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| >= 33% discounts on this year's sets | ||||
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| F1 Driver with McLaren Race Car | $8.10 ( | -38% | ||
| Spider-Man Mech vs. Anti-Venom | $9.49 ( | -37% | ||
| The Illager Desert Patrol | $9.59 ( | -36% | ||
| Z-Blob's Robot and Vehicle Adventures | $6.49 ( | -35% | ||
| Creative Happy Box | $26.00 ( | -35% | ||
| Iron Man Mech vs. Ultron | $9.99 ( | -33% | ||
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We are approaching a busy time of year for LEGO events in the UK, with one of the biggest and best, the Great Western Brick Show, taking place at the STEAM museum in Swindon on the 11th and 12th of October.
This year's show will be bigger than ever, with displays spread throughout the museum, plenty of hands-on activities, and a dozen or so traders in attendance, selling everything from individual minifigs to vintage 1960s and 1970s sets. Tickets are available from the official website.
Then, on the 1st and 2nd of November, the Shildon Brick Show takes place at the Locomotion museum in the town. Entry is free, but you need to book tickets in advance.
Two weeks after that, on the 15th and 16th November, the Bristol Brick Show will be held at the Gloucestershire county cricket ground.
I will be attending all three, collaborating in the Great Ball Contraption display, and I look forward to seeing some of you there. I may have some Brickset 1x8 bricks to give away, so be sure to come and say hello!
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As part of our 25th anniversary celebrations we've been conducting a knockout competition to determine which set you think is the best one released during the last five years, a period that has seen a massive increase in both the number of adult-oriented sets, and their average size.
Perhaps predictably, given the demographic of our audience, the final bout was contested between two sets that tap into our collective nostalgia for a time when LEGO was much simpler: 10497 Galaxy Explorer and 10305 Lion Knights' Castle.
I expected the result to be close but in fact there is a clear winner.
So, which has prevailed, Castle or Space? Find out after the break...
A total of 3,928 votes were cast.
The winner, then, the set that you think is the best one released since 2020, is 10305 Lion Knights' Castle.
The homage to classic Castle saw off 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale in the first round, 10350 Tudor Corner in the quarter-finals, and 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell (surprisingly) in the semi-finals to reach the final in which it has easily slain the homage to classic Space.
You will recall that the sixteen sets that contested the bouts were nominated by you, and it's interesting to now go back and compare the number of nominations with the result.
| Set | Votes | Knocked out in |
|---|---|---|
| 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell | 577 | Semi-finals |
| 10305 Lion Knights' Castle | 436 | - |
| 10497 Galaxy Explorer | 249 | Final |
| 10333 The Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr | 150 | First round |
| 10350 Tudor Corner | 141 | Quarter-finals |
| 10294 Titanic | 139 | Quarter-finals |
| 71741 NINJAGO City Gardens | 136 | First round |
| 21325 Medieval Blacksmith | 115 | Semi-finals |
| 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale | 101 | First round |
| 75290 Mos Eisley Cantina | 90 | Quarter-finals |
| 76178 Daily Bugle | 88 | First round |
| 75313 AT-AT | 77 | First round |
| 77015 Temple of the Golden Idol | 76 | First round |
| 10283 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery | 72 | Quarter-finals |
| 10320 Eldorado Fortress | 68 | First round |
| 21333 Vincent van Gogh - The Starry Night | 65 | First round |
Now, I wonder which would win in a bout between the castle and the winner of the competition we conducted in 2020 to find the best set released since Brickset was founded (in 2000): 70620 NINJAGO City? Perhaps we should find out...
Thank you to everyone who votes and especially to those that advocated for sets: the contest would not have been as much fun without your input. I hope you've all enjoyed it as much as we here at Brickset Towers have.
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Today's random set is 4200 Mining 4x4, released during 2012. It's one of 41 City sets produced that year. It contains 102 pieces and 1 minifig, and its retail price was US$11.99/£7.99.
It's owned by 10,133 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you should find it for sale at BrickLink, where new ones sell for around $18.70, or eBay.
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Today's random minifigure is frnd0509 Friends Olivia (Nougat) - Dark Pink Skirt, Dark Blue Leggings, Bright Light Yellow Knit Cap, a Friends figure that came in one set, 41699 Pet Adoption Café, released during 2022.
