Review: 71716 Lloyd Avatar - Arcade Pod

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View image at Flickr

Small collectable packs have accompanied the excellent NINJAGO range since this theme was launched during 2011. I like these Arcade Pods which differ significantly from other packs and 71716 Lloyd Avatar - Arcade Pod looks brilliant within the official images.

Two great minifigures are provided with these packs, including the exclusive Avatar Lloyd which is available here. Moreover, the pod itself seems rather interesting as these components feature numerous useful connection points, potentially corresponding with the innovative Play Cubes from the 2020 Friends collection.

Minifigures

Advanced technology has appeared fairly consistently within NINJAGO sets, although that has rarely extended to the ninja. Digi Lloyd therefore looks distinctive when compared with past versions of this character, featuring an unusual combination of traditional fabrics and digital equipment. The minifigure includes some impressive white highlights and I love the contrasting black visor.

View image at flickr

Stylised text decorates both sides of his torso and looks marvellous while the black harness appears somewhat reminiscent of TRON. Avatar Lloyd is completely different though. His attire seems much more casual, comprising a hooded jacket with golden details and matching boots. Dual-moulded legs would have been perfect here but I like the pearl gold hair element and the hexagonal designs across Lloyd's skin are notable.

View image at flickr

Befitting his ninja garb, Digi Lloyd wields an enormous sword which features a new handle. This part resembles a video game controller and looks brilliant, although the attachment points seem relatively inflexible. The printed health board might prove more versatile though and looks lovely here, showing that Lloyd has three lives remaining within the digital world. Avatar Lloyd carries a baseball bat.

View image at flickr

The Completed Model

As their name suggests, the Arcade Pods are designed to resemble traditional arcade cabinets and they are reasonably successful in my opinion. The cabinets are primarily assembled using two large pieces, accurately recreating the angular design of these machines, but they are heavily reliant upon stickers too. Printing would certainly have been preferable but the stickers are relatively easy to apply.

View image at flickr

The mysterious video game of 'Prime Empire' has drawn the ninja into the digital world. That name is therefore emblazoned in the NINJAGO script across three sides of the arcade cabinet. Lloyd's golden dragon decorates either flank too. The minifigures inside remain visible through the trans-clear screen which is clever but the dark bluish grey plates above and below the screen look slightly awkward.

View image at flickr

However, I like the pearl gold elements on top of the machine. The reverse is exceptionally bland but features numerous anti-studs. While these are appreciated, the prominent hinge limits potential for re-using this component. It occupies an important role here though, providing easy access to the arcade cabinet.

View image at flickr

Opening the cabinet reveals storage space for the accessories and both minifigures. One character must be disassembled while the other stands in front of the screen, as demonstrated below. I do like this distinctive design but some alternative backgrounds for the minifigure would have been welcome, even if they had been formed using stickers.

View image at flickr

Overall

LEGO has produced various collectable packs during recent years but the Arcade Pods are notably distinctive and 71716 Lloyd Avatar - Arcade Pod looks great. I like this green colour scheme and the decorative stickers, although printing would have been even better. Moreover, the concept of placing minifigures inside to represent their transition from NINJAGO into the digital world is effective.

View image at flickr

Providing two minifigures with each Arcade Pod feels relatively generous and these versions of Lloyd are wonderful, especially since one is exclusively found here. Nevertheless, older fans would probably prefer sets which provide greater construction content for the price of £8.99 or $9.99. I think the Arcade Pods could become successful collectable items for younger children though.

I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your opinion of the set in the comments below.

This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review is an expression of my own opinions.

35 comments on this article

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By in Poland,

lloyd avatar legs look VERY bad.
I love this mini theme and I hope other ninjas will get theirs as well...
Just to have different cabs.

Also PLEASE start adding photos of the stickers and spares. You didn't mention this set comes with full bag of weapons.

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By in Hungary,

I like Gamer(tm) ninjas a lot more than I thought I would.

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By in United Kingdom,

These'll be worth grabbing just for the pods.
Can't wait to see what other arcade game types get represented

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By in United States,

I wish the control deck for the arcade game wasn't so high. Minifig has to stand on a box to play.

