Review: 40627 Sonic the Hedgehog
Posted by CapnRex101,
In addition to the minifigure-scale Sonic the Hedgehog sets, Sega's famous hedgehog has also joined the BrickHeadz range this summer. The character's spiky hair and striking colours appear suited for this format and 40627 Sonic the Hedgehog does look good.
However, there was substantial criticism of the figure when it was unveiled, focusing primarily on the unusual eyes.
Summary
40627 Sonic the Hedgehog, 139 pieces.
£9.99 / $9.99 / €9.99 | 7.2p / 7.2c / 7.2c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Sonic suits the BrickHeadz format well, although his eyes look strange
- Excellent proportions
- Good texture across the back
- Eyes differ from standard BrickHeadz
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The Completed Model
Sonic the Hedgehog is instantly recognisable in BrickHeadz form and suits the style of these figures remarkably well, in my opinion. The proportions of the character translate nicely, even though his legs are much longer in the video games. Fortunately, the figure wears large shoes and these give the impression of bigger legs, without deviating from the BrickHeadz standard.
The eyes are therefore odd, as they do differ from normal BrickHeadz eyes, which contain two white squares. These are also decorated with circles underneath and I am not sure why, given the consistency of previous BrickHeadz. Maybe the designer considered these elements more effective with the surrounding white tiles, but I am not convinced any changes were needed.
Otherwise, the head is nicely detailed and becomes increasingly textured on the back, where 1x2 curved wedge slopes form spikes. These certainly make the model appear more dynamic, although I think there was an opportunity for even longer spikes on the head. Sonic comes with a flame yellowish orange ring, created for the aforementioned minifigure-scale sets.
Overall
In some respects, 40627 Sonic the Hedgehog represents a welcome change from the glut of human characters portrayed by BrickHeadz this year. I love his spiky hair and bright colours, continuing even onto Sonic's striped shoes. Deciding to change his eyes, on the other hand, seems strange, given their previously consistent style since 2016.
Even so, I like this rendition of Sonic on the whole and the price of £9.99, $9.99 or €9.99 does remain consistent with other lone BrickHeadz figures, thankfully. On that basis, I think this is a good, thought not outstanding, addition to the theme.
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19 comments on this article
I for one like the new eyes. Seem less lifeless than usual.
Overly nerdy Sonic fan insight here - ever since Generations in 2011 (and *especially* since Mania in 2017), SEGA's been a lot more strict on dividing out "classic" sonic (short lad with black pupils, like from the old 2D ones) and "modern" sonic (the lanky, green-eyed fella from 1999 onwards) so it completely tracks for em to be enforcing the eye colour here. I don't mind it here though honestly - adds a nice splash of colour, pretty neato!
The bit I'm not overly sold on is the side silhouette, sadly - granted it's not an easy thing to recreate in Brickheadz form so the designer's done a decent enough job with the limitations at hand, but it just doesn't capture his design enough for me.
Bit of a shame, but ah well - the Tails one looks pretty much perfect, so I'll prolly end up grabbing both anyways to complete the pair!
Sonic had to "gotta go fast" so hard that he breached the temporal barrier and he can now gaze through time itself.
Changing the eyes would improve all Brickheads. But it is a little odd that they would change their style now after 7 years of their original choice.
Thanks for the nightmares!!
As a lifelong Sonic fan and a fan of the Brickheadz theme, this and 40628 are two of my most anticipated sets of the year. The new line of Sonic sets does nothing for me but cannot wait having Sonic and Tails among my Brickheadz collection!
I am sure the designers did the best they could, but this looks like a bootleg product.
@Ridgeheart said:
"The surrounding white sclera in brick-form makes Sonic's weird uni-eye look even weirder. Thanks, I hate it."
Oh goodness, I had forgotten that the whole white part is part of the eye, but a quick look over to my classic sonic minifig from 21331 later and you're absolutely right! It's really hard to unsee now, thanks for that xD
Still, there is no real alternative to doing it this way in the BRickheadz form factor, and if you are not thinking about it, it works alright asthetically...
More like 'Sanic'
This isn't a new standard or a one-off. Jake Sully's Avatar in 40554 has the same design, with a yellow iris and black pupil underneath the standard Brickheadz print. As @Ayliff suggests, it's likely to meet an external licensor design mandate.
The most positive thing I can say about it, is that it's very blue...
@CapnRex101, are we going to get a review of any of the other sets from the Sonic wave? The Death Egg Robot specifically?
Doing a character who originated in a sixteen-bit video game as a Brickheadz is appropriate.
This is absolutely terrifying, and may require a public burning/witch trial
Totally rebuilding this in yellow and adding Pikachu ears.
Incidentally for anyone who wants a standard BrickHeadz eye but doesn't want the default black pupils, Lloyd BrickHeadz 41487 has the part in green, and the pair should only be a buck or two from Bricklink. Not sure anyone would care enough to go to that much trouble.
It looks like absolute dung with those eyes…for a Brickheadz figure build I mean. There are…lol…there be RULES, darn it!
You know what I smell? I smell me some licensor interference, that’s what I’m smellin’! :D That’s a distinct possibility anyway. Because from a branding perspective it makes sense for LEGO to stick with their look on the eyes. For SEGA it makes sense to say “Um…no, we want more of Sonic’s look since you aren’t really hitting his head shape or head to body proportions enough…”
My two golden rings, anyway…
Nightmare fuel... did my middle school class make this? Not the designer's fault, I just don't think Sonic translates well into BrickHeadz form.
I don't see the issue, his eyes are how the characters eyes are? I honestly don't think anyone would have thought they were iffy, had it not said in the review. Great set in my eyes...