB for more.
(all via FBTB and your comments)
289 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)2660 views
-
Mastercard Monday at Toys R Us
Posted by yellowcastle, 18 Jul 2011 10:05. Filed under Shopping (USA).
Per their flyer, "Save $25 on your purchase of $125 or more when you use ANY MasterCard card at checkout." This seems like a really great deal to stack with the current BOGO1/2 promotion. I see no issues but here's the small print...
*For a limited time, receive $25 off your purchase of $125 or more (excluding tax, shipping and Buyer Protection Plan) when you use any MasterCard Card at checkout. $125 or more must be spent on a MasterCard Card in order to receive the discount. Gift card spend does not apply toward the $125. Offer applies to transactions at Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com-Online Only. Discount will be applied automatically during checkout when a MasterCard card is used as method of payment. Offer not applicable to canceled orders due to out-of-stock merchandise. Discount not applicable with returned merchandise; total discount will be deducted from the value of any returned item to which the discount applied. This promotional offer may be modified or terminated at any time without notice. We reserve the right to cancel any order due to unauthorized, altered, or ineligible use of a discount. MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated.
22 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1199 views
-
At last... unwatermarked pictures of the Black Pearl
Posted by Huw, 17 Jul 2011 05:06. Filed under New sets.
There's been confidentially watermarked images of the Black Pearl around for a while, followed by some doctored ones, where someone has removed the watermark in Photoshop in an attempt to fool the likes of Brickset, but now, at last, a German online toy shop brings us legitimate hi-res photos showing the ship in all its glory.
It's smaller than the QAR, comes with 6 minifigs: Jack Sparrow, Davy Jones, Joshamee Gibbs, Will Turner, Maccus, and Bootstrap Bill Turner. It'll cost around €100, and is released at the end of October.
Thanks to Jörn for the news!
75 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1707 views
-
Buy One, Get One 50% Off at Toys R Us
Posted by yellowcastle, 17 Jul 2011 00:33. Filed under Shopping (USA).
Valid Sunday 7/17 through Saturday 7/23, Toys R Us is running yet another BOGO 50% Off sale, this time on all Star Wars, Harry Potter, Creator, Technic and Duplo construction sets. The sale is already live online and a number of great sets are available including, but not limited to, the Death Star, Tantive IV, Diagon Alley, Hogwarts, Ewok Attack, Fire Brigade, Emerald Night, and Geonosian Fighter. For some reason, the Grand Emporium is not registering the sale but you might be able to get TRU Customer Service to credit you back after the purchase should you feel daring. :o)
Additionally this week, you will receive a free Snowman or Christmas Tree polybag with any LEGO construction set purchase of $30 or more. As usual though, this "secondary' promotion does not appear to be stacking online with the BOGO sale.
As always, try to buy similary priced sets in order to maximize the discount and don't forget that you receive free shipping with any purchase of $75 or more.
33 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1093 views
-
Just in time for free delivery, Star Wars sets now available at shop.LEGO.com
Posted by Huw, 15 Jul 2011 14:59. Filed under shop.LEGO.com (US/Canada).
The free shipping and free Kingdoms set offers end today, but luckily the eight new Star Wars sets have just been added in time to take advantage of these two offers. See the sets listed on the What's New page, which I note also contains the Heroica sets.
36 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1073 views
-
Free Ninjago minifig in Nitro magazine
Posted by Huw, 14 Jul 2011 13:40. Filed under Shopping (UK).
Here's some breaking news from the forum, which is worth repeating here: Buy this week's Nitro kids' magazine and get a free Ninjago minifig and other Ninjago stuff.I can't find a website for the magazine, but this news article has more information about the promotion.
(Thanks to rwsales for the news)
25 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1525 views
-
The Unofficial LEGO Minifigure Catalog review
Posted by Huw, 13 Jul 2011 14:14. Filed under Book review.
I've now finished my review of this important reference work for LEGO collectors. Read it to find out why you need this book, and whether I think it's worth the asking price.Once you've done so, leave your feedback in the comments here.
Update: Christoph, the book's author, has been reading your comments, in particular in those about the price. There's not much he can do at the moment to reduce it, but he has now made the book available electronically for a fraction of the price of the printed edition. You can purchase and download it from Lulu. Now there's no excuse not to buy it...
