Review: 80040 Monkie Kid's Combi Mech and 80041 Mei's Dragon Jet combined
Posted by CapnRex101,
Although 80040 Monkie Kid's Combi Mech and 80041 Mei's Dragon Jet are both appealing sets on the whole, neither would be considered truly essential, in my opinion.
However, their combined design could enhance opinions of these sets, as I think the assembled powered-up mech looks fantastic!
The Completed Model
80040 Monkie Kid's Combi Mech includes two clips on the back, which can store accessories or serve to attach 80041 Mei's Dragon Jet. The latter vehicle requires a swift transformation before their integration, as its nose folds down and a section on the underside swings forwards, as this image shows.
The combined mech recalls Gundam mecha wearing rocket packs and 8106 Aero Booster from Exo-Force, although the booster pack on this mech is not as exaggerated as the model released in 2007! The conflicting colours are effective, distinguishing sections of this vehicle belonging to Monkie Kid and Mei, although both integrate some teal highlights.
Inevitably, posing the Combi Mech becomes more difficult with the booster attached, focusing its weight on the back. Nonetheless, the trans-bright green thrusters on the Dragon Jet can double as useful supports, even without additional reinforcement from the adjustable wings. The staff is similarly important in supporting the mech, enabling some dynamic action poses.
The aforementioned panel from underneath Mei's Dragon Jet folds over the Combi Mech's torso and looks brilliant. Once again, I love the stark contrast between the rounded shapes on Monkie Kid's vehicle and the sharp angles on Mei's. However, I wish there was some means of properly securing this chest panel, rather than it instead resting over the Combi Mech's shoulders.
While Monkie Kid remains in his cockpit, Mei can stand neatly on a couple of studs immediately above the connecting clips, with golden bars surrounding her. Given her position, I presume Mei controls the stud shooters, which can rotate to face forwards. I think these stud shooters appear awkward on 80041 Mei's Dragon Jet, although they are more appealing in this configuration.
The mech looks equally impressive from behind, with the lime green turbine from the Dragon Jet angled to form an enormous thruster. The 4x5x1 cockpit elements around the thruster are fixed using clips, so can be adjusted to your preferred position. I think these look most attractive when splayed slightly.
Additionally, the wings can be raised or lowered if you wish, although their folded position further stabilises the mech. The smaller vehicle which docks between the thrusters on Mei's Dragon Jet can also remain in place on the combined mech, while the cockpit canopy blends brilliantly into the fuselage, perhaps becoming a power core for this creation.
Overall
Combination models like this one often disappoint, either because the separate vehicles are not integrated naturally, or because their bulky structure hinders play. Fortunately, this example was a pleasant surprise, especially since 80040 Monkie Kid's Combi Mech and 80041 Mei's Dragon Jet do seem like genuine companions, but are also enjoyable alone.
As individual sets, I think both provide reasonable value at £17.99, $19.99 or €19.99. When they are combined though, the whole mech is rather small in stature. Even so, the powered-up model looks tremendous and matches 71765 Ninja Ultra Combo Mech in certain respects, which is an admirable feat.
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19 comments on this article
Seeing this and having recently got the Voltron set, I have a real desire to see a Power Rangers Megazord set. Dragonzord and Titanus($200 lol) sold separately.
Nice review! The lack of low-priced sets has been a common criticism of the otherwise amazing Monkie Kid theme since it debuted, so the fact that there are now two new $20 sets that are not only great on their own but combine together is incredibly cool! It's a shame that their withdrawal from physical stores in the U.S. and Europe might undermine the appeal of entry-level sets like these a bit...
Man, l can imagine being a kid and thinking this is so cool. Very fun play feature
Nice way to wrap up the reviews of these two sets! The comparison to 8106 is certainly interesting, but I am honestly a little more reminded of 44014, because of the colors and wing configuration.
Mei looks very cool seated behind MK as his copilot, and the contrasting color schemes work surprisingly well (special shout-out to each minifig having their own color-coded head-up display)! The Bright Bluish Green "belt" around the mech's waist honestly helps a lot at making the combination feel natural, since it matches the jet's other Bright Bluish Green parts, including the pentagonal tile that forms part of the chest plate/harness.
Even combined, these two sets are relatively unremarkable compared to the theme's other mechs and aircraft, but their main appeal is obviously in being much more affordable than any other Monkie Kid sets have been. The articulation is also better than some of the theme's other mechs due to the joints not having to support nearly as much weight (and it's good to know that there are plenty of options to use the thrusters, wings, and staff for added support when the weight of the jet is added).
Furthermore, the smaller size also makes it a little bit easier to use for intense "action figure" type play than the theme's beefier mechs, similar to the many small and mid-size mechs/characters that formed the foundation of the Exo-Force and Bionicle themes. I wouldn't be surprised if a number of old-school Bionicle fans included one or both of these sets in their latest LEGO purchases in order to reach the price threshold for the Tahu and Takua GWP! And I'm sure the big Technic swords don't hurt its appeal with that crowd, either.
Thanks again for the detailed reviews of these two sets! Eager to see what other Monkie Kid sets from this year Brickset will be reviewing!
Thanks for the review, I’ve picked up the combo mech but not the jet, now I’m tempted!
@johleth said:
"Seeing this and having recently got the Voltron set, I have a real desire to see a Power Rangers Megazord set. Dragonzord and Titanus($200 lol) sold separately."
Shhh there were leaks for Megazord xD
I had no idea these sets could combine like this... now I feel like I might need to get two of each, so I can have all 3 configurations out at the same time.
Really cool feature and it’s nice to see two small, affordable set‘s in one wave.
Stupid question. I just came back from one of the Atlanta area Lego stores. There wasn't a single Monkey Kid set in the store. Just completely absent. Is Lego abandoning North America for this line?
Great reviews! I just bought these as part of my Tahu order. I can’t wait to receive them in the mail, and to build them! The combination is great.
@Faefrost said:
"Stupid question. I just came back from one of the Atlanta area Lego stores. There wasn't a single Monkey Kid set in the store. Just completely absent. Is Lego abandoning North America for this line?"
They just abandoned selling them in stores, they’re still available online. I really don’t get the mindset of making them even more limited, but oh well.
That first large picture looks like a conga line. Cha-cha-cha!
Love the fact that these sets can combine! I'm probably wrong, but wasn't the last combining set 70827 and 70829 back in 2019?
I quite like the concept of combining two $20 sets, and I think the execution is quite good. I won't have the budget for both, but MK's mech looks decent on its own. Perhaps I will build my own jetpack attachment with pieces from 80006.
I’ve really been very pleased with LEGO combining sets. The Ultra Mech was very surprising. My son really likes playing with it, and it has a lot of impressive features.
It’s kind of a no-brainer when you factor in mixing Technic and System, and the combo feature has worked really well since the days of Classic Space. Keep it up, LEGO!
I’m guessing that they weren’t selling so well in the states. That’s especially saying something given their limited release in LEGO stores.
they do kinda look nice together
This reminds me of some of the Nexo Knights sets, being able to combine two sets together into one.
Very similar to Nexoknights 70361+70362, same concept with a mech+backpack.
As a longtime Transformers fan and therefore someone with an interest in combining mechs (I've never even seen Voltron and I just had to have 21131), I have been wanting these to sets since first seeing them, and this review has just intensified that desire.
@ozbrickcreator: I had no idea those two could combine! Now I regret not getting them even more.