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By in Australia,

It took me so long to realise that the bars, positioned above the characters' heads, were health bars. I totally didn't get that until a short time ago, and I think it's absolutely brilliant.

I can think of very few Ninjago lines that I haven't really liked, and I'm thinking that I'll really like this one, too.

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By in Puerto Rico,

Lego is answering the prayers to people who wanted a game Arcade, they could have included a printed screen to represent a game, imagine if SW got these.....

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By in United States,

Looks decent, like that there are two minifigures!

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By in France,

Cool arcade machines.

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By in United States,

I don't like them quite as much as the Spinjitzu sets from last year, but other than that these might be the best bonus sets the line has done! The whole arcade cabinet motif and the inclusions of two figs is amazing for me.

While the front of the pods is very specialized, I could see the bottom used as part of a shipping container or plating for a spaceship.

If BIONICLE ever comes back as a system theme instead of constraction, something like this would be perfect for the Toa Canisters.

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By in Germany,

Now if these collectible pods were brick built, that would put them on a completely new level.

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By in United States,

It looks okay. I was intrigued when I first saw the promo images. I think they pulled it off well enough. I don't particularly care for La-loyd though. Granted I don't follow the Ninjago world outside of the official movie that was released.

As for sets I may have to pick one up of the right color, or just wait for reviews. I likely won't use the arcade machine ever again though, but 2 figures for $10 is usually a good sign.

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By in United States,

I wonder if this subtheme has to do with the success of SSSS Gridman… it all feels like a mix of the original Gridman, Ready Player One, and Kung Fury.

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By in United States,

These pods are pretty cool. It's neat to see Lego revisiting the idea of sets with built-in storage potential that they explored with many sets in the early 2000s, especially since their newer takes on the concept (including these sets, the Friends Play Cubes, and the Disney "storybooks") seem to be much more integrated with the rest of the system than those earlier attempts. The bulky arcade machine cases are a bit too big to use in a typical minifig-scale arcade and, like the specialty parts in many earlier "spinner" sets, are not that likely to be reused outside these sets, but on the plus side the rectangular backs of the arcade cabinets seem like they'd be far more useful both in MOCs and future sets.

Both of the figures in this set look awesome. I love the idea that the ninja would pick such over the top "avatars" to represent themselves in the game world, much like the ridiculous variety of avatars and cosmetic items in games like Second Life. That said, the impressiveness of these figures only makes the fact that only half of the ninja are represented in these pods that much more disappointing. The "avatars" for Nya and Lloyd, which come in the Gamer's Market set, are far less impressive, reusing their standard heads and hair and combining those with common minifigure outfits from themes like City rather than getting completely original decorations like the ones in these sets.

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By in Croatia,

Does that have to be "collectable items for younger children"?! Couldn't that just be toys to play?

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By in United States,

@lordofdragonss: I'll add to this. I feel like many photo reviews, though very well photographed and written, barely show more than what can be seen in official images. Interesting parts aren't often seen, accessories (like the weapons you mentioned) are usually left out, and often the entirety of minifigs' printing isn't seen. The avatar in this one, for example, is always photographed with the scarf over his face. I'd love to see things like this in reviews. This isn't always a problem, but there have been several times when I've wanted to get a closer look at a minifigure, a specific part, or some neat-looking construction, but haven't seen anything on Brickset reviews.

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By in United States,

Ninjago isn’t typically my line of Lego, but I love these!

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By in Poland,

@PjtrXmos said:
"Now if these collectible pods were brick built, that would put them on a completely new level."

If they would be brick build then they wouldn't be "collectible". I think they are cool as they are and I can't wait to build with them something different.

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By in United States,

There is no excuse for just how awful those leg printings are. This isn't a one off issue either, it's just a multi year continuation of the decrease in the quality of LEGO printing. It's not impossible to add more paint LEGO, just add more paint. Knock offs and third party companies can, so can you!