42 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1298 views
-
The Unofficial LEGO Minifigure Catalog is launched
Posted by Huw, 13 Jul 2011 04:00. Filed under Miscellaneous.
I mentioned last week that I'd received a copy of this brand new book to review. I'm just putting the finishing touches on the review and I'll be publishing it very shortly. Suffice to say now that it is excellent and a must-have for minifig collectors.I've just had word from the author that is is now available at CreateSpace, and will be listed at Amazon in the next few days. You can find out more about the book at its official website, http://www.minifigure.org/
18 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1247 views
-
Next Architecture set revealed
Posted by Huw, 12 Jul 2011 06:42. Filed under New sets.
It's a model of Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, which is in Chicago. It's being unveiled at the site in August by designer Adam Reed Tucker. It's going to cost $200 and contain 2200 pieces which makes it the largest Architecture set by some margin. It's good to see one that is not all white, tan or grey :-)
Find out more in the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust's newsletter, page 15.
Via PrarieMod. Thanks to several people who emailed and typo for posting in the forum.
31 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1296 views
-
Gimme LEGO reveals Super Star Destroyer
Posted by Huw, 11 Jul 2011 08:29. Filed under Brickset.
Our very own DrDaveWatford is organising a display of UCS Star Wars sets at the National Space Centre in Leicester, UK this weekend, as part of a larger display being put on by the Brickish Association. Thanks to LEGO, he's been able to get hold of a Super Star Destroyer, months before its release, to complete the display.
He's diligently documenting the unpacking and building of this behemoth over on his excellent blog, Gimme LEGO. So far it's out of the box and the minifigs are assembled. He'll continue his review as building progresses, so keep an eye out later this week to see it in all its glory and to find out what he thinks of it.
33 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1713 views
-
New LEGO brand store in East London
Posted by Huw, 10 Jul 2011 14:55. Filed under Miscellaneous.
London is set to get another brand store in a few months, at the new Westfield shoppping centre in Stratford. As has become the norm, we first get to hear about forthcoming shops from their adverts for staff, and this is no exception. AnseltheCat found this advert for a store manager on the LEGO jobs site. The post starts in August so I guess the shop will open September-ish, ready for Christmas.
17 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1142 views
-
LEGO Collector 2nd edition: I now have it
Posted by Huw, 07 Jul 2011 17:24. Filed under Book review.
The long-awaited second edition of this excellent book has just been published and I now have a copy. I'm not going to write a long review; instead I've ressurected my review of the first edition, as written in 2008, and will thus concentrate on the differences between the two editions.- At 928 pages, it's about 130 pages longer.
- Edition 1 covered sets released in 1958 up to the first half of 2008. This new version starts at 1949 and goes right up to the end of 2011, including sets not yet released.
- Errors noted in my 1st edition review have been corrected.
- It comes with an exclusive keychain: a black 4x4 tile with 1 row of studs, printed with the classic space logo.
- It has a blue brick on the front rather than a red one :-)Suffice to say that this is a must-have for every LEGO collector, whether you have the first edition or not. It's a fantastic thing to browse through. Kudos to the team behind it for continuing to work on the project and keep it up-to-date.
At the moment it's only available from the German publishers via their website (click on the image to go there), but in time it will appear on Amazon worldwide like the first edition did, and maybe even turn up in LEGO brand stores.
34 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1632 views
-
Another Alien Conquest polybag on the way
Posted by Huw, 05 Jul 2011 13:11. Filed under New sets.
Revealed at Toys n Bricks: this neat little walker whose instructions were found in the LEGO.com instructions portal.
The next Sun promotion in the UK should be a good one :-)
30 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1083 views
-
Review of Unimog
Posted by Huw, 04 Jul 2011 17:14. Filed under Brickset.
If you're eagerly awaiting for this set to be released in your country, take a look at the excellent review that includes videos and loads of pictures over at TechnicBRICKs. It seems the guys over in Portugal got their hands on two copies of the set early and built them at the PLUG event held over the weekend.
It looks great, can't wait to get my hands on one!