Our members collectively own a total of 1,017 of them. If you'd like to buy one you should find it for sale at BrickLink, where new ones sell for around $3.40.
Image and minifig data courtesy of BrickLink.com
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These are the reviews that we've published recently:
 | 75417 AT-ST75417 AT-ST has the ingredients for greatness, but its pose is fundamentally wrong |
 | 42671 Plant Café & Flower ShopA beautiful set and a worthy companion to 41757 Botanical Garden |
 | 43277 Cruella De Vil's Car43277 Cruella De Vil's Car is an excellent set, but one hopelessly overpriced |
 | 21361 Gremlins: GizmoA fantastic representation of an iconic character |
 | 76320 Iron Man & War Machine vs. Hammer DronesWhile the play value is reasonable, the drones should have been executed differently |
 | 72039 Bowser's CastleFinally, some larger scenery pieces are warmly welcomed in this molten racetrack |
View more reviews in the news archive »
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75417 AT-ST was launched among the summer LEGO Star Wars sets and seems destined to be overlooked, sadly. This is the smallest Ultimate Collector Series model since 2012, produced in the same period as 75409 Jango Fett's Starship and 75419 Death Star.
However, the relatively modest piece count has no bearing on the scout walker's quality, which looks excellent. The model is certainly very detailed and accurate to its appearance in Return of the Jedi, although like previous renditions of the AT-ST, any articulation is sparse, seriously affecting the display value.
75417 AT-ST, 1,513 pieces.
£179.99 / $199.99 / €199.99 | 11.9p/13.2c/13.2c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
75417 AT-ST has the ingredients for greatness, but its pose is fundamentally wrong
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
There is little opportunity for exciting minifigures in a set like this, but an AT-ST Driver suffices and includes decorated arms for the first time, which are a nice addition. The driver's famously bland uniform is nonetheless fairly detailed, borrowed from 75394 Imperial Star Destroyer. I am pleased with the printed goggles on the helmet too, though I wish they could move down.
The head is new and features an accurate chinstrap, but only one facial expression, which is a shame. Furthermore, I think the Imperial symbols on the arms could be improved because they should be silver. Ultimately, this is a good minifigure, albeit definitely not a faultless one.
Source - starwars.fandom.com
The information plaque is printed and looks superb, displaying the traditional blue image of the model beside its specifications. All this information is correct, although the vehicle's name is no longer italicised, which has been normal since 2015. The same applies to 75419 Death Star, so presumably this was a deliberate stylistic change.
Following a fairly brief appearance in The Empire Strikes Back, the AT-ST was updated for its more prominent role in Return of the Jedi and this model captures the proportions of the latter design fairly accurately. However, there is something about the walker's stance that just seems wrong, which I will come to shortly.
10174 Imperial AT-ST was released in 2006 and was ahead of its time, in my opinion. Although the earlier model lacked detail in certain areas, its shape matches the onscreen walker and the original version was substantially larger than its successor, measuring 40cm in height. The new AT-ST is 37cm tall, by comparison.
While that is a relatively minor distinction, it seems greater because the new AT-ST's cockpit is noticeably smaller than the equivalent from 2006. The size difference does not bother me at all because both cockpits are in proportion with the legs, but it feels rather strange when the earlier model only cost £59.99, $79.99 or €79.99.
The legs are completely static, which is a little disappointing after the introduction of extremely strong joints with 76968 Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex and 77078 Mecha Team Leader, but I realise that articulation may not have been possible, even so. More importantly, the static pose selected makes this vehicle seem inactive. Even when standing still in the film, the AT-ST always looks ready to move, which the LEGO version lacks.
I wonder whether the legs could have been positioned mid-stride, potentially featuring an Endor base underneath. Regardless, the footpads are cleverly designed to capture their curved shape, with a few rubber elements for stability on the underside and intricate claws on top, used to slice through fences and clear debris.
Occasional dark tan pieces break up the otherwise grey armour, representing flecks of rust or mud. These are welcome and look particularly effective on the legs. However, the 1x4 tiles on the back of each leg are the wrong shape because these strips should curve to follow the legs' structure, actually passing under the mechanical details higher up.
The uppermost sections of the legs are brilliantly detailed, incorporating paint rollers, bars and small tiles to form specific mechanical features. The 1x1 rounded tiles on the joints particularly stand out to me because these are an exact match for the original vehicle. The model designer, Niels Bundesen, evidently paid close attention to the source material.