It's so bad that if I buy the set on sale I will be contacting LEGO for replace part of either the other leg print or simply just a plain green leg.

I've had enough with LEGO being cheap for no reason.

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By in United States,

Avatar Llyod looks like a Fortnite character lol.

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By in United States,

These are ten bucks?

That’s extraordinary considering recent LEGO pricing trends.

Me diggee...;)

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By in United States,

This is very creative

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By in United States,

These are kind of weird IMHO, but I may look into them if only for the accessories.

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By in United States,

I'm shocked they don't cost $15. Looking forward to these being expanded on in other themes (Star Wars?). Also, I see the potential for all kinds of video games being represented as aftermarket stickers.

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By in United Kingdom,

minifigs look great, still really not happy with the gaming machine built from just two whole two moulds that has little potential to be used elsewhere.

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By in Singapore,

I’ll probably get this on a heavy discount for the baseball bat. Need it for Steve Harrington.

And gosh that leg print for Avatar Lloyd is atrocious. Looks like olive green. I think I’ve had enough with LEGO cheating out. My face print for Will Byers has a print smudge with the mouth and the head print for the T-Rex is lopsided. Will definitely be contacting customer service for replacements.

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By in Italy,

@Zordboy said:
"It took me so long to realise that the bars, positioned above the characters' heads, were health bars. I totally didn't get that until a short time ago, and I think it's absolutely brilliant."

As a long-time Nintendo fan/gamer, I was a bit confused since health bars (in Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Kirby, etc...) are represented by hearts/lifes. Then I thought of Megaman X (SNES), that HAD a "proper" health bar.
Maybe I'm too much into Nintendo and not enough in Lego.

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By in Italy,

Besides, the arcade pod part looks cool, I might buy it as soon it appears on Bricklink

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By in Netherlands,

These are cool! These figs will be available in other sets though. The pods and the weapons would be the highlight of this set then, if you're in to that.

I'm assuming 71717 will be Cole, and 71718 will be Zane (no photos available). Their versions are not available in other sets yet. Probably only get them.

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By in Canada,

I was wondering why so many people were going off about the leg prints, then I double-checked the shots, yeah, what's wrong with using dual-molding so green prints don't have to look utterly atrocious on top of Pearl Gold legs? If it's a cost saving thing I suppose that makes sense, but it really looks off-putting to see printed elements like that, why not just make the lower leg printing on the gold be a matching contrasting colour of the pearl gold as opposed to matching it up with the torso?

If this is Lloyd in a game/digital setting, he doesn't need to have green carry over onto the legs.

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By in United States,

I like these 3 sets! Love the idea. Wish they made one for Tron... I've not bought a single Ninjago set before...but I'll buy these 3 for sure... I would LOVE to see these for Star Wars.

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By in Netherlands,

2020 seems to be the year of the very large pieces. This arcade machine. The pods for the trolls. The book for Disney Princesses. Shouldn't we worry about that?

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By in United States,

It is the first time that that neon green light saber blade is in such a small set. It almost looks yellow like a Jedi temple guard light saber?

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By in United States,

I like this set enough that I bought it. I'm not sure why others are complaining about the leg print- I think it looks fine for what these are. Can people do better? Sure. For the price point? Probably not.

I have mixed feelings about the console cabinet, then I realized that if I leave the stickers off it is an instant toll booth or an ATM or any other piece of large, possibly reinforced small structure. And that door screams VAULT DOOR to me, with the addition of a few common pieces.

And the accessories. I'm going to say that the avatar minifig should count towards that. But also, the baseball bat is excellent, and the trans green weapons pack is fabulous. Combined with the "lightsaber" handle, these are excellent, and the molding for the game controller is something I hope they use in a lot of colors going forward, it's a great tool. To me the coolest part is the hilt-less katana- in black, please? (Some of you know will know where I"m going with that.)

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By in United States,

This is a very informative review on a small set.
I recently bought it from Walmart .
Only $9.99 and you get two mini figures and an arcade storage with nearly different 10 weapons .
The baseball bat is amazing

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By in Hungary,

Will it be available in pink with Nya for girls?

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