Review: 40413 Mindstorms Mini Robots
Posted by Huw,
To mark the release of the fourth generation of Mindstorms next week, 40413 Mini Robots will be the gift with purchase at LEGO.com from the 15th to the 25th of October. In the USA the spending threshold will be $100.
This set builds a quintet of mini robots that resemble those in 51515 Robot Inventor.
Box and contents
Flap-top boxes are becoming more prevalent for this kind of collectable set and I for one am very happy with that because they are so much more practical for storing the set in once it's been disassembled.
Parts are packed in 5 bags and as you can see there's a good mix of System and Technic parts, and a quite a few teal (bright bluish green) parts among them, which is the accent colour of the main Mindstorms set.
The 100-page instruction manual is perfect bound and about 10x13cm in size, so quite small.
The back of the Mindstorms box provides pictures of the mini-robots' bigger brothers, so you can see what they are supposed to resemble.
Unlike the main set, all five of the mini bots can be built at once.
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Charlie
Charlie is an upright two-wheel drive bot with a cheeky personality.
Tricky
Tricky is a general purpose chassis with which you can build line followers and obstacle-avoiders, which are a staple of all Mindstorms sets.
Blast
Blast is a bipedal bot with a gun, another staple of Mindstorms sets.
M.V.P
In the main Mindstorms set, this a 4-wheel chassis upon which a number of accessories can be attached, such as an arm or a shooter. This mini version is hinged in the middle.
Gelo
This cute robo-doggy is a four-legged walker.
Verdict
If the idea behind this gift with purchase is raise awareness of 51515 Robot Inventor and pique interest in it, then it is likely to be a big success.
For a GWP, it's fairly substantial. I don't know how many parts it has, but it's probably around 300 or so, so even if you have no interest in building the robots themselves you'll most likely find something useful among them.
So, save your pennies until the15th when you should be able to bag this set and double VIP points.
Keep an eye out for our first look at 51515 Robot Inventor in the next few days.
Thanks to LEGO for providing the set for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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22 comments on this article
Gelo gives off strong Boston Dynamics vibes, cool little set that I would not turn down as a GWP
Guess useful for small spare parts, especially if short of Technic connectors, but unlikely to make me rush off and buy 51515 on release day. Maybe if there were larger parts/panels that could be added to the main set to create additional models that would boost direct Lego shop sales?
@Galaxy12_Import said:
"Gelo gives off strong Boston Dynamics vibes, cool little set that I would not turn down as a GWP"
Yeah I really am seeing that Boston Dynamics look too!
It's nice as a mini representation of Mindstorms, but I fear unless you're really into that range this set doesn't really succeed on its own merits. They're a little too clunky and abstract for me.
Well-executed for what it is, but it doesn't interest me. I hope this isn't the only GWP when the Batwing launches.
I think I like Blast the most. Is the coolest and makes the best use of parts.
Odds this will be a RSOTD in 2030 anyone? lol
I guess I'll get that when I buy the Batwing on day one — if the GWP is still available, that is, although I'd prefer a Batman-themed GWP, to be honest.
So assuming it will be £100 in the UK then.
The builds are great. Arguably, I like the look of the MVP as done in brick more than I do the Technic version, namely because I hate the hunchback look of the actual Mindstorms 'Bot. It just looks more like a proper tactical robot that would be used for EOD and the like. Plenty of nice parts too. I'm picking this one up, but only when Bricklink prices for it go below $30, which for a 300 piece set, seems about right. I rarely spend more than $50 on LEGO at one go. I know, sounds nuts.
The new Mindstorms set may be the first Mindstorms I actually buy. I wanted NXT when it came out; and still might do that, since prices are going down and it still works with modern PCs. EV3 might soon too. Most of the builds I do will be based on the MVP.
I love Mindstorms but not for its looks. So these builds don't do much for me. That said I spot loads of useful parts for my MOCs. This may just be the push for me to finally buy that piano.
@xboxtravis7992 said:
" @Galaxy12_Import said:
"Gelo gives off strong Boston Dynamics vibes, cool little set that I would not turn down as a GWP"
Yeah I really am seeing that Boston Dynamics look too!"
I created a Boston Dynamics "Spot" model for the recent BrickSet polybag competition. I should get the instructions uploaded somewhere, but since the competition ended I've been trying some alternative ideas for the legs and can't decide what works / looks best.
A robo-dog is not cute.
It is creepy how they move.
Why I didn't wait to place my order.....
Looks like a great parts set, but the concept rubs me the wrong way -- the key feature of Mindstorms is its programmability, so models of the robots seems to miss the point. Further, branding specific builds feels to me like reinforcing that these robots are fixed options, which undermines what I've always felt was the core Lego brand promise: to remix and invent.
Or, maybe I'm a curmudgeon because I opted for 2x VIP points today and wonder if I should've waited?
I find new Mindstorm very babish.
The builds are not very cool like previous version.
Still very cute set.
So does that likely rule out a Batman specific GWP then for the Batwing launch?
I may get this promo in the future if it's not expensive.
Am I the only only one who's a bit annoyed by how they extensively uses purple (which contrasts nicely with the teal) in the presentation of these new Mindstorms sets, while it's not actually present in the sets themselves?
Otherwise I have to agree with Yooha, robo-dogs belongs in Black Mirror, in real life they're destroy-on-sight.
These little things are quite cute!
I made some purchases and it not only included these GsWP, but also what appears to be Lego branded gift wrapping materials for free. Good time to pull the trigger on some stuff in the want list.
the set has 366 pieces. including extra ammo. Seemed like a pretty fun GWP to me. It's nice that the completed builds all fit in the box, too.