On the other hand, perhaps the joint covers further forward could have been brick-built, rather than needing stickers. Moreover, I wish the upper legs were angled downwards slightly for the aforementioned sense of motion. The designer has instead focused on angling them outwards, which looks excellent, but I would like both!
Detail continues on the platform between the legs, including 1x3 rounded plates forming power cell slots along each side. Technically, there should be five slots, but three is a fair compromise, particularly with the oft-omitted block on top. Also, the rubber tyre underneath the cockpit works well, even though this joint only rotates, rather than flexing.
The back looks even better, recreating the AT-ST's distinctive hexagonal radiators with wedge plates and grille bricks. A lesser model would use stickers here, but wedge plates form exactly the correct shape.
The cockpit looks fantastic on the whole, recreating its angular profile from the movie and the necessary external details. I appreciate the addition of the thick armour panel on the front, for example. The bodywork around the blaster cannons could be better though, extending slightly too far because of the 3x12 wedge plates on the front panel.
Similarly, the frame under the twin blasters is chunkier than it needs to be, but I like the wheel placed inside. This is not a functioning joint, however. The blasters are instead connected to a Technic bearing behind them, which works for certain poses, but not others. 10174 Imperial AT-ST shared this issue.
I love the complex blaster cannon assembly on the cockpit's left side, featuring a dense cluster of scanners and rangefinders. Maybe these could be marginally longer, but their scale certainly improves on the previous Ultimate Collector Series AT-ST and the weapon can rotate.
The same applies to the concussion grenade launcher on the right side. This is much simpler, though equally faithful to the source material. The wheel used at the end of the launcher even features a series of indented circles around its hub, again corresponding with the walker in the movie.
The cooling fans on the back are another recognisable feature of the scout walker, surrounded by plenty more mechanical details. Again, the armour is properly shaped and I like the dark tan 1x1 tiles used in places, although the highlights on the legs are a bit subtler.
Grille tiles are integrated to excellent effect on the roof panel, mounted on 2x2 rocker plates to angle them correctly. The handrail encircling the top hatch looks reasonable as well, though its shape is far from perfect, despite the wide variety of LEGO bar elements available today.
The hatch opens and looks good in either position, although the viewport covers cannot close. While that surprises me, it would be difficult to integrate hidden hinges, even at this scale. The covers are frustratingly fragile though, each mounted on a single clip and easily knocked out of position.
Additionally, you can open the whole roof panel to reveal the interior. The reddish brown seats look nice and use a couple more of the set's few stickers, but there is no room to stand behind the seats, as seen in Return of the Jedi. I would undoubtedly have complained if the AT-ST had no interior, but honestly, I am not convinced it was actually worthwhile!
Having said that, I like the consoles in front of the pilots, with an accurate sticker featuring two green screens in the centre. The other controls comprise common printed tiles, but those work on this occasion, alongside taps for the control yokes.
I really want to love 75417 AT-ST because the designer has doubtless paid careful attention to the source material, including details you would only notice in photos of the models created for filming. Unfortunately, the vehicle's stance seriously detracts from its final appearance because you never see Imperial Scout Walkers standing like this in Return of the Jedi.
The lack of articulation is also a little disappointing, but totally understandable, considering the weight required to pass through small joints. In addition, I find the price of £179.99, $199.99 or €199.99 fairly expensive for a model comprising such ordinary and near-monochromatic pieces, but its size and presence on display goes some way to allaying that concern.
Still, I am hesitant to recommend the set because it just seems somehow unremarkable for an addition to the Ultimate Collector Series and its decidedly static appearance bothers me, likely more than it should.
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These are the most read articles that we've posted during the last fortnight:
| Article | Date | Views | Likes | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEGO 41843 Christmas Tree Decoration revealed! | 09 Sep | 19566 | 105 | 181 |
| 10361 Holiday Express Train official images! | 09 Sep | 18729 | 115 | 178 |
| LEGO Star Trek confirmed! | 08 Sep | 15551 | 188 | 203 |
| Review: 75419 Death Star - Minifigures | 10 Sep | 13937 | 133 | 100 |
| Review: 10361 - Part 1 - 3D printed blue train | 13 Sep | 12326 | 193 | 114 |
| Review: 40771 TIE Fighter with Imperial Hangar Rack | 07 Sep | 11980 | 97 | 78 |
| Review: 76300 Arkham Asylum - Minifigures | 12 Sep | 9480 | 101 | 58 |
| The Black Pearl available now | 12 Sep | 8996 | 54 | 35 |
| Brickset Bouts, the final: Castle vs. Space | 18 Sep | 8752 | 150 | 197 |
| Review: 76300 Arkham Asylum - Part #2 | 14 Sep | 8344 | 108 | 33 |
The total number of news article views this week is 129,658, which is 89,990 fewer than last week.
