Review: 76169 Thor Mech Armour
Posted by CapnRex101,
Thor possesses incredible abilities, requiring no enhancements. Nevertheless, 76169 Thor Mech Armour recreates the prominent features of the Asgardian hero and seems impressive. Previous models have incorporated comparable features and proven equally appealing.
However, exciting minifigures often accompany these character mechs and Thor appears fairly disappointing by comparison. This minifigure seems reasonably bland and comprises few unique components. Nevertheless, the exclusive pearl silver helmet looks excellent and I remain quite impressed with Thor's distinctive mech.
Minifigure
Contrasting with many other Marvel character, the appearance of Thor remains surprisingly consistent throughout movies, comics and video games. His minifigures have therefore been relatively unchanging as well. This example combines the torso produced during 2020 with an intricate helmet based upon Thor: Ragnarok. However, that element was originally available in pearl dark grey and this pearl silver equivalent looks great.
The torso and legs are pearl dark grey though. The resulting colour scheme seems relatively dark and unappealing, interrupted only by red fabric decoration around Thor's shoulders. The bright red cape which would generally accompany this printing is excluded, to the detriment of the minifigure in my opinion. I do like the characteristic metallic silver discs across Thor's torso though.
This double-sided head was introduced during 2017, featuring detailed facial hair with energy crackling around Thor's eyes to reflect his manipulation of lightning. Of course, the Asgardian hero almost invariably wields Mjölnir and that familiar accessory is accordingly provided. I am hoping that this element might be updated with a dual-moulded handle in the future.
The Completed Model
While these Marvel character mechs are individually impressive, their many similarities have received some criticism. This mech therefore measures 11cm in height without the minifigure, matching other models from the range. Nevertheless, the mech does present a unique profile because two pieces are attached behind the shoulders, forming a cape. Of course, the colour scheme is also distinctive, albeit less so than other mechs.
The articulation remains entirely consistent though. These smaller mechs are commonly more articulated than their larger counterparts because the limbs are considerably lighter. Small ball joints are therefore adequate to support their weight, providing remarkable poseability which is evident here. An array of dynamic poses are achievable and balancing the figure is easy.
Thor's recognisable armour returns on his mech, where four metallic silver discs decorate the chest. This design looks superb and I like the contrasting tan belt which incorporates a golden buckle. However, differing from the other mechs in this wave, Thor's vehicle integrates multiple stickers which are applied on both shoulders and the belt. The prominent design on the torso is printed though, as usual.
Unfortunately, this 2x3 pentagonal tile obstructs the opening cockpit. Exactly the same issue affected 76171 Miles Morales Mech Armour and does restrict access when placing the figure inside, although not severely. There are no interior controls which is rather disappointing but I appreciate the contrasting colour of the backrest that continues onto the reverse of the model.
The hands have also remained reasonably consistent between varied mechs, including three articulated fingers and an articulated thumb on each hand. Such poseability is certainly useful and Technic connection points are found on the palms to place accessories. However, I dislike the unused bars opposite each thumb and they could easily have been excluded.
Corresponding with the minifigure, Thor's mech also carries an enlarged Mjölnir! This famous hammer includes additional stickers which provide splendid detail, especially across the trans-light blue sections. The colour matching between these stickers and the light bluish grey parts leaves something to be desired though and I believe the trans-light blue 1x2 bricks could have been printed, since four identical stickers are included.
Beyond that accessory, the most distinguishing feature of 76169 Thor Mech Armour is probably how red elements create a rudimentary cape. Two angular cockpit components are connected to the shoulders using clips, enabling them to move as the shoulders are adjusted. The result certainly falls short of a complete cape, although I appreciate the effort to distinguish this mech from others.
The minifigure accessory can be connected to the right leg, corresponding with 76168 Captain America Mech Armour. Otherwise, the legs are perhaps my least favourite aspect of the model because their colour scheme appears rather muddled, combining black, dark tan and dark blue parts with grey ball joints. The heavy boots are effective though, matching 76141 Thanos Mech.