15 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1792 views
-
LEGO Collector book 2nd edition out: new sets revealed
Posted by Huw, 04 Jul 2011 16:40. Filed under Miscellaneous.
The second edition of the excellent LEGO Collector book is now out after a short delay - it was originally due in April I believe.I don't have my copy yet (it's on order) but it would appear to be bang up to date because it's revealed two sets that we don't yet have pictures for here that are due out later in the year, the VW Camper Van and the Winter Post Office. Check out the scans at EuroBricks.
I believe the only place the book is currently available is from the publisher's website. Click on the image to order. It's €27.95 and I think they'll ship anywhere in the world. It even comes with an exclusive key chain.
Thanks to typo for tipping us off in the forum.
Whilst on the subject of books, I do however have a proof copy of The Unofficial LEGO Minifigure Catalog which I'll be reviewing very shortly, so watch this space!
26 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1193 views
-
City polybags available at ESSO garages
Posted by Huw, 03 Jul 2011 12:38. Filed under Shopping (UK).
kempo81 told us today "I have just been into my local Esso petrol station and they are running a promo on LEGO City sets. The deal is you spend £20 pounds or more on Fuel and you can purchase one of 6 City polybag sets for £1.50.
"I couldn't see any specific terms and conditions up and there was no indication of limitations with regard to the number of sets you could purcase per transaction. From what I can tell its the following sets:
- 30010 - Fire Chief
- 30011 - Police Dinghy
- 30012 - Microlight
- 30013 - Police Buggy
- 30014 - Police Helicopter
- 30015 - Jet Ski"
I've just checked the Esso website and found this news article that provides more information. However despite what it claims, only two are exclusive. 30015 Jet Ski certainly hasn't been seen in the UK before, and 30014 has so far only been available in the USA, but the others have at one time or another through Daily Mirror/Sun promotions.
Update: I got lucky at my local garage just now. The woman at the till looked blankly when I asked her for 2 of the sets, apparently having just returned to work and not been told anything about them. I could see the pile of boxes behind the till so I told her the ones I wanted, she fetched them but didn't know whether to scan them or what, so she just gave them to me. Arguably they should be free with £20 of fuel, anyway...
30 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1660 views
-
New LEGO Survey from the Community Engagement & Communication Team
Posted by bluemoose, 01 Jul 2011 11:01. Filed under Miscellaneous.
Please take a moment to fill out the latest survey from LEGO community team.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AFOLJune2011
(For the purposes of the survey, 'Brickset' counts as a LUG)
72 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1365 views
-
Technic Flatbed Truck and Bucket Truck now listed.
Posted by Grahame, 01 Jul 2011 04:59. Filed under shop.LEGO.com (General).
The Technic Flatbed Truck 8109 and the Technic Bucket Truck 8071 are now listed on shop.lego.com for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. No doubt, other countries will soon be listed - fingers crossed!
3 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1322 views
-
Red Freight Train 3677 now listed at shop.lego.com, for Germany anyway...
Posted by Grahame, 01 Jul 2011 04:29. Filed under shop.LEGO.com (General).
Here is the set description from shop.lego.com:
Prepare the cargo train for its next destination!
The LEGO® City freight yard is busier than ever! Get the Red Cargo Train ready to roll out and haul! Load rocks into the freight cars with the conveyor belt and be careful when loading the hazardous waste car. Use the flatbed utility freight car and railroad repair truck to repair the tracks. Then drive your haul through LEGO City with the LEGO Power Functions Remote Control #8879! Loaded with details and accessories including 3 freight cars, engine car, broom, shovel, jackhammer and 40 tracks.
- Includes 4 railroad worker minifigures
- Red Cargo Train features train engine and 3 freight cars, including tipping, hazardous waste and flatbed freight cars
- Includes railroad repair truck
- Also includes 40 tracks: 16 flex, 16 curved and 8 straight
- Accessories include broom, shovel and jackhammer
- Load rocks into the freight cars with the conveyor belt!
- Haul the railroad repair truck to the work site with the yellow flatbed freight car or drive it on the road!
- Steer the Red Cargo Train with the LEGO® Power Functions Remote Control #8879
Update: Also listed for Austria and Switzerland.
25 comments, latest one posted 23 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)1236 views