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These are the sets that have been viewed the most this week:
| TW | LW | Set | Views | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | ↔ | 10365 Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Ship | 3257 |
| 2 | 3 | ↑ | 40769 SEGA Genesis Controller | 2989 |
| 3 | 21360 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory | 2074 | ||
| 4 | 2 | ↓ | 75419 Death Star | 1950 |
| 5 | 9 | ↑ | 75192 Millennium Falcon | 1841 |
| 6 | 4 | ↓ | 76300 Arkham Asylum | 1837 |
| 7 | 12 | ↑ | 10305 Lion Knights' Castle | 1718 |
| 8 | 6 | ↓ | 10361 Holiday Express Train | 1699 |
| 9 | 8880 Super Car | 1692 | ||
| 10 | 14 | ↑ | 5009609 Captain Jack Sparrow's Compass | 1506 |
The total number of set detail pages viewed this week is 1,173,261, which is 106,097 fewer than last week.
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It doesn't seem like two years since 41757 Botanical Garden! I know there are some who viewed 42669 Beekeepers' House and Flower Garden as a companion set, but while that's a lovely set, I didn't think it was quite a fit. However, I think those who are looking for a companion for 41757 will be quite pleased with 42671 Plant Café & Flower Shop. I think it's the prettiest set in the second wave of the year.
42671 Plant Café & Flower Shop, 1,138 pieces.
£79.99 / $99.99 / €89.99 | 7.0p/8.8c/7.9c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A beautiful set and a worthy companion to 41757 Botanical Garden
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Inside the box there are eight numbered bags, two instruction books and a sticker sheet. I love the delicate patterns on the stickers - I think they will look great!
There are four minidolls in this set - three of the regular crew and the plant shop employee. First of all, there's Nugget the cat, who must be a regular at the Plant Café as they're not a pet of any of the listed Friends.
Esma is the plant shop employee, as indicated by the name badge. It makes eminent sense that she's wearing dungarees, though a little surprised she doesn't have longer sleeves. I almost didn't catch this detail until looking through the pictures, but Esma is the first Friends minidoll to have a cleft palate. Kudos to the Friends team for continuing to find ways to celebrate diversity.
The three main Friends are wearing outfits we've seen before. I'm still enamooured with Nova's top with the long sausage dog is pretty cool, I continue to wonder how Olly's sweater stays on one shoulder, and I still think Aliya's top looks like one of my grandmother's crocheted afghans.
The first part of the build is a trolley (or streetcar, as the set description calls it). It's appropriately coloured in pastel tones and has (not surprisingly) floral details. It looks very Easter-like to me, which is only reinforced by its destination: Tulip Street.
The top lifts off for easy access. There's a spot at the front of the troller for the operator.
This is a surprisingly complex build for a set targeted at this age group, thanks to the angles at the front and back and the pillars. However I still find the trolley to look a little plain. What's more, I wonder why a streetcar is included in a set about a store.
The main build is the plant café with a shop off to the side. While I like the plant shop and the extra pop of colour that it brings, it looks almost too bright against the muted tones of the café.
On display, I like the café on its own much better.
The front of the café boasts an outdoor table with two chairs to allow patrons to enjoy the café's wares outdoors. I like the details of the awning over the picture window, and the tulips on display on the window sill.
This is such a pretty set I have taken pictures from many different angles. The side of the building has a glassed-in area to show off a taller plant topped with a brightly coloured bloom. From this angle you can also see the details on the roof.
Another shot of the front of the café, this time showing the front door and the ornamentation overhead. Love seeing the butterfly here, and the stickers for the details for the windows over the front door.
The other side of the café features a wisteria tree in full bloom. I like the added stickered detail of the filigree on the window sills.
The back of the plant café looks as delightful as the front, including continuing the green decor inside.