Overall
The most important aspect of these mechs is their reflection of each character and 76169 Thor Mech Armour succeeds in that regard. Despite the hero lacking especially distinctive colours, I think his mech is immediately identifiable with the character. The suggested cape looks superb and I greatly appreciate such obvious distinction from other models.
Another significant factor in their success is the minifigure which accompanies each mech. In that respect, 76169 Thor Mech Armour falls short because the minifigure seems bland. I have rarely been particularly enamoured with LEGO's depictions of Thor but this rendition is among the weakest in my opinion. On that basis, this is my least favourite of the new Marvel mechs.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review represents an expression of my own opinions.
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23 comments on this article
At this point, I've bought all of the mechs, and they're stupidly fun. I hope they continue.
I just hope that one day we’ll get classic Thor with his blonde hair and wings on his helmet.
For a second I thought the mech's Mjölnir was Duplo based...which would be interesting.
Wow capn you’re right! Talk about a boring bland minifigure. I think I just threw up in my mouth...
On to the next mech...
I dig this, but the mech's hands seem huge!
That's one ugly set. You can see they're just making these to keep the license as there aren't new movies to build sets from this year.
I was originally thinking of getting this when I first saw it - but its just too goofy. 10 different colors everywhere, crazy jumbo hands, tiny thighs and mega-huge calves, just make this thing seem so out of proportion everywhere. I know its not a person, but it still seems so weird. It should be titled: "Thor Meh Armor"
Hi George.
It's fine, as like a 6 year old I would've adored it
having just bought my first of these mechs, 76168 Captain America Mech Armor, they are really fun, even for a collector like myself, the toy value of them is instantly clear, and I've had a lot of fun getting different poses in place for display on my desk. I know that a younger me would enjoy it far more, playing with it frequently, but even now, I think it was a great $10 purchase with a simple but fun build. I'm certainly glad that LEGO is continuing this line of sets, and hope to see some fun expansions of these to other themes like DC Superheroes or even Star Wars, where the plethora of recognizable characters could make for some fun mech designs for kids to play out their fantasies.
Let me think... ehm... No thank you! :-)
The worthiest leg any lego mech has ever had
I've really grown to love this range of mechs. I think the Thor one is my favourite, from this year, to be honest. I like that it comes with a mech-sized Mjolnir, I like that it has a cape, I really like it.
The figure definitely looks much better with a cape :)
Other than some few interesting parts, I'm a big pass on these mechs. But, they seem to have fans. Enjoy them, to them as does.
Considering that we otherwise don't really receive Marvel sets at this price point, I love the mechs -- it's nice to be able to pick up a $10 LEGO set. This one is goofy enough to delight me and I just bricklinked the old Ragnarok helmets and found them pricey so glad to see them coming back - to me that makes this minifig exciting enough, although an alternate design would have been welcome.
These nearly identical mech sets that don't look particularly good and don't make any sense with the corresponding characters really seem like knockoff products from 5-10 years ago. I have quite liked some of the sets that were made in the Superheroes theme to tie in with a new movie - the big airport set from 2016 was pretty splendid, for example - but all these Spider-Man vehicles and Avengers sets that don't really relate to any specific thing seem like the design team is stuck in a holding pattern without a bunch of new material coming to cinemas every three months.
Eternals sets in the recent retailer catalogue look pretty great though.
Cool. Now onwards to Gundam!!!
Bleh. Looks rubbish. An Asgardian god + mech = unnecessary.
I also want a more classic thor. It's a pity that lego isn't interested in classic design. I would buy 100 AIM agents with a classic design.
These mech are good partpacks :D
Besides the weird look that many have mentioned, why does Thor needs a mech armor in the first place? It's kinda like superman mech armor. Aren't they far tougher and stronger than any mech armor themselves? Or am I missing something? Well, I guess they are targeted for young children to build figures.
@vader11 said:
"Besides the weird look that many have mentioned, why does Thor needs a mech armor in the first place? It's kinda like superman mech armor. Aren't they far tougher and stronger than any mech armor themselves? Or am I missing something? Well, I guess they are targeted for young children to build figures."
Maybe its for operating in hostile environments? Not sure if theres anywhere too hostile for Superman, but it's at least a plausible explanation :)