Lego has actually made something that can rival a perfect grade Gundam kit when it comes to shelf presence and aesthetics, sure this is very different from a traditional mech but I really like it.

This is definitely an amazing set. One of the largest mechs Lego has done, with metallic gold details and even a substantial side-build with a restaurant and apartment that highlight the sheer scale of the mech itself.

I made a minor modification to my copy of this set that allows the smaller 80008 to be mounted on the back as a jetpack! It pushes the stability of the mech a little bit to the edge (since it was understandably engineered to primarily support its own weight, not it plus a massive jet), but it works for brief periods of play and display. Here's a picture of the modification I made: https://twitter.com/AndrewBarnick/status/1281705673529622528

Of course, this isn't the only amazing set in the theme at this price range—for a little more, 80013 is also a groundbreaking display piece and playset with room for all of the main heroes in the Monkie Kid theme.

@Judgeguy said:
"The mech is real nice, but all I want is that side build!"

Same here - although I'm pretty sure you can make a similar side build if you download the instructions online. Doesn't look too "specialised"

Like many LEGO sets I see - This is something I'd like to build, but don't feel the need to own. Anyone out there want to lend me one?

@Matt_Saderson said:
"I really do not understand why this whole theme is not available in normal store but only in official Lego stores."

Monkey King is a theme seemingly designed for the Chinese market, which also happens to have awful price entry points.

By keeping it to Lego stores they don't have to discount the hell out of them and / or end up recalling most of it.

@kingbrick said:
" @Matt_Saderson said:
"I really do not understand why this whole theme is not available in normal store but only in official Lego stores."

Monkey King is a theme seemingly designed for the Chinese market, which also happens to have awful price entry points.

By keeping it to Lego stores they don't have to discount the hell out of them and / or end up recalling most of it.
"

Good ponit but still. Such a interesting and nice theme after quite time and it is only for one market. What a shame.

@Matt_Saderson said:
"I really do not understand why this whole theme is not available in normal store but only in official Lego stores."

I think I've got two main guesses as to why.
First, the show is designed more to appease eastern markets (China in particular). Let's face it. How many kids in the US know or care about the Journey to the West story? The sets are kinda harder to appreciate not knowing it's supposed to be a sequel of sorts. At least, to me it is.

Next, we already have Ninjago. I know they're not the same, but if you put two Eastern-looking sets on the shelves, kids will probably stick with what they already like. There's only so much retail space to go around, so I suppose they wanted to focus on what's already been selling pretty consistently rather than take a gamble on something not really designed for other reigons.

And finally, and this might just be me, but the theme is too darn expensive. Ninjago, City, and Friends tend to have a set around 10-20 or so dollars to give people a taste of what the theme has to offer. Monkie Kid doesn't have that, so that makes getting fans into it an even bigger ask. I personally didn't even buy any of the sets. I just got the minifigure parts from Bricks and Minifigs.

Unlike many of the other comments I would actually be much more likely to have bought this already if it was only the mech itself. It is so decorated and a nice size so a great display piece but have no interest in the rest.

May pick it up yet just waiting to see whats on this next years wanted list.

Glad that Monkie Kid is getting some love, even if all the criticisms are also valid. My own review here is a little harsh, but I still think this is an incredible display piece, and as with Ninjago I hope Lego fans will keep pouring out love for the civilian sidebuilds and Lego starts making those available, too.

Btw both the kids and I found the show way too frenetic to watch, even though we're the perfect target market

Maybe I’m just being an old man, but I have exactly zero interest in this theme, at any price.

@Annalies said:
"This mech is a perfect gift to EVERYONE! It´´ s so beautiful, the color, the golden pieces. Today there are double VIP Points in the Lego online store!!!"

Except people who don't like mechs or are not interested in this particular theme.

Sell me that shop side build. It's outstanding.

Just built this 3-4 weeks ago and it is a beautiful model and I do mean model, as in display. Besides the issue of posing the mech, it's hard to find a good place to hold onto it if you did want to play without bits flying off. Especially those lovely gold tail fin pieces used on the shoulders and feet.

If you want this to display, highly recommend, if you want to play with for a younger Lego enthusiast, I would recommend making some mods, leaving off pieces or going for something a lot cheaper and more robust.

Don't get me wrong, I love this, but as a 45yr old women, I don't spend a lot of time battling my mechs against each other (just on the weekends lol!). 10yr old me would have found it frustrating to keep loosing pieces, but then I was a neat freak even then, didn't even free build as a child, just built the set as it was on the instructions and played with it that way :P

One thing that did surprise me on this set was how big the box is, which is great for putting the mech in for storage, but when I opened mine it was only half full of bags and had been standing on it's end for about 4mths (back injury put me out of Lego commission just before it arrived) so the manual and vinyl sheet was all bent out of shape. Very strange in today's Lego to have a box be so much bigger then is needed to fit the un-built contents in.