One side of the café is dedicated to a kitchen - or rather, a Heartlake City version of Starbucks. There's a fancy coffee machine to provide the Friends with caffeine. A mobile checkout is on the desk on the other side, as well as an assortment of cookies (including sugar cookies - my favourite!).
The other side, in between more greenery, is set with a teapot and two cups as well as two very cute stools. Ever mindful of the potentially changing weather, an umbrella is on hand to protect the Friends from the rain.
The Friends aren't the only ones who might take refuge from the rain, or are attracted to the tea.
(Note: tea-drinking sloths not included in this set.)
I've taken a lot of pictures that show the stickers in passing, but here's a shot of the roof. The delicate patterns are a perfect match for the atrium. How lovely! I also found this part of the build to be more advanced than I expected for the targeted age for this set.
The last part of the build is a small flower shop that is attached to one side of the café. Unlike the delicate colours of the café, the shop is a bright eye-catching yellow. It does have the same delicate filigree decorations as the café, however.
Bright bouquets of blooms are offered in a box at the front of the shop - shoppers have a choice between daisies and roses, and some tulips. Other plants are on offer on some shelving that wraps around the side of the shop.
The back of the shop isn't all that interesting, but does provide a space for an employee to stand, and has a watering can to care for the plants. Love the details of Nugget's pawprints!
I think this is my favourite set of the second wave of the year. The plant café is utterly charming, and I love its delicate and elegant colouring. I think this part of the set would look wonderful with 41737 Botanical Garden (interestingly enough, this set is more expensive than 41737). The Friends look great, and continued kudos to the Friends team for their commitment to diversity and adding a character who has a cleft palate.
The flower shop is a nice touch, though I find the bright yellow colour a little incongruous with the larger café. I like that there is a choice of many flowers (which is to be expected, after all, for a flower shop!).
The part of the set that puzzles me is the trolley. It's a serviceable trolley and has some nice building techniques, but I'm still not sure why a trolley is included in this set. I think the set would have been just as nice without the trolley. That would make for a less expensive set, perhaps at the same price as 41737.
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This week's vintage set is 123 Passenger Coach, released during 1969. It's one of 25 Trains sets produced that year. It contains 98 pieces.
It's owned by 303 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
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Cruella De Vil drives a spectacular classic car in One Hundred and One Dalmatians, inspired by various luxury cars developed in the 1920s and 1930s. 43277 Cruella De Vil's Car recreates this iconic vehicle in LEGO form and looks fantastic, worthy of its opulent source material.
However, I am concerned about the price of £44.99, $49.99 or €49.99, which seems extremely expensive, even for a car with functional steering. There is only one minifigure included, after all, plus the Dalmatian puppy, though the characters and Cruella's car do look good.
43277 Cruella De Vil's Car, 378 pieces.
£44.99 / $49.99 / €49.99 | 11.9p/13.2c/13.2c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
43277 Cruella De Vil's Car is an excellent set, but one hopelessly overpriced
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Cruella De Vil earlier appeared in 71038 Disney 100 Collectable Minifigures and this figure is very similar to her Collectable Minifigure, fortunately. The superb black and white hair element returns, complete with sculpted earrings, while the pale yellow coat also remains unchanged in the main and makes good use of dual-moulded legs.
The other minifigure included a fabric component over her shoulders, which would have been great here, but was not essential. Furthermore, the printed fox tails on the reverse of Cruella's coat are gone, which does not surprise me. Nonetheless, this is a wonderful minifigure and the double-sided head is incredibly expressive, especially to show Cruella's fury.
Again reminiscent of her Collectable Minifigure, a Dalmatian puppy accompanies De Vil. Patch appeared last time and I believe this is Penny, given her blue collar. I am pleased to see a new puppy provided and Penny looks adorable, of course. There are now 99 Dalmatian puppies still to cover!
Source - disney.fandom.com
While the shape of Cruella De Vil's car is consistent throughout the original animated film, its colour differs between scenes. It appears red in the daytime, but closer to a dark burgundy in later scenes. Magenta would probably be a more accurate shade for the latter, pictured above, but red is the colour often used on merchandise for the car and it works in LEGO form.
Cruella's car is enormous for a minifigure-scale model, measuring almost 26cm in length and dwarfing even Speed Champions cars like 77239 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, shown below. This is arguably too big to display the car in a typical LEGO City environment and Cruella looks small beside her vehicle, but the scale definitely helps with the sense of value.
Among the car's most distinctive features onscreen are its headlights and bumper, resembling angry eyes and teeth. The vertical details on the bumper should be sharper, but the headlights look perfect and are adjustable, so you can give this model even more personality. Perhaps the trans-clear pieces should have been trans-yellow instead, but either suffices.
Hot air balloon panels look fantastic as sweeping mudguards over the front wheels, re-using a technique from 70911 The Penguin Arctic Roller. These probably determined the vehicle's size and certainly justify it, in my opinion. In addition, its considerable size has enabled the designer to incorporate a simple steering mechanism, controlled by rotating the spare tyre on the back.
The car's turning circle leaves something to be desired, but this is still a nice feature. I love the ornate horn as well, using a golden whip element to capture its looping shape. The model also includes opening doors and the grilles on the bonnet look splendid, but the grey Technic bricks just visible behind the mudguards are irritating.
The roof is removable to place Cruella De Vil and the captive Penny inside. There is plenty of space available, though actually just one seat with two studs to attach puppies or accessories behind the driver. While room for a second minifigure would have been ideal, Cruella drives by herself in the original animated film.
A sticker is applied on the rounded console beside the steering wheel; one of three in this set. Notably, the steering wheel is positioned on the right to match the animation, as One Hundred and One Dalmatians takes place in the UK.
As mentioned, twisting the spare tyre controls the steering and the function is brilliantly hidden, even though the tyre is a little smaller than the actual wheels. I like the rear window just above and the trans-red tail lights look excellent too, accurately angled and extending from the wheel arches.
43277 Cruella De Vil's Car joins an ever-growing list of impressive sets marred by a bafflingly high price. Despite the car's size and ample functionality, £44.99, $49.99 or €49.99 is way too expensive, particularly for a set with only one minifigure, plus a Dalmatian puppy. Maybe a few more puppies could have been added, but honestly, the price should simply be lower.
Having said that, I am always pleased to see more minifigure-based sets inspired by Disney's animated catalogue and the model is well-executed. Once significantly discounted, Cruella De Vil's car will become a worthy purchase for Disney fans.
132 likes
Now that the promotion for 40769 SEGA Genesis Controller has ended, there are some new gifts-with-purchase and other offers available.
They are as follows:
Do you plan on going for any of these? Let us know in the comments below!
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It has been a long journey to get here, but at last it is time to crown the best set of the last five years. You've all been waiting and debating, so without further ado, let's get right to it!
In this final bout maffyd defends the massive medieval fortress, and I try to convince you to support the sleek retro spacecraft.
Read the pitches after the break, then cast your vote.
When I was asked if I could provide my case for the Lion Knights' Castle (LKC), I must admit I was a little daunted. First off, this was the final. Second off, it's against the Galaxy Explorer - a set I have imagined owning since the Great Unfairness of Elder Brother took place sometime back in the 80s.
But then I thought some more about it, and I'm actually very glad I have the Castle to defend (he he...). And I shall tell you all why.
The first thing is the heritage. Lego Space has similar, but Castle has both in-universe Lego lore, and Real World(tm) history. You can come at it from a medieval viewpoint, a cinematic viewpoint, a fantasy viewpoint, or just a storytelling viewpoint, and it all works. You can present the set in as many situations as you wish and the way it's built and how it looks and the features it has all fit in with any milieu.
And then there's the size. With a spaceship you can get by with a smaller craft and the story about zooming around the galaxy will still work. But with a castle, it needs presence, or it's just a little fort (no offence 31120 Medieval Castle or 31168 Medieval Horse Knight Castle). LKC has this presence, and more. The right colours, the right shape, the right gatehouse, keep, ramparts, towers, wattle and daub, machicolations, water wheel, primary and secondary portcullises and even a little jetty. It's very much the whole deal.
And then there are the interiors. Don't know why, but the toilet and the froggy poo always come first to mind. But that's the least of the unique rooms hidden within. Kitchen with flour mill and pantry, dining hall with fireplace and decorative shields, bedroom with model castle under construction. Then there are dungeons with secret doors, a treasure room, stabling, armoury and food stall.
Pretty much everything a castle needs. Well, it also needs inhabitants...
Lion Knight Defenders, Black Falcon Entourage, Forestmen Collective, wizard (or soothsayer in a more historical context), peasants, animals - there's enough to create any story you want, but space for you to add more (which I'll get to later).
Honestly, it's got everything.
If these features have you thinking it might actually the best set ever, here's a few more points to consider:
Thank you for reading, and Go Castle Mafia!
I think we all knew where this would lead. Of course it was going to come down to Castle vs. Space in the end. There may be people slightly bothered by this; you might be sick of the 'nostalgia bait' from LEGO. I even understand why many think that 10316 Rivendell should have been the overall winner. Rightfully so! It is a beautiful set. But the final showdown deserved to be a celebration of the essence of what LEGO is all about, and that includes the beauty in the simplicity – back before the licences and the 'big bang' story themes. What captures all of that better than 2022's Galaxy Explorer?
This tribute to the early days of LEGO Space is packed with functionality, while not being obtrusive to its appearance. And as simple as the features might be, they really help the set come alive; these include a sliding airlock door, an opening back that releases a buggy, and retractable landing gear that seamlessly blends into the underside of the spaceship.
The Galaxy Explorer has everything you could want for your crew of Classic Spacemen. The fully furnished cockpit is fantastic, fitting all four figures! The living quarters are generously detailed, even featuring a BIONICLE reference on a screen – sparking your imagination, making you wonder what kind of adventures this crew could get into. There are also multiple places for accessory storage, making great use of space. The building techniques are marvellous, forming incredible angles in the wings, brick-built arrows, and even beds that can fit air tanks. And of course, it's all very swooshable – though you might need two hands!
Being produced for the 90th anniversary of LEGO, and serving as a remake of the lauded 1979 set, you'd surely expect some nostalgia. The Galaxy Explorer delivers it in spades! The model has remarkable attention to detail with respect to the original version. It includes all you would expect from a new iteration, with the aesthetics improved but the shaping still intact - all at 1.5 times the size! Even the space buggy carried over. There's also a reference to a later Classic Space set, with the robot from 1987's 6809 XT-5 and Droid. And if you somehow aren't persuaded yet, the set can be rebuilt into new versions of 918 Space Transport and 924 Space Cruiser! All of this for only $100; a bargain in this day and age.
I didn't grow up in the 70s and 80s (my childhood LEGO Space was Space Police III), so I can't claim to have lived in this golden era of LEGO history. However, this set helped me understand why it's so beloved, and gave me a set that I will certainly still love in another forty years, like how old folks feel about the original. I couldn't have asked for better, and neither could you, I am sure. This is the best set of the decade so far; it's truly perfect, and you know it in your heart to be true. All that's left to do is to vote 10497 Galaxy Explorer!
Having read the above, which of these two sets do you think should be crowned "best set of the last five years"?
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Gremlins was released in 1984 and still enjoys popularity today as a beloved horror comedy and a Christmas classic. The franchise has seen continued success through a 1990 sequel, a recent animated series, and a memorable LEGO Dimensions appearance in 2016.
Now, it returns to LEGO in the form of 21361 Gremlins: Gizmo, which came about from terauma's winning entry in the LEGO Ideas "If we could turn back time" 80s challenge.
This mischievous Mogwai looks wonderful in official images, exuding personality and featuring plenty of detail. I can only hope that I'm just as impressed after further inspection...
21361 Gremlins: Gizmo, 1,125 pieces.
£89.99 / $109.99 / €99.99 | 8.0p/9.8c/8.9c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A fantastic representation of an iconic character
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The box is the usual 18+ fare, but Gizmo certainly stands out against the black background, with a nice blue glow behind him.
The back shows multiple shots of the set, as well as its dimensions of 20 centimeters / 8 inches high and 27 centimeters / 10.5 inches wide - not much smaller than an 'actual' Mogwai, which are around nine inches tall.
"Look Mister, there are some rules that you've got to follow."
Like caring for a Mogwai, this set begins with some instructions. But instead of three rules, it's more like over three hundred steps.
The instructions open with an introduction to the fan designer, terauma (Fuma Terai).
As a refresher, here is his submission:
You can read more from terauma on the LEGO Ideas blog!
Of course, there's also a short blurb about Gremlins and Gizmo.
The images provided really make me nostalgic about watching the movie for the first time as a kid with my dad... in the early 2000s!
Finally, there's a message from the LEGO Ideas design team - although strangely, designer Chris McVeigh is not mentioned by name.
So cute!
Ten numbered bags are included, and no stickers - instead, two printed shields (the Captain America shield mold, to be specific) are used for the eyes.
Cute. Clever. Mischievous. Intelligent. Dangerous. Buildable.
Construction starts with the torso, which made for an interesting building experience, with plenty of Technic and SNOT techniques. A wonderful added detail is this trans-pink 1x1 pyramid for a 'heart', as apparently, terauma's daughter loves transparent elements!
The instructions split when you reach bag four, which is when you can decide whether to build Gizmo standing up (page 66) or sitting down (page 96).
For the purposes of this review, I chose the standing position, but you can check out what he looks like sitting below! I may build this version someday...
Here are the spare pieces left over, mostly used for the sitting version, after building the standing one:
The standing legs connect to the lower body using some Technic axles.
Panels are created for the fur on the arms...
Terrifying!
The head connects to a Technic axle and turntable on the torso, ensuring stability.
In the spirit of Gremlins, I had a rather morbid idea...
[Note: Despite a bright light being used, no Mogwai were harmed in the making of this review.]
Source - Posterazzi.com
"To understand, one has only to listen."
And here he is! Gizmo looks spectacular when everything is built, with detail from the tips of his ears to his tiny toes. He compares favorably with the source material, and from a distance could easily be mistaken for a non-LEGO figurine, which is the desired outcome for things like this, I suppose.
His backside looks equally good, with some amusing shaping for his posterior...
The range of articulation is a bit limited, but you can get some fun poses out of him!
Anyway, he doesn't really have a bad angle!
Gizmo agrees with my assessment...
The head is easily the best part, with the most attention evidently being paid to it. The eyelids - making use of newer vehicle mudguard pieces - are perfectly captured, and I love the rounded brows. The little nose is delightfully rendered, using 1x1 corner tiles to great effect.
The ears are another phenomenal aspect of the model, and are shaped very well. They are on ball joints, but there is not too much freedom in their movement. Still, I adore them!
I really like the tufts of fur on both sides of the head, too.
Gizmo comes with two bonus accessories: 3D glasses, which he uses to read one of Billy Peltzer's comic books in the first film, and a puddle of water, which doubles as a drop of it when attached to him.
The 3D glasses are neat, with a nice transparent effect for the lenses. At first, I was disappointed at there being no temples on the sides, but when rewatching the film while building, I discovered that this is actually accurate.
It is a bit of a struggle for Gizmo to hold them, but it is indeed possible!
They do make for some sweet shades...
The water is a fun reference to the second rule of caring for a Mogwai: never get them wet, or they will multiply! If only that worked for LEGO sets.
"Ahhhh!"
This is a stunning model. No expense has been spared here, making great use of the LEGO parts catalogue to perfectly replicate Gizmo's fuzzy, pudgy design. The building experience is a joy, and what you're left with is an adorable display piece. I especially adore the curvature of the head and ears, which faithfully depict the unique look of the Mogwai.
Furthermore, the included posability, and the 'sitting' alternate model, are very welcome, although more degrees of articulation would have been nice. However, I think sacrificing that for aesthetics was the right call here, as this is not a playset.
I love the 3D glasses and splash of water, as well, recalling specific moments and bringing back fond memories of the film. Sure, it would have been great to see Gizmo's Rambo accessories from Gremlins 2: The New Batch, which were in terauma's original submission. The set would have just become pricier, though, and the glasses are arguably more important iconography for the franchise. Besides that change, this set is a definite improvement on his model, being larger and thus more detailed.
"With Mogwai comes much responsibility. I cannot sell him at any price."
...But LEGO can. And even the price is reasonable, compared to other recent licensed sets of similar piece counts. The figure feels hefty, and the inner construction is dense, bringing more value than you'd expect at first glance. £89.99 / $109.99 / €99.99 therefore seems quite fair to me, and a discount would make a purchase even more of a no-brainer.
"Yum, yum!"
[Note: Gizmo and Stripe minifigures are unfortunately not included in this set.]
For any fan of Gremlins, I highly recommend 21361 Gremlins: Gizmo, releasing on October 1st. It would for sure make a great Christmas gift - hopefully with none of the issues that Billy dealt with! I'm not sure if LEGO realizes what they are unleashing upon the world here, but after reading this review, perhaps you are ready. As Mr. Wing said, "Mogwai will be waiting